Momaha Magazine - July 2015

momaha.com

VOLUME 6 · ISSUE 7

JULY 2015

Nell’s birthday wish: A day with Mom

PLUS

Salad in a jar – your new go-to lunch

Get Organized

A freshman’s guide to packing

PORTRAITS OF HAPPINESS

Creative twists on your child’s birthday

EVERY SUMMER

HAS A STORY And what better place to write yours than Fontenelle Forest, where each visit is its own unique adventure.

You can pick up the trail at different points, venture off, find a new one. There are maps, but there are no real rules here.

Only to explore and to discover, to look and to listen.

What you can find is infinite, and it is yours.

FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG

HEALTHY KIDS

CARNIVAL

Saturday, August 1, 2015 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Boys Town National Research Hospital 139th and Pacific Street

Bring your kids to an afternoon of jumping, moving and grooving with fun games and hands-on activities about health and nutrition.

GRAND PRIZE

Youth Bike and Bike Gear!

Additional prizes every hour!

FREE!

Carnival includes: • Bounce Houses • Obstacle Course • Basketball Station • Fitness Demonstrations • Face Painting • Healthy Snacks • Giveaways at Every Booth!

BOYS TOWN

National Research Hospital

SM

®

BoysTownHospital.org 1

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BE A TEAM PLAYER Register to play YMCA Fall Sports: ®

Jr. Huskers Flag Football TM

Jr. Mavericks Volleyball & Soccer FUNDAMENTAL DIVISION Will teach your child the rules and fundamentals of the game without competitive pressure.

Kindergarten-6th grade

RECREATIONAL DIVISION Participants will have one game and one practice per week. Players will focus on fundamentals and new skill development.

3-4 years • Kindergarten-8th grade

COMPETITIVE DIVISION (Volleyball) Participants will have games and a end of divison tournament. Players must pass a skills assessment prior to being accepted.

5th-8th grade

NOT A YMCA MEMBER? Join the Y July 24-31, 2015 for ONLY $7 and pay NO JOINING FEE! You will not be drafted until 9/3/15. Valid at any YMCA of Greater Omaha location. Must be a new member.

Cannot be combined with any other offer. Must present coupon and provide bank draft information.

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA . www.metroymca.org 3

LateNight special Daily after 6pm EXTREME WRISTBANDS sell for $14 each

MidWeek madness Occurs EVERY WEDNESDAY JUNE 4-AUG 12TH EXTREME WRISTBANDS sell for $14 ALL DAY

momaha where parents connect VOLUME 6 . ISSUE 7 . JULY 2015

EXTREME WRISTBAND includes UNLIMITED access to go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, Spaceball, Jumpshot and Water Wars

www.papiofunpark.com

discover

MONTESSORI

editor in chief CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

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

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 S Ta C I E H a M E l KURT a. KEElER aMy G R aCE aMy ToKoS SaNDRa WENDEl H E aT H E R W I N K E l K R I S Ta l E I G H H U R S T M o l ly l o R I N C z TESS foGaRTy

account executive

39th & Harney 18544 W. Maple Rd. 72nd & Center 126th & Pacific

Call for a tour!

402-393-1311 4 OmahaMontessori.com O

4

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

account executive MEGaN GUENTHER megan.guenther@owh.com 402-444-1489 Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102.

Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2015 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

CONTENTS

@

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Spots are still available for Summer Camp 2015!

Camps are taught by professional artists Many performance opportunities One-week & multi-week camps Camps for ages 4-18, beginners to advanced

Real MoMs + advice 6 On Our Radar 8 Momaha.com Editor 10 Be Well 20 One-Tank Trips 22 Get Organized

BiRthday ideas

12 Birthday Portraits 14 Hand-Delivered Invites 18 Eggs-treme Art

Recipes

16 Berry Drink 24 Salad in a Jar

on the coveR Birthday portraits stoRy + photogRaphy Molly Lorincz

Mom kisses big parties goodbye, gives daughter gift of special day together. Read more on page 12.

WATCH FOR INFORMATION ON FALL CLASSES COMING SOON!

Featured DRAMA Camps

Creative-based teaching in acting, directing, and playwriting.

Multi-Week Production Camps, ending with a full-fledged final performance Weeklong Drama Adventures such as Dr. Seuss, Star Wars, Pete the Cat, Harry Po er, Ivy + Bean, Percy Jackson and more!

