Edge Magazine - June 2015

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M A G A Z I N E

Elite Landscaping Jason Decker’s company leads the way

Reggie Shaw

Country musician gunning for stardom

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if finally here and brings with it endless opportunities for outdoor concerts, festivals, and cookouts at home. They are all perfect ways to spend time with friends and family. This issue features individuals and businesses who foster the spirit of bringing people together.

Country music singer Reggie Shaw has devoted his life to inspiring others through his talent for songwriting and performing. He shows us that any journey worth taking is not always easy, but pursuing one’s passion is essential to fulfilling our dreams.

We also spoke with Jason Decker, owner of Elite Landscaping, who has been creating outdoor living spaces for Omaha residents since he was a teen. His commitment to hard work and quality have made him one of the premier landscapers in the area. His vision for

excellence has resulted in constructing unique outdoor features enjoyed by many families over the years.

Take some time to step back, relax, and soak in all that summer has to offer. Visit Brushi Bar & Bistro for lunch or dinner, or stop by Copa Cabana Cocktails & Cigars for happy hour on the patio. Seek out new experiences, meet new people, and cherish your time with those around you.

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 MANAGING EDITOR Kathy Rygg

402-490-3213 // KathyRygg@Hotmail.com DESIGNER Quentin Lueninghoener (402) 517-1228 // quentin@hanscompark.com PHOTO STAFF Daniel Muller (402) 943-7151 // daniel@dpmuller.com Valerie Wallace-Camp (217) 519-3245 // vwcphotography@mac.com Maureen Fritts Photography (402) 578-2963 // maureen@maureenfrittsphotography.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Natasha Blank-Jimenez (402) 250-2529 // Natasha@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 © 2015 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 OUR music

OUR home 8

24

OUR leisure

OUR food

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46

OUR business

OUR passion

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OUR home

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Resort living

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scaping to a resort is a luxury that might be done once or twice a year, but for homeowners Debbie and Rich Kusleika it’s part of their daily lives.

Eighteen years ago they purchased a lot in what would eventually become Bennington Lake. Five years later they built a 4,400 sq. ft. three bedroom custom ranch home filled with amenities and unique details that would appeal to anyone looking for lakefront living.

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The Omaha natives aren’t novice builders. In fact, they’ve built several homes in the past. When they heard of a new lake development going up in Bennington, they purchased a lot when the area was still farmland. They chose a location tucked in the southwest corner of the would-be lake that provided an expansive view of the water to the north.

The Kusleika’s finally built their home in 2002, and it was one of the first 10 homes built in the area.

They said Bennington Lake is unlike other lakefront developments. “It’s a great design and not crowded or noisy,” Rich said. “It’s very clean, free of mud, and the water level is consistent so you

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OUR home

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OUR home

SITTING AREA

SUNKEN BAR

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OUR home

GUEST BEDROOM

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“It’s a great design and not crowded or noisy.” can easily boat, fish, and ski on it.” A 3.8-mile walking trail surrounds the lake, and Debbie said the area is a hub for wild life, including eight resident bald eagles. “It’s beautiful, serene, and calming to have a cup of coffee outside in the morning and watch the birds on the lake,” she said.

Rich has been in construction his whole life and Debbie has a talent for creativity, so the couple has always worked well together. Debbie drew the basics of the home on a legal pad and then worked with an independent designer for several months perfecting the plan. Many of the home’s unique aspects were inspired by ideas they saw in homes when they traveled. Debbie’s favorite is the sunken bar off the kitchen. “I wanted to be at eye level with my guests so it’s easier to talk to them,” she said. The kitchen island is also lower so that guests can sit in comfortable chairs rather than on bar stools.

Travertine tile covers most of the main floor and replaces wood base boards for a cleaner look. A glass railing lines the staircase, providing a sturdy but elegant look to the great room. The same glass railing surrounds each of the

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OUR home

MASTER BEDROOM

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M A I N F L O O R G U E S T B AT H

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OUR home

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OUR home

IMPRESSIVE EXTERIOR

C O V E R E D S TO N E PAT I O

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lake-facing patios, one off the kitchen and another off the master bedroom.

Large glass picture windows provide stunning views of the lake in every room of the house, including the basement rec room and bedrooms.

