November 2014
Disney Elementary The Story Behind the Name
Meet the Reinders
A Family of Judo Masters
ON TARGET
Skeet shooting isn’t just for the guys.
The besT plaCe fOr kids.
Ella, age 6 Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
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.
inside
on the november 2014
features 8
On Target Skeet shooting isn’t just for the guys. 10 Meet the Reinders A Family of Judo Masters 18 For the Birds Flocking To DeSoto Bend
10 20 @omahamagazine @omahamagazine omahamagazine
departments 6 nutrition:
A Look Inside and Out 7 family services: Seasonal Affective Disorder 12 diy: Napkin Ring Place Card Holder 14 health: Keeping Kids Warm This Winter 15 young hero: Doug Pepper 16 school feature: How a Millard School got its Wonderful Name 20 lifestyle: Painting the Town 22 lifestyle: Pushing Past the Pounds 24 food: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry 26 mom on the rocks: Giving Thanks and Just Giving 27 fitness: Swizzle Stick 28 calendar of events 30 the grandpa chronicles: The PG Dilemma
Volume 2 • Issue 6 PUBLISHER Todd Lemke EXECUTIVE EDITOR David Williams MANAGING EDITOR Robert Nelson EDITORIAL INTERN Claire Martin CREATIVE DIRECTOR John Gawley DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY & INTERACTIVE MEDIA Bill Sitzmann SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER & WEB CONTENT MANAGER Kristen Hoffman GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rachel Joy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rachel Baumann • Bev Carlson • John Fey Anna Hensel • Allison Janda • Leslie Murrell Kara Schweiss • Kelli J. Shidler, M.D. • Kara Wesely CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Joe Diril • Tim and Pam Pepper U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Gwen Lemke • Greg Bruns • Gil Cohen George Idelman • Vicki Voet ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Sandy Besch Matson ACCOUNT ASSISTANTS Alicia Smith Hollins • Jessica Linhart Dawn Dennis • Sydney Stander OPERATIONS Tyler Lemke ACCOUNTING Jim Heitz WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Mike Brewer Printed by Omaha Print For a one-year subscription (12 issues), send $9.95 to P.O. Box 461208, Papillion, NE 68046-1208. www.omahamagazine.com Original contributions become the property of Omaha Publications. Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned. The information contained within HerFamily is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and should not be used to take the place of seeking professional advice, counsel or assistance. Omaha Publications makes no endorsement of and is not responsible for contributors or advertising herein. If you have concerns or questions related to your health, consult with your physician. HerFamily is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of Omaha Publications, 402.884.2000. Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD
On the Cover: Linnea Vaughn, 10, Jordan Price, 6, and Maddison Mellon, 8
4 HerFamily • November 2014
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Know when to get off the field. At Boys Town Pediatric Neurology, our specialists are known for their accurate diagnosis, treatment and care for concussions, tic disorders, abnormal movements, seizures and neurological developmental delays. On-site pediatric imaging, EEG exams and sleep studies are available, if needed.
Dr. Winslow Borkowski, pediatric neurologist, is ImPACT™ Test certified by the Nebraska Sports Concussion Network.
BOYS TOWN
Pediatrics ÂŽ
Learn more about our Pediatric Specialties and meet our doctors at
boystownpediatrics.org.
nutrition
sponsored content by Kelli J. Shidler, M.D., Boys Town Pediatrics
Nutrition A Look Inside and Out
g
ood nutrition is vital to the proper growth and development of children. The reality of childhood obesity is visible in our day-to-day lives; however, parents need to understand the dangers and warning signs associated with an unhealthy diet before it gets to the point of obesity. Among other complications, an unbalanced, unhealthy diet in children has a direct effect on how the body functions, from constipation to acne to depression.
OBESITY & HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE In 2006, Nebraska had an adult obesity rate of 24.4% according to a report by Trust for America’s Health. Children often learn from adults by example, so as the adult obesity rate increases, so does childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is defined as a child or adolescent having an excess of 25% body fat. This can be determined by a skin fold test or a Body Mass Index (BMI) test. High blood pressure is a very real and scary side effect of obesity. It is a crucial diagnosis in children because it can lead to other serious complications such as kidney disease, heart abnormalities or problems with the nervous or endocrine system. If the high blood pressure continues
6 HerFamily • November 2014
without medical help, the constant pressure on the blood vessels can damage vital organs, and possibly lead to heart failure or stroke.