Drama Club before and after care available

Featured BROADWAY Camps

Technique-based training in dance, voice, and musical theater.

Musical Theater Camps for ages 4-18, with opportunities to perform in Annie, Zombie Prom, and Frozen: The Musical!

Dance Intensives and Dance Camps for ages 3-18 Professional Acting Camps for teens Voice camps for ages 8-18

www.rosetheater.org 402-345-4849 5

BABIES!

WE Torticollis What is it?

• Most often due to tightness in muscles that connect the breastbone and the collarbone to the skull.

• Head is typically held to one side & has limited neck movement • Often unable to roll from back to belly using neck • May develop asymmetrical head shape.

• Limits child’s ability to turn head to see, hear and interact freely with environment

Why Physical Therapy?

• • • •

Correct muscle imbalance Gain in cervical spine range of motion Improve postural control Decrease delays in rolling, sitting, crawling and pulling to stand.

• Therapy includes active stretching, positioning, functional play activities and proper handling.

• Lack of therapy may lead to delayed cognitive development, delayed whole body awareness, weakness and difficulties with balance.

• Home exercise programs always included

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT CALL: 402-330-3211 • www.procare3.com

Grow STRONG With OneWorld Pediatrics 45 Years of Making a Difference... ...One Child at a Time South Omaha 4920 S. 30th St. 402-734-4110

West Omaha 4101 S. 120th St. 402-505-3907

Northwest Omaha 4229 N. 90th St. 402-401-6000

Cass Family Medicine 122 S. 6th St. Plattsmouth 402-296-2345

45 YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE

OneWorldOmaha.org 6

On Our raDar COMPILED by Kurt A. Keeler

A

summer filled with encouragement and inspiration is unfolding for kids of all ages. Budding actors and actresses find their stage heroes. Aspiring musicians discover a wealth of artists to emulate. Historical adventures bring classroom lessons to life. Kids tame farm animals at a county fair. Where will your family’s interests lead you?

THEATER

CaMP ShakESPEarE PErfOrManCE, July 3, 5; 6 p.m. Watch young Shakespeare scholars perform the bard’s best scenes. University of Nebraska Weber Fine Arts Building.

NebraskaShakespeare.com

MOVIES

StarLIght MOvIES, Saturdays through Aug. 22; Free.

Sumtur Amphitheater, Papillion. sumtur.org MOnDay nIght at thE MOvIES, through July 27; Free.

Turner Park at Midtown Crossing. MidtownCrossing.com

HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS

raILrOaD DayS, July 11-12; A celebration of all things train and track. Several locations. OmahaRailroadDays.com LIvIng hIStOry WEEkEnDS, first weekend of the month through Oct. 4; Reenactments; Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, Ft. Calhoun. FortAtkinsonOnline.org WILD, WILD WESt Day, July 25; Cowboy-inspired fun.

The Durham Museum; DurhamMuseum.org

CONCERTS

thE vIbES at vILLagE POIntE, Saturdays through Aug. 29; 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Free. villagepointeshopping.com/events Jazz On thE grEEn, Thursdays, July 9 through Aug. 13; 7:30 p.m.; Free. Turner Park at Midtown Crossing.

JazzOnTheGreenOmaha.com SaturDayS at StInSOn, through Aug. 29; 7-10 p.m.; Aksarben Village. AksarbenVillage.com SOunDS Of SuMMEr, Fridays, through Aug. 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Shadow Lake Towne Center, Papillion.

ShadowLakeShopping.com

FUN IN THE SUN

grEtna DayS, July 17-19; Fireworks, parade, picnic. Various locations. GretnaChamber.com harrISOn COunty faIr, July 20-25; Live music, rodeo, 4-H livestock, crafts. Missouri Valley. HarrisonCoFair.com SarPy COunty faIr, July 29-Aug. 2; Parade, rodeo, tractor pull, carnival. Springfield. SarpyFair.com WEStfaIr, July 22-27; Pottawattamie County fair; children’s activities, arena events. Council Bluffs. WestFairEvents.com SLIDE thE CIty, Aug. 1; 1,000 feet long Slip’n’Slide; Papillion.

