Edge Magazine - June 2014

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The new face of Crossfit Libby DiBiase

The very best in outdoor living New backyard trends

M A G A Z I N E

YOU’LL FIND EVERYTHING HOT FOR SUMMER HERE – FROM THE LATEST TRENDS TO THE BEST IN DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT.

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. TRUSTED ADVICE.

Undeniable results.

GARY GERNHART 402-880-6056 TJ JACKSON 402-618-3526

JILL LEWIS-HARRIS 402-598-9121

STACEY CHILDERS 402-707-9953

MAMIE JACKSON 402-306-7864

DIANE HUGHES 402-218-7489

MORE THAN $100M CLOSED IN 2012-2014.

MORE THAN 415+ TRANSACTIONS.

LETTER from the EDITOR

DANIEL MULLER

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

School’s

out and summer’s in, and these long summer nights are all the incentive we need to switch up our routine. At our house, we’re trading basement movie nights for backyard grilling — a tradition that’s going upscale in Omaha in beautiful outdoor living spaces, like those featured in this issue. The kids are trading homework for summer camp adventures, like jamming with a new instrument at the School of Rock. We’re starting to count down the days till vacation, or we start dreaming of an everyday home that feels like a vacation (check out the lake house featured on these pages).

On our cover, Libby DiBiase also inspires us to break out of our fitness routine. Libby’s made a name for herself as an elite CrossFit athlete. She’s incredibly fit, incredibly down-to-earth and manages it all while being a working mom and student. We love that she encourages people to be healthy, no

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matter where they are in life.

Whether you stay close to home or travel this summer, we’re wishing you many fantastic summer memories.

With many thanks, Jack Shotbolt Editor in Chief

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M A G A Z I N E 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 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

OUTDOOR living

MY concoction

OUR kids

OUR food

42

62

OUR business

44

72

34

OUR heart

VARSITY corner

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OUR home

H E A RT H RO O M

Luxury on

j

THE LAKE ust steps away from the lake, this Timber Shores home beckons the outdoors in. Nearly every room offers serene views of the sand-bottomed lake west of Valley.

With two four-season spaces, abundant outdoor living areas and durable finishings, the home reflects the beauty of lake living — a connection with nature and the ability to share that experience with guests.

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“Lake living is all about flexibility and creating that atmosphere where you can entertain for 50 or you can entertain for two,” said interior designer Lisa Schrager of LMK Concepts, who curated the home’s interior space.

In the 3,500 square foot home, builder Brad Brown of Archistructure sought to create a space that fit the practical needs of lakeside living, while also incorporating luxury amenities. Built in a raisedranch style, the three bedroom, threeand-a-half bath Valley home appeals to empty nesters with a penchant for entertaining friends and family.

A focal point for entertaining is the lower-level four-seasons room. With a retractable glass garage door, separate heating and air conditioning system and functional kitchen and bar, the room blurs the line between outside and in. With the garage door open, the room functions almost like a beach cabana, Brown said, complete with lockers for beach bags and towels, showers, and a washer and dryer. Everything people might need is easily accessible, with no need to run up and down the stairs to other parts of the

Lakeside home blurs boundaries between outside and in

15-PAGE PHOTO PORTFOLIO BY C. THOMPSON NEESE STORY BY KRYSTAL OVERMYER

FRONT ENTRANCE JUNE 2014

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OUR home

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OUR home

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Ridgeview Animal Hospital We love to love your pets 180th & W. Center (near WalMart)

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house. The polished concrete floor offers functionality — sandy, wet feet are no problem here.

On the lakefront side of the house, Brown and Schrager created a meandering experience with distinct outdoor spaces. “We recognize that you need to have different outdoor living spaces, no different than you need to have different rooms in the house,” Brown said.

Visitors can chat by an oblong fire pit, patio area or along a small beach. The upper-level patio offers additional space to congregate. The design allows for people to have intimate experiences, yet still remain part of the larger group. “You set up these individual pods of entertaining or interaction, yet they all work together as one area,” Schrager said.

Additional touches include a water feature to wash off sandy feet and an outdoor shower area.

The home’s main level continues the dynamic between larger, shared spaces and more private retreats. Lake house dwellers entertain frequently, and visitors tend to spend the night (or two or three), Schrager said. Guests can gather in a large, open great room and kitchen area, while distinct bedroom suites allow hosts

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DR. LAURA ROTHE

Creating beautiful smiles for the whole family.

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OUR home

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BACK DOOR

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OUR home

LAKE VIEW

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L A N D S C A P E D PAT I O A R E A

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OUR home

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OUR home

LakeAllure.com

Lakeside living ... vacation lifestyle!

LO W E R L E V E L S PA C E

Located four miles north of downtown Ashland, Lake Allure is a new lakefront community featuring a 200+ acre, sand-bottom lake with 187 lake lots, including several off-water lots.

Buying or selling a Lake property?

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402.699.7700 Scot.Ballan@BHHSamb.com

Lake NEBRASKA

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MAIN FLOOR VIEW

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EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES

5809 N 157TH AVE, OMAHA • $300,000

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Like new custom built W/O Ranch. Spacious living but essentially maintenance free! This open floorplan boasts high ceilings, surround sound on the covered deck & IN THE GARAGE. It also offers TONS of storage compared to most villas. No details left undone!

Don’t wait to build.

Beautiful walkout ranch Villa with soaring ceilings and open floor plan. Golf course lot overlooking pond and offering great views. Kitchen has cherry stain, hardwood floors, stainless appliances, granite countertops and pantry. Living room with wall of windows has white woodwork and fireplace.

Stunning “Payton” plan by Jeck & Company Builders.

2,986 s.f. 4 br, 3 ba, Walkout Finished LL, 3 car garage. Open concept floor plan! Builder has lots in The Prairies, Northshore, Ashbury Farm, Aspen Creek or can build on your lot!

