Clinicians Accepting New Patients
Exploring the Best in Our Own Backyard
There’s something special about this time of year in Omaha. The days stretch a little longer, patios fill a little faster and suddenly the city feels alive in a new way. It’s the perfect season to explore - not necessarily by boarding a plane or planning a big getaway, but by rediscovering what’s right here in our own backyard.
That spirit of exploration inspired this month’s issue. Sometimes exploring means trying the restau rant you’ve driven past a hundred times. Sometimes it’s finally booking the weekend experience you’ve been talking about for months, wandering through a neighborhood you don’t visit often or saying yes to something unexpected just because it sounds fun. The best part of living in a city like ours is that there’s always something new waiting to be uncovered.
In these pages, you’ll find businesses, people and experiences that make Omaha such a dynamic place to call home. From hidden gems to familiar favorites worth revisiting, this issue is a reminder that adventure doesn’t always require a passport - it can start just down the street.
As you flip through this month’s features, I hope you feel inspired to get out, stay curious and experience the city in a fresh way. Support local. Try something different. Take the scenic route. Explore a little more.
Because sometimes the best discoveries are the ones made closest to home.
STEPHANIE LEWIS, PUBLISHER @ELKHORNCITYLIFESTYLE
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Stephanie Lewis stephanie.m.lewis@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Nichole Peringer nichole.peringer@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Nichole Peringer, Christina Koch, Alyssa Lavy, Kali Kasprzyk
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nicholas Fisher, Dennis J. Hornacek, Yayle Roncka Studios, Janie Jones
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
“After years of squinting at road signs and wrestling with glasses on my motorcycle, I rolled into Vance Thompson Vision in Omaha for an RLE procedure, and wow, my world’s in high-def now! The team was top-notch—kind, professional, and they made the process smoother than a Nebraska highway. Thanks for helping me ditch my glasses and giving me a front-row seat to life’s details!”
Mike Y. Vance Thompson Vision Patient
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Coach Megs of LiVE iT FWD emcees the warmup for the American Lung Association Corporate Cup. 2: The Venue by Party Ambiance celebrates its first anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 3: Guests enjoy Botox and Bubbles at tres j Medspa. 4: Celebrating the May Ladies issue at Botox and Bubbles at tres j Medspa. 5: Lena Khots and Trevor Hudson celebrate the ribbon cutting at The Venue by Party Ambiance. 6: Skip and Katy Joyce, owners of The Only Facial at the opening of their Elkhorn location. 7: PRO Remodeling members celebrate the Kentucky Derby at the PRO Derby mixer event.
JORDIAN SMITH
MEGHAN HAYES
DANELLE SCHLEGELMILCH
JORDIAN SMITH
PRO REMODELING ORGANIZATION OF NE-IA
business monthly
Plan Your Pet’s Summer Getaway at The Paw Spa Pet Resort
Summer travel plans filling up? Make sure your four-legged family members have a vacation of their own at The Paw Spa Pet Resort. From spacious suites and supervised playtime to grooming and personalized care, pets are treated like VIP guests while you’re away. Their resort-style experience includes plenty of exercise, socialization and tail-wagging fun. Summer boarding spots book quickly, so now is the perfect time to reserve your pet’s stay before the season fills up.
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Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Experience With Earl Outdoor Solutions
From premium landscape lighting and outdoor sound systems to hidden dog fences and repair solutions, their team designs spaces built for both beauty and functionality. Whether you’re entertaining on the patio or enhancing curb appeal, Earl Outdoor Solutions brings custom outdoor upgrades to life with expert installation and service. Mention Elkhorn City Lifestyle and receive $200 off an installed system for a limited time.
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Sunflower Scholar School Launches
Sunflower Grant Writers recently launched Sunflower Scholar School, a five-week cohort program designed to help nonprofit leaders and community members build confidence in grant writing and funding strategy. Founded by Katie LeDoux, the program provides coaching, funder research, budgeting support and customized grant planning. The inaugural cohort begins in August, with registration open through June 30. Scholar School's mission is simple: empower organizations with the skills needed to pursue sustainable funding opportunities.
Photography by A2i Photography
Photography by Bella McAtee, Passport Public Relations
GARAGE LIVING OMAHA transforms ordinary garages into extraordinary spaces, blending style with functionality. Our expert team redefines garages into personalized spaces—whether you’re looking for a sleek storage solution or a customized living space. Enhance your home’s appeal and lifestyle.
Visit our inspirational showroom 20115 Oak St., SE Corner of 204th & W. Center Rd. 402-506-6601 | garageliving.com/omaha
CASH FOR FASHION
GARAGE LIVING OMAHA
MEET CHAD and THERESA NELSON
WHERE EVERYONE Knows Your Name
EXPLORE INDIAN CREEK’S TRANSFORMATION
ARTICLE
BY NICHOLE PERINGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICHOLAS FISHER, A2I PHOTOGRAPHY
The gates were never closed to the public at Indian Creek but today they feel more open than ever.
