Momaha Magazine - August 2017

momaha.com

VOLUME 8 · ISSUE 8

AUGUST 2017

Bring fruity fun to end-of-summer parties

GET ORGANIZED Manage mudroom mayhem

Back-to-school fuel

BIGART EVENT

AUGUST 18 -19 TH

TH

FRIDAY AUGUST 18 TH ARTIST GALLERY RECEPTION FROM 6PM - 8PM

SATURDAY AUGUST 19 TH DEMONSTRATES & MAKE N’TAKES FROM 12PM - 4PM

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THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

Levi & Dylan, age 4 Pulmonary Atresia

Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child.

For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.

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REGIS ONLINE TER O ANY YM R AT CA!

SKILLS THAT SAVE LIVES YMCA SWIM LESSONS

Lessons available for all ages and abilities • First Fall Session - Sept. 3-Oct. 28 Registration begins Aug. 20 for YMCA members; Aug. 25 for non members.

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA • www.metroymca.org

TEACHING TEAMWORK FALL YOUTH BASKETBALL

TER REGIS OR AT E ONLIN YMCA! ANY

Teams available for youth 3 years - 12th grade.

Fall Season begins Oct. 21, 2017 • Register through Saturday, Sept. 23 2035794-01

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Every student.

Every day.

Prepared for success.

#OPSProud

Save the Date!

OPS Schools Begin August 17*

CONNECT WITH US: OmahaPublicSchools @OmahaPubSchool

*Please check with your specific school on start dates as some are slightly different.

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where moms connect VOLUME 8 . ISSUE 8 . AUGUST 2017 editor in chief CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

creative director + designer HEIDI THoRSoN hthorson@owh.com 402-444-1351

assistant editor

Sweet Corn FESTIVAL August 12 and 13

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tastings - Activities - Demonstrations Fun for the whole family!

MaRjIE DuCEy marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034

momaha.com editor aSHlEE CoffEy ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075

production coordinator PaT R I C I a “ M u R P H y ” B E N o I T

content contributors KIM CaRPENTER, KIlEy CRuSE, D E v HaN uM aR a , H owaR D K . M aRCuS, a M y T o K o S , H E aT H E R w I N K E l

advertising sales manager DEBBIE McCHESNEy dcavalier@owh.com 402-444-1448

account executive G ay l I D D E l l gay.liddell@owh.com 402-444-1489

account executive E M I ly M a R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411

100 Bancroft Street, Omaha (402) 346-4002

www.lauritzengardens.org

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Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the news division of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2017 by the Omaha WorldHerald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine or its publisher.

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Special giveaways and door prizes!

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MoMaha.coM edItor // aShlee coffey Wife to Kevin Coffey, music critic for the Omaha World-Herald.

Mom to Sam and Elliott.

Follow her on Twitter: @AshleeCoffeyOWH

I

t’s hard to believe, but back-to-school time is upon us.

As much as I used to dread the idea of summer coming to an end and having to do homework again, there were a few things I loved about going back to school.

First – school supply shopping! I loved buying a new bookbag, folders, pencils, cool pens and – the best thing of all – new crayons. I would try to keep my crayons perfectly pointed and color-coded as long as possible.

Second – new clothes! There was nothing better than going clothes shopping for school. I particularly enjoyed buying new shoes. Feeling and looking good really helped me with going back that first day.

There’s just something about the season – getting a fresh, organized start at school – that always made me happy. I still feel the same way, even though I’m no longer in school and my children are too young to attend.

But when it’s time, I’m sure I’ll be even more excited (and also nervous and super emotional) about the new school year.

Not only do students and parents get excited (and nervous) for school to start again – teachers do, too! See page 20 for several teachers’ tips, stories and what they want parents to know about sending their kids back to school this year.

If your child is dreading school no matter what you do, check out a back-to-school book. We’ve got five new favorites on page 10 – all compiled by Kendall Munch of the Omaha Public Library.

Ready or not, the school year is about to start. We hope you and your kids make the best of it. Happy first day back!

