Edge Magazine - April 2014

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Elkhorn on the rise

Keeping up with housing demand

Dancing with heart

Elizabeth Edwards fights cancer with grace

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REACH US We want to hear from you. Ideas, suggestions, compliments and critiques, send them to us at Jack@EdgeMagazine.com

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With

the eighth issue of Edge now under our belt, we have so many readers, advertisers and contributors to thank for our early success. As we continue to evolve, I want to remind everyone that this magazine is for you! As much as we love the positive emails, kudos and word-of-mouth, I encourage you to reach out to us and provide suggestions, recommendations or ideas for future issues.

Through this journey, I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most fascinating people from all walks of life; and I must confess that it has changed my outlook and how I approach things on a daily basis. Whether it’s the stories of health scares or that of Anne Polland in this month’s Varsity Corner, it’s clear to me that we are surrounded by some of the most intriguing people, many of whose stories are yet to be told.

So the next time you hear of something interesting, keep us in mind. We want to hear about it and potentially share it with our readers. With so many great stories featured thus far, I’m excited about what the future holds for coming issues.

With many thanks, Jack Shotbolt Editor in Chief

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Jack Shotbolt Jack@EdgeMagazine.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jennifer Matthes A Little Corner of France in West Omaha levoltaireomaha.com 569 N 55th Plaza | (402) 934-9374

Pepperwood Village

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Quentin Lueninghoener (402) 517-1228 // quentin@quenluen.com PHOTO STAFF Daniel Muller (402) 943-7151 // daniel@dpmuller.com J. Leonard Photography Abi Smith (402) 651-9334 // lacyabigailsmith@gmail.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jessica Freedman (402) 250-2529 // Jessica@EdgeMagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Krystal Overmyer

Authentic Artisan French breads and pastries like no other in Omaha.

We bake all our products according to the exact recipes from France all of them prepared in our imported French deck oven. lepetitparisfrenchbakery.com 567 N 155th Plaza | (402) 934-7676 Pepperwood Village 4|

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TEAM MANAGER Chelsey Rawley // Chelsey@EdgeMagazine.com CONTACT US P: (402) 250-3325 // F: (402) 892-7048 Jack@EdgeMagazine.com 15858 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha NE 68118 Edge is published monthly. Content copyright © 2014 Edge Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, without permission in writing from the publisher, Jack Shotbolt. Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, Edge assumes no responsibility therefore.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Edge Magazine, 15858 W Dodge Omaha, NE 68118

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CONTENTS COVER story

OUR home 8

26

OUR business

MY concoction

OUR health

OUR food

48

66

MY two cents

50

72

40

WORTH the Haul

VARSITY corner

64

74

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OUR home

w EMPTY NESTER’S

Easy

LIVING ith the kids out of the house, many empty nesters are looking to simplify their homes.

Popping up in West Omaha and Elkhorn, villas offer one option for baby boomers to enjoy all the high-end touches of a luxury home, but with a smaller floor plan and no need for a lawnmower or snow shovel.

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Tucked in the Tuscan Ridge subdivision at 198th and Pacific streets, Royal Homes offers villas designed with the empty nester in mind. Ranging from 2,900 to 3,300 square feet, the one-story homes feature downsized square footage but upgraded amenities. That appeals to retirees and soon-to-be-retirees, said John Greguska, marketing manager for Royal Homes.

“They’re looking at the big house they built in the ’90s and saying, ‘We love this house, but we don’t want to take care of it anymore,’” he said.

What the homes lack in square footage, they make up for in wow factor, said Marcia Soe, villa designer with Absolute Design Interiors. Priced from $425,000$475,000, the Tuscan Ridge villas feature open floor plans with kitchens that blend into the hearth area and living room.

Dark-stained birch cabinets extend to the ceiling, offering maximum storage.

Eye-attracting details include high-end granite, intricate tiling and modern pendant lighting. In the walk-through pantry, a granite coffee bar keeps the cappuccino

Villas offer maintenance-free luxury

16-PAGE PHOTO PORTFOLIO BY J. LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY STORY BY KRYSTAL OVERMYER

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OUR home

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Your move is about you...and that means having an agent who helps you find the home that's made for your world. The best agent for you is at CBSHOME.

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machine and other appliances off the counter and out of the way.

In the main-level master suite, the master bathroom offers a spa-like retreat with vessel sinks, decorative mirrors and a large, walk-in shower. Intricate tile work and higher-end granite amp up the visual impact.

Couples that plan on having the kids back for the holidays may opt to retain a formal dining room in the floor plan, Greguska said. But many people eschew that option. Instead, a spare room on the main level can be used for guests or converted into a home office.

Off the main level, covered or three-season enclosed decks extend the living area. An enclosed deck with a fireplace allows people to enjoy the view while staying toasty all winter long, Greguska said.