The iconic, public, Elkhorn golf destination invites the community to experience it in entirely new ways. Friends gather around state-of-the-art golf simulators, business owners meet over cocktails in beautifully curated dining spaces and families relax together on the outdoor patio, all set against sweeping views of the course. Here, the goal was never exclusivity, but rather creating a high-end experience that still feels approachable and welcoming.
From the minute you pull through the front gates you’ll realize care is reflected in every detail. For Indian Creek, creating a place where the community can connect, grow and have fun together is vitally important.
“We get to make people feel like they belong here and that this is their place,” explains General Manager Jim Nedrow. “We wanted to create a country club experience for a daily-fee customer.”
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
At Indian Creek, the elevated experience begins the moment guests walk through the doors.
“Our goal is if you walk in often you’ll be greeted by name,” Nedrow says. “If you’ve ever been to a luxury resort, it’s going to feel similar.”
Almost immediately, guests are welcomed into a personalized environment that redefines the traditional daily-fee golf experience.
“Our goal is to interact with our guests, especially those who come regularly,” Nedrow notes. “We strive to understand what they like to eat, drink and shop for.”
For Nedrow, the vision is rooted in the warmth and familiarity people feel at their favorite local gathering place.
“My daughter and I have a tradition of stopping at the same coffee shop every Monday,” he emphasizes. “It’s so fun to walk into a place where they know you and know your order without you saying a thing. That’s the kind of personalized service we strive to emulate here.”
Indian Creek first opened in the summer of 1992, and while intentional design updates have helped usher it into a new era, Nedrow emphasized that its hometown feel remains unchanged.
“We worked really hard not to alienate the guests who have been here since the beginning,” he states.
The attentive staff, intentional service and familiar atmosphere that longtime guests have come to love still remain.
“It will still feel the same to our long-time customers,” Nedrow reinforces.
THE SAND ROOM
Few spaces embody Indian Creek’s renewed vision quite like The Sand Room.
What was once an unfinished basement filled with sand, machinery and golf carts has been transformed into a warm yet energetic lounge complete with golf simulators, large-screen TVs and a cocktail menu designed to appeal to every kind of guest.
“We have really fun craft cocktails, and you can also get a bucket of Busch Light,” Nedrow states with a smile. “It checks the box for everybody.”
The Sand Room was intentionally designed to feel welcoming to golfers and non-golfers alike.
“Male, female, younger, older, golfer, non-golfer, sports fanatic or non-sports fanatic — no matter who you are or where you are in life, there is a place for you here,” Nedrow says.
Warm lighting, cozy booths, refined finishes and comfort-driven cuisine all come together to create a space guests will want to return to again and again. The Sand Room is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3
p.m., where hand-tossed, Neo-Neapolitan-style pizzas, sandwiches, starters and small plates take center stage. Guests can also enjoy dinner from 3 to 9 p.m., with a full menu. The Sand Room offers a warm and inviting setting for lunch, dinner and everything in between.
ALL-YEAR PLAY
And thanks to Indian Creek’s private simulator bays, guests don’t have to wait for warm weather to enjoy the game.
Three private bays equipped with state-of-the-art golf simulators allow players to sharpen their skills year-round.
“Winters can be tough and long and outdoor activities are often limited,” Nedrow mentions. “These simulators really empower people to continue developing their skills despite the weather.”
The bays have also become popular for family outings and group gatherings.
“You’ve got your own private party room, which is really great, and it’s an affordable way to play golf,” Nedrow explains. “There are all sorts of games within the simulator package that engage kids.”
Even beginners are encouraged to join in.
“You don’t have to know anything about golf to have a really fun time,” he says.
Integrated seamlessly into The Sand Room lounge, the glass-paneled, soundproof bays provide enough privacy for guests to immerse themselves in the experience while still feeling connected to the energy of the space around them.
Indian Creek's retail shop combines premium golf merchandise with
Dining at Approach combines local culinary favorites and an elevated dining experience.
The simulators are rented by the hour and can be reserved online much like booking a tee time.
“It’s really affordable,” Nedrow states. “It’s $40 an hour on weekdays and $50 on weekends. If you split that among four or five people, you’re talking about $10 to $15 a person.”
Accessibility was also thoughtfully considered. Elevators deliver guests and their clubs directly to the bays, while staff members are available to assist with setup and answer questions.
ELEVATED DINING
The experience continues with Indian Creek’s chefdriven dining concept, Approach.
Offering a fresh take on neighborhood dining, the restaurant features signature dishes such as cedar salmon, alongside protein bowls, fresh salads, small plates and house-made pizzas.