SlideTheCity.com/events/Papillion

FAMILY FRIENDLY WATER FEATURES OPEN 11AM-6PM DAILY THROUGH LABOR DAY IN CENTER COURT

More than 70 stores, services and restaurants Highway 370 & 72nd Street Papillion 402.537.0046 Mon-Sat 10-9, Sun 12-6 ShadowLakeShopping.com

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MoMAhA.coM editor // AShlee coffey Wife to Kevin Coffey, music critic for the Omaha World-Herald.

Mom to Sam. Native of Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

Bring on the star-spangled fun!

A

h, July.

I love the month. It’s full of summer fun – picnicking, camping, fishing, deck-sitting, fireworks watching.

Every year, we head to the Omaha Fish & Wildlife Club (also known as Lakeland) in Cass County for the Fourth of July.

My parents have had a membership there since before I was born. In fact, they spent their honeymoon camping at Lakeland and canoeing on the Platte River nearby.

I’ll never forget the fun of lighting fireworks, swimming, eating and then lighting more fireworks throughout the day. As dusk approached, we’d head for the beach for the

big fireworks show. Once we had claimed the perfect viewing spot, my siblings, cousins and I would put on our own mini show, running up and down the beach with sparklers.

Once the big show started, we’d sit there watching, just as happy as could be. What kid isn’t in heaven on the Fourth of July?

I can’t wait to see how my son reacts to the fireworks this year. Will he be in awe of them or scream in terror? Either way, I’m looking forward to continuing our family’s tradition with him by our side. Who knows? Maybe our little firecracker will want do the same with his children someday.

Happy Fourth of July!

Get SociAl Facebook momahacom TwiTTer @momaha_owh PinTeresT momahaowh

Expires:7/31/2015

8

La Vista, NE

20%

Booking for Summer Camp!

Ask about our Birthday Party Specials!

See website for details.

Birthday Party Package Specials going on now.

Birthday Parties, Field Trips, Girl Scout Events, Camps, Daycare/Preschool Programs, Team Building, Girls Night Out and more.

14732 Grover St. Omaha, NE 68144

www.doodlecakes.com

(402) 697-8702

See website for details.

Birthday Parties, Field B Tr T r Trips, Girl Scout Events, Camps, Daycare/ P Preschool Programs, Team Building, Girls Night Out and more.

www.rockparadiseomaha.com 9

BE WELL COMPILED by Sandra Wendel

SuMMErtIME SOLutIOnS

Tootsies, tots, trickles and tasty treats.

Sling babe

If you carry your infant in a sling, be mindful of the temperature around you. Your baby could become too hot nestled next to you. Switch sides when wearing the sling to balance the positional stress on you and your baby. And never run or jog with baby in any type of carrier – front or back. A baby’s body is not ready for the cyclic pattern of running and jogging. This motion can do damage to a baby’s neck, spine and brain. It is better for both of you to use a jogging stroller. Source: American Chiropractic Association

Don’t Drink the (warm) water

no juice? chill out

OK, it was a small study. Sure, it was conducted on bottled water in China, not in the United States. Still, researchers found that some water bottles can release harmful chemicals when the plastic becomes warm – from being in a hot garage or vehicle. Source: Environmental Pollution

Prepare for summer storm power outages by keeping three or four plastic milk jugs filled with water in your freezer. In case of an outage, the jugs can provide up to four hours of chilling, as long as you refrain from opening the freezer door unnecessarily during the outage. Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Sweaty, Stinky feet

fruity fiber favoriteS

Use antiperspirant. Yes, on your feet. Why? Because your feet have sweat glands. To control foot odor, shower at night, let your skin dry for about an hour and then apply clear roll-on antiperspirant to the bottoms of your feet.

Changing your socks daily also can keep foot odor at bay. (Sorry, some adults do need to be told these things.)

Source: Dr. Joel Schlessinger, Skin Specialists, Omaha

(Try saying that three times!) A tennis ball-sized pear serves a whopping 6 grams of fiber – about one-fourth of the recommended daily amount for an adult. Pears, besides being a top fiber fruit, are a smart snack at well under 100 calories. Raspberries, apples, blueberries and strawberries are other high-fiber, low-calorie snack options. Source: American College of Healthcare Sciences

Stay informed and save money!