CONSTIPATION Constipation is another common problem associated with poor nutrition. An improper amount of junk food such as chips, sweets, fried foods, and non-diet soft drinks may be problematic. Too much dairy (milk, yogurt, cheeses, and ice cream) in your child’s diet may also affect bowel movement. All foods, even junk foods, are fine in moderation. Boys Town Pediatrics recommends that parents follow the MyPlate guidelines (formerly known as the Food Pyramid) to help keep a balance of nutritious foods in their child’s diet.
ACNE There are many common myths and misconceptions regarding the cause of acne. Among such causation myths are poor hygiene and an unhealthy diet. However, neither hygiene nor diet actually causes acne. It is rather an unfortunate consequence of overactive sebaceous (oil) glands. Yet, once glands become active acne lesions, it is possible for certain foods often associated with a poor diet to
increase the oil supplies and worsen the severity and prevalence of such lesions. Including healthy and vitamin-rich foods into your child’s diet, especially those with Vitamins A and E, and drinking plenty of water, can lead to healthier-looking skin.
DEPRESSION We are all familiar with the saying, “You are what you eat.” If your child’s diet is consistently unhealthy, he or she will likely see a change in weight, and will physically feel the negative impact of the unhealthy foods. Inadequate nutrition often leads to a lack of physical drive, which in turn lessens a child’s stamina to play and participate in sports or other extracurricular activities, and may also decrease his or her ability to stay focused and concentrate on cognitive tasks such as homework. This can lead to irritability, mood swings, behavior problems, low self-esteem, and even depression. If you think your child is suffering from depression, contact your child’s physician.
Kelli J. Shidler, M.D. omahamagazine.com
family services
sponsored content by Bev Carlson, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
Seeing the Light
i
in the Winter
don’t care for winter weather very much. I was raised a Southerner, which makes living in Nebraska a bit of an adventure for me. I’ve been in the Midwest almost longer than anywhere else, and it was very freeing for me to finally realize that “getting used to” Midwestern winters is simply a myth. If you are raised never owning a winter coat, let’s be honest. You will never get used to 4:30 p.m. sunsets, below-zero temperatures, and winds that feel like they are peeling back your skin. I never heard the term “snowbirds” attached to people before I moved here. But I know I want to be one if I can afford it. All the benefits of living in beautiful Nebraska during warm weather, but no ice and snow in the winter. Sounds perfect. But truthfully, it really isn’t even the brutal winds or the scary driving that make Nebraska winters challenging for me. It’s the darkness. That going to and getting home from work when it feels like midnight and knowing the only time you really can see the sun is over the weekend. (Well, if it happens to be one of those rare weekends when it all aligns). Because as we all know, there are parts of the winter where we can go for weeks without a break in the clouds. I would never make it in the land of the Midnight Sun. It took me a while to finally connect my winter depression to the lack of daylight. I had always just thought it was because I was a displaced Southerner and wasn’t used to freezing cold for days on end. Or wearing mittens and boots. Discovering that it was actually Seasonal Affective Disorder, or bestofomaha.com
SAD, was incredibly therapeutic in itself. This is something that can be planned for and treated successfully. Doctors treat SAD symptoms with light therapy, medications, or even counseling. Women are more likely to have SAD, but men have more severe symptoms. For most people, those symptoms start easing in soon after school starts and can weigh on the person until springtime. Those indicators can include feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, oversleeping, weight gain, and cravings for food high in carbohydrates—like pasta and sweets. As I learned, simply being able to identify what’s happening and why was a huge first step in determining a plan of attack. Those, like me, who know what’s coming as the daylight hours get shorter, can do things year-round to make ourselves more resilient to the onset. Consulting with your physician is the first step, but also doing important things—like establishing regular indoor exercise. If you don’t go to a gym, bundle up and walk outside on days that are tolerable. Invest in a treadmill. Even 10 or 15 minutes of effort helps. The goal is to keep your body moving and awake, so that you don’t ease into four months of sedentary couch sleeping. Keep healthy food choices in your house. The darker months coincide with the most sugar-filled, comfort-food-laden times of the year as well, so it’s important to treat your body kindly. While I will never, ever be okay with Nebraska winters—I really am okay with Nebraska. I love living here, and I see this as just something that many of us have to manage. I can’t leave this without mentioning two very serious warning signs. If ever, at any point, you find yourself turning to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate; or if you find yourself considering suicide, please do not hesitate to see your doctor immediately. If you are in crisis, call 911.