“We have three chefs here at Indian Creek — Chef Alek, Chef Nico and Chef Kyle,” Nedrow shares. “What’s unique is that all three have a voice in shaping the menus for both Approach and The Sand Room.”
Working collaboratively, the chefs have created a dining experience that feels both elevated and accessible, blending seasonal ingredients with Midwestern influence and global inspiration.
Open year-round for lunch and dinner, Approach offers something for every occasion. Guests can enjoy a shared daytime menu between Approach and The Sand Room, while evening service introduces a more elevated dining experience featuring steaks, seafood and chicken dishes.
“Male, female, younger, older, golfer, non-golfer — no matter who you are or where you are in life, there is a place for you here.”
Beyond the restaurant, catering is available for the many events hosted throughout the year in The Laurel Room, including weddings celebrated on the refreshed outdoor patio overlooking the course’s manicured greens.
Y’ALL COME BACK
Ultimately, Indian Creek wants guests to experience more than luxury — though the refined atmosphere, chef-driven dining and state-of-the-art simulators certainly deliver that feeling.
What Indian Creek has truly set out to create is something deeper: a place for the community to gather, celebrate and belong.
It’s walking into a space where people know your name, remember your favorite drink and let you know the sunglasses you were eyeing now come in your favorite shade of orange.
The remodel reflects the same care and hospitality the Gottsch family has poured into Indian Creek since the beginning — a desire to build something lasting for the community they love.
And that is what continues to make Indian Creek feel so special.
MORE THAN GOLF
Indian Creek's transformation extends far beyond the fairways. With chef-driven dining, craft cocktails, year-round golf simulators and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces, the destination has evolved into a community hub where guests can connect, celebrate and unwind. While the amenities have been elevated, the mission remains the same: creating a welcoming experience where everyone feels at home, whether they're longtime golfers, first-time visitors or simply stopping in for dinner with friends.
Earl Outdoor Solutions helps homeowners enjoy their outdoor spaces in a whole new way with custom lighting, outdoor audio and discreet invisible fencing. Every installation is thoughtfully designed to blend in beautifully, enhance ambiance, and make your yard feel just as polished and inviting as the home it surrounds. If you have any issues with your current speakers or lighting, we offer repair services to get your space back in order.
Lux ury in Your Own Backyard
Elite Luxury Pools & Landscaping Designs
Unforgettable Outdoor Spaces
ARTICLE BY NICHOLE PERINGER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY A2I PHOTOGRAPHY
It’s not often that a luxury pool designer has the opportunity to create spaces where lifelong memories are made — where the pool becomes the focal point, the design process is just as meaningful as the final result and backyards are transformed into modern-day havens. But for Jason Decker and his team at Elite Luxury Pools & Landscaping, that’s exactly what they get to do every day, impacting the communities they serve and leaving behind a legacy that will last for years to come.
BEYOND THE “RECTANGLE”
Elite Luxury Pools & Landscaping makes it a point to emphasize that what they bring to the table is the opposite of conventional pool contractor fare.
“We’re not really rectangle-box pool people,” Jason Decker explains. “When you work with us, you know you’re going to get something unique to you and your needs, while also being aesthetically beautiful.”
That out-of-the-box mentality, paired with a dedication to extraordinary pools, landscaping and timelessness, truly defines the brand and can be seen reflected throughout each of their projects.
THE LEGEND TRAILS ESTATE PROJECT
One such timeless project, on the property of a large traditional-style home, provided a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for Decker and his team.
Intentionally designed, the home features a stunning courtyard visible from nearly every room in the house, with the focal point being the pool.
“When I sat down with the builder, he showed me the plans, and the whole house was essentially shaped like a big U, with the pool right in the center,” Decker recalls. “As a pool contractor, you’re kind of honored.”
Though the home itself is a beautiful tribute to Romanesque-inspired architecture, complete with expansive glass French doors that open onto the courtyard, it is the pool’s infinity edge design and thoughtfully designed landscaping that truly captivate.
Featuring a large fire pit and two dramatic fire bowls flanking the pool, the project evokes an atmosphere that is both elegant and awe-inspiring, and at night it truly shines, with the lighting features drawing your eyes to the gorgeous horizon.
Thoughtfully crafted stone elements, including black basalt and Ripson tile, also play a key role in the custom-built spa located just steps from the client’s primary bedroom.
“It creates little ridges in the tile, so when the water flows over it, it produces this really soothing sound,” Decker says.
With the emotional experience at the center of every Elite Luxury Pools & Landscaping project, each design element is intentionally chosen. That attention to detail extends to an elevated wall alongside the spa that acts as a windbreak while cool, cascading water gently flows down its surface, creating a peaceful, resort-like atmosphere — an atmosphere that Decker and his team are so proud to have produced.
“I can’t help but say ‘Wow, this whole house is focused around this courtyard and what we built,’” Decker reflects. “It’s truly incredible.”