• Full & Part Time Child Care • Before & After School • Part Time Preschool

2 Convenient Locations:

180th & Dodge • 402-932-2922 192nd & Pacific • 402-991-0696 ENROLLMENT@SMALLMIRACLECHILDCARE.COM

Keep up-to-date with the issues that are important to your family.

Get 50% off the Omaha World-Herald’s standard rates: 7-Day home delivery only $29 for 13 weeks or Weekend home delivery only $20 for 13 weeks

Call 402-346-3363 or go to Omaha.com/specialoffers

www.smallmiraclechildcare.com 10

THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

GraceAnn, age 7 Asthma

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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A harried life is one thing; a birthday filled with priceless moments is quite another.

TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Molly Lorincz

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I

used to be the one in my circle of friends who threw extravagant birthday parties for my kids. No detail left undone; every cupcake piped to perfection. One year I spent hours decorating sunflower cupcakes with little lady bugs. They looked just like the cupcakes in the magazine photo that inspired me.

As much as I loved the creative outlet, I found myself stretched so thin with work and parenting, I just couldn’t do it anymore. But I’m not apologizing. Remarkably, I discovered how meaningful a birthday can be between my daughters and me.

Time. It is something I’ve learned from one of my best friends, something I can never thank her enough for showing me the true meaning of. Now when birthdays come I give my daughters the gift of time. It costs nothing, and is so incredibly fulfilling. Both my girls and I need it.

There just isn’t enough time when there is so much to get done.

I’ve become a master juggler. I can multitask so well it’s frightening. What I am not good at is slowing down. As a single mom, I don’t feel like I can right now. So that is why my middle daughter’s birthday became the perfect excuse to drop it all, and simply be present.

One-on-one time, and, yes, quite a bit of spoiling. If you aren’t spending the money on a big party why wouldn’t you treat the birthday girl?

Nell turned 7 in April. She chose shopping, oysters, a photo session with mom behind the camera, and rock climbing as her special spoils.

A girl after my own heart.

She is such a beauty. I know I’m biased.

But this one ... when I stop and look at her, she blows my mind. I am so happy I have my camera to capture her now, right at this time.

When a birthday comes, I stop and I hold onto the moment. One-on-one time with each daughter is something I will never regret.

The cupcakes get eaten, the party favors get tossed, the balloons deflate. But I’ll still have my memories.

The author, a professional photographer, is a Nebraska native living on the East Coast. She is a frequent contributor to World-Herald publications, including Inspired Living Omaha and Wedding Essentials.

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Party invites you’ll want to bestow in person.

Story + Styling Heather Winkel PHotogrAPHy Krista Leigh Hurst

I

’m a huge fan of sending unexpected, elaborate invitations through the mail (anything 13 ounces or less is fair game). But the most delightful way to extend an invitation is in person.

Three important guidelines when inviting friends in person:

1. Always include a leave-behind component with logistical information that might otherwise get lost in the excitement of delivery.

2. To avoid hurt feelings, make sure only those you intend to invite are present when you make your delivery.

3. Emphasize that an RSVP isn’t necessary at the moment of delivery.

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ConfettI Balloon InvIte

HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Hold open the mouth of a clear balloon and add a pinch of paper confetti or glitter. (Don’t add too much or the balloon won’t float.)

2. Fill balloon using a Balloon time helium tank (available at most Target superstores).

3. Tie off the balloon and attach a wide ribbon with party details written or printed on it.

Variation: Using a Sharpie, write your guest’s name on the outside of a colorful balloon.

Print the party details on slips of copier paper, roll up the slips and slide them along with a pinch of glitter inside the balloon.

Encourage recipients to pop balloon for details.

BeaCh Ball InvIte

HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Use a clear plastic envelope or sleeve big enough to hold a deflated beach ball folded in quarters. 2. Measure the sleeve and create an invitation card that’s one-fourth-inch shorter on all sides (if your sleeve is 5.5”x7.5” your card should be 5”x7”). Insert the card into the sleeve. 3. Fold the deflated beach ball so it’s relatively flat and insert it into the sleeve with the card.