To achieve the open look and feel on the main floor, Rich had 18 steel beams installed to support the house rather than using walls that would break up the flow. In all four heated garages he also included floor drains, hot and cold water, and ample built-in storage. The lower level covered stone patio has a natural gas fire pit and hot tub surrounded by mature landscaping.

Debbie and Rich said the area is a good fit for anyone who enjoys lake living or for a family with kids. Bennington is a growing community with a number of new schools recently built with more expected to open soon. The couple has lived there for 13 years and are ready to downsize and build their next home.

“We don’t have kids at home anymore, and we want something smaller,” Debbie said. “But we truly love this house and will probably build something similar because we’ve enjoyed it so much.”

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OUR music

a dream REALIZING

Country artist Reggie Shaw honors his family with his music

m

ost people have someone in their life who has influenced and guided them to become who they are. For musician Reggie Shaw, that person was his grandfather, whom Reggie lived with from the time he was 10-years-old. His grandfather encouraged Reggie to pursue his passion for country music, and following his grandfather’s death, was the inspiration behind one of the most heartfelt songs on Reggie’s new album Drive called “I’m Gonna Miss Him.”

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OUR music

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Reggie’s journey into becoming a country music singer started in his hometown of Overton, NE. At age 13, a dirt bike accident required an extensive hospital stay. He watched Garth Brooks perform “The River” on TV, and it resonated with him so deeply, he learned to sing the song and performed it first at his church, then at the town’s high school graduation ceremony. It was so well received he sang karaoke songs locally, wearing a big cowboy hat. At age 14 he taught himself how to play the guitar and soon was booking gigs at local bars.

After graduating from high school, Reggie wanted to move to Nashville. His grandfather packed up their belongings and they moved there together, living in a two-bedroom apartment. Reggie

frequented clubs, watching the other musicians, then started playing on street corners, drawing crowds and leaving with a guitar case full of money each time. “One night drummer Johnny Barber, who played with Merle Haggard, walked by and heard me play,” Reggie said. “He invited me to tryout at one of the biggest clubs in Nashville. I played there for five years. It was my version of honky tonk university.”

His grandfather returned to Nebraska while Reggie stayed in Nashville where he had the opportunity to play with musicians such as Brad Paisley and Rascal Flats before they were nationally known. But like most journeys, Reggie’s took a number of turns. After marrying and having a son, he decided to take a break from music and moved to Dallas,

but when the marriage ended, Reggie returned to Nashville and to his music.

He had just reached a point where he had recorded a song that RCA was ready to contract when he and his first wife decided to remarry. He turned down the contract and again stepped away from music to focus on family.

Reggie couldn’t deny the pull toward his passion, and after another five years, he returned to the music industry, this time for good. Unfortunately, not long after, Reggie received the call that his grandfather had passed away. “I had a 14-hour drive back home, and before I was even out of Nashville, I had the chorus written for ‘I’m Gonna Miss Him,’” Reggie said. “The entire song was done by the time I reached Kearny, and I was able to sing it at his funeral.”

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OUR music

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He was also able to sing that song on stage at the Grand Ole Opry—a dream come true. In 2011 he won the local, state, and regional Texaco Country Showdown and competed for nationals, where he won 2nd place. After returning to Nebraska to help settle his grandfather’s affairs, he decided to stay.

But since Overton didn’t offer many opportunities musically, he moved to Omaha. “I had friends here and there’s so much to do,” he said. “West Omaha reminds me a lot of the suburbs of Nashville.”

The people of Omaha have embraced Reggie and given him tremendous support for his music. Meeting Dave Kotinek with the local band Hat Trick was a pivotal point. The two musicians clicked, singing perfect harmony together, and have regular gigs around town at venues such as Copa Cabana, Deja Vu Lounge, and Pitch. He also performs private events such as weddings and a number of charitable functions.

Friend and supporter Tim Thoreson said it’s easy to want to help Reggie become successful. “Reggie is so grounded and loves to entertain,” he said. “He has a huge play list and is great at performing.” Another supporter, Tydd Rohrbough, agrees. “His music has powerful messages,” he said. “He wants to bring people together, have a good time, and enjoy life.”

Reggie’s newest album Drive is available on iTunes, Pandora, and Spotify.