HerFamily • November 2014 7
feature Allison Janda by
photography by Bill Sitzmann
On Target Women’s skeet team proves the sport isn’t just for guys.
Lindsey Rai Ehlers
8 HerFamily • November 2014
omahamagazine.com
n
othing seems quite as stereotypically manly as going out to the shooting range with your 12-gauge shotgun. But, if a local group of newly forged female skeet shooters have their way, the sport will increasingly be going co-ed. First, a quick tutorial in the oft-misunderstood sport of skeet: The sport requires a shooter to move around a half-moon shaped course, shooting clay disks as they go. While the disks are always shot from the same location, the angles become different as the shooter moves around the course. “I think this is kind of a big deal [for women to be doing this] because the recoil is really strong so most men don’t believe we can handle it, says Lindsey Rai Ehlers, a member of the all-women’s Omaha skeet team known as The Thundercats. The group formed by accident—everyone met through their connections with the Ronald McDonald House—then began to toss around ideas about activities they could have fun doing together. Five of the six women are not Omaha natives. The sixth, while she grew up in Omaha, just returned after spending six years in San Francisco. In addition to Ehlers, the group includes Ashonte Thomas, Lenli Corbett, Lindsay Colwell, Whitney Hayes, and Suzie Heffernan. Ehlers attributes their similar interest to a desire to absorb Omaha culture being that it is so very different from where many of them originate. “It seemed fitting to try something totally out of our comfort zone, and skeet appears to be pretty common in the Midwest,” she shares. “No one on our team has ever been a shooter in the past,” Ehlers says. “As a matter of fact, most of us have never touched a gun before this experience.” The sport is not traditionally a women’s sport, as the group of five quickly discovered. However, that hasn’t stopped them from practicing with the brawny 12-gauge shotgun, one type of gun used in registered shoots. As a matter of fact, the team competed in a Ronald McDonald House shoot in mid-September, a great bonus considering their roots. Ehlers admits that each time they practice at the gun club, 55-and-over white men who are curious but polite about what the women are up to usually surround them. “Being different and new never stopped any of us from moving across the country, it’s certainly not going to stop us now,” she says. Ehlers shares that she and the other four women on the team gain a lot from skeet shooting. First of all, it only costs about $6 for a round. She says shooting skeet leaves the women feeling empowered. By trying such a male-centric sport,
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From left: Ashonte Thomas, Whitney Hayes, Lindsey Rai Ehlers, Suzie Heffernan, Lenli Corbett
she says, it helps to give women the courage to take on something they might have put off due to fear. Additionally, she states that there is no shortage of kindness and advice from the wonderful regulars, mainly men, that are there shooting. Feeling intimidated is a non-issue. Ehlers says that even when the team doesn’t hit much, they always enjoy themselves. “There is so much more gained than just a new skill. I feel exceptionally fortunate to be surrounded by so many comedians all at once who are driven to master something new and out of the norm,” she says.
HerFamily • November 2014 9
meet the family
by Kara Schweiss photography by Bill Sitzmann
Jason and Mandi Reinders with Sammi, Giuseppe, and Logan
10窶ォerFamily 窶｢ November 2014
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Meet the Reinders
f
and their dojo full of judo masters.