4. Create or decorate mailing labels to include on the outside.

S’more kIt InvIte

HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Print the fill-in-the-blank invitation template available at momaha.com on 8.5”x11” cardstock and cut out using crop marks. 2. Break a graham cracker in half, stack pieces, wrap in small piece of wax paper and tie with baker’s twine. 3. Put the invite card in the bottom of a small craft jewelry box and arrange graham cracker package, miniature Hershey’s chocolate bar, one large marshmallow, a tea light candle and a match on top. 4. Close box and tie with baker’s twine.

CupCake Crown InvIte

HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Print the miniature crown template available at momaha. com on 8.5”x11” gold cardstock and cut out along dashed line with scissors. 2. Lay your cutout crown flat and roll into a loose cylinder, then tape the ends together. 3.

Using a metallic pen, write your guest’s name on a crown and carefully place atop a cupcake.

SIdewalk Chalk InvIte

HOW TO MAKE IT: This might be the easiest invitation idea you’ll ever see.

Head over to a friend’s house and sketch your invitation on their front porch or driveway with sidewalk chalk. Later, call or text them with an instruction to “Go look ... !”

JOIN

US A S WE

ROA ST A N

D TO AST AR

OUN

D TH

E

DAT E T IM E _______ __ ____ ____ ____ LO ____ C _ R S ATION __ VP _ ____ ________ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____

‘Sun’ sational summer salads all summer long! #staybeachready

Helping H elp ping g He Healthy Families

GROW

Food - Family - Tradition

since 1985 5 OPEN ALL DAY EVERYDAY 6AM - 8PM | Conveniently located off I-680 & Center - Rockbrook Village | 402.393.0252 | gardencaferockbrook.com 15

Sweet and tart flavors pack a patriotic punch.

Story + Styling Heather Winkel PHotogrAPHy Krista Leigh Hurst

T

he next time you find yourself with fresh blueberries that are just past their prime, squeeze a refreshing drink out of them. This easy recipe has crowd-pleasing qualities, too. So triple the batch for a tangy signature drink that’ll fit right in when the party theme screams for red, white and blue.

BlueBerry lemonade

HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Combine ½ cup sugar and 1 cup water in medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. 2. Add 1 cup blueberries (reserve some for garnish) and bring to boil.

Reduce heat and simmer until blueberries break down. 3. Strain blueberry syrup through fine sieve and let cool. 4. Squeeze 4-5 lemons to extract ¾ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice.

5. Mix together lemon juice, blueberry mixture and 5 cups water. 6. Serve chilled. Garnish with fresh blueberries and a mint leaf. Serves 4.

Variation: Blackberries and ½ to ¾ cup agave nectar (to taste).

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$35/ month

A new exciting Early Childhood educational Program

Helps promote physical fitness into your child’s daily routine.

Ask about babyjam for infants 0 - 18 months

Phone: 831-869-0483 Email: kjamana@yahoo.com www.kinderjam.com Monday - Mockingbird Hill / 9am-KinderJam 10am-BabyJam Tuesday- Benson - 9:15-KInderJam Thursday- Saddlebrook / 9am- BabyJam Montclair / 11am- BabyJam Friday- Saddlebrook / 9am- KinderJam Monteclair / 11am- KindJam 17

Stand back and let the kids get crackin’.

TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Tess Fogarty

A

t first blush, it seems daunting. Paint-filled eggshells hurled by children at canvases. But it’s fun to do and even more fun to watch. The sparkling eyes, the victorious (and devilish) grins; the cracking eggshells and the paint droplets spraying across the canvas all made for an Egg Painting Party to remember.

Even what went “wrong” was OK. Success is in the details. Planning for the mess protects the yard and makes cleanup easy.

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August 7,8 & 9th 2015 in Hastings Nebraska

Over 35 Events Throughout Hastings!

Day-of-EvEnt SuppliES

What you need: • 6-10 eggshells per child • 1 small to medium canvas per child • 1 plastic lawn chair • 2 extra-large plastic trash bags • 1 large sheet of painter’s plastic • Acrylic paints in a variety of colors • 1 small worktable • Old T-shirts to protect clothing • Old rags (wet and dry) for cleanup

Day-of-EvEnt SEtup

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kool-aiddays.com 800-967-2189

What you do: 1. Spread painter’s plastic on the ground in a wide open area.

2. Wrap chair in a plastic garbage bag(s).

3. Position chair in the center and toward the front of the painter’s plastic so there is more plastic behind the chair to catch flying paint.