His songs reflect family, heartache, and living life. Some are upbeat while others are more reflective and poignant. He’s developed a loyal following locally, but his next goal is to tour throughout the Midwest at mid-sized arenas. He’s also been invited to a private audition this summer for The Voice, which would fulfill another dream—to walk on stage and tell his story to millions of people.

With more than 10,000 shows under his belt, Reggie can perform any type of show with songs by Johnny Cash, Eric Church, Tom Petty, and even Jimmy Buffet. His fans say he can emulate each of them but has a unique style with his own songs too. He performs almost every weekend and looks forward to it more than anything else. “I feel naked if I don’t have a show on Friday or Saturday night,” he said. And as he navigates his way through the music business once again, Reggie knows his grandfather is still with him, guiding him along his journey as his biggest fan.

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OUR leisure

dynamic Three

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OUR business

hard work C R E AT I VITY ME E TS

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Business owner Jason Decker creates paradise in back yards

a

t age 14 Jason Decker hung a poster of a Dodge Ram flatbed truck on his wall and wrote on it, “To achieve your dreams you must believe in them.� At age 15 he started working in the lawn and landscaping business managing his own crew and learning how to build retaining walls and installing patios by reading do-it-yourself books. At age 17 he started his own landscaping company, which he built over the next 15 years into Elite Landscaping with more than a dozen employees and an average of 20 high-end, one-of-a-kind projects that showcase his creativity.

Story by KATHY RYGG Photos by JEFFREY BEBEE JUNE 2015

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OUR business

OWNER JASON DECKER

N AT U R A L S TO N E WAT E R FA L L

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L I G H T E D S T O N E PAT H W AY JUNE 2015

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OUR business

N AT U R A L S TO N E F I R E P L A C E

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LANDSCAPED POOL

School didn’t come easy for Decker, but working hard did. Whether it was helping at his uncle’s farm or detailing cars, he enjoyed putting in a full day’s work after school and on weekends. He attributes his work ethic to his parents, saying he appreciated how hard they worked to give the family what they had, and he knew from an early age he wanted a career that allowed him to be outdoors working with his hands. He was also creative as a child, taking art classes in drawing and painting, which translated to his ability to design entire landscaping projects.

When he started his business at 17, Decker mailed letters to family and friends announcing his new venture, and hired friends to walk neighborhoods, passing out flyers door-to-door.

He accepted any job that came along and recruited those same friends to help work on projects. “He never walked away from a job,” said his mother and office manager Rose Decker. “We never contributed to his business financially either. It’s always been his, and he’s always done it all.”

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OUR business

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OUR business

OUTDOOR BAR

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M U LT I - L E V E L PAT I O

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OUR business

OUTDOOR OASIS

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“He never walked away from a job.”

Decker’s business grew, with him accepting more and more work, requiring him to hire even more employees. Unfortunately, sometimes too much growth can be a liability, and he saw the quality of the work begin to decline. “It wasn’t to my high standards,” he said. “So I made some adjustments and focused on quality, attention to detail, and having good relationships with my customers.

Personal design and professional installation has been my motto ever since.”

His favorite part is the creativity— pushing to come up with something new. Inspiration comes from his travels, especially to larger cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles where warmer climates allow for a larger variety of materials. “I’m fascinated by hardscaping, such as building out pools, waterfalls, or fire pits,” Decker said. “I watched a waterfall in Colorado wrap around massive boulders. That’s what I want to do—emulate nature in someone’s backyard.”

He has a bucket list of ideas and photos, and when the right client and project presents itself, he takes the opportunity to work with them on something truly unique. “I love it when I have an open-minded client who is willing to trust in me and take a chance with a creative idea,” he said. But all of his projects are unique. He doesn’t want to have two jobs that are identical. “It separates us from our competitors when we’re willing to take a risk and think outside the box.”

After being in business for 15 years, Decker doesn’t want to slow down. In fact, he’d like to expand into additional markets. “I want to be here another 30 years, continuing to create cutting edge projects using top of the line materials,” he said. “You’ll get an amazing installation that we stand behind, as well as attention to detail.” In fact, an initial consultation could last two to four hours, as Decker is willing to drive clients around looking at projects, bringing them sample materials, and explaining the process. “That’s why I enjoy having my own business. Client become friends by the time we’re done.”