CONTINUED >
Black basalt, Ripson tile and flowing water transform this custom spa into a tranquil escape designed to engage the senses.
Fire bowls, a central fire pit and layered landscaping create an inviting outdoor space designed for gathering, relaxation and entertaining.
“We’re not really rectangle-box pool people.When you work with us, you know you’re going to get something unique to you and your needs, while also being aesthetically beautiful.”
PUSHING CREATIVE BOUNDARIES
Another one of Elite’s current properties is centered around pushing both creative and technical boundaries.
“It’s our fourth Lautner-edge pool, which is where the pool deck and the water are at the exact same elevation,” Decker explains. “They’re very challenging to build and very expensive because the detail work is incredibly time-consuming.”
What makes the project even more unique is that the spa will sit inside the pool itself and rise only three-quarters of an inch above the water level.
“The spa is barely elevated from the pool,” states Decker. “That allows the spa to be 104 degrees while the pool stays 84 degrees, and we’re designing it so the two bodies of water don’t have to mix. It’s incredibly challenging, but we’re up for the task.”
INNOVATION MEETS SIMPLICITY
Speaking of special, an entirely different pool and landscape design, though equally as innovative, is located in Valley, Nebraska alongside a beautiful lake.
“The pool is really cool. It’s the first time we’ve done this, but we created a 360-degree elevated spillover pool,” Decker explains. “On half of the pool, it meets up to the pool deck, which is leathered marble with lounge chairs, oversized couches and tables.”
The project also features one of the most in-demand trends among luxury pool clients: custom LED lighting.
“We did LED strips underneath the limestone caps in the infinity basin, so it lights up the entire infinity-edge wall,” Decker explains.
The lighting can even be customized for holidays and special occasions, including red, white and blue displays for the Fourth of July and can be programmed right from the client’s own phone.
Despite the highly customized and innovative features throughout these projects, Decker emphasizes the importance of simplicity, believing the most timeless designs are often the most restrained.
“Simplicity is the best thing when it comes to pool and landscape design,” Decker states.
“You don’t need turtles shooting water out of their mouths to make something beautiful. We really want the pool area to complement the existing beauty of the home and the land it sits on — to add to it, not detract from it.”
Through each project, Decker and his team continue proving that innovation does not have to come at the expense of lasting elegance.
THE OUTDOOR LIVING LIFESTYLE
As luxury outdoor design continues to evolve, so do the ways families use these spaces.
“We’re seeing more and more requests from clients who are wanting screened-in spaces with heaters and ceiling fans, speakers, TVs and fireplaces,” mentions Decker. “Normally people are swimming during the day or maybe into sunset, but they often express how they want to be able to stay outside, turn on a movie and have a drink at the bar.”
The desire to spend meaningful time together outdoors doesn’t have to end when the weather cools down, and Decker emphasizes that Elite Luxury Pools & Landscaping can help families create spaces designed for every season.
“In the fall, families may not be using the pool as much but the pool still looks beautiful,” Decker explains. “They can go outside, watch a football game, turn on the fireplace and cook s’mores alongside the backdrop of the pool and water features.”
The desire to transform backyards into private resortstyle retreats has only continued to grow over the years, with many clients choosing to invest in their homes rather than second properties.
“I have a lot of people who have actually gotten rid of their cabins and lake homes to build their vacation spot right outside their back door,” Decker explains. “People get busy with their kids’ sports and school activities, and they don’t always have the time to drive an hour to another
Inspired by the home's Romanesque architecture, the custom pool and surrounding courtyard blend timeless design with luxury outdoor living.
Designed to Stand Out
For many homeowners, choosing Elite Luxury Pools & Landscaping means choosing something truly unique. Rather than relying on standard designs, Jason Decker and his team create innovative outdoor spaces tailored to each client's lifestyle, vision and property.
That personalized approach, combined with Elite's reputation for pushing creative boundaries, often results in backyards unlike anything else in the neighborhood. From dramatic infinity edges and integrated spas to custom fire features and thoughtfully curated landscaping, each project is designed to feel distinctive while complementing the home's architecture and surroundings.
The result is more than a beautiful backyard. It's a one-of-a-kind outdoor environment that reflects the homeowner's personality while delivering the elevated luxury and craftsmanship for which Elite is known.
Visible from nearly every room in the home, the infinity-edge pool serves as the centerpiece of this thoughtfully designed courtyard retreat.
property or maintain it. A lot of them sell those places and use that cash flow to create an amazing backyard sanctuary just steps outside.”
THE BUCKET LIST
Even after nearly three decades of designing outdoor spaces that redefine how families live at home, Decker still finds himself inspired by what’s possible next.