4. Break eggs toward the top of the shell to create nearly equal halves. Rinse shells and store in egg cartons. Collect enough shell halves for each child to toss 6 to10.

5. Set up an eggshell-filling station with paints, eggshells and wet rags.

playing thE gamE

1. The day of the party, have the kids paint their canvases a solid color. While the painted canvases dry, supervise as the kids fill their eggshells half-full with paint. 2. Instruct each child to place his or her canvas on the lawn chair, stand several feet from the chair and toss their shells at the canvas. Eggs may miss completely or skip off the canvas but the plastic on the ground catches it all. If an egg doesn’t break, toss it again! 3. Once each child’s eggs are thrown, move his or her canvas to an area to dry. Let the paint drip and leave any crushed shells on the canvases for artistic effect. Set up the next artist. 4. To clean up, simply roll up the plastic and toss. But first, take photos of the mess. It’s a masterpiece in itself.

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On The ROad again

‘Passionate Pilgrim’ points to Nebraska highlights.

COMPiLed by Amy Grace

F

or many families, July is the ideal time to hit the road for a vacation. Summer sports activities have wrapped up for the kids, mom and dad have banked their paid time off at work, and the first day of school is still six weeks off.

We turned to Debbie Anderson, a self-proclaimed “Passionate Pilgrim” and teaching fellow for the National Geographic Society, for ideas to beef up the family travelogue.

“Travel encourages curiosity and adaptability,” something no virtual world experience can substitute, the geography teacher says.

Have your children sketch and journal their adventures, maintain a travel blog and-or submit their own travel reviews on sites like TripAdvisor.com.

Introduce your family to geocaching. Download the app on any device for little or no expense and head out on a great scavenger hunt. Some caches may be located in your very own city, and more than 2 million can be found worldwide. Plan a trip then search out geocaches near your destinations or along the way.

Or how about experiencing an outdoor drive-in movie? There are only two left in Nebraska. The TK-Starlite Drive-in in Neligh and the Sandhills Drive-in in Alliance. Kids (and even some parents) may be too young to remember the unique thrill of this open-air entertainment. Pack up your snacks and head to an American nostalgia classic.

Our PassiOnate Pilgrim steers yOu here as well: • Nebraska is home to not one, but two designated wilderness areas. Fort niobrara near Valentine occupies more than 19,000 acres and allows opportunities for stunning photography, self-

guided and guided interpretation programs and environmental education, hunting, fishing and wildlife observation, as well as refreshing float trips down the scenic Niobrara River. The Soldier Creek Wilderness area near Chadron covers almost 8,000 acres and offers excellent hiking, biking, camping and climbing opportunities. There are miles of trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and, in winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

• The Lewis & Clark Trail Landmarks. Before embarking on this adventure, view the National Geographic IMAX movie that premiered at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. The 3,700-plus mile trail passes through 11 states and includes more than 100 sites from Illinois to the Pacific Coast. Read diary entries at seven locations in Nebraska.

• Ponca State Park is one of the Lewis & Clark Trail sites along the Missouri River at the South Dakota border. This landmark offers camping, fishing, picnicking, boating, swimming, lodging and a visitor center with youth programs.

• Bike the Cowboy Trail. It runs across northern Nebraska, following the old Chicago & North Western rail route. Once completed, the Cowboy Trail will be the world’s longest railsto-trails bike trail. Use the interactive trip planner to create your own trail ride through Northern Nebraska.

• Toadstool Park. The unique geology of Toadstool stands in a remote area known as Nebraska’s Badlands and is located in the Western Nebraska Oglala National Grasslands area. The park’s terrain is frequently compared to that of the moon. It’s about 18 miles northwest of Crawford. Activities: Hiking, picnicking, primitive camping and prehistoric fossil hunting.

• indian Cave State Park is a pristine area in the southeast corner of our state devoted to camping, hiking and backpacking, picnicking, nature and wilderness activities.

• north Platte. Enjoy the Buffalo Bill Cody Rodeo, Nebraskaland Days and Rail Fest, depending on when you visit. Find scenic bike and walking trails, the North Platte Children’s Museum, Feather River Vineyard, Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and Victorian home, and the Wild West Show Museum. Catch a panoramic view from the Golden Spike Tower.