ive-year-old Sammi Reinders weighs only a little over 40 pounds, but she already has a weighty achievement under her tiny belt: ranking first in her class in judo competition at the 2014 Junior Olympics this summer. And her 9-yearold brother, Logan, competing in a much larger field, earned an impressive 9th place. Not really too surprising considering their father, Jason, is a 4th-degree black belt in both judo and Japanese jujitsu. He’s also the head instructor and owner of Sempai Judo Academy and has been studying martial arts nearly his whole life. “I started martial arts in general when I was 5, but I didn’t start judo until I was 12. Most judo academies don’t start kids until around age 8, but I’m a firm believer—and many other clubs have come along to agree—that the earlier you start them, the better,” he says. “It teaches them discipline and leadership skills and it gets them active, fitness-wise.” Reinders opened Sempai Judo Academy in 2007 offering a mixture of traditional Kodokan judo and competition judo instruction as well as other martial arts classes. The club is registered with USA Judo, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and now employs five instructors besides Reinders along with two personal trainers. The club membership is made up of students of all ages—with many who’ve placed at numerous competitions from local to nationallevel, including 39 state champions—and attracts membership from all over the Omaha area and even across the river, Reinders says. As a husband and father, Reinders says his business is not just about creating champions. His family-centric academy regularly includes selfdefense courses (some specifically for women) on the schedule and now even offers a program to help children deal with bullies. “Our anti-bullying program is a two-step program. The first step is teaching them the self-confidence they need and high self-esteem, so if somebody does say something about them or something to them, they have the ability to kind of brush it off and talk to their family or other kids in the school,” Reinders explains. “The other aspect that we teach them is that we don’t agree bestofomaha.com
with punching, kicking, and fighting back a bully by beating them up. But we also don’t think that a bully should be able to punch you, kick you, choke you, or hold you down. So what we teach them is that if you have no other recourse—you can’t flight or get away—then you have to defend yourself, put them into a throw and hold them down until a teacher or administrator gets there to help you. That way you use enough force to keep yourself safe but you’re not hurting anyone.” Reinders attributes much of the success of his small family business to the fact that everyone is treated like...well, family. “We have strong camaraderie throughout the club. We treat each other with respect, but we treat each other like siblings and family members,” he says. “It kind of builds that strong family value. Even when parents aren’t doing a class, they’re still part of the club.” Reinders says his children were eager early on to join in the fun. Logan started learning judo at age 5 and did so well that Reinders was willing to let little sister Sammi begin her instruction at 3. His wife, Mandi, didn’t hesitate to give her approval, either. The couple met through a judo class, after all. “There are pros and cons with their dad being the instructor,” Reinders says. “They get all the training they want, but then again they can’t miss training, either.” Next up for martial arts instruction will be baby Giuseppe, although having just turned eight months old in September, he will need a few more years to grow into his first gi (judo uniform). He’s already a champ, though, explains his father. “He was four and a half months early; almost 15 ounces, 435 grams at birth,” Reinders says. “He was smaller than a beanie baby, so it was quite the challenge.” Giuseppe’s older brother and sister will probably recruit him eventually to join them in plans they’re already making to run Sempai Judo Academy in the future, Reinders says. “They say one day I’m going to be old and have to retire, so they’re taking over,” he says with a chuckle, adding that he would actually be pleased to see his children carry on the family business someday. “They’ll have their way.”
HerFamily • November 2014 11
diy
by Rachel Baumann photography by Bill Sitzmann
Refining Dining The Napkin Ring Place Card Holder
i
love entertaining, especially around the holidays when it’s not considered stuffy to host a sit-down dinner. This year, I wanted to add a bit more style to our table with some simple homemade accessories. These twinewrapped DIY napkin rings are great because they also incorporate a place card holder.
12 HerFamily • November 2014
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Rachel Baumann
SUPPLIES • Curtain rings with clips • Roll of jute twine • Pliers (optional) • Hot glue • Scissors • Place cards
Start by using your fingers or pliers to pry off the little clip. Next, place a dab of hot glue on the napkin ring and wrap the twine around it tightly. Add another dab of glue halfway through and at the end. Place the clip back on the napkin ring and squeeze it into place. That’s it! Just add a place card (I used picmonkey.com to design mine), a napkin, and sprig of rosemary for a stylish addition to your holiday table. For more ideas and inspiration visit Baumann’s blog, Fifty Two Weekends of DIY, where she writes about updating her home using DIY projects, elbow grease, and a mix of old and new finds. fiftytwoweekendsofdiy.com bestofomaha.com
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HerFamily • November 2014 13
health
by Robert Nelson
Frozen Assets
y
You don’t need to break the bank keeping kids warm this winter. Just layer, layer, layer.
ou may want to start your child’s winter wardrobe with the luxury quilted leather youth coat from Saks Fifth Avenue. It will cost you $2,350. If you’re on a budget, the shearling jackets for girls or boys from Burberry are priced at $995. That leaves you enough money for a handmade pair of $38,000 Testoni alligator-skin boots. Toss in some high-end Gore-Tex gloves for $200. Add a crystal fox Russian kid’s hat for $750. Voila! You’re set for around 40 grand for one of your children. Or, you could spend under $200 for an entire wardrobe—or even under $100 if you’re super savvy—and do a better job of keeping your child warm and dry. It’s not about money, cutting-edge technology, or even having the warmest coat. It’s all about layering. “Layering is so important because you can add or shed depending on the temperature and conditions,” says Scott Marble, owner of Canfield’s Sporting Goods. “It’s not just about keeping warm. It’s about not getting too warm, too. It’s a balancing act.” Take an example: Your child goes to school in the warmest down coat available. The temperature rises as the sun comes up, he or she goes outside and plays hard and, all of sudden, the child is wet from sweating. Most likely, they will take that coat off and be running around in the cold in a base layer soaked with perspiration. Three layers are the standard. Ideally, the base layer—the clothing closest to the skin—is made of a polyester blend with wicking attributes. You don’t want wet fabric against skin. But, cotton usually is fine on most days. The second layer is your insulation. Layers of fleece are good, down or polyester-fill jackets are fine, too.