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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 UNO Hockey: All tickets $15-$25

5 June

Bette Midler “Divine Intervention”, 8 p.m., $55 and up 44 |

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10 June

Imagine Dragons “Smoke + Mirrors Tour,” 7:30 p.m., $35 and up

STIR COVE

13

20

1 Harrah Blvd. Council Bluffs, Iowa | (712) 329-6000 | www.caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluffs/shows Tickets: www.caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluffs/shows or (712) 329-6000 June

June

George Thorogood and The Destroyers/Brian Setzers Rockabilly Riot, 8 p.m., $50.25

Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20, 8 p.m., $54.25

14 June

Barenaked Ladies w/ Violent Femmes and Colin Hay, 7 p.m., $56.25

13 June

Celtic Women at Orpheum Theater, 7:30 p.m. $45.75-107.50

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 Tickets: www.TicketOmaha.com or at the Ticket Omaha office inside the Holland Center

5-6

OMAHA SYMPHONY

June

Beethoven and Brahms at the Holland Center, $19-80.

JUNE 2015

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OUR food

BRUSHI BISTRO & BAR 721 N 132nd St (402) 884-6878

t Brushi Bistro & Bar serves fresh, familiar food Story by KATHY RYGG | Photos by MAUREEN FRITTS PHOTOGRAPHY 46 |

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he secret to success is finding what works and then repeating it.

Chef Paul Braunschweiler has accomplished just that with the three restaurants he’s owned in Omaha: Spanna, Prima 140, and his latest, Brushi Bistro and Bar located in the Linden Marketplace on 132nd & Dodge Streets, which is in the same location where he originally opened Spanna more than 25 years ago.

Swiss born and raised, Braunschweiler was one of six children who grew up on a farm where he helped his mother prepare fresh meals daily. At age 16 he went to cooking school where he was classically trained in French cuisine and then worked his way through cafĂŠs, restaurants, and hotels. At age 27 he left Switzerland to work as a chef on a cruise ship. He enjoyed the travel, waking up in a different country every day, and expanded his culinary repertoire.

SAUTÉED SEA SCALLOPS JUNE 2015

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OUR food

O U T D O O R PAT I O

DEEP FRIED RAINBOW TROUT

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BRUSHI BAR

After four years at sea, Braunschweiler moved to the states, working for hotels and restaurants in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and even Cheyenne, Wyoming.

A job at the former Highland Country Club brought him to Omaha, and not long after, he opened Spanna, which he had for seven years. After taking a year off to travel back to Switzerland, he returned to Omaha and opened Prima 140, which he owned for 12 years.

Two more years off to travel, and once again he came back to Omaha where he opened Brushi a year ago. “The Midwest has good people who are loyal, and I’ve always liked it here,” he said.

It’s also a good place for him to cultivate his love for running, which he does every day as a way to release stress and stay healthy—important for a business owner and hands-on chef. Braunschweiler has participated in almost every major marathon in the country, including Boston, twice. “I’m more relaxed at work, and by the end of a run, I’m able to figure out what I need to do, whether it’s personally or at the restaurant,” he said.

Braunschweiler has certainly figured out to the secret behind good cuisine.

All three restaurants have been similar in style, which he describes as “casual, comfortable bistro food with a little bit of elegance.” There are influences of French, Italian, Indian, and American.

“I drew ideas from all the countries surrounding Switzerland, plus all the

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OUR food

S P R I N G P L AT E

BRUSHI BAR

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W I N E D I S P L AY JUNE 2015

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OUR food

BANANA SPLIT

LEMON GENOISE

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HERB GARDEN

countries I visited while working on the cruise ship,” he said.

All stocks, sauces, and dressings are made from scratch, and pasta is home made as well.

For those who were regulars at Prima 140, they’ll be happy to know that their favorites are still available at Brushi. In fact, Braunschweiler keeps a Prima 140 menu on hand so customers can refer to it. Brushi didn’t originally have veal on the menu like Prima 140 did, but after receiving requests for it, Braunschweiler made it available, and it’s become a customer favorite. Other popular items include the Roasted Whiskey Chicken, Broiled Beef Filet, and Shrimp Pappardelle.

“A lot of people know me for my good home style cooking,” Braunschweiler said. “And with my specials I don’t get crazy with variations, but I do try to do some different, more modern things that still go with my style.” The Food Network is one of his best resources where he can see what other great chefs are doing. “I see the ingredients they use to make a traditional item, and then I add to it to come up with my own variation,” he said.