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Woodland Homes “Cabernet II” in Copperfields. 4 bedroom 4 bath 2 story home. Open floor plan. Formal dining room. Main floor laundry. Mudroom with drop zone & lockers. Master bedroom sitting room with fireplace. Partially covered patio. Covered front porch.

Quality throughout! Photo is similar to new construction.

4 Bedroom, 5 Bath 2 Story with an open, bright floor plan great for entertaining. Newly finished hardwood floors and some fresh paint. The kit has an abundance of custom cabinets, solid surface counters, tile backsplash and double ovens. Formal Living room and Dining room. Main floor Family room with stone FP.

Fabulous custom ranch in Bay Shores, backs to the reserve! Over 4800 sf. Gorgeous views with lots of light. Brick front, side load garage, circular drive, new galvanized metal roof, volume ceilings on the main, kitchen with granite and double ovens. Spacious walkout lower level with wet bar and oversized bedrooms.

TERRY STORK 402-697-4281 Terry.Stork@cbshome.com

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4136 COUNTY ROAD 37, BLAIR • $825,000

12015 N 179TH CIR, BENNINGTON • $899,900

15810 S 57TH ST, PAPILLION • $1,199,000

Exquisite ranch home designed for private living close to the city. Situated on 8.42+/- acres of unparalleled land 15 minutes from Omaha, this home offers stunning views & space to roam. Featuring 5,500 finished square feet, 3 bedrooms, an office, & exercise room, a large hearth room designed for entertaining.

AMA-Fabulous lakefront property w/all the amenities.

Ea. rm has its own amazing architectural details from beautiful tiered ceilings to gorgeous hickory floors. The gourmet KIT/hearth room features dble ovens, 6 burner gas cooktop, granite countertops, FP and a 9’ x 8’ pantry.

The LL features a media room, wetbar & gaming area.

Magnificent retreat, nestled on a hilltop, set on approx. 26 spectacular wooded acres. 25 min to airport.1.5 story blt in 2006 epitomizing attention to detail; has almost 6000 sq ft above grade. Generous LR/ DR, stylish main flr Master w/ soaking tub/circuitous shower, remarkable gourmet kit w/ SS, granite, walk-in pantry, dbl ovens/dishwashers. 4 Addl bdrms, library, study, office, gallery. Dynamite covered patio overlooking babbling brook. 4 corrals, outbuildings w/ sep elec/water. Plus so much!

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DIANE BRIGGS 404-598-1444 Diane.Briggs@cbshome.com

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OUR home

M A S T E R B AT H

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OUR home camelotcleanersomaha.com

LOCATIONS 8590 Frederick St. 12131 Pacific St. 655 N. 132nd St. 619 N. 114th St. 2514 S. 140th St. 17726 West Center

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17660 Wright St. (402) 932-5346

and guests to retire to private spaces in the evening.

Reflecting a more casual lifestyle, gone is the formal dining room and den. That square footage, instead, is invested in the kitchen area, the backbone of the house.

A super-sized, walk-in pantry is complete with a trash chute to the lower-level garage.

Off the kitchen area is a second four-season room with a sliding glass wall, contributing another 800 square feet of indoor/outdoor living space.

Throughout the home, large, plentiful windows emphasize a connection with the outdoors. The effect allows people to feel as though they are outside, even while sitting in the comfort of their living room.

“When we give people opportunities to bring the outside in, they do,” Schrager said. “People want to be optimistic, to feel connected with the outside and something more grounded. It’s a reflection of how people are feeling in wanting to move toward a connection with the environment.”

The home’s lighter, warmer color palate imbues a natural, beachy feel. For furniture, Schrager selected durable, versatile

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L O W E R L E V E L PAT I O

pieces with washable fabrics. Seating utilizes long-lasting indoor/outdoor fabrics to stand up to continued use and frequent washing. In the bedrooms, duvet covers are handily cleaned. Even decorative accents are made from hardwearing, non-glass materials that resist breaking.

Brown designed the house to be barrier-free; that is, accessible for older individuals or people with disabilities.

Doorways are wider, stairway landings are larger and showers are step-free. The home also offers an elevator, making it accessible to people of all mobility levels.

Mindful of their future needs, empty nesters are keen to incorporate this type of universal design, Schrager said. But in this house, “you won’t even know that it’s barrier-free until you need it,” she said.

Brown noted that the home’s location — just 12 minutes from Village Pointe — offers a scenic retreat still close to big-city amenities. The effect is like being on vacation without the travel time, Schrager said.

“You have a place that you’ve retreated to, and it’s like a sigh of relief,” she said.

“It’s a whole different way of life.”

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COVER story

CrossFit athlete Libby DiBiase exudes inner and outer strength

l spirit ST RO N G

ibby DiBiase makes working out look good. She does handstand walks — uphill. She deadlifts 315 pounds. A sponsored athlete, her image is beamed around the world on banners and in ads as the epitome of a healthy, fit woman.

DiBiase, a CrossFit athlete and Omaha native, is a valuable commodity in the growing world of CrossFit fanatics. Her physical prowess and outgoing personality attracted the attention of sportswear giant Reebok and supplement company Gaspari Nutrition, who both look to DiBiase to represent their brands.

Story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER Photos by DANIEL MULLER

Joe Westerlin, Libby DiBiase, son Cruz, and their dog Gabe

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COVER story

J. LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY

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“What attracted Reebok to Libby was her presence, attitude and performance,” said Jared Davis, associate manager of athlete services at Reebok. “Libby is someone who, from the beginning of the CrossFit movement in 2007, has proven that she is one of the best in the CrossFit community.”

DiBiase got hooked on CrossFit in 2007 while running track at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Unlike other programs, CrossFit varied constantly, staving off exercise boredom with high-intensity workouts. Watching her numbers improve and her physical feats accumulate, she felt exuberated. “It’s the greatest thing ever,” she said. “It’s like a high.”