14 HerFamily • November 2014
The outside layer should protect against wind and water. Numerous companies now have coats with removable fleece inner linings, Marble says. And many of them are now reasonably priced. “Kids grow out of coats pretty quickly,” he says. “You can definitely understand why parents would want to keep costs down.” The best shoes or boots for winter are those with some sort of waterproof lining. Waterproof and breathable linings are the ideal to keep feet from getting wet from perspiration during activities. Gore-Tex has long been the standard for breathable, waterproof materials, but it’s pretty expensive for a coat or pair of boots that may only be used one season. Luckily, Marble says, the market is now saturated with several high-tech Gore-Tex-like fabrics. “You can get high-quality stuff now for a good price.” Sometimes parents forget the last step: Protecting the extremities. A good fleece cap is relatively inexpensive, as are fleece gloves. But, going too cheap on gloves can be a bad idea, especially if those little hands will be sitting inactive outside for a long time. You’ll want to get both a light pair of gloves for activities and a thicker pair for, for one, sitting at the lateseason football game. And we all know this from building snowmen in our youth: It’s a lot nicer when your gloves have a waterproof liner. Once you have the proper gear, Marble says, be prepared to adapt to the conditions. “Is the child going to be running around a lot? Playing in snow? Just sitting in the cold and wind?” Marble asks. “The activity often dictates what you wear. That’s just always something to keep in mind.” omahamagazine.com
young hero
by Anna Hensel photography by Tim & Pam Pepper
Doug Pepper with a UNMC transplant patient.
Battling Boredom
d
Doug Pepper collected 2,600 toys to make hospital stays a little more fun.
oug Pepper was about to have a liver transplant, but all he wanted were nachos and a Dr. Pepper. His mom, Pam Pepper, recalls with a laugh how the then 13-year-old Doug responded to the news that he would need a liver transplant due to a condition known as autoimmune hepatitis, which causes inflammation of the liver. Following the request for some of his favorite foods, Doug simply said, “I’m ready.” “Maybe it’s just part of being a kid—he never once complained,” Pam says. During the nearly seven weeks that the Indianola, Iowa, native was a ward of University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Child Life Program, Doug endured countless blood tests, a nearly eight-hour-long transplant, and a bacterial infection that nearly took his life. Nonetheless, his mom says, he always kept an upbeat attitude. The now 15-year-old then decided to keep the positive vibes going and “pay it forward” through his Eagle Scout project, a toy drive for UNMC’s Child Life Program. One of the issues that plagued Doug the most during his stay at UNMC wasn’t pain or depression, but boredom. The Child Life Program at UNMC has puzzles, games, and crafts to keep kids active and upbeat during their long stays, as well as events such as movie or bingo nights. And there’s Doug’s personal favorite, Monster Truck Night, where the Child Life staff brought in Monster Truck drivers and allowed kids to drive around miniature, remote control versions of the gigantic vehicles. “The Child Life Program is really good there,” Doug says. “When
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you’re in the hospital it gets really boring really quickly, so it was just nice to get up and do something and have fun while you were there.” As a Boy Scout, community service has played a large role in Doug’s life for quite some time. Therefore, when Doug was looking for a way to say thank you to the Child Life Program, he knew that he wanted to do something big, and to help add to the number of resources the Child Life Program has. Thus, his Eagle Scout project was born. Doug got to work almost immediately after leaving UNMC, and spent the next year-and-a-half managing his project, putting friends and family to work organizing, promoting, and running toy drives at Walmart stores in both Indianola and Omaha. Through his toy drives, Doug has collected over 2,600 toys, games, and supplies for the Child Life Program, and received over $1,000 in donations, smashing his expectations. “I thought the amount of donations was going to be really low. I thought not many people were going to donate, that they were just going to do their normal day shopping, but it turned out really well,” he says. Even though Doug’s Eagle Scout Project is over, his gratitude towards the Child Life program hasn’t worn off. Doug and Pam still try to raise awareness about autoimmune hepatitis and the dedicated Child Life staff through public speaking. “I think it’s really taught him about the power of giving back, and that anybody and everybody can do it,” his mom says.