Coming in to try the food is Braunschweiler’s best advice, whether it’s for Brushi’s daily happy hour from 4-6 pm where they offer cocktail, wine, and beer specials as well as appetizers that include pulled pork sliders with citrus barbeque sauce, or beef carpaccio with mustard aioli. Or for a full lunch or dinner complete with chocolate mousse cake or fresh rhubarb strawberry tart. “I want people to come in, sit at the bar or on our patio, and try it,” Braunschweiler said. “I think they’ll really like it.”

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OUR passion

The Copa Cabana features perfect cocktails and cigars

i

n the 1960s the Rat Pack performed in the famous Copa Room at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.

Fans flocked there to listen to the live music while drinking cocktails and enjoying cigars. You can find that same sophisticated atmosphere with modern style and comfort, and premium drinks and cigars at Copa Cabana Cocktails & Cigars in Legacy West in Omaha.

Owner Donnie DeGeorge

Story by KATHY RYGG Photos by MAU REEN FRITTS PHOTOGRAPHY 54 |

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reigns STYLE

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OUR passion

CIGAR ACCESSORIES

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Owners Donnie and Kimberly DeGeorge opened Copa Cabana just over a year ago. Donnie spent more than 10 years in Las Vegas, which is known for its high-end lounges. After moving back to his home town of Omaha he worked for the local Budweiser distributor. He had always wanted to open a high-end cigar lounge, and when the opportunity presented itself, he jumped on it. “There was a need for it and nothing like it in West Omaha,” he said.

Copa Cabana is located in the space previously known as The Tasting Room wine bar. It’s a large, open room and had an outdoor patio in place, which appealed to Donnie. After securing the location, he and Kimberly spent 10 months completing a full remodel.

The renovated lounge that can seat up to 100 includes low, round cocktail tables and burgundy leather chairs, two fireplaces, custom-painted wall murals, a 210 sq. ft. walk-in humidor, and a private room that seats 13, aptly named The Copa Room. A sliding glass door system opens onto the patio that has three fire pits and seating for up to 60.

A full bar offers premium cocktails and wine that is served at cellar temperature—an important distinction—as well as wines you won’t find everywhere else. In addition to premium liquor, all cigars they sell are premium brands, such as those from the Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, and Macanudo families. They carry 180 different boxes of cigars as well as a range of accessories, including cigar clips for golfers. “We traveled from coast to coast for a year

Mike Miller, C LU

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OUR passion

WA L K- I N H U M I D O R

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T H E PAT I O JUNE 2015

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OUR passion

C O M F O RTA B L E S E AT I N G

MAIN LOUNGE

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“There was a need for it and nothing like it in Omaha.”

PREMIUM LIQUOR

P R E M I U M TA P B E E R

prior to opening, researching high end lounges,” Kimberly said. “He knew what he wanted to do.”

Only five months after opening, however, they were faced with unusual circumstances. In August 2014, a lawsuit filed by a local billiards hall owner declared it unconstitutional under the 2008 Nebraska Clean Air Act to allow cigar smoking in cigar bars when cigarette smoking wasn’t allowed in his own establishment. The lawsuit passed in the Nebraska Supreme Court but immediately went into appeal. Unfortunately, during the six month appeal process, customers were confused whether or not Copa Cabana was open for business.

“We would receive up to 50 calls a day asking if we were open,” Donnie said.

“We remained open the whole time, but a lot of people didn’t know it.”

Legislative Bill 118 states that cigar bars do not interfere with the intent of the Clean Air Act and was passed by the Nebraska Legislature this past March. Donnie explained that in order to qualify, an establishment cannot have a working kitchen, they can’t allow cigarette smoking anywhere on the property, and they can only sell cigars to those age 21 and older, all of which Copa Cabana strictly adheres to. With the new legislation passed, Donnie and Kimberly feel good about what they are able to offer customers.

“Cigar smoking is a benefit, but it doesn’t define us,” Donnie said. “Fifty percent of our customers are non-smokers. Couples like to come here after dinner and listen to live music, enjoy a drink, and converse. We host business meetings, football parties, and have a great happy hour.” With the path cleared, Donnie and Kimberly are looking forward to continuing to grow their business. “We’re more than just a cigar lounge,” Kimberly said. “It’s been a great team effort between the two of us, and we’re proud of what we have here.”