Since DiBiase started, CrossFit affiliates have sprouted up across the world.

Because people work out together, CrossFit is a communal — some say cultish — experience; indeed, “the communal aspect of CrossFit is a key component of why it’s so effective,” according to CrossFit.com.

CrossFit workouts have a reputation for being physically demanding.

DiBiase’s favorite workout, called the Fran, consists of 21 barbell thrusters followed by 21 pull-ups; 15 thrusters followed by 15 pull-ups; and 9 thrusters followed by 9 pull-ups, all completed as fast as humanly possible. Afterwards, “you feel terrible,” DiBiase said. But fighting through that grueling workout is part of the allure. CrossFit inspires both a physical and mental toughness, DiBiase said.

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“Sometimes people can be physically strong, but if they don’t mentally think they can do it, some of the workouts can destroy you,” she said. “You have to mentally think you can get through it.”

In 2008, DiBiase went to her first CrossFit games in Aromas, Calif., and placed among the top 10 at the competition. At the time, the games were still a small affair. This year, the Reebok-sponsored games lured 200,000 athletes hoping to qualify for a spot in the final games. ESPN now broadcasts the competition.

DiBiase stands out among this group of CrossFit elite as a multi-faceted athlete and mother. Her fun and lively personality engages people, said Scot Blum, marketing manager for Gaspari.

DiBiase said the mental discipline of CrossFit has crossed over to other areas of her life, including motherhood. Her athletic drive helps her focus on achieving a bachelor’s degree at UNO. She also credits CrossFit with easing her pregnancy and post-delivery recovery. She worked out until the day before her son, Cruz, was born; her last exercise was appropriately called “The Inducer.”

While critics claim that CrossFit promotes injury by overlooking form in favor of going faster and harder, DiBiase brushes it off. Other sports are riskier, she said, and a reputable trainer will ensure that exercises focus on proper, injury-preventing technique.

The benefits of a healthy, fit lifestyle also cannot be understated, she said. As 30 |

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FOLLOW LIBBY ON SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @LibbyDiBiase1 Instagram: libbydibiase

a mother, she’s proud to be an example to her son of living healthfully and enjoying exercise.

“My main goal doing CrossFit is that no matter what I do for my career in this, I just want to have fun,” she said.

“My goal is to train hard, eat right, take care of my body and do this as long as I can.”

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OUR leisure

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D E S T I N AT I O N S

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OUTDOOR living

With the latest evolution of outdoor entertaining areas, your next favorite room could be the backyard

a

cozy nook for a fireside glass of wine. A poolside cabana bar to watch the game. A scenic getaway where the kids can play while their parents relax.

The above may sound like a vacation resort, but increasingly, retreats like these are cropping up in Omaha backyards. Driven by a desire to get outside, affluent homeowners are creating outdoor entertainment oases where families can cook, eat, drink and relax.

“People like being outside and entertaining outside, because everyone is cooped up in an office all day long,” said Jason Decker of Elite Landscaping. “People enjoy doing a bit of yard work, getting fresh air or sitting around a fire pit with friends.”

Story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER Photos by DANIEL MULLER

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OUTDOOR living

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The most upscale designs feature extensive landscapes with pools, natural-stone patios, fire features, waterfalls, a pool house and a self-sufficient kitchen as a centerpiece. In these kitchens, grilling is hardly a lonely activity with a hard-worn grill. “You have the outdoor kitchen with the grill, smoker, refrigerator, blender, a warming drawer,” said Darrin Loftus of Table Rock Company. “The accessories are unbelievable.”

Regardless of the amount of bells and whistles, these outdoor spaces seek to create a peaceful escape from the dayto-day grind. Outdoor living aficionados “want a place to go to, without having to get on a plane, to take their mind away from their current setting,” said Clayton Adams of landscaping company Carson Enterprises.

Homeowners across the nation are

fueling the outdoor living boom. The landscaping and outdoor living sector has grown to a $60 billion a year industry, according to a Garden Media Group report.

Fueled by social trends like barbecuing, camping and hosting lawn parties, North Americans now spend more on their backyards than they do on weddings or pets.

Omaha landscapers say the trend is growing in the Midwest. While fire pits and fireplaces have been fixtures in Omaha backyards for several years, the evolution of the outdoor entertainment area has taken such landscaping to a new level. Instead of adding on to an existing home, homeowners are looking to their backyards to create an alternative living space. “People are saying, ‘Why aren’t we living outdoors as long as we can?’” Loftus said.

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Accordingly, local landscapers are taking outdoor living trends from Florida and Arizona and modifying them to suit Nebraska weather and tastes. New designs feature artful hardscaping, the use of hard materials to create surfaces like patios, sidewalks or retaining walls in a landscape. Poolscaping, the landscaping specific to a pool’s surrounds, is also an emphasis. Projects can vary from an outdoor hearth area to a fantasy-like garden refuge.

“Your imagination and creativity are the cap,” Decker said.

When designing an outdoor living area, landscapers take into consideration the style of the existing home and the needs of the homeowners. By taking a peek at the home’s interior, Clayton Adams of Carson Enterprises gets a better feel for the homeowners’ tastes and style. His designs seek to take the flavor of the home and extend it outdoors. “We take your setting and build something completely custom,” he said.

Given Nebraska’s seasonal weather, homeowners are often drawn to fireplaces. “We do a lot of work for couples that want to go outside after work, have a glass of wine, sit by the fire and enjoy the sound of a waterfall in a peaceful, relaxing area,” Adams said.

Once expensive, natural stone has come down in price

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thanks to more cost-effective fabrication techniques, said Loftus of Table Rock Company. The rock offers textures and colors not found in manufactured stone.

“Each piece of stone is uniquely different than the next,” Loftus said. “Each job is uniquely different. That’s what makes it really cool and beautiful.”