Walkout basements offer additional bedrooms for when the kids come home to stay. A beverage mini-fridge in the downstairs bar area is a frequent extra touch, Soe said. Three-car garages offer extra storage space to the downsizing couple, and circle driveways heighten the curb appeal.

OMAHA’S

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Find your yoga at VILLA 101 For the downsizing empty nester, villas offer several attractive features, including: • Smaller, one-story floor plans • Upgraded amenities • Master suite on the main level • Ample storage space • Maintenance-free living

Maintenance-free living is also a major draw to these homes, Greguska said. In Tuscan Ridge, the villa association takes care of lawn care, snow removal and garbage collection. It even includes window cleaning twice a year.

Greguska sees demand for villas quickly outpacing supply in the Elkhorn area. As the population ages, more baby boomers are seeking to downsize, but not all want to move into a loft downtown.

“We get people that have raised their kids in Millard or Elkhorn and like the suburban feel, and they don’t want to go to midtown or downtown for the condo,” he said. “They’d rather have the feel of the home.”

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COVER story

w

Demand for new housing swells Elkhorn’s population Story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER Photos by DANIEL MULLER

here fields of crops used to grow, Tom Falcone planted the seeds of Omaha’s most desirable neighborhoods. He looked for perfect sites; places land could be transformed into subdivisions and feed Omaha’s growing population.

Now, after a prolonged downturn, Falcone’s vision is becoming reality. The housing market is on the upswing and interest in Omaha’s western front is surging again. With its rolling hills and reputable school district, the Elkhorn area is fertile ground for a flurry of interest from developers, builders and homebuyers alike. “The market is extraordinarily hot,” Falcone said.

The development signals both a physical and social transformation for Elkhorn. As more people buy homes in the area, a watchful school district must make decisions on how to accommodate more children.

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on the rise E L K H OR N

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If Falcone’s predictions hold true, the question isn’t if, but how quickly the district will grow. The attraction to Elkhorn is hitting buyers at a deeper level than just a site to make an investment, Falcone said. Families are looking for a place they can spend their lives.

A REBOUNDING MARKET Falcone and other experts say 2014 is shaping up to be a busy year for new homes after a long lull between 20062011.

“All indicators continue to show a steady increase in new construction,” said Cassi Petersen, executive director of the Metro Omaha Builders Association.

“Consumer confidence is apparent, as is

the need for new housing.”

Last year, the Omaha metro area issued about 2,600 single-family building permits, up from a low of 1,900 in 2011. That’s compared to more than 5,000 metro-area single-family permits issued in the 2005 heyday. Omaha may never return to those levels, but Walt Slobotski, building services manager at NP Dodge, is optimistic that new home starts will continue to increase to a new normal of around 3,200 lots per year.

So far, things are moving in that direction. “Builders are setting higher sales goals than in recent years, and many are reporting that they have exceeded their own forecasts,” Petersen said.

Nationally, new home sales in January

6 3 3 N 1 1 4 TH S TRE E T | 402. 493 .7 3 4 3

climbed to the highest level in more than five years, up 9.6 percent from the previous month, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

Pent-up demand after years of caution is driving sales, Falcone said. Buyers realize an increase in interest rates may be on the horizon, making their decisions more urgent.

There’s also the looming potential of a lot shortage in the Elkhorn area. In Falcone’s Andresen Meadows, Windgate Ranch and Windgate Ranch II subdivisions, lots “have been going like Hostess cakes when they stopped making them,” Falcone said.

A combination of good schools, ample amenities and easy access to Omaha and

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COVER story

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CASSI PETERSON APRIL 2014

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COVER story Lincoln has put Elkhorn at the top of the list for many homebuyers, Petersen said.

Simply put, Elkhorn isn’t as far west as it used to be. Within minutes, residents can access health services, shopping and restaurants. The success of the rejuvenated Nebraska Crossing Outlets is emblematic of interest in the area.

“You’ve got everything lining up — the right location, schools, Dodge Street, grocery stores and the interest rates at historic lows,” Falcone said. “People want to get in now before the interest rates go up — and before there are no more lots.”

Developers are tweaking their approaches to cater to the post-downturn generation of buyers. They’re savvier, Falcone said, and more cognizant of the need to choose the right location and get a return on their investment.

For Falcone, that’s meant working closely with builders to discuss trends on home site sizes and styles. Falcone’s developments offer options – flat lots, walkouts and treed lots, at price points from $325,000 to upwards of $1 million.

Lanoha Development’s approach emphasizes long-term home values with an eye on nature, green space and creativity. “Quality and value are always in demand, no matter the cycle,” said Jason Lanoha, vice president. The company has three subdivisions in the works: West Baywood, The Sanctuary and The Prairies.

Petersen noted builders are recognizing that interest in the area isn’t limited to young, expanding families.

Baby boomers are also downsizing, and builders are offering smaller floor plans with more bells and whistles, or features such as a double master suite for aging parents.