“I’ve always wanted to do a clear acrylic wall around a pool,” Decker ruminates. “I’ve taken continuing education classes on them, and there are some unique challenges because you’re essentially creating a magnifying glass that looks right into the pool, so the interior finish has to be flawless. But I would love to do that one day.”
Decker also has his eye set on designing a pool in a historic district like Happy Hollow.
“I want to do a pool that is really classic, with all-brick planters, an all-brick courtyard, arches and a very oldworld feel,” Decker dreams. “I would love to work with a client out there and create something really iconic.”
BEYOND THE BACKYARD
Ultimately, what defines Decker’s work goes far beyond immaculate landscaping, meticulous attention to detail and the dependable craftsmanship his company has become known for. It’s found instead in the moments unfolding across backyards throughout the Omaha metro area — families laughing together during summer pool parties, children learning to swim for the first time as proud parents cheer them on and grandparents sitting quietly on the patio after guests have gone home, reflecting on an evening spent celebrating a granddaughter’s graduation.
These are the moments Jason Decker and his team help create every day — spaces that feel enduringly beautiful, deeply personal and designed to be lived in. And it’s those meaningful experiences, long after construction is complete, that continue to make Elite Luxury Pools & Landscaping a lasting part of the communities they serve.
To find out more and to book your consultation today, visit eliteluxurypool.com.
Jason Decker, owner of Elite Luxury Pools & Landscaping, is known for creating one-of-a-kind custom pools and outdoor living spaces.
Planning that thinks in generations.
Financial decisions should support the life you’re building today, and the people you’re building it for.
Choosing a financial advisor isn’t just about today’s decisions. It’s about having the right people beside you as your life, priorities, and complexity evolve.
At Realize Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, Aron Huddleston and Nick Nalbach work as part of a collaborative, experienced team focused on long-term planning, disciplined investment strategy, and continuity across generations.
A thoughtful approach, built to evolve as life does.
Left to Right: Nick Nalbach & Aron Huddleston
WHERE COMMUNITY, COMMERCE AND CONSERVATION COME TOGETHER
A LOVE LETTER TO OMAHA
Applied Underwriters Inc. may be best known as a global risk-services company, but with Heartwood Preserve, the company has taken on a new role: developer. Spanning 500 acres at 144th and Pacific Streets, with 250 acres south of Pacific and another 250 acres extending north to Dodge Road, Heartwood Preserve is a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly destination designed for gathering, living, working, shopping and recreation.
And Omaha’s natural beauty sits at the heart of Heartwood Preserve. Applied Underwriters has designated approximately 20 percent of the total land for greenspace that includes Heartwood Park, which, for the past two years, has been hosting year-round events, underwritten by Applied Underwriters and offered to the public for free. Events include concerts, outdoor movies, a kids activity club, kite festivals, Winterland ice rink, and many more.
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA KOCH
| PHOTOGRAPHY BY DENNIS J. HORNACEK AND YAYLE RONCKA
Photo: Companies such as Carson Group, PayPal and Union Bank & Trust are helping shape Heartwood Preserve’s vision of a vibrant live-work-play community.
Heartwood Preserve recently rolled out a new Friday evening farmers market event, pickleball courts and is working on “The Barn,” a state-of-the-art events structure adjacent to the park. When completed, the development will feature eight miles of bike paths and walking trails, all alongside native grasses and more than 10,000 trees. The Greenways System also serves an important purpose: 14 sculptural limestone basins were designed to store as much as 55 million gallons of water onsite. Not only are the basins beautiful, but they also protect all of Heartwood Preserve as well as neighboring homes and businesses from potential flooding.
A strong desire to give back to the people of Nebraska led Applied Underwriters Chairman Steve Menzies to create Heartwood Preserve. “The state has been a great source of individual employees and business accumulation since the company opened its operations campus here in 1998,” explains Jeff Silver, Applied Underwriters’ executive vice president. Silver sits on Heartwood Preserve’s architectural control committee, which ensures the development meets Menzies’ unique vision. “Steve
was not interested in just putting buildings on land. He wanted to create a place. He imagined a home for Applied Underwriters, for our staff, and the Omaha community at large. Heartwood truly represents Omaha’s next chapter.”
Heartwood Preserve is intended to be a true community, in which generations live down the street from one another and families can walk to nearby restaurants or events. The overwhelming interest in Heartwood Preserve is a testimony to Menzies’ goals. The commercially zoned areas are 90 percent spoken for and the housing developments — The Arbour, Broadmoor, The Estates and Spruce — are filling quickly.
WORK, SHOP AND PLAY
Heartwood Preserve’s beginnings were serendipitous. Menzies proffered a deal with the DeMarco family for its 250 acres of land at 144th and Pacific. Around the same time, Boys Town offered Applied Underwriters the adjacent 250-acre parcel of land north to Dodge Road. “It has always been interesting to me how the Boys Town property also was exactly 250 acres,” Silver says. “There’s no rhyme or reason to it; it’s like it was meant to be.”