Natural stone also has the advantage of holding up to wear and tear. Stone that has survived in the ground for hundreds of years isn’t going to crack or erode, Adams said.

Moreover, natural stone plays well with Omahans’ affinity for more rustic, natural styles versus modern designs, Adams said. Using stone, landscapers can create outdoor kitchens, bars, cabanas, pool houses, hearth areas, spas, water features and more.

Adams uses natural stone sourced from Turkey to create seemingly native retaining walls and water features. “We want it to look like you built your house around what we did,” he said.

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KEVIN SELLMYER Lumbermen’s 402-884-8600 lumbermens.biz

While the use of sustainable materials in outdoor living areas is not widespread in Omaha, their popularity is growing following trends on the coasts.

“We’re starting in Nebraska to see a movement toward permeable paving that allows rainwater and runoff and go back to the ground,” said Kevin Sellmeyer, landscape materials sales manager at Lumbermen’s. The company’s showroom and idea center can help homeowners navigate their options.

As homeowners are putting more dollars into landscaping, they are also investing in higher-quality grills and outdoor furniture. Outdoor Kitchen & Patio offer six lines of Canadian and American-made grills and 12 higher-end furniture brands.

The products are backed by longer warranties than those typical of big box stores, said owner Dan Gould. Outdoor Kitchen & Patio staff can service and maintain existing grills, extending their lifespan.

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DARRIN LOFTUS Table Rock Company 402-408-1830 tablerockco.com

OUTDOOR living In patio furniture, consumers are moving toward deep-seated cushions that mimic the look, comfort and feel of indoor furniture with outdoor durability. “It’s basically taking your living room outdoors,” Gould said.

Omaha landscapers say at the core, the movement toward outdoor living reflects families who want to spend quality time together. An outdoor space keeps the kids — or grandkids — close to home. Kids love hanging out with friends in a great backyard, and teens like chilling around a fire pit. It’s a place for families to bond.

“Instead of taking the kids to OUTDOOR KITCHEN & PATIO the movies on the weekend, they sit 402-333-2282 around the fire pit outdoorkitchen.com or cook dinner outside while the kids play in the pool,” Decker said.

Anecdotally, landscapers report that homes with outdoor living areas tend to offer resale advantages. “If you have an outdoor kitchen or outdoor entertainment area and you’re selling your home, compare it to the competition that doesn’t have it,” Loftus said. “If you’re a buyer, which one would you chose?”

But homeowners seeking to invest in an outdoor living area should think about themselves first. “Build it for you,” Loftus said. “Put your own touches on it. Enjoy your home; you’re not building it for someone else. Build it they way you cook, the way you live your life.”

Chances are, there are a lot more people out there who are itching to live the same way, he said.

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MY concoction

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1

5

What you need: • 1.25 oz Bacardi Dragon Berry • 1.25 oz Simple Syrup • 1.25 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

• • • • •

1 Strawberry 5 Basil Leaves .5 oz Sprite 1.25 oz Lemonade Bamboo Glass and a lemon wedge Muddle the strawberry and basil leaves

steps

2

Add all ingredients except the Sprite into a shaker with ice and shake

3

to the perfect cocktail THE BAR: Kona Grill THE BARTENDER: Dan Roney THE DRINK: Strawberry Basil Lemonade

4

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Pour all ingredients including ice into a bamboo glass

Garnish with a lemon wedge JUNE 2014

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OUR food

OVER EASY 16859 Q St. 402-934-2929 overeasyomaha.com Hours: Open daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; drive-thru open at 6 a.m.

o

ver Easy, a six-month-old breakfast place at the corner of 168th and Q streets, is on a mission to thwart breakfast boredom with a playful, creative menu and emphasis on local flavor.

“These are comfort dishes that you’ve had thousands of times, but you’ve never had it this way or served like that,” said owner Nick Bartholomew.

Hash browns get upgraded to a hash round with a cheesy inside and crisp, fried-in-bacon-grease exterior. The Pop-Tarts of childhood go decidedly adult with sweet fruit fillings nestled in a hot, flaky pastry.

And with a drive-thru window option, breakfast lovers can get chef-driven fare on the go.

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A fresh approach story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER | photos by J. LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY

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“It’s the same way a warm blanket makes you feel,” Bartholomew said of the breakfast offerings. “When you start the day with this meal, it’s fun food.”

The café’s décor hints at its quirky but distinctly Nebraskan personality.

One wall is decorated with a mosaic of reclaimed barn wood from six Nebraska barns, school houses and a church. The rustic theme contrasts with more contemporary bar lights, steel shelving and decorative glass flasks. Wall art is the work of Nebraska artists and photographers.

FA M O U S H O M E M A D E P O P TA RT S JUNE 2014

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OUR food

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Chef Tim Maides created the clever menu with an eye on locally sourced ingredients. Popular dishes include the Vegetarian Biscuits & Gravy, a tasty take on the classic that appeals even to meat eaters. The Egg Boat is “basically a quiche baked into a mini loaf of bread, so it has everything you want for breakfast in one,” Maides said.

The Dutch Baby pancake offers a texture and presentation twist on the breakfast staple. The custardy cakes are served with house-made jams in a cast-iron skillet.

To create the menu, Maides drew inspiration from his childhood in Switzerland where he was exposed early on to farm-to-table cooking and gardening. “We loved visiting my grandma’s village, because she always cooked and grew the best food even using a wood-burning stove,” he said.

Accordingly, dishes at Over Easy conjure up such homecooked meals. “We aren’t a diner and we aren’t a cafe, it’s just original and delicious food that you’d be more likely to eat at grandma’s house than at a restaurant,” Maides said.

Maides entered the restaurant industry following the footsteps of his older chef brother. He got his start as a dishwasher at Benson’s España, and from there learned about all aspects of the restaurant industry, including gardening, preserving and pickling foods. In travels throughout the world, he drew culinary lessons from street food vendors.