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On OUR RADAR // EDitOR’s Picks

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

GET READY FOR LIFTOFF!

Interplanetary travel is still a ways off.

In the meantime, kids can send rockets soaring with the ULTRA STOMP ROCKET. The foam-tipped rockets may never break the stratosphere, but they can be launched up to heights of 200 feet. No batteries required – just a willingness to jump and stomp! Toys R Us, $16.99

INTERSTELLAR STYLE

The universe is infinite, but you can wear our whole solar system around your neck with this SOLAR ORBIT NECKLACE. The 21-inch chain suspends the sun, moon, planets and even an asteroid belt and comet in delicate galactic balance. thinkgeek.com, $39.99

SOLAR SUPPING

Sorry, Pluto, you’re not invited. But everyone else in the family will be able to identify all eight planets in our solar system with these colorful melamine PLANET PLATES. Lightweight and durable, they’re ideal for nightly dinners or perfect for picnics. Pass the ketchup for Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. joneswarehouse.online, $39.98

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TO INFINITY RIGHT AT HOME

COSMIC NAPPING

Our galaxy is a beautiful thing. Now even the tiniest inhabitants can fall asleep right in the middle of it with this PLANET CEILING MOBILE. Fashioned from lightweight Styrofoam, it features eight colorful planets suspended around the sun. Pottery Barn Kids, $59

Kids can explore outer space right from their own bedrooms with the GEOSAFARI MOTORIZED SOLAR SYSTEM. The spinning 3-D lighted display features a bright sun surrounded by orbiting planets. A star dome attachment lets you project astral displays of the major constellations. Who needs a planetarium when you can have your own miniature right at home? Bed, Bath & Beyond, $32.99

Step Right Up to the FREE Boys Town Pediatrics

HEALTHY KIDS CARNIVAL Saturday, August 5th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Boy Town Medical Campus us Boys

Healthy Activities with Boys Town Pediatric Specialists Bounce Houses Face Painting Games Giveaways at Every Booth Obstacle Course Hourly Prizes

GRAND PRIZE! Youth Bike with Gear!

BoysTownPediatrics.org

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New picks hot off the presses, straight to you COMPILED by Omaha Public Library, Kendall Munch

HavE YOu SEEn MY LunCH bOx?

Steve Light As a little boy gets ready for school, he asks for help in finding his socks, lunch box and other items he needs to start his day.

Ages 2-5

tHE tEaCHEr’S PEt

Anica Mrose Rissi When a class pet proves to be more than a handful, the students agree they cannot keep him, but how will they convince their teacher, Mr. Stricter, who loves the strange creature?

Ages 3-5

SECOnD GraDE HOLDOut

Audrey Vernick & Matthew Cordell Missing the familiarity of first grade and imagining the impossible tasks that might be assigned by his next teacher, a boy refuses to start second grade. Ages 4-7

DOn’t GO tO SCHOOL!

Måire Zepf & Tarsila Krßse Benno is really excited about his first day at school. But there’s one problem: Mommy!

This humorous story will reassure nervous children, while parents feeling a little sad to see their babies grow up and march off to school will empathize with Mom. Ages 4-7

I’M SMart!

Kate & Jim McMullan A super-smart school bus uses its savvy to navigate the roads in safe ways while transporting kids to and from school. Ages 4-8

BAN These days, virtual experiences get passed off as the real thing. But not here. At School of Rock, kids have real fun learning. Here they play actual instruments, not game controllers. Here, garage band is a thing kids form,

followers, not just the online kind. So what’s better for your kids -- screen time or stage time?

SCHOOL OF ROCK | Omaha 13270 Millard Ave | Omaha, NE 68137 402-691-8875 locations.schoolofrock.com/omaha

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Throw a back-to-school party featuring summer’s classic treat.

TEXT, CRAFTS & STYLING Heather Winkel PHOTOGRAPHY Dev Hanumara

Watermelon Backdrop Use a 3-inch round punch to punch out circles from three shades of pink paper. Cut circles in half.

Using clear tape, tape half circles onto fishing line and hang.