HerFamily • November 2014 15
school feature Kara Schweiss by
photography by Bill Sitzmann
The Tale of Dis ne y Ele me ntary How a Millard School Got its Wonderful Name.
w
alt Disney Elementary School in the Millard School District is a wonderful world, but you won’t find a castle anywhere on the grounds. Students don’t spend their days watching animated films, and there are no beloved Disney princesses and mascots roaming the halls. Forty years after its opening in the Roxbury neighborhood off 108th and Q streets, staff and students still find that community members can be a little puzzled by the Disney name. “I do get questions frequently about where that name came from,” says Principal Bethany Magana, who’s been with Disney six years. “I explain the process of how Disney got its name and we share the story.” If you think Disney sounds like a name chosen by schoolchildren, you’re right. All Millard Schools are assigned a name by the Millard Board of Education, and in the early 1970s all Millard elementary schools were named for deceased famous Nebraskans like Mari Sandoz and J. Sterling Morton or for the neighborhood in which they were located (Holling Heights, Montclair). In 1974, only eight years after the death of Walt Disney, a 5th-grade girl—whose name has been lost to history—submitted an essay advocating for the Roxbury neighborhood school under construction to be named for Disney. The Walt Disney company agreed to give permission for use of the Disney name, the school board approved, and the children were involved in the process as well. “We got to vote on the name of the school and we got to vote on the name of the mascot,” recalls former student Brad Utecht. “I remember them announcing to us that Disney won and we cheered.” “Of course you’re thinking Disney World and Disneyland with Walt Disney, all those fun things for kids,” Micki Finkenbiner remembers, adding: “Mickey Mouse wasn’t there.” “As kids, you do have this expectation of walking into this school and seeing Disney characters everywhere,” Mark Klein says. “Of course it was nothing like that, but it was nice because it was new.” Before construction was complete, some of the teachers and students had to spend a few months in temporary space at what is now the Roxbury Plaza strip mall. Not only were they located next to a restaurant/bar (Robin Hood’s), but resourceful teachers had to hang butcher paper-wrapped cardboard to serve as dividers and sound batting, and they also wrapped cloth around the feet of the students’ chairs to counter the noise of the large, open space. There wasn’t much they could do about the cricket
16 HerFamily • November 2014
Micki Finkenbiner infestation, however, and everyone was thrilled to move to the new building, retired teacher Jane Slovenske says. The Jiminy Crickets could have been a perfect mascot name, but with Disney officials denying rights to any of their characters, the students voted to become the Disney Dolphins. “We thought, ‘Dolphins? We’re in a landlocked state and we’re the Dolphins?’” Slovenske says. “But the kids liked it and that was the main thing.” It should also be noted that the Miami Dolphins were wildly popular at the time. The 1972 squad ran the table for the only undefeated season in NFL history, and the Dolphins had won back-to-back Super Bowls at the time of voting. Utecht says that although he finds it a little amusing now, “We seriously thought, ‘How cool! We’re the Disney Dolphins!’” Slovenske says that teachers and staff quickly learned to roll with the unusual name. “When the school first opened, the first week or two the office kept getting these phone calls: “Is Mickey there? This is omahamagazine.com
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Minnie,” she says. “And then a few weeks later somebody else called and said, ‘This is Mickey. Have there been any messages for me?” But soon everyone was taking the Disney name in stride. “We just kind of laughed it off and just go on with making sure we were giving the kids the best education we could and prove that we weren’t just a ‘Mickey Mouse’ operation,” she says. “I remember the staff was fantastic and a lot of those teachers I’m still in touch with,” Klein agrees. He’s now a Millard Public Schools teacher himself. “It was positive memories for me.” “One thing that stands out with Disney Elementary school—within our school and within the community—is that we have a huge compassion for other people and a caring family,” Magana says. “The school community, the teachers staff, the students, they’re all such a strong family and that’s one of the traditions that’s always been here.” It’s a small world, after all.