Developers are also keen on keeping the supply of lots balanced. To avoid a glut of lots on the market, builders are releasing lots in smaller bundles. That contrasts to back in 2005, when subdivision development peaked and 300 to 400 lots could come on the market at once, Slobotski said.

Keeping supply balanced may be key to sustaining the upswing in new home construction.

“I believe demand is always moving through a cycle,” Lanoha said. “I believe we are at a good place in the cycle, however, it is fragile and could quick32 |

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WA LT S L O B O T S K I

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COVER story

TOM FALCONE

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“It’s a common misconception that our goal is to operate only Class B high schools.”

– Elkhorn Public Schools Superintendent Steve Baker

ly change with an increasing trend in supply.”

Developers also seem to be more careful of the sites they select. Before, “people used to go out and develop anything,” Falcone said. These days, a more successful strategy seems to be “follow the schools,” according to Slobotski, whose company develops the Copperfields and Five Fountains subdivisions with homes from $240,000 to $1 million. Homebuyers are clamoring to purchase in the Elkhorn school district.

EDUCATION IMPACT Faced with burgeoning residential areas, Elkhorn Public Schools is preparing for a major growth spurt.

“Conservatively, we are looking at 1,000 new students every three years,” said superintendent Steve Baker. As development continues, the district is continually reworking its enrollment projections, he said.

According to the district’s master plan, Elkhorn will one day enroll 18,000 students. Last fall, K-12 enrollment was 6,798 students. About 350 seniors will graduate from Elkhorn’s two high schools this spring; more than 600 kindergartners will start school in August.

As the district grows, its high schools could transition from Class B to Class A. “It’s a common misconception that our goal is to operate only Class B high schools,” Baker said. “The goal has always been to provide smaller schools that offer more opportunities for students, regardless of athletic classification.”

Baker noted that before Elkhorn South High School opened in 2010, Elkhorn High School was a Class A school of about 1,350 students. As enrollment grows, both high schools will hit their intended capacity. “We know that both schools will eventually be Class A APRIL 2014

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COVER story

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schools,” he said.

While the pace of growth has quickened recently, the district boasts years of experience in accommodating enrollment increases. Elkhorn’s student population has grown for 27 consecutive years, Baker said. “With this kind of growth does come growing pains — boundary changes, crowding, hiring new staff, etc. — but we are fortunate to have a community that values education,” he said.

Since 1992, Elkhorn voters have passed nine major bond issues to fund new facilities to accommodate the growing student population. If the two high schools hit 1,500 students, the district will need additional schools. But right now, Elkhorn High School and Elkhorn South High School still have room to grow, and there are no plans for a third high school in the works.

“However, we do know it will be necessary to secure a location for a third high school in the near future,” Baker said.

LOOKING AHEAD With such strong interest in the Elkhorn area, developers expect sales to be brisk. “I think the Elkhorn area will continue to be one of the hotspots in the Omaha metro for the next four to six years,” said NP Dodge’s Slobotski.

The market is on the buyer’s side, said Petersen of the builders association.

As home values have increased, people are able to use their existing home as a valuable and marketable asset to move forward with new construction. Pocket listings are on the rise, as real estate brokers search for perfect homes that aren’t on the market yet. Houses that sell the same day they are listed are appearing more and more, she said.

“Buyers looking for new construction should be aware of how fast their existing home may sell and be prepared,” she said.

“If it’s priced right, be ready to move.”

Petersen noted that competition for lots is on the rise. While Elkhorn may not have a lot shortage just yet, the outlook is pushing the need for new subdivision development in 2015.

For prime locations, sales are hot.

Falcone said he has ungraded lots already sold. Unlike prior years, buyers today aren’t hesitating to buy. “People feel better about the economy, the world and the market,” Falcone said. “And they know what’s there won’t be there forever.”

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OUR leisure

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Why Top Chef at Sea: Indulge in a modern, upscale vacation featuring a delicious partnership between Top Chef, Bravo’s Emmy Award winning television show, and Celebrity Cruises. The Top Chef at Sea experience allows guests to participate in Quickfire Challenges and sample the innovative dishes that amazed the show’s judges. Special Top Chef Signature Sailings also offer the opportunity to meet some of the show’s most popular chef’testants, attend special classes and more. Destinations include Bermuda, Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean.

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OUR business

a

da Vinci surgery offers patient benefits

day after the hysterectomy, Staci Robinson cheered in the stands at her son’s football game. A second-grade teacher and mother of two, Robinson is constantly on the move. With da Vinci surgery, Robinson didn’t have to wait long to get back to her normal routine. A few days after the procedure, she was back at work. “It was a very good, quick recovery,” she said.

Robinson’s quick recovery is typical of patients who undergo this type of procedure, said Dr. Bill Kuyper of Mid-City OB-GYN. When patients come back to his office for a post-surgical check, they feel good.