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Watermelon Salad In a large bowl, combine 2 cups balled watermelon and 1½ cups blueberries.

Squeeze fresh lime juice from one lime over fruit.

Gently toss and garnish generously with mint.

Watermelon noteBookS Cut pink and green circle labels into halves and quarters. Stick a green circle on a plain notebook and layer a pink on top to make watermelon slices.

Using a black marker, dot on seeds.

Watermelon Fruit leather Mix 10 cups chopped watermelon with ½ cup sugar and purée in blender. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and spread mixture onto paper. Bake for 6 hours at 180 degrees. Remove, let cool and use a pizza cutter to slice into strips.

Watermelon lunch Box Find a small pink or pink and green cooler. Mix one part fabric medium to two parts black acrylic craft paint. Paint abstract seeds using a foam brush.

Dog Behaviorist David Codr from Dog Gone Problems travels around the country and has fixed over 2,000 dog problems in only one visit using Dog Psychology.

Talking

Dog August 12 & September 9

He will be sharing many of the dog training secrets he teaches his clients in a series of family-friendly workshops Saturdays on the Omaha Riverfront the summer (Lewis & Clark landing).

Fixing dog problems isn’t hard with the right approach.

Come to this workshop and we will show you how.

RSVP to reserve a spot for free with the link below. www.DogGoneProblems.com/rsvp

presented by

Both workshops start at 11AM

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Watch our video online WEEKLY

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5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS An eclipse so awesome, it could change your child’s life.

STORY Marjie Ducey

Y

our child might want to become an astronomer after watching the total solar eclipse Aug. 21.

It’s that cool.

That’s what happened to David Kriegler. He saw a partial eclipse in high school and became an instructor of astronomy and physics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

August’s total solar eclipse will be the first since 1979 that is visible in the continental U.S. If you never leave Omaha, Kriegler said, you would only see a total solar eclipse on average every 400 years.

“It is a phenomenal, spectacular sight,’’ he said.

Most people will never forget it.

That’s why it’s one of those special times Kriegler hopes parents will play

hooky with their children and get as close to the epicenter in central Nebraska as possible.

Our state will be one of the top viewing locations in the United States.

If you don’t want to pull your children out of school for the event, Omaha Public Schools as well as several other school districts in the metro area will share lots of curricular materials that day about the eclipse.

There’s lots of fun activities parents can do with their children to get them excited about the big day.

For example, parents can watch Kriegler’s solar eclipse video with their children at unomaha.app.box.com/v/ solareclipsetomusic.

Can you really hurt your eyes if you don’t wear special glasses to watch the eclipse?

Most people don’t normally look at the sun.

The same rays that cause sunburn (ultraviolet) and heat (infrared) can burn the retina in your eye. “The eye focuses those two rays to the back of the eye and basically cooks it,’’ Kriegler said.

Where can you buy the special glasses?

Many retail stores are selling them. UNO is offering them for $1 at the Durham Science Center on campus, room 129 Are pinhole cameras safe?

“Those are perfectly, perfectly safe,’’ Kriegler said. The ones made from oatmeal boxes are his favorite.

What are people talking about when they mention totality?

That’s when the moon completely blocks out the sun and the corona of the sun becomes visible. We’ll only see a partial eclipse here in the Omaha area.

Where will you be during the eclipse?

UNO will have four or five telescopes and some binoculars set up on the south side of the Durham Science Center from 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. They’ll also have some huge solar screens, Kriegler said, so people can enjoy the partial eclipse in the Omaha area.

A video camera will be connected to a telescope on the roof observatory to show the event live in the UNO planetarium (DSC 135).

Also in the planetarium: A live NASA video feed of the eclipse from a high-altitude jet.

PHOTO: NATIONAl geOgrAPHIC

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Teach kids about the solar eclipse with sun, moon and Earth wands.

TEXT, CRAFT + STYLING Heather Winkel PHOTOGRAPHY Dev Hanumara

Solar EclipSE ribbon WandS

1. Buy three styrofoam spheres at a craft store – large, medium and small.

2. Using sponge brushes and acrylic craft paints paint the large sphere into a sun, the medium into Earth and smallest into the moon.