In 2016, with 500 acres to develop, Heartwood Preserve was born. Among Menzies’ top priorities for the development was a state-of-the-art office building for Applied Underwriters’ 1,000 employees. This month, employees begin moving from three buildings in Omaha’s Old Mill business park into their new 270,000-square-foot office space within Heartwood Preserve. The building boasts its own data center, electrochromic glass that tints itself throughout the day to minimize glare and promote energy efficiency, an underground parking garage, two car washes and an 80-foot atrium, all while maintaining 50 acres of natural habitat.
While Applied Underwriters’ new headquarters began taking shape, BMW of Omaha was the first business to open in Heartwood Preserve about six years ago, followed by Valmont’s world headquarters (Valmont provides agriculture and infrastructure products and solutions globally). Since then, a variety of national, regional and local tenants have made a home in Heartwood Preserve’s 2 million square feet of Class A office space. Single- and multi-tenant, as well as build-to-suit leases, are available. Among them are Carson Group, PayPal and Union Bank & Trust.
Lanoha Real Estate is developing The Row at Heartwood Preserve, a 40-acre mixed-use property that serves as the heart of the development. Olsson, an engineering and architecture firm that provided engineering services for the first completed building in The Row, consolidated its 300 local employees into the second and third floors in June. A 160-room boutique hotel under Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection is slated to open in 2027.
Shopping and dining options already open to the public within Heartwood Preserve include 30 Hop, Apiary Social Club, Charleston’s, Gunderson’s Jewelry and Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. Capital Grille, a nationwide fine-dining establishment, will soon locate its first Nebraska restaurant in Heartwood Preserve. Woodhouse Spa, a resort-level luxury spa with 91 locations in 25 states (not affiliated with Woodhouse Automotive Group), is also slated to open its doors this fall.
FINDING A PLACE TO CALL HOME
The people of Heartwood Preserve will create the vibrant community Menzies envisions. To ensure multiple generations are interested in making Heartwood Preserve home, various types of housing are available, including some homes unlike any others in Omaha.
For renters, Broadmoor offers market-rate studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes. Amenities include
“WHERE OTHERS SAW DRAINAGE AND DETENTION PONDS, STEVE MENZIES SAW GREENWAYS AND PRAIRIE. WHERE OTHERS SAW LAND, HE SAW A FUTURE CENTER OF OMAHA.”
hidden parking, a two-level fitness center, swimming pool and co-working spaces. Move-in is scheduled to begin this month. In addition, Spruce will offer single-family rental homes with garages, alleviating the down payment required on a house. (Spruce also constructed Aerie Blue Sage, which is a rental community across 204th Street from Elkhorn South High School.)
The Estates, which consists of 50 half-acre-plus lots for single-family custom dream homes, is sold out. However, there are lots available in The Arbour, a 30-acre parcel. This residential development will feature roughly 150 custom single-family homes and 14 dual-family homes (more dual-family homes will be developed depending upon interest), as well as 60 rowhouses, in which only five homes share walls. The Arbour Building Group, a partnership between local custom-home builders G. Lee Homes and Silverthorn Custom Homes, is the creative powerhouse behind the neighborhood.
Offered free to the public, Winterland ice rink has become a beloved winter tradition, welcoming families and friends to Heartwood Preserve each season.
Heartwood Park has become a gathering place for Omaha families, hosting free community events throughout the year in the heart of Heartwood Preserve.
Greg Frazell, co-owner of G. Lee Homes, says Applied Underwriters’ team had a distinctively urban vision for The Arbour. The lots are narrow, resulting in houses approximately 25 feet wide, but these homes top out 10 feet taller than traditional homes, at 45 feet — creating the vertical, dense setting Applied Underwriters’ team sought.
Although there are specific floor plans for buyers to choose from, Frazell and Matt Caniglia of Silverthorn Custom Homes still customize each home for its unique topography while meeting Applied Underwriters’ architectural control committee’s goals and homeowners’ specific needs.
“Each home will have either traditional access — the garage and entryway are on the public street — or urban access, where entry can come from the public street or a green space and the garage enters from a rear alley,” Frazell explains. “A house may have a level-one garage with a level-two entry or vice versa. The topography of the
specific lot determines the entry. Then we apply a custom concept specifically to the buyer: They may have five kids and need this many bedrooms or have grandkids who visit occasionally and only need two bedrooms or need an elevator because they are aging in place.”
Because of The Arbour’s density, building materials are an important part of the neighborhood’s design. In addition to being consistent in color and texture with the rest of Heartwood Preserve, Frazell says durability was a top concern for Applied Underwriters. Fiber-cement siding will be installed on every home, and each roof will feature Class 4 hail-resistant shingles. “We have had hailstorms and tornadoes come through recently,” Frazell notes. “We don’t want to disrupt the neighborhood with contractors having to fix things after a weather event, so durable exterior products are important.”