“You can tell just by looking at (patients) that they’re brighter,” he said. “They’re more well-rested and comfortable. They feel better.”

Story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER Photos by DANIEL MULLER

Left to right: June Wedergren M.D., Sonya Tran M.D., Bill Kuyper M.D. and Ann Sjulin M.D.

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The da Vinci surgery system makes the swift recovery possible. With the da Vinci system, surgeons like Kuyper can operate through just a few small incisions. Surgeons utilize a special console that translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny, robotic instruments inside the body. Because the cuts are smaller than the larger, open incisions of traditional surgery, recovery time is dramatically reduced, and patients can return to normal life more quickly.

Patients experience less pain, reduced blood loss and less scarring. While open surgery requires one to three days in the hospital, da Vinci surgery patients often go home the same day, Kuyper said.

The approach has so many advantages that Mid-City OB-GYN now uses it for the majority of hysterectomies, Kuyper

said. Located at 72nd and Center, MidCity OB-GYN is an independent group of physicians offering a full range of obstetrics and gynecology services. Two years ago, the group opened a satellite clinic at the 717 Medical Office Building adjacent to Methodist Women’s Hospital, bringing services including da Vinci surgery to women in West Omaha.

The difference with da Vinci surgery is the degree of precision surgeons can achieve through the use of technology.

With open surgery, a large incision is made through the abdomen — large enough for the surgeon to fit his or her hands and instruments in the body. A less invasive option is laparoscopy; surgery is done through a few small incisions using a tiny camera and thin, long surgical instruments.

Da Vinci surgery takes laparoscopy to

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• Physician, podiatry and dental services

• Country Club style dining room overlooking Champions Run Golf Course

• Separate, secure Dementia and Alzheimers units

• Hospice care

• 24-hour staff

• Wellness checks and incontinenence care

• All utilities including phone and cable TV

• Eight levels of care

• Three meals daily plus snacks

• Beautiful gardens and walking paths

• Coffee shop area • Beautifully landscaped, enclosed courtyards

402.498.9554 www.ParsonsHouseOnEagleRun.com

• In-house pet therapy • Diabetic management

14325 Eagle Run Dr. Omaha, Nebraska Adjacent to Champions Run Golf Couse and St. Vincent DePaul Parish

A Refined Experience The Brix experience at Village Pointe has been refined.

We invite you to enjoy our new draft beer bar in the retail store featuring 20 craft beers from around the world.

Additional seating has been added in the retail store for dining or enjoying a glass of wine, cocktail, or cold beer.

Refining The Experience you have grown to love in West Omaha.

Yes. More than wine.

168th & West Dodge Road www.brixomaha.com 402.991.9463

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the next level. With da Vinci, surgeons make just a few small incisions, similar to traditional laparoscopy. The da Vinci system features a magnified 3D high-definition screen and special wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human wrist. As a result, da Vinci enables the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control.

Throughout the procedure, the surgeon is 100 percent in control, said Kuyper, who has performed da Vinci surgery for three years. In addition to the benefits to patients, the technique offers multiple advantages to the surgeon. The procedures can be less tiring because surgeons aren’t bending over an operating table.

For maneuvering in tight spaces, the system makes it easier for surgeons to see.

“Especially on more difficult cases, it’s actually easier,” he said.

“I can see better and I have a better ability to identify where I need to direct my attention.”

This spring, Mid-City OB-GYN plans to offer single-site da Vinci surgery, allowing surgeons to operate through just one small incision through the belly button. The result will be nearly scar-free surgery. “If you can take something you did in three or four incisions and make it one, it’s making what’s already great better,” Kuyper said.

Kuyper, a board certified obstetrician/gynecologist, grew up in southern California and received his medical education at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. Witnessing how much technology has improved patient care since his medical school days excites him.

“Technology has allowed us to do so many more things than ever thought,” he said. “You see science fiction movies about the future, and now we’re living it.”

sic, u M t o H , s k a Hot Ste Hot Italian...

® ! e c la C oo l P

305 N. 170th Street, Omaha | 402.289.9210 | johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com

HOOPS Bringing the Game Home Omaha’s Premier Sport Court and Goalsetter Distributor APRIL SPECIAL Free installation on Goalsetter Basketball Systems* www.HoopsatHome.com *From 4/1/14 to 4/31/14 only

(402) 315-9236 APRIL 2014

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MY concoction

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse 13665 California Street Omaha, NE 68154 (402) 445-4380 Open Monday thru Saturday at 5 p.m. Closed on Sunday

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1

5

What you need: • 1.5 oz Tito’s Vodka • 1.5 oz Tomato Juice • .5 oz Vegetable Juice

• Splash of Worchestershire Sauce • Pinch of Celery Salt and Black Pepper

Salt Rim of Glass

2

Combine Ingredients in shaker and shake, pour into glass over ice

steps

3

to the perfect cocktail THE BAR: Mahogany Prime Steakhouse THE BARTENDER: Katie Moeller THE DRINK: Mahogany Bloody Mary

4

5

Add pepper and celery salt

Garnish with Grape Tomatoes, Jalapeno Olives and a Jumbo Cocktail Prawn APRIL 2014

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OUR food

CHARLESTON’S 13851 FNB Parkway 402-431-0023 www.charlestons.com

f

ifteen years after opening, Charleston’s at 137th and West Dodge Road still gets lines out the door over the lunch hour. A suburban favorite, the casual dining restaurant offers crowd-pleasing dishes, a versatile menu and prices that fit any budget.