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Nov 28, 2014 - Jan 4, 2015
Omaha’s sweetest holiday tradition is back! From the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree to caroling choirs and Santa himself, come be a part of some holiday magic more than 80 years in the making. Christmas at Union Station is presented by ConAgra Foods. Holiday programming sponsored by David M. Mangelsen’s, the On Track Guild, Pinnacle Bank, the Omaha Public Power District, Wells Fargo and ConAgra Foods. Media support provided by KETV. Special thanks to Union Pacific and Norm’s Door Service.
Visit DurhamMuseum.org for event details including times when Santa will visit the museum. HerFamily • November 2014 17
feature Kara Schweiss by
photography by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
For the Birds Flocking to DeSoto Bend
18 HerFamily • November 2014
f
all is the perfect time to make a 40-minute road trip north to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and get the family back to nature for a couple of hours. You may end up witnessing a pelican feeding frenzy, beholding the mindboggling sight of tens of thousands of mallards flocking together, or even spotting a “convocation” of eagles. Every day brings new wonders, says Tom Cox, project leader for the refuge. “This time of year is prime for seeing different wildlife on the refuge. All wildlife will become more visible but the main reason—the purpose of the refuge—is that it is an inviolate refuge for migratory birds,” Cox says. “The numbers and species will continue to diversify as we continue through fall.”
The refuge, established in 1958, is located in the migratory bird corridor of the Missouri River floodplain and serves as a habitat for resident, migratory, and endangered species. The grounds cover 8,365 acres in both Nebraska and Iowa, “a mosaic of floodplain habitats that includes wetlands, forest, bottomland forest, and grassland/prairie,” Cox says. Visitors can enter the grounds 30 minutes before sunrise and stay until 30 minutes after sunset year-round, and the visitor center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. “For regular family visitors, weekends are a great time to come. If you have binoculars, you should bring those along,” Ashley Danielson, visitor services specialist, says. “And if you really want to see large concentrations of wildlife, early in the omahamagazine.com
You are invited to an Art Party! morning and later towards the evening is the best time; anywhere up until 10 or so in the morning and 3 or 4 in the afternoon.” The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is one of the top-visited refuges in the region, but the welfare of the wildlife always takes precedence, so visitors won’t get as close to the fauna as they might expect, Cox says. The tradeoff is being able to observe migratory and nesting birds in an entirely natural habitat. “It’s a natural area, so the wildlife should act accordingly. The national park system is set up with more of a philosophy that it’s for the people; our core philosophy is that a refuge is where wildlife comes first. We are a federal entity set up to protect species that are protected by the federal government,” explains Cox. “We manage the wildlife that is either threatened or endangered or migrates across state lines.” Plus, it’s a natural outdoor classroom that has a lot to teach students through established, year-round partnerships with Blair High School; the West Harrison school district in Mondamin, Iowa; and Omaha Public Schools’ Edison Elementary. “I think the education program is one of the best in the nation,” Cox says. “We really try to take what they’re learning in the classroom and take it to our outdoor classroom,” Danielson adds. “We really try to make it so that coming to the refuge is not a field trip; it’s school outside.” The staff strives to ensure that other school groups get a meaningful learning experience when they visit, too. That means less lecture time and a more hands-on, interactive experience. “We offer a variety of things for our one-time visitors,” Danielson says. “We have a curriculum-based activity guide that the school can use inside the visitor center. With a lot of our programs now we’re trying to use inquiry-based learning, where the students have the chance to experience nature and study it from their own perspective.” bestofomaha.com
HerArt/Herself author
SUZANNE SMITH ARNEY
announces a Book Launch and Exhibition gallery72.com November 21-29, 2014 Gallery 72, 1806 Vinton Street, Omaha, NE 68108 Opening Reception: Friday, November 21, 2014, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. with Gallery Talk by Janet Farber, Director, Schrager Collection, 6:30 p.m. Closing Reception: Saturday, November 29, 2014, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. with Gallery Talk by author Suzanne Smith Arney, 2:00 p.m. Suzanne's collage portrait by Eddith Buis, Pamela Conyers-Hinson, and Dorothy Tuma.
HerFamily • November 2014 19
lifestyle
by Kara Wesely photography by Bill Sitzmann
Dan and Jeanne Vlcek on a date night at Twisted Vine.