Such simple, good food appeals to a broader audience than fine dining, he said.

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OUR food

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anywhere,” he said. “I love seeing the spaces in which people create their food and how they deal with limitations like space and equipment.”

Bartholomew likens Over Easy’s twists on breakfast to playful art. Based on the response to the restaurant thus far, the community wants to be involved with their creations, he said. “We create an experience with you that you want to talk about,” he said.

Already in its six month, the restaurant has reached out to the community through a summer block party and a celebrity chef pop-up restaurant event.

Throughout the summer, hungry patrons can find Over Easy at the Aksarben Village farmers market where it serves a locally sourced menu and grab-and-go items, including its popular Pop-Tarts.

Rooted in local events, ingredients and flavor, Over Easy aims to embrace its neighborhood and community.

“We’ve really found our niche as a progressive and unique restaurant out in West Omaha where it’s least expected,” Maides said.

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9

WORTH THE HAUL CENTURYLINK CENTER OMAHA 445 North 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 341-1500 www.CenturyLinkCenterOmaha.com Tickets: www.TicketMaster.com or (800) 745-3000

June

Backstreet Boys “In A World Like This” tour featuring Avril Lavigne at 7:30 p.m., $25-$150

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Night of the Proms at 7:30 p.m., $30-$85

23 June

Bruno Mars “Moonshine Jungle World Tour” at 8 p.m., $42-$102

28 June

World Lightweight Championship Terence Crawford vs Yuriorkis Gamboa at 6:30 p.m., $27-$102 52 |

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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

“Spank! Harder,” The Fifty Shades Parody, Orpheum Theater, Slosburg Hall, 8 p.m, $35 and up

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OUR heart

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Through program, community heroes save when buying, selling or refinancing

t giving B AC K TO THO S E W HO S ERV E

erry and Lisa Matlock are committed to helping others. Lisa, a nurse, visits elderly and disabled patients in their homes, helping them maintain their independence.

Terry, a federal inspector, spent over a month in New York with the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hurricane Sandy, helping residents get back on their feet.

Thanks to the goodwill of local realtors and real estate-related professionals, the Matlocks and other community servants like them are receiving a thank you for their efforts. Home for Heroes is a national program that offers discounts to firefighters, emergency workers, military service members, veterans, police officers, teachers and health care workers when they buy, sell or refinance a home. Affiliates of the program offer 25 percent off of their commission, plus discounted lending fees and closing fees. In Nebraska, 11 affiliates are connected to the program.

Story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER Photos by DANIEL MULLER

From left: Kailee, Terry, Lisa and Brady Matlock JUNE 2014

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OUR heart

The Matlock family with their dog, Chevy.

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Homes for Heroes supported the Matlocks in February when the family moved from Wisconsin to Omaha. Terry and Lisa were eager to settle into a home with their two children. But as Terry transitioned to a new position after a job disruption, financial support was welcome. Through the work of Homes for Heroes affiliates like loan officer Pete Coen at The Private Mortgage Group, their transition to Omaha became easier. “It was wonderful to hear we had a little help on this end to get here,� Lisa said.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE The Homes for Heroes program started among a group of Minnesota real estate professionals who, moved by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, sought a way to show their gratitude toward firefighters and emergency personnel.

The concept they came up with was

From left: Brad Flanagan and Pete Coen of The Private Mortgage Group JUNE 2014

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OUR heart

From left: Scott Petty, Kristin Petty and Michelle Gustafson

simple: Offer their services at a discount to eligible individuals, with no red tape, hidden fees or fine print. As the idea spread, the program expanded to include military service members, veterans, teachers and health care workers.

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The program is now in 48 states with 1,300 affiliates, said Homes for Heroes co-founder and vice president Helen Johnson.

Johnson said the organization receives about 1,400 inquiries a month, and its

database of heroes served tops 50,000.

Inquiries are referred to local affiliates, who often are moved to join the program because of a personal tie to a community hero. In addition to giving back, real estate professionals have an

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OUR heart opportunity to attract more clients.

“They grow their business, and it’s a win-win for everybody,” she said.

Omaha realtors and lenders said their connection with Homes for Heroes grew from a desire to give to the community.

Neither Mamie Jackson, a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate, nor lender Pete Coen have family in the military or other eligible professions. But both thought the program was an important way to show their appreciation for these selfless individuals.

“It’s a way to say, ‘Thanks for putting your life on the line, or for being away on Christmas to take care of my relative in the hospital,’” Coen said.

For Jackson, business and giving are intertwined. “I think a lot of the agents involved in it are blessed that we do enough business that we can (give back),” she said.

The savings through the program can be significant. Realtor Michelle Gustafson with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate estimates that on average, families save about $1,700 on a $150,000 home through the program. Through the Friends of Homes for Heroes program, families are connected to additional

HOMES FOR HEROES Homes for Heroes offers discounts to eligible workforce heroes, including: Teachers Firefighters Public safety officers Health care workers Military personnel Others who provide services to the public For more information, visit homesforheroes.com.

savings through other companies. “It’s paying it forward,” Gustafson said.

Mortgage lender Brad Flanagan’s connection to the program is more personal. An Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, Flanagan knows firsthand some of the sacrifices service members make, and works hard to let them know they are in good hands through the pro60 |

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“These families are yearning for the ability to put their roots down and become part of a community after giving so much.”– JR Richardson, director of the Military-Veteran Services Center at Bellevue University

gram. At The Private Mortgage Group, Flanagan goes out of his way to accommodate the heroes’ hectic schedules.

He’ll pick up a firefighter’s documents at the fire station, or make sure to call a night shift nurse during her hours awake. For service members facing deployment while in the mortgage process, he works to ease their anxiety.