“I can go out to dinner with my wife at Charleston’s, have a filet mignon and a glass of wine, and she can have a salad and soda. Or I can have a burger and a beer, and she can have a nice smoked salmon and a glass of wine,” said Tom Kuzala, general manager.

GENERAL MANAGER JAMIE ARNOLD

Perennial favorite story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER | photos by ABI SMITH

Charleston’s offers crowd-pleasing menu, atmosphere 50 |

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Charleston’s knows what people like to eat and how they like to dine. The restaurant embraces diners in an intimate, masculine atmosphere with low lighting and dark woods. An impressive bar area beckons guests to grab a stool and stay through happy hour.

Despite the elegant atmosphere, Charleston’s remains a come-as-you-are, casual restaurant, Kuzala said. “We don’t have a gimmick,” he said. “Our gimmick is our food and our service.”

Kuzala and staff pay attention to the finer details of the dining experience.

The restaurant uses a team service model with multiple staff tending to guests’

S H O RT S M O K E D S A L M O N APRIL 2014

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OUR food

CHICKEN QUESADILLA

Pacific Springs Village has long been committed to being a community where you can create a retirement lifestyle that is uniquely your own. Thanks to our upcoming expansion, your options for creating the lifestyle that is right for you are about to get even better.

Call 402-691-8434 to find out more or visit us online at www.pacificspringsvillage.com.

805 South 173rd Court

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Omaha, NE 68118

www.immanuelcommunities.com

APRIL 2014

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OUR food

CHICKEN CLUB SALAD

Dependable, trustworthy & professional weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or one-time cleanings with no contracts pinkshoecleaningcrew.com | (402) 305-2626

Home cleaning & organization services SHRIMP SCAMPI

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HO M E • AU TO • BU SI N E SS • H E A LT H • L I F E

With growing concerns of rising premiums, consider the independent alternative.

Omaha’s Fastest Growing Insurance Agency www.RedOneInsurance.com 54 |

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offers the latest fashion in women’s clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, dresses, denim, trendy tops, and more!

Mon: by appointment only Tues/Wed/Fri/Sat: 10am-6pm Thurs: 10am - 8pm Sun: 12 - 5pm Now featuring men’s clothing, too!

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visit EdgeMagazine.com

Get the relief you’re looking for

Dr. Tereshel Johnson D.C.

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omahaheadacheclinic.com 402.933.5392 184th & Center 1 hour massage $40

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VISIT OUR NEW MODEL IN TUSCAN RIDGE. OPEN EACH WEEKEND. 56 |

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APRIL 2014

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OUR food

• 30-minute Full body workout • No class times • Workout changes daily • Trainer included at no extra cost

402-431-3184 9round.com/westomaha 18204 Wright Street (182nd and W. Center Rd.)

T U RT L E C H E ES E CA K E

Award winning interior designer S TA C I E M U H L E and her talented team provide dedicated attention to detail and stylistic vision, while delivering spaces that are a collaboration of her ability to interpret her clients stacie@artisticodesign.net 402.650.6526

personality and lifestyle preferences.

Associate Member of IIDA, Allied Member of ASID, and a Member of NARI, NKBA, Build Omaha, and USGBC.

W W W. ART I S TI C O D E S I G N . N ET 58 |

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Single?

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OMAHA LOVE Omaha Love is the area’s one-of-a-kind, locally owned

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APRIL 2014

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OUR food

I D A H O B A K E D P OTATO

UROLOGY HEALTH CENTER Fremont (402) 727-5000

www.urologyhealthcenter.net

Omaha (402) 391-0705

See good movies.

American independents.

Foreign films.

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Family classics.

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Board Certified American Board of Urology Director of Robotic Surgery

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Film Streams

At the Ruth Sokolof Theater Omaha’s nonprofit cinema 14th & Mike Fahey (Webster) Streets Info at filmstreams.org Present this ad at Concessions and receive a free fun-size popcorn with ticket purchase!

APRIL 2014

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OUR food

If not now,when?

Don’t put it off any longer. Feel your best & improve your health with bio-identical hormone pellet therapy. Come in to our wellness and prevention-focused clinic.