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VARSITY corner

LEADER OF

THE PACK

Reno Law | Millard South High School | Age 18 When your hobbies include just about any sport, it can be difficult to decide which ones to pursue. Reno played soccer, basketball, and enjoys bowling and golf. But he fell in love with cross country and track after running on the teams at Anderson Middle School.

He made varsity all four years while at Millard South, training under Coach Dustin Llewellyn, which included a week every summer training in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with his teammates—a challenge at the higher altitudes, but one that even Olympic athletes do as part of their training programs.

During the rest of the year Reno trains on the streets and on trails throughout the city of Omaha, whether in gusting winds, rain, snow, or blazing heat and humidity. All that training and dedication paid off, with an impressive list of awards during his running career beginning as a freshman where he placed 11th in the 4x800 state track meet.

In cross country, as a sophomore his team was the Nebraska State Class A runner up, and in the state track meet that same year he placed 6th in the 4x800. As a junior his cross country team was the Nebraska State Class A champions, and Reno placed 3rd overall with a time of 16.00. He also made 2nd team for the Nike Cross Country Heartland.

In track his junior year Reno qualified for four events at the Nebraska State Class A track meet. He was the All Class Champion in the mile with a time of 4:15; came in 5th in the 800m run; came in 2nd in the 4x800m where his split time was 1:52; and came in 4th in the 3200m run. As a senior, Reno ran in the Nike Heartland and Footlocker Regional Cross Country meets. He also came in 2nd overall at the Nebraska State Class A meet with a time of 15:50.

Even though he stopped competing in basketball after 9th grade to focus on running, Reno fulfills his love for the sport by participating in an intramural basketball league, which his team has won the championship the past two years. He has also been a volunteer with the For Pete Force Youth Basketball organization since he was in 4th grade.

Reno was also on the Millard South Honor Roll and was recruited by both the University of Missouri and the University of South Dakota. He’s chosen to run for Wichita State University and will attend there in the fall.

Reno is the son of Tom and Diane Law, and has a twin sister Kassidy who also attended Millard South High School.

VALERIE WALLACE-CAMP

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QUICK FROM THE

START

Katie Spencer | Millard South High School | Age 18 In elementary school, Katie was one of the fastest in her grade, always performing well in the mile. She joined cross country in middle school where her interest in running grew. She’d come home from practice and go for another run on her own.

Then the summer before 7th grade her parents took her to buy a pair of running shoes. She spotted a pair of gray shoes with blaze orange soles—Nike Lunar Glides. Buying those shoes was a pivotal moment and motivated her to pursue her interest in track even further.

The following year Katie won the district track meet in the 1600m with a time of 6:02. The record was 5:25 and she wanted to beat it, setting her goal at 5:20. She asked her father for help. He bought books on training a young runner and joined a fitness center where he trained with her all winter at the indoor track, eventually adding plyometrics to her program.

The next spring she won the 1600m again—and beat the record with a time of 5:22. Since then Katie has gone on to hold the 7th spot all-time Nebraska in the 1600m and 5th all-time Nebraska in the 3200m. But that first accomplishment would never be forgotten.

In high school Katie trained under Millard South Coach Dustin Llewellyn and regularly ran with the boys cross country team. She and “her boys” as she referred to them helped push each other to become better and faster and the boys’ team won the Cross Country State Championship in 2013.

Katie has been on the Metro All Academic Track and Cross Country teams; the Super State Cross Country team; NCPA Academic All-State selection; GOSC Female Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2015; Fall Gold Honor Roll three years, AP Scholar with Honor, and Millar South All Around Student.

Katie’s activities off the track include Math and Science Club, Leo Club, Patriot Mentor, and National Honor Society. She was also a Mindbender Master at the Durham Museum, a Small Group Leader at Youth Frontiers, volunteered at the Timberlake Outreach Center and the Set Me Free Ministries, as well as helps with all Millard South track and field junior varsity and varsity invites.

In the fall Katie will attend Oklahoma State University where she will run both cross country and track and field.

Katie is the daughter of Cliff and Kristi Spencer. She has an older sister, Emma, who was graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a double major in Chemistry and Spanish.

VALERIE WALLACE-CAMP

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