The intense focus on the exterior of The Arbour’s homes dovetailed into high-level finishes inside. Kitchens
include Miele appliances, a German brand known for elegance and technology. These thoughtful features, as well as Heartwood Preserve itself, are what Frazell says will draw buyers to The Arbour’s unique homes. “The amenities that Heartwood Preserve is bringing into the development, the way that Applied Underwriters invested in greenspaces, the walkability of the development, all of these things are what have had people interested in this specific development for years,” he says.
CREATING A LASTING LEGACY
For the local companies — often competitors — who have committed years of working together to make Menzies’ vision a reality, Heartwood Preserve is a unique and rewarding career point. “Instead of building and selling houses like we’ve done, Matt and I are working together to figure out different infrastructure for water availability, overseeing building sequences to maintain greenspaces for homes that have not been built yet — so many things not traditionally in our wheelhouses,” Frazell says. “We know we have one shot at this, and I think because of that, we put that much more thought into what we’re doing.”
Frazell underscores that Heartwood Preserve is special because Applied Underwriters is not historically a developer. Menzies’ distinctive vision for the community already is receiving national attention for its thoughtful strategies. For example, Fast Company bestowed a 2025 Innovation by Design Award to Heartwood Preserve for its Greenways System. It’s only natural that an insurance company would take a proactive approach against flooding in its development, especially as threats of extreme rainfall continue to grow. The U.S. National Science Foundation reports extreme rainfall events in the U.S. could become up to 20 percent more severe within the next 45 years.
“This was Steve’s vision,” Silver remarks. “Where others saw drainage and detention ponds, Steve saw greenways and prairie. Where others saw land, he saw a future center of Omaha.”
As new businesses open, families move in and community spaces come to life, Heartwood Preserve is steadily becoming the destination Menzies envisioned years ago. Thoughtfully designed to balance growth with environmental stewardship, the development offers opportunities to live, work, shop and connect in one place. In doing so, Heartwood Preserve is creating not just a development, but a community designed to serve Omaha for generations to come.
OMAHA’S NEXT GREAT GATHERING PLACE
Heartwood Preserve is more than a development — it's a vision for how a community can grow while staying connected to the things that matter most. Spanning 500 acres in west Omaha, the mixed-use destination brings together housing, shopping, dining, recreation, greenspace and business in one thoughtfully designed environment.
What makes Heartwood Preserve especially exciting for Omaha is its commitment to accessibility and community. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy concerts, outdoor movies, farmers markets, pickleball courts, walking trails and expansive green spaces designed for gathering and connection. At the same time, innovative features like the Greenways System help protect neighboring properties from flooding while preserving the area's natural beauty.
As new businesses open, families move in and community spaces come to life, Heartwood Preserve is becoming a destination where people can live, work, shop and play without leaving the neighborhood. It's a bold investment in Omaha's future — one that celebrates growth, conservation and community all in the same place.
From concerts and farmers markets to dining, shopping and neighborhood living, Heartwood Preserve is creating a new center of community for Omaha.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
Saving marriages, one deck at a time...
20205 Park Road, Elkhorn, NE 68022 | 402-504-2751
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Finely Built. Forsman’s Finest.
Forsman’s Finest Decks designs and builds custom decks, patio covers, and outdoor living spaces across the Omaha area. From the design to the final touches, their team handles every step with professionalism and attention to detail. Known for high-quality craftsmanship, clear communication, and clean job sites, they take pride in creating beautiful, long-lasting outdoor spaces that bring families together and enhance the way you enjoy your home.
Excellence in every board, pride in every project.
Summer Seafood Gazpacho
ALYSSA LAVY, MS, RD, CDN
BY
ARTICLE
A REFRESHING,
CHILLED, SUMMER FORWARD SOUP THAT PACKS IN PROTEIN AND FIBER!
Ingredients:
(yields ~8 C gazpacho)
• 8 large tomatoes
• 1 large cucumber
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 small sweet onion
• 1 jalapeño pepper
• ½ tsp hot sauce
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp parsley (fresh or dried)
• 8 oz lump crab meat
• 8 oz cooked shrimp, chilled (about 8-12 large shrimp)
*Optional suggested toppings include: cilantro, tortilla chips, chopped jalapeños, creme fraiche, or additional parsley.
This summer seafood gazpacho screams summer and is the perfect, refreshing meal, snack or appetizer to beat the heat - whether you’re entertaining or enjoying a quiet meal with family. It’s packed with some of the season’s most flavorful produce and provides satisfying fiber and protein to help keep you feeling full, while still being light enough to enjoy on the hottest of summer days. Plus, there is no need to turn on the oven or the stove, keeping your kitchen (and you) cool as a cucumber! You can enjoy this chilled soup as is, or add toppings like chopped jalapeños, cilantro, or creme fraiche and scoop it up with tortilla chips!