Enroll now!

Summer Camps for beginners to advanced!

Concerts For Performers • Lessons For Beginners 13270 Millard Ave. | Omaha | 68137

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402.691.8875

omaha.schoolofrock.com school of rock omaha

@SORomaha

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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.

the next step 4 S’s to an organized college life.

If your child is headed off to college, it’s a big deal and one of life’s major transitions.

What should first-year students take? What do they really need? And how is it all going to fit into their new domains? Put this guide in your freshman’s hands.

space

Dorm rooms are small. Sharing a confined space with a stranger can cause culture shock. If you’re having a tough time visualizing the new space as you begin packing, tape the dimensions of a half (or quarter) of the dorm room on your current bedroom floor or other open area at home. The good news is there’s usually a desk and dresser that provide some storage. Limit items that sit on the floor (chairs, floor lamps, other large items) as space will be at a premium.

Leave the memorabilia behind.

The new space needs to focus on functionality with just a few mementos and-or decorations.

You don’t want to have to send goods home because there was no space for them.

stuff

Find a great packing list online. Print one, then cross off everything you can live without. Packing lists are helpful but you have a finite amount of space. College is a time to learn how to be a minimalist. Pack the essentials and let your survival skills deal with the rest. Talk to your roommate well before the move and coordinate a list of essentials. Identify things that can be shared.

More essential than getting stuff organized is your ability to manage your time.

You won’t have anyone reminding you of activities or responsibilities. Lists with deadlines can be your friend.

schOOl

The reason for ‘higher education’ is education. That means there will be lots of school work. A good planning calendar is essential to being a successful student (and, eventually, a good employee).

If you had a system that worked in high school, adapt it for college. Entries in a planner can serve as a ‘second brain’ to keep deadlines on your radar.

In college, it may be necessary to retain class papers (notes, handouts, research, quizzes) through the end of the semester. Create a paper system in a file drawer or simply use a letter-sized box.

File tabs and file names should mirror the folders on your computer.

sOcial

Between social media and community living, there are countless opportunities for social activity in college.

Social ‘‘demands’’ can cause serious task-completion issues. Manage interruptions by finding and routinely using a quiet study space. Most colleges have libraries with designated study areas.

Most dorms and Greek housing have study rooms, too.

A finAl piece of Advice Find a role model with self-discipline and good time-management skills. An upperclassman, an instructor, an obviously productive fellow student. Learning from someone who is successful in academics and well-rounded in extra-curricular activities can help you develop your own successful balance.

22

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LAYER IT On

Salad-in-a-jar concept is so easy, you can treat yourself to this make-ahead lunch every day of the week.

TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Ashlee Coffey, Momaha.com Editor

a

RAILROAD-THEMED ATTRACTIONS PER FAMILY

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former colleague once brought a salad to work in a mason jar.

I remember thinking, “What the heck is that?”

His wife saw the idea somewhere, so they tried it.

Ingenious, I thought, for enjoying a salad without carting five containers or baggies for the fixings.

The trick to the perfect mason jar salad lies in the layering of the ingredients. There’s a science to it, otherwise you could end up with a soggy mess when you take your first bite. The ingredients order, from bottom to top: Salad dressing, raw vegetables, beans, grains or pasta, hard cheese and-or protein, soft veggies or fruit, nuts, seeds or other light grains, leafy greens.

These salads refrigerate well so pack a week’s worth of lunches at one time. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they can come together once you’ve prepped a variety of toppings that you love.

Salad in a jar

TO MAKE A SINGLE SERVING: 1. Pour 1 to 4 tablespoons vinaigrette salad dressing into a wide-mouthed mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.

2. Add thinly sliced baby carrots and diced red, yellow and orange peppers. 3. Add grilled chicken, cubed.

4. Add diced mushrooms, grape tomatoes and green onions. 5. Add chopped almonds and croutons.

6. Top with leafy greens. 7. Screw airtight lid on jar and refrigerate. 8. To serve, unscrew lid and shake the contents of the jar into a bowl. Toss with a fork.

TIP: Make several variations in advance and refrigerate for up to five days. For best results, refrain from adding the soft ingredients and perishable proteins until the day you plan to eat the salad.

Recipe inspiration from www.thekitchn.com

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