“I want them to know they won’t have additional stress,” he said.

Eligible military personnel may also take advantage of VA loans that offer additional benefits, including no down payment. Combined with Homes for Heroes savings that offset closing costs, families may be able to close on a home without putting any money on the table. “I love being able to tell them that they are able to (close on) a house for really no money, and be helped by professionals that are very experienced,” Coen said.

When newlyweds Scott and Kristin Petty first read about the program in a magazine, they figured it was too good to be true. Scott, an ISO dock chief at Offutt Air Force Base, and Kristin, a financial marketer, were cautious about buying a home for the first time. Gustafson and Coen guided them through the process step by step. With their help, the couple moved into their first home in November — with significant savings. “What they were able to do for us was amazing,” Kristin said.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES Given Omaha’s proximity to a military base, programs that reach out to active duty personnel, veterans and their families matter in the community. JR Richardson, director of the Military-Veteran Services Center at Bellevue University, notes that housing is an important issue for military and veteran families.

“These families are yearning for the ability to put their roots down and become part of a community after giving so much,” he said. “To be a homeowner and part of the community helps that family grow.”

The Military-Veteran Services Center offers information and resources to college students as well as to the public. Working with Homes for Heroes affiliates, the center has helped to get the word out about the program among eligible families.

Programs like Homes for Heroes also boost Omaha’s reputation as a giving community. “We always seem to step up and give more,” said Jim Ristow, president and CEO of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. “It’s speaks highly of the community.”

For the heroes themselves, their service to others is simply part of the job.

“We like to help people,” said Terry Matlock of himself and his wife. “It’s just in our nature. We’re not doing it for any kind of recognition. We’re just glad we’re in a position to help people.”

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OUR kids

i

For youngsters, School of Rock strikes a chord

ON

n just three years at Omaha School of Rock, 11-year-old Aidan Fisher transformed from a guitar newbie to a YouTube sensation.

Last year, a chance encounter led Aidan to take the stage and shred a Van Halen solo with ’80s heavy metal rockers Steel Panther, drawing cheers from the leather-clad rockers and a packed house. The video of his solo has nabbed more than a million hits on YouTube. “My mind was blown,” Aidan said of the experience.

Teaching kids like Aidan how to rock on the stage and in life is Omaha School of Rock’s forte. Since 2011, the school has taught youngsters guitar, bass, vocals, keyboard and drums through a combination of private lessons, group band practice and live shows. The school takes a unique approach to music that motivates kids to learn and grow.

Story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER Photos by J. LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Aiden Fisher

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rock

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OUR kids

OMAHA SCHOOL OF ROCK 13270 Millard Ave. 402-691-8875 omaha.schoolofrock.com Watch Aidan Fisher’s guitar solo with Steel Panther on YouTube: youtu.be/D79kxAaMf3I

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“Instead of only the student and teacher communicating through music, we open it up to a bigger level where they are playing with peers and around town,” said general manager Jessica Moore.

Omaha’s School of Rock is one of more than 125 School of Rock locations nationally. Located in the old Millard High School and covered in posters, the school gives off a lived-in record-store vibe. During lessons, teachers like Erik Jarvis sneak in music theory alongside fun-to-play songs.

“Instead of using Beethoven’s sonatas to learn how to play keyboard, you learn to play ‘Light my Fire’ by The Doors,” he said.

As the kids’ skills improve, they start playing with a performance group that preps for concerts at local venues. School of Rock bands have played at Storm Chasers games, Fun-Plex,

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OUR kids

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SEE THEM YOURSELF Watch the School of Rock kids perform live in Omaha: June 23, 6 p.m.

The Waiting Room Lounge 6212 Maple St.

music venues and bar and grills. As the school’s reputation has spread, venues and organizations are requesting Omaha School of Rock to play at their events.

The school also offers multiple Rock 101 summer camps. New this year, a guitar building camp will guide youth through the process of soldering and staining their own guitar. While the majority of programming is aimed at kids ages 6 through high school, the school also offers a program for adults to sharpen their skills.

The benefits for kids go beyond learning how to play an instrument. School of Rock teachers let kids experiment with different instruments and explore what works for them. They interact with students from different schools and circles from all over the city. Over time, kids begin to discover who they are, Moore said.

“We teach respect, communication, creativity — all the skills necessary for kids to bloom in the most positive ways,” she said.

Summerfest Performers Brittany and Tiffany Edwards

Teachers and parents notice that kids become more confident through the experience of performing. Paige Edwards enrolled her three children in a weeklong summer camp program at School of Rock. At their final camp performance, Edwards said she was blown away.

“In a week they went from never having been on stage to being able to perform a concert,” she said. “That was the coolest thing we had ever seen our kids do, compared to sports, school events, anything.”

Jadon, 12, plays drums; Brittany, 14, and Tiffany, 16, are vocalists. In the year since that first summer camp, the kids have performed at venues throughout Omaha. This summer, the family is headed to the annual School of Rock Summerfest battle of the bands competition in Milwaukee. The whole experience has made an impact on the kids.

“It’s added a ton to their life, who they are, their confidence,” Paige Edwards said.

Aidan’s father, Chris, wanted his children to get exposure to instruments they could play throughout life. With School of Rock’s quarterly concerts, Chris found that Aidan and daughter Rebekah were motivated to work hard and perform well. Even in the first lessons, “they start playing songs immediately,” he said.

School of Rock planted the seeds for Aidan to dream big about music. Since starting lessons, Aidan has practiced hard to impress the likes of rockers like Steel Panther. The experiences have fostered a love of music.

“After that, I knew that being a musician is what I wanted to do,” he said.

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J

ust as the sun damages your skin, it can damage your hair, too.