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Joleen Lake APRN 11912 Elm Street #22 Omaha, NE 68144 Phone: 402-578-5353 www.OptimaMedical.us

3624 North 163rd Plaza P: (402) 505-9611 F: (402) 505-4683 Graston Technique and more! www.skylinephysicaltherapy.com Specializing in Manual

Therapy Treatment, TMJ,

Dan Peetz PT, OCS, MTC & staff

We take time to know our patients personally

needs over the course of the meal. The team ensures guests are greeted, drinks stay full and the food is impeccable.

Customer favorites include the shortsmoked salmon, marinated in soy sauce, orange juice and ginger and lightly smoked for just a hint of smoky flavor.

The slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs are also popular. The ribs are cooked 12 hours overnight over low heat for the ultimate in tenderness.

Diners have claimed they are among the best ribs in town, Kuzala said.

Rounding out the menu are several burgers and sandwiches all around $10.

Salads are also favorites, like the spinach and chicken Waldorf or Walt’s champagne chicken salad. The restaurant also offers a substantial gluten-free menu and kids menu.

Kuzala has served as general manager of the West Omaha location for about a year, and he brings a wealth of hospitality experience to the job. His first foray into the business was in high school in Michigan, when he took a job clearing tables at a Big Boy restaurant. In college, he worked as a cook and later trained to be a chef. Coming up through the back of the house, he’s able to lend a hand when the Charleston’s crowd gets crazy.

“I spent lunch cooking on the grill a few weeks ago,” he said.

Buoyed by the success of the West Omaha restaurant, a second Charleston’s location opened last August at 76th and Dodge and has seen brisk business from midtowners.

Kuzala said it’s easy to see that Omaha is a restaurant town. Good restaurants stay busy, he said, and there are a lot of busy restaurants. That fact motivates him and his staff to offer exemplary service and a quality product. “Our focus is over-the-top service and food,” he said.

Charleston’s is open Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Auctions, Raffles, Appetizers, Cupcakes, Cash Bar & More to Benefit Elkhorn Public Schools Ladies Night Out:

Bids 4 Kids Ladies Night Out

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Thursday, April 10th 6-9 PM The Ridge Banquet Facility

Online Auction:

Bid On Select Items April 1st - 8th elkhornfoundation.org

TICKETS

$20 in adv ance at elkhornfo undation.o rg & Elkhorn Schools or $25 at the door

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WORTH THE HAUL

5 April

11

CENTURYLINK CENTER OMAHA 445 North 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 341-1500 www.CenturyLinkCenterOmaha.com Tickets: www.TicketMaster.com or (800) 745-3000 UNO Hockey: All tickets $15-$25

April

Harlem Globetrotters at 7 p.m. $24-$102

The International Horse Show at 7 p.m. $10-$35

26 April

Rascal Flatts at 8 p.m. $45-$70

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WORTH THE HAUL OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS Holland Center: 1200 Douglas St., Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 345-0606 The Orpheum: 409 S 16th St, Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 661-8501 www.omahaperformingarts.org

5 6 26 30 8-13 Tickets: www.TicketOmaha.com or at the Ticket Omaha office inside the Holland Center April

Cirque de la Symphonie, Holland Performing Arts Center, at 8 p.m. $25-$85

April

April

All Aboard!, Holland Performing Arts Center, at 2 p.m. $12

April

Singin’ in the Rain, Holland Center for Performing Arts at 8 p.m. $19-$70

Swan Lake, The Orpheum, at 7:30 p.m. $20 and up

April

War Horse, The Orpheum, $35 and up

RALSTON ARENA 7300 Q Street, Ralston, NE 68127 (402) 934-9966 www.RalstonArena.com Tickets: HomePrideTix.com or (800) 440-3741

11 5-6 WEST OMAHA

April

Midwest Golden Gloves, 7:30 p.m. $20-$400

April

The 2014 Remodeled Home Tour, $8. More information: 402.331.1718 or omahanari.org APRIL 2014

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OUR health

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t

Cancer no match for determined dancer

he world shifted under her feet when Elizabeth Edwards, owner of Omaha Ballroom, found out last November that the egg-sized nodule in her neck was filled with malignant cells. She needed surgery, doctors told her, to remove her thyroid.

Radiation would likely follow.

Edwards, 31, steadied herself.

With her Dancing with the Omaha Stars charity event just two months away, she still had much work to do.

Children from the Sunshine Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to children with cancer, were depending on her.

“My No. 1 question was, ‘How soon do I have to do (the surgery)?’” she said.

Cancer would just have to wait.

Story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER Photos by DANIEL MULLER

dancing W ITH HEART

OMAHA BALLROOM 5038 S. 153rd St. 402-290-4869 omahaballroom.com

APRIL 2014

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OUR health

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“She can make everybody comfortable almost instantly.”