20窶ォerFamily 窶｢ November 2014
omahamagazine.com
Painting the Town
d
New trend makes a night out a work of art.
inner, movie, drinks, repeat. Dinner, movie, drinks, repeat. When it comes to planning an evening out, it is easy to get stuck in a routine. Those looking to deviate from the norm might be pleasantly surprised by a new-ish concept that has made its way to the Omaha area. Paint-and-sip studios and storefronts have been popping up throughout the metro, mixing up the social scene with the combination of wine, painting, and socializing. Briana Lau was a little hesitant when she felt the brush in her hand at her first paint-and-sip outing at the Twisted Vine in Papillion. “I have absolutely no artistic ability,” Lau chuckles. But, with careful instruction, her nerves were soon calmed and the creative juices started flowing, along with a little bit of wine. “I actually walked out with a piece of art that I plan on hanging in my bedroom. I was so surprised how it turned out and the whole process was so relaxing. You just sip a little wine and do a little painting. I could do it every weekend,” says Lau. Lau credits her success during the painting portion of the evening to Twisted Vine owner and class instructor, Cara Ehegartner. “Cara is so patient and kind and just explains things in a way that makes sense,” Lau continues. “She gives some general instructions, but each person gets to individualize their work, too.” Lau’s initial visit to the Twisted Vine was with her mom. “I was looking for something different for us to do rather than go to dinner or see a movie. It’s great because you get to talk and laugh and even meet new people, which is something that doesn’t typically happen when you go to see a movie.” She enjoyed the night so much that she quickly returned with a group of friends and for her daughter’s 10th birthday party.
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It is that need to do something different that keeps people coming back, according to Ehegartner. “We see women looking for a new and fun girls night outing, we see co-workers come in for a group outing and even some couples who are looking to liven up their date nights. They are all looking for something new and something sort of unique,” Ehegartner says. Dan and Jeanne Vlcek of Papillion took advantage of this new concept when planning their latest date night. The Vlcek’s chose to forego dinner and get a little creative instead. “This date was much more memorable than a dinner or movie date, and we have the paintings to remember it,” Jeanne Vlcek says. Ehegartner also stresses the importance of keeping the classes comfortable and laid back. She understands that the idea of painting can seem a little intimidating. “The atmosphere in our studio and store is relaxed. Art is about creativity. People don’t need to worry about being precise and should feel free to add their own touches to their work.” It’s those unique touches that get groups talking and laughing. Judy Thome of Bellevue attended a class with 12 friends and felt the laughs were the most memorable part of the evening. “We just had so much fun. We were all getting the same instruction from Cara, but would look at each other’s work and would laugh at how different each of our paintings looked. It was obvious some of us were more artistically inclined than others, but it didn’t matter. We all had fun.”
HerFamily • November 2014 21
lifestyle
by John Fey photography by Joe Diril content sponsored by Complete Transformation Magazine
Pushing Past the Pounds
Scott and Amy Sladovnik and their daughters.
22窶ォerFamily 窶｢ November 2014
omahamagazine.com
“We pretty much focused on clean eating, making sure she got enough calories in. We focused on muscle gain and also helped with her toning, which most people shy away from.” -Sarah Reeve
a
my Sladovnik, wife and mother of two girls, has made it a priority to stay healthy for herself and her family. It was not an easy road. During her nursing career, Amy faithfully worked out four to five days a week. Amy’s first pregnancy turned into a festival of food, however. “I literally ate around the clock and didn’t care how much I was consuming,” she recalls. “I gained 87 pounds with my first pregnancy. I could not even recognize myself in the mirror.” She told herself, “Enough is enough,” and began getting into shape with spin classes and walking. Dropping the final 20 pounds, she says, was the hardest part. She enrolled with Elite Gym, where she re-established her connection with one of the personal trainers, Sarah Reeve, whom she had met at another gym. For Amy, balancing her motherly obligations with the desire to stay fit wasn’t easy. But under Reeve’s tutelage, she saw the pounds melt away. Changing her diet also was a key. She admits she couldn’t have done it alone. “Sarah took me to another level,” Amy says, “and I also went back to how I normally ate with lots of veggies and lean protein. It took 18 months but the 87 pounds came off.” In January 2011, Amy and husband Scott, greeted second daughter Mackinzy. For that pregnancy, Amy wasn’t about to balloon up a second time—especially after reaching her weight goal. The gain over the nine months with Mackinzy: just 38 pounds. With two daughters at home, Amy still managed a oncea-week session with Reeve. This summer, she kicked it up