Directions:
1. Cut tomatoes into large chunks, approximately 6-8 pieces each. Set aside.
2. Slice cucumber into thick slices. Set aside.
3. Mince garlic. Set aside.
4. Chop onion into medium sized pieces. Set aside.
5. Slice jalapeño pepper in half, lengthwise. Remove seeds if you prefer less heat. Chop jalapeño pepper and set aside.
6. Add tomatoes to large food processor. You may need to add about half of the tomatoes, pulse for a few seconds and then add the remaining tomatoes depending on the size of your food processor. Pulse tomatoes until chunky and slightly pureed. You will continue to puree the tomatoes once the additional ingredients are added, so do not pulse until completely smooth.
7. Add remaining vegetables (cucumber, garlic, onion, jalapeño pepper) to food processor with the tomatoes. Add hot sauce, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper and parsley. Replace the lid and pulse to desired consistency – the gazpacho should be pureed, but still somewhat chunky and not completely smooth.
8. Store in an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving. If not serving right away, this gazpacho can be made in advance and stored in the fridge overnight or for a few days until ready to serve. If making this gazpacho in advance, purchase fresh seafood or thaw frozen within 1 day of serving to keep seafood fresh and store seafood separately, only adding when ready to serve. When ready to serve, chop the shrimp and add approximately 1-2 oz chopped shrimp and ~1 oz crab meat to each bowl. You can add optional toppings, such as chopped cilantro, chopped jalapeños, tortilla chips, creme fraiche and an additional sprinkle of parsley, if preferred. Enjoy!
Note: This gazpacho can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up for 4 days, without the seafood. Store seafood separately and add when ready to consume.
Alyssa Lavy, MS, RD, CDN, CPT is a registered dietitian, personal trainer and mom of 2. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from The George Washington University and her Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teachers College Columbia University, where she also completed her dietetic internship. She has been an ACSM certified personal trainer for over a decade. Alyssa is the owner of Alyssa Lavy Nutrition & Wellness, a wellness brand offering nutrition communications, program development and consulting services for individuals and corporations.
Website: alyssalavy.com
Instagram: @alyssalavyrd
JULY 2026
FRIDAY EVENINGS
Beats & Bites
Farmers Market
Heartwood Park, 301 S. 145th St., Omaha
Beats & Bites Farmers Market brings a lively, community-focused evening to Heartwood Park with farm-fresh produce, handmade goods and specialty treats from local vendors. Guests can enjoy dinner, live music and lawn games, creating an inviting atmosphere that blends shopping, dining and entertainment into one vibrant weekly tradition.
JULY 4TH
Werner Park Independence Day Fireworks
Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion | 7:05 PM
Bring the family out for an evening at the ballpark as the Omaha Storm Chasers take on the Indianapolis Indians at Werner Park. The celebration kicks off a weekend honoring America’s 250th birthday with a patriotic salute to the nation, followed by a spectacular Independence Day fireworks show to close out the night!
JULY 4TH
The RiverFront Fourth of July Celebration Featuring the Omaha Symphony
Gene Leahy Mall, 1001 Douglas St., Omaha | 8:30 PM
Featuring the Omaha Symphony, this annual tradition returns to the Gene Leahy Mall. All are welcome to experience the sounds of the season performed by the Omaha Symphony and other featured performers. The evening will close with a spectacular fireworks show synchronized to live music. Be sure to save your spot beginning at 3 p.m.
CONTINUED
JULY 10TH - 26TH
Homegrown Festival
Nelson Produce + Farm, 10505 N. 234th St., Valley | 9:00 AM
There’s nothing more Nebraska than celebrating summer on the farm, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Nelson Produce + Farm’s Homegrown Festival. Enjoy sweet corn, juicy watermelon and fresh melon, plus fun attractions like watermelon skiing and seasonal slushies. It’s a warm, family-friendly tradition filled with sunshine, fresh flavors and summertime fun.
JULY 22ND
Buckcherry at Barnato
Barnato, 225 N. 170th St., Suite 95, Omaha | 8:00 PM
Expect the unforgettable hooks and high-energy performance this unapologetic rock band is known for, bringing fans back year after year. Get ready to turn up the volume!
RESTORE THE BEAUTY OF YOUR STONE & TILE
Lifetime Stone Restoration cleans, polishes, repairs and seals natural stone, tile and grout to bring worn surfaces back to life. Their team restores shine, removes damage and protects floors, counters and showers. A trusted local expert in stone care, they make surfaces look like new without the cost or hassle of replacement. They also patch in grout, re-caulk backsplashes and showers, repair chips and cracks, and much more.
G. LEE HOMES
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