Saltwater and chlorine also take a toll on our tresses. The not-sopretty outcome is that a few weeks into summer, hair that was shiny looks and feels fried. Even hair that isn’t colored will suffer from

sun-induced stress. Those UV rays dry out hair and rough up the normally smooth cuticle, or outer layer, of the hair shaft. The more dry your hair is, the more likely it is to suffer from a summer issue more irritating than mosquito bites — frizz. That’s because parched hair soaks up the extra humidity in the air, causing the shaft to swell and leading to breaks in the cuticle. Hair puffs up and goes every which way but smooth.

S

M Y T WO

cents

Swimming also beats up your hair. While you’re doing the breaststroke, S

chlorine is stripping your hair of its natural oils. If you’re a blonde, you may find your hair taking on an unflattering green cast. That’s caused by the copper molecules and other pool chemicals that bind to the protein in the hair shaft. The ocean stresses hair in another way. The heavy salt content in seawater draws water out of your hair and skin and you end up with prune-like fingers and parched hair.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY AND GORGEOUS SUMMER HAIR START SUMMER WITH A TRIM. You’ll get rid of split ends and refresh your style. Hair really does grow faster in the summer. That’s because there are more hairs in the anagen, or growing, stage during late spring and summer than in the dead of winter.

PROTECT FROM THE SUN. Make a daily habit of applying a hair care product that contains UV filters (these can be in spray, gel, or cream formulas). These products protect hair from sun damage and help keep color-processed hair from fading. If you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Not only will it keep your strands from getting scorched, it will also protect your scalp and ears.

SATURATE BEFORE SWIMMING. If your hair is full of clean water or leave-in conditioner, it won’t absorb as much saltwater or pool chemicals. It’s also a good idea to rinse your hair after a swim.

TARA SENG, OWNER MOXIE SALON AND SPA www.MoxieSalonOmaha.com 402-330-3899 17837 Pierce Plaza S

SWITCH TO A MOISTURIZING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER. You may be washing your hair more frequently to deal with summer’s sweat and grime. I would also suggest using a clarifying shampoo once a week to clear away product buildup and chemicals. Just be sure to follow with a deep-conditioning treatment either at home or in the salon.

S

SKIP THE HOT TOOLS. At least once or twice a week, give your hair a break from blow dryers and styling irons. I recommend washing your hair at night and piling it up in a bun, a braid, or ponytail before you head to bed. When you wake up, you’ll have nice beachy waves. It’s the perfect look for weekends, or make it work-ready with an accessory such as a thick headband.

OUTSMART THE FRIZZ. Hair that’s healthy and well-maintained is your best defense against frizz! Along with regular trims and conditioning, a drop or two of an anti-frizz oil or serum can help smooth hair and add shine. Several professional hair care companies have an oil in their product line. Another option would be a smoothing treatment. We offer Keratin Complex at Moxie Salon + Spa. Its innovative technology drives keratin deep into the hair shaft and then seals it in, effectively blocking humidity from penetrating the hair and locking out frizz. We can determine which one is right for you during your complimentary consultation!

If all else fails, have your go-to style ready…slick pony, high bun, or side braid for those highhumidity days.

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OUR business

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More than cleaning Fashion Cleaners tailors services for eager clientele

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Story by KRYSTAL OVERMYER Photos by J. LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY

leaning more than 15,000 pieces of clothing each week, Kermit Engh starts to philosophize about the emotional power of one’s wardrobe.

Compounded over a lifetime, the task of choosing what to wear takes on surprising emotional significance.

“If you were to close your eyes and envision all of the garments in your closet, think about how much emotional energy was expended in each piece,” he said. “My guess is you have spent more emotional energy picking out the items you wear than you have picking out a car, a house, or in many cases, a spouse.”

At Fashion Cleaners, Engh works to keep those pieces of emotional energy looking fresh. Since 1992, Engh has grown Fashion Cleaners from a single shop on Leavenworth Street to a multi-location business serving a loyal clientele. The company stands out for its eco-friendly practices and passionate dedication to customer service.

“We provide a greater value to our customer in the quality of work that we do,” Engh said. “The services we provide, the equipment, the gentler cleaning agents — it makes clothes last longer, stay brighter and feel great.”

Courtney and Kermit Engh.

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OUR business Together with daughters Courtney Engh and Audra Gude, Kermit Engh keeps the company on top of the latest industry trends and innovations. The family-run business bills itself as Nebraska’s first 100-percent eco-friendly dry cleaner, trading toxic chemicals for gentler, environmentally friendly products long before going green was trendy. In addition to green cleaning agents, the company’s inventory systems are paperless, delivery trucks run on energy-efficient fuel and plant utility systems recapture energy and recycle water. The Leavenworth location’s recent renovation improved these processes even more — earning the company an Outstanding Renovation award from American Drycleaner magazine.

Fashion Cleaner’s reputation for quality has attracted the Omaha arts community and several sports teams. Alongside button-down shirts and delicate dresses, Fashion Cleaners also handles mascots like Billy the Bluejay, band uniforms, symphony tuxedos and theater costumes.

The intricate ensembles from “The Lion King,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Wicked” have come through Fashion Cleaners’ doors, a testament to the dry cleaners’ ability to handle even the most delicate clothing.

“If you have ‘The Lion King’ in your plant, you better know what you’re doing,” Kermit said.

Today’s Fashion Cleaners looks significantly different from when Kermit first acquired the company. Kermit, who had

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experience in other industries before purchasing Fashion Cleaners, envisioned the company as a top Omaha brand emphasizing passion, service and innovation.

“My dad has a strong, clear vision, and he knows where he wants to take the company,” said Courtney Engh, who directs the company’s marketing efforts.

Under Kermit’s direction, Fashion Cleaners expanded to include four Omaha locations and a fleet of vehicles providing free home delivery and pickup.

In 2000, Kermit acquired the 92-yearold Omaha Lace Cleaners. As part of the Fashion Cleaners umbrella, Omaha Lace retains its distinct brand and niche services for family heirlooms, military uniforms, lace linens and bridal attire.