– Omaha Ballroom dance instructor Derek Pasqualetto

*** Edwards loves her job. In fact, she is obsessed. She is the type of business owner that stays up until 2 a.m. improving her website because it doesn’t feel like work. “You just want to do it so much,” she said of her job. “I like it so much that it’s easy to do.”

Edwards has danced almost her whole life. She danced away her childhood in a ballerina leotard, taking free lessons from an aunt. In college, her spins and twirls as a ballroom dance instructor helped pay for school. The music and flair of swing and salsa drew her in — it was more her style than the ballet tutus of her youth. While she worked and trained to be a top instructor, she used her business and advertising classes at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to make plans for her own business. “I was going to school, working, teaching and raising my son,” she said. “I was a crazy person.”

Her hard work paid off in 2004 when she opened Omaha Ballroom. Once the realm of elite competitive dancers, TV shows like “Dancing with the Stars” brought ballroom dancing mainstream.

Omaha Ballroom offers a casual atmosphere for a newbie dancer to learn. For couples, the studio is a place to grow together while learning something new.

For singles, it’s an opportunity to be social in a place that isn’t a bar, Edwards said. “A lot of people come because of the social connection.”

APRIL 2014

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OUR health

WE’RE ALL ABOUT YOU We provide the world’s best personal training in a clean and private environment where clients achieve, if not exceed, their lifelong wellness goals. www.fitnesstogether.com/omaha

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17660 Wright St. (402) 932-5346

On the dance floor, Edwards has a knack for making people embrace their inner dancer. When she’s teaching, she can take a chained-to-a-desk office professional and coax her into a fluid dancer. She soothes the bruised egos of men unsure of their footing and helps them enjoy even imperfect dances. “She can make everybody comfortable almost instantly,” said Omaha Ballroom dance instructor Derek Pasqualetto.

Edwards’ enthusiasm for dance and desire to give back led her to create Dancing with the Omaha Stars in 2010. She always wanted to join the troupe on the ABC show, and this event lets her live out that fantasy. Edwards and other instructors pair up with Omaha celebrities to learn dazzling dances in hopes of taking home a first-place trophy. Past personalities have included former Huskers, TV reporters and a former “Biggest Loser” contestant.

Edwards is incredibly hands-on with the event, serving as a dance partner, choreographer, vendor coordinator and ticket manager. “I love this event,” she said. “It’s like my wedding day.”

It was amid this intense event preparation that she received news of her thyroid cancer. By that time, she had met some of the children with the Sunshine Kids and learned their stories and struggles with cancer. They had been through so much — much more than she had, she thought. Her doctors were willing to schedule the surgery a week after the event.

Working on the event proved to be a blessing; she had something else to focus on instead of cancer. Dance took the stress away. When you dance, “you get to hear great music, meet great people and don’t even think about anything else,” she said. *** Last January’s Dancing with the Omaha Stars event was Edwards’ most successful yet. With a record-setting sellout crowd of 1,000 attendees, the event raised more than $45,000.

That’s more than three times the funds raised in its first year.

Edwards is proud of what the event has been able to do. “It is really cool to say you raised money for kids with cancer,” she said.

Today, Edwards is getting back on the dance floor after recovering from surgery. She may undergo radiation treatment too, but so far, the prognosis is good. Planning is already underway for the 2015 Dancing with the Omaha Stars, and she continues to help grow the ballroom dance community. “I want everyone that walks in the studio to feel like they’re part of it,” she said.

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S

M Y T WO

cents

S

Allison Helligso Owner

S 402-305-2626 www.pinkshoecleaningcrew.com

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S

J. LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY

pring is finally upon us, and with it comes the annual chore of spring cleaning. But who really has the time do it thoroughly?

That’s where Allison Helligso’s Pink Shoe Cleaning Crew comes in!

As one of Omaha’s most reliable and trusted home cleaning professionals, Allison knows a thing or two about what it takes to get your home cleaned properly, so we asked her to share her tips for our Edge readers.

Allison’s 3 Spring Cleaning Tips:

DEEP CLEANING OF YOUR HOUSE As the weather warms up, we all love to open our windows and let the spring air in. Dust and debris also enter your home, however, and humidity in the air makes that dust cling to your home’s surfaces. Your blinds, window sills, ceiling fans, door and baseboards hold the grime.

This not only contributes to the uncleanliness of your home but also can negatively impact your family’s health. We have products and tools that can safely and effectively clean and sanitize your home.

S

DEEP CLEANING OF THINGS WITHIN THE HOUSE Spring is a busy time of year for kids’ sports, family trips and spending time outdoors. Your refrigerator, shower, and kitchen and bathroom drawers and cabinets may get a quick, occasional wipe down (if that), but need time and attention that busy schedules don’t allow for! We can thoroughly deep clean and organize your fridge, get the crumbs, hair and makeup out of all your drawers, and rid your shower of soap scum and hard water build up for good.

Your dark and dingy garage has been a home all winter long to the salt and sand brought in by your car. We can clean it out so you’re not tracking it in and hurting your floors. Once your house is cleaner and brighter, it starts to feel more like a home, and one that you can feel relaxed spending time in.

ORGANIZATION Baskets, bins, and storage containers are great tools for getting your pantry, linen closet, and bathroom cabinets organized into a system that helps you use your space more efficiently.

Closets can be color and season coordinated and streamlined so that they make sense and look more appealing. Garages and storage rooms often need shelving and containment systems, complete with labeling for easy access. Let us take a look at your home, assess your needs and then come up with a strategy for organization that makes your life easier and more efficient.

J. LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY

APRIL 2014

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VARSITY corner

A SHINING

EXAMPLE Anne Polland | Age 17 | Boys Town

Stories of amazing transformations of Boys Town teens have surfaced over the years, and one impressive example is that of Anne Polland from Valley, Nebraska.

Starting at the age of four, Polland frequently displayed aggressive behavior and anger issues, which made home life challenging. When she lost control, her verbal and physical confrontations were often aimed at her mother and sister. “I was disrespectful to different authority figures and didn’t accept the decisions my mom made,” shared Polland. After years of therapy and ongoing difficulty, Polland’s mother, Pat, made the difficult, yet necessary, decision to send her to Boys Town in an effort to tackle her behavior head on.

Four years ago, then 14-year old Polland arrived at Boys Town to begin her freshman year, skeptical of how they could help her and resentful that her mother took such an extreme measure for her high school years. Polland was forced to adhere to the rules in place at Boys Town, and she was initially limited to just one weekend at home each month.

“Those who arrive at Boys Town come for many different reasons,” said Jody Skartnedt, a Family Teacher at Boys Town and Polland’s assigned parental figure. “The term ‘troubled’ can relate to various aspects of a youth’s life,” explained Skartnedt as she shared her observations related to her 15-year tenure at Boys Town. “It’s often considered a ‘second chance’ for many youth who have had previous struggles,” she continued.

“Boys Town teaches helpful social and independent living skills needed to be successful in the future.”

Upon completion of her freshman year, Polland’s metamorphosis was well underway with a very noticeable change in her attitude and overall demeanor. Once considered sarcastic and lacking respect for others, she was now viewed as

DANIEL MULLER

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“bubbly and lively” by those at school. As a sophomore, Polland received her first validation of change when named captain of the girls volleyball team. The honor of being a captain was bestowed on her again in the spring for the girls’ soccer team. As her second year came to a close, her greatest achievement was earning the school’s Most Outstanding Sophomore award.

Now a senior, Polland has a list of achievements and awards: a member of the National Honor Society, Boys Town Most Outstanding Senior, captain of the volleyball and soccer teams for three consecutive years, honorable mention

in volleyball her junior and senior years, and named to the 2013 Frontier All-Conference First Team for volleyball last fall.

This year she was a captain of the girls’ basketball team and named to the 2014 Frontier All-Conference First Team, leading her team to Boys Town’s first ever win in a conference tournament game.

As if these accomplishments were not enough, Polland was elected the 113th mayor of the Village of Boys Town, a self-government system established by Father Edward J. Flanagan in 1926 as a tool for its citizens to build character, citizenship and a sense of community. “I want to encourage and demonstrate good

behavior for others,” said Polland after receiving the prestigious honor.

All of this pales in comparison to the most important achievement Polland has earned— a strong and meaningful relationship with her mother and sister.

Through all of the obstacles, her mother Pat continued to love her unconditionally, encouraging her along the way and building a bond that is now stronger than ever. “Overall, our family bond is stronger than it’s ever been, and I am using the skills Boys Town is teaching me to make a better person of myself so my family and I can live in peace instead of constant tension,” said Polland.

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OUR social network

Skutt Catholic @SkuttCatholic

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y that’s our SkyHawks battle cry! Your Skutt Catholic SkyHawks have won the state title in boys basketball! #SkyHawkPower March 15, 2:47 p.m.

Brian T. Yeager @BrianTYeager

Chillin like a villain at Zorinski Lake after a run. #running #spring

Patti Osbon Brannon

The best spring break ever! A once-in-a-lifetime trip. – in Costa Rica March 21, 5:39 p.m.

bethanyrae10

Heaven . . . at Nebraska Crossing Outlets

Clancy’s Pub

@ClancysPubOmaha

Sunrise on St. Pat’s March 17, 7:24 a.m.

Krista Ash

31 weeks down, 9 to go!

March 9, 7:26 p.m.

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What are you up to?

We love hearing from you. Tag us in your tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram photos and show use what makes the West Omaha lifestyle unique.

17610 N. Reflection Circle

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19885 State

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Skin Specialists and LovelySkin Spa are under the direction of Joel Schlessinger, M.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon. Copyright Š 2014, Skin Specialists, P.C.