Let dry. TIP: Stick a kitchen skewer into each ball so you can easily hold while painting. 3. Paint the bottom third of three dowel rods to coordinate with the sun, Earth and moon. 4. Press a dowel rod into the bottom of each styrofoam ball. Once you’ve created a hole, take the dowel out, squeeze a bit of glue into the hole and reinsert the dowel. 5. Tie coordinating colors of ribbon onto each dowel below the styrofoam ball. 6. Wave your planet wand around!

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We are now accepting applications for our Little Lions Preschool and an all-new, full-day Pre-K. There’s never been a better opportunity to let your child’s imagination run wild, as they explore and discover. When the zoo is your classroom, there’s no limit to what you can learn.

If you’d like your child to join our pride, visit OmahaZoo.com/Education for more information.

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Get ORGanized // amy tOkOs Amy Tokos is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Freshly Organized. You can find more organizing tips at freshlyorganized.com.

Remember last spring, when the school year was wrapping up and your mudroom was a mess? It’s time to clean it out and start the new school year fresh. These tips will help you begin your mission to organize the mudroom and make it easy for the whole family to maintain.

Prime real estate Identify the mudroom area as what it is – prime space inside your home. This means it’s not the place to store off-season items. Many times, off-season items are in cabinets, which leaves active items out and messy. Clearing out the off-season stuff will give you an opportunity to use all the space for active items.

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remove obstacles Things that make it difficult to put items where they belong are obstacles. If you notice items sitting around, consider how to get them put away. If a jacket needs to hang in a closet, the steps would be opening the door, finding a hanger, putting the jacket on the hanger, hanging the item up and closing the door. With all those steps (which are obstacles), it’s easier to hang the jacket on the doorknob. The obstacle could be the height of the storage location. Adjust the storage of active items so they require fewer steps. For families with small children, hooks work well because putting an item on a hook is just one step.

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takeaway zone Items set down when you walk in the door typically get a “landing zone.” If not, it’s a good idea to create one so items such as keys are easy to find. Another helpful space is the “takeaway zone” for items that will be taken elsewhere, such as a store return or a friend’s dish. This area needs to be on the path to the car so items are seen before exiting the house. Items in the takeaway zone also can include reference information such as lunch menus, activity calendars or messages for family members.

Don’t have a mudroom? Modify these tips for your space.

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active items These are things you use daily or weekly.

Watch for excess items, because they will clog up the area.

For example, though shoes are worn daily, all of them don’t need to be in the mudroom — just the one or two pair worn most often. Another example: coats. Keep the one or two worn most frequently in the mudroom. Everything else can be in a closet.

Make the grade!

See why a library card may be the most important school supply of all.

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Teachers can be as nervous about the first day of school as their students. And when asked, several of the 2017 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award winners were happy to share their best tips for getting students ready to return – magic wands included.

STORY Marjie Ducey PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of Omaha Public Schools

RAndAll HOwARd

Omaha Burke

what is your best tip for parents trying to get their children ready for school?

Build up the students’ confidence. Remind them of expectations and how school will benefit them. Also, try to make sure they have the supplies they need. do you have an icebreaker for your new class that always works?

We always do a name game, because the easiest way to show respect to someone is to know their name and say their name correctly.

Any funny or poignant moments you remember from past first days of school?

I tripped going up stairs instead of down them. I also remember being made fun of, feeling bad, then feeling great when someone talked to me or stuck up for me. It really built my confidence.

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Julie TRimBle

Saddlebrook elementary

what is your best tip for parents trying to get their children ready for school?

Read to them every day. When you read to your children, you are exposing them to vast amounts of vocabulary, and you are also showing the importance of reading. They get to spend quality time with their parents, and children love having that quality time. do you have any first-day traditions?

I love to read “First Day Jitters”

by Julie Danneberg. It is a book about a girl who is nervous about the first day of school.

A surprise twist at the end has the children laughing.

PAmelA ScHmeiTS

Jefferson elementary

what is your best tip for parents trying to get their children ready for school?

Start bedtime rituals and have positive conversations about school and learning. Parents have to be excited about their child’s education. do you have an icebreaker for your new class that always works?

My icebreaker is my magic wand and cape. I show them a magic water trick. They can’t wait for the next day to see what color the water will be.

It makes them excited about school. do you have any first-day traditions?

One of my first-day traditions is a slide show of my family – pets included. I use them for various examples in writing, story problems, etc., throughout the year.

PAmelA HOmAn

Omaha Burke

» do you have an icebreaker for your new class that always works?

I use a class set of Chipotle cups – three years ago there was a cup with a series of questions that were really good. I asked the company if they would donate some cups, they did, and I have brought the cups out each year since then. I use “pod” seating, so the students in the pod read and discuss a question with one another, then the class as a whole. We talk about the questions, and the fact that, as an English teacher, I think it’s important that students understand they are constantly “marketing” themselves and that messages are everywhere – even on Chipotle cups.

CELIO SILVA

Norris Middle School

What is your best tip for parents trying to get their children ready for school?

Prepare kids to get used to going to bed at an appropriate time so they are not tired and falling asleep in class throughout the day.

Do you have an icebreaker for your new class that always works?

I usually do a “Give One, Get One” activity. This activity allows the students to provide a piece of information about themselves and get one from the person they are interacting with. I also like students to share their favorite sport, food, movie characters, etc. This is also helpful for me because I can use that information to connect with the kids better and faster.

AMY BATTEN

Springville Elementary

Do you have an icebreaker for your new class that always works?

In the past, I have used an icebreaker called “Advertise a Friend.” As a class, we brainstorm questions that we want to know about each other like “What is your favorite movie?” or “What is something fun you did over the summer?” The students pair up and interview each other. Then each pair introduces their partner to the group.

Do you have any first-day traditions?

As an elementary school counselor, I like to go around to each classroom to introduce myself to new students and greet students from previous years.

KIMBERLY TALAMANTES Omaha South What is your best tip for parents trying to get their children ready for school?

Be excited about school! Your excitement will rub off on them.

Once they drop their children off, what do you want them to know?

During the early days of school, teachers are usually pretty busy planning lessons, establishing classroom expectations and routines, all while trying to learn the names of all our new students (sometimes that can be as many as 180 kids). Try to contact the teacher to introduce yourself. Not only will this help you as the parent, your child will see that you have an active interest in their education, and they will try to do their best work because they know that their parents and teachers really enjoy talking to each other.

CONNIE COLTON

McMillan Magnet

What is your best tip for parents trying to get their children ready for school?

Probably the two most important things to ensure a good first day of school are sleep and breakfast. When children start middle school, they are often as nervous as when they started kindergarten. Sleep the night before the first day rarely comes easy but is very important. Also a difficult transition is eating lunch much later in the day. Some children won’t have lunch until nearly 1 o’clock, which means that 7 a.m. breakfast is long gone if the meal is too light. Though kids might have butterflies, eating a good breakfast is important. In fact, I tell parents to have children eat breakfast at home and then again at school to make sure they make it until lunchtime.

GET THE FULL STORY Visit Momaha.com for complete Q&A responses.

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BACK TO SCHOOL BACK TO

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Low in added sugar and full of fiber and flavor, these make a great breakfast or school snack.

RECIPE PREPARATION + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

Peanut Butter Banana Oat Muffins Serves 10

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Combine ½ cup mashed bananas, 4 tablespoons melted butter, ¼ cup plain yogurt, ½ cup peanut butter, 1 egg, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons brown sugar in a large bowl and mix well. 3.

Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¾ cup whole wheat flour, ¾ cup rolled oats and stir until just combined. 4. Stir in ½ cup chocolate chips.

5. Scoop into muffin liners and bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

OPTIONAL: For mini muffins, spray the pans well with cooking spray, bake for 11-13 minutes and let cool. No liners needed.

Recipe: theleangreenbean.com

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Advice for A better life StorY Marjie Ducey

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www.nchs.org

arents love how cellphones make it easy to stay in touch with their children.

But during school hours, that convenience can become a distraction for an entire class. Practicing verb conjugation can quickly be disrupted with just a few rings of a phone.

The next time you have to remind your child about an early dental appointment, call the school office – not the student’s cellphone. It could save you and your child a trip to the principal’s office.

Lisa Sterba, principal at Lewis and Clark Middle School for the past 15 years, said it’s hard to tell children they can’t answer when it’s their mom on the phone. But checking to see how a test went or if they ate their lunch is not an emergency. “They are at school to go to school,’’ she said. “Here, we’ve been pretty consistent,’’ Sterba said. “The teachers who are consistent with school policy don’t have a problem with it.’’ At Highland Elementary School, principal Gwen Foxall said students are asked to give their cellphone or tablet to their teacher at the start of the day. It’s locked up and returned at the end of the school day. “It has worked for the majority of the students,’’ she said. “If you have to contact your child during the day, just call our office. We’ll say, ‘Your child is taking a test, can you call back at a certain time?’ ’’ School policies can give your child a needed break from social media and some crucial face-to-face socialization with their peers. Sterba deals with the results of weekend cyber bullying every Monday. “Social media has just overtaken their lives,’’ Sterba said. “They have to see who liked, dinged or Snappchatted.’’ It’s not limited to students, either. Some teachers also can have problems putting away their phone.

Sterba and Foxall offered this advice: • Monitor your child’s use of cellphones, computers and social media. Know their accounts and passwords. • Charge children’s phones and tablets in the kitchen instead of the bedroom. Too many students use their cellphones as alarm clocks. “They are waiting for that ding,’’ Sterba said. “They are not getting enough deep sleep.’’ • Call the school office. They don’t mind getting the message to your child that you might be running late. Or, if your son or daughter is not feeling well, they want to know. “Schools would rather talk to parents,’’ Sterba said. • If you think your children are responsible enough to carry a cellphone at school, make sure they know and understand their school’s guidelines. At Highland, the phone must stay in their backpack turned off or be given to their teacher. “You don’t need it during the school day at all,’’ Foxall said.

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skuttcatholic.com Making3131 a Difference Since 1993 S 156 Street | Omaha, NE 68130

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3131 S 156 Street | Omaha,  @SkuttCatholic Skutt Catholic High School NE 68130 @SkuttCatholic Soar with us...

 @SkuttCatholic

 Skutt Catholic High School

 @SkuttCatholic

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2017-18 Mainstage Productions

Exciting, large-scale productions performed on The Rose Mainstage.

Rose members receive FREE tickets to these shows.

Membership is the best way to enjoy everything The Rose has to offer.

Babe The Sheep Pig Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Van Gogh & Me The Meaning of Maggie Seedfolks Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure Curious George & the Golden Meatball

Rose members receive access to seven regular season shows for one low price. That’s seven times to stop and laugh together with your child. Seven times to experience the awe and wonder of theater.

Seven times to make memories together as a family — memories that will last a lifetime.

Sept. 8-24, 2017 Oct. 6-22, 2017 Nov. 3-12, 2017 Jan. 26-Feb. 11, 2018 Feb. 23-Mar. 11, 2018 Mar. 23-Apr. 8, 2018 Apr. 20-May 6, 2018

2017-18 Premium Event Shows Toe-tapping musical numbers, fantastic sets, large casts and awe-inspiring productions the entire family will enjoy are highlights of our special event premium shows.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Disney’s Newsies

Dec. 1-23, 2017 June 1-17, 2018

2017-18 First Stage Productions Theater for very young audiences, preschoolers and children with special needs, performed on the Hitchcock Stage

Point A to Point B Wynken, Blynken & Nod

Oct. 21-Nov. 12, 2017 Feb. 10-Mar. 4, 2018

$

105

THAT’S 28 TICKETS! Memberships on sale now.

JOIN TODAY! 2016858-01