The process for preserving wedding gowns is especially rigorous. Fashion Cleaners is the only Midwest member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, an international association dedicated to the care and preservation of bridal gowns. Taking into account dress embellishments, fabric type and more, experienced professionals custom-

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ize their work on each dress and follow Smithsonian Institution guidelines for preservation, Courtney said. The gowns never leave the Omaha location. When a bride takes home her preserved dress, she also receives white cotton gloves so she can handle the gown without transferring hand oils.

Another facet of the business is its fire and water restoration services, known as FRSTeam by Fashion Cleaners. When a disaster strikes, homeowners can call upon FRSTeam 24/7 to salvage items from everyday clothing to precious items such as a wedding dress, christening gown, quilt or even a stuffed animal. The FRSTeam unit plays an important role at Fashion Cleaners by supporting families who have suffered a loss and helping to restore a part of their lives, said Audra Gude, FRSTeam managing partner.

“With FRSTeam, we love that we are able to be a piece of the puzzle of putting people’s lives back together after a devastating loss such as a house fire,” she said.

Giving back to the community is also a part of the company’s philosophy. Fashion Cleaners supports multiple organizations in the Omaha metro area with a special focus on women. The company assists the Women’s Center for Advancement career closet, donating “ready to work” items for women in need. For the annual prom dress sale at Council Bluffs’ Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Fashion Cleaners spruces up gently used gowns. Fashion Cleaners also supports women at the New Hope Life Center for Women where Kermit is a board member.

Throughout these and other activities, Fashion Cleaners seeks to set itself apart from the pack. As the only Midwest member of the prestigious Leading Cleaners Internationale, the company is able to bring best practices and cutting-edge technology from around the world back to Omaha.

“The reason our customers come to us is because their clothing is a part of their image,” Kermit said. “If they look good, they feel good — and that makes us feel good.”

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VARSITY corner

PERFECT

STRIDE

Jordan Flemington | Age 17 | Millard West Over the years, Millard West has built a strong tradition of outstanding track and field performers, but when it comes to the hurdles, there’s just one name that comes to mind — Jordan Flemington.

Flemington first gave track a try as an eighth grader, and almost immediately gravitated to the hurdles as he loved the challenge of speed and timing. In just his second year in the sport, he managed to break the freshmen records in both the 110 and 300 meter hurdles. This set the tone for a successful sophomore campaign where he earned his first win at the Millard South Invitational in the 300 intermediate hurdles, earning berths at the Nebraska State Track Meet in both events; there he finished fifth in the 300 intermediate, and sixth in the 110 highs. Farmington’s biggest success that year was as a member of the State Champion 4 x 400 relay team that finished with a time of 3:19:52, ninth place all-time.

Moving on to his junior year, Flemington’s dominance in the hurdles started to take shape as he opened the season with wins in both events at the Columbus Invitational; he continued on to notch first place finishes at multiple meets in the hurdles and the 4 x 400 relay. At the State Track Meet in 2013 he finished third in the 110’s, and fourth in the 300 intermediates. Yet again, it was as a member of the 4 x 400 relay team that he captured the gold, but this time with a finish of 3:16:48, shattering a 28-year-old state record in the process.

This year Flemington has recorded multiple first place finishes in the 110 highs, 300 intermediates, and as a member of both the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams. At press-time, the Nebraska State Track Meet has not yet taken place, but expectations are high, and the chance at a fourgold performance looms large.

With strong performances on the track, Flemington has earned several awards, but his most impressive accomplishments have been in the classroom where he has maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher, thus earning him a Certificate for the Metro Conference All-Academic Track and Field teams his junior and senior seasons. He was also bestowed special recognition with a black honor cord for his academic performance all four years. Flemington will attend Nebraska Wesleyan University where he will continue to compete, and was awarded both the Archway and Achievement Scholarships.

Jordan is the son of Justin Flemington and Onsri Clark. He has three sisters: Kayli (14), Leah (9) and Bridget (4).

DANIEL MULLER

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LEADING FROM THE

MIDDLE

Megan Kammer | Age 18 | Elkhorn South It seems only fitting that if you spent nearly two years of your childhood in Madrid, Spain, your sport of choice would be soccer. That is exactly what Megan Kammer, an Elkhorn South senior, gets to say when sharing her story.

Following in the footsteps of her older brother, Kammer began to compete in the sixth grade, and quickly elected to concentrate on soccer as her sole sport from an early age. Her focus paid off; she has gone on to become a four-year starter, and 2013 state champion as the Storm’s star midfielder.

Over the course of her high school career, Kammer has collected many awards for her play. She earned a spot on the 2013 Class B All-State Soccer Team as a junior, and honorable mention recognition as both a freshman and sophomore. With 11 goals and nine assists during her senior year, the awards will come pouring in now that the season has finished. Kammer was recently selected to play in the 2014 Shrine Soccer Classic which honors the state’s top senior players.

With all the success Kammer has had on the field, she’s proven to be a leader off of it as well, accumulating a 3.9 GPA, and taking active roles in National Honor Society, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), and Pep Club. Her achievements have led to three scholarships (the Dean’s Scholarship for academic achievement, an athletic scholarship, and the Community Life Scholarship for community service and leadership) from Taylor University in Indiana where she will attend with her older sister.

While Kammer’s list of accomplishments is very impressive, what is most admirable is her dedication to volunteering at Compass Ministries — an after school learning program for at-risk youth in North Omaha.

Kammer has assisted with their youth soccer camps, vacation bible schools, and Cubbies, their children’s church ministry. It’s this experience that has inspired her to pursue an education in teaching children with special needs.

Megan is the daughter of Kevin and Kathy Kammer of Elkhorn, and has two siblings, Ryan (22) and Rachel (20).

DANIEL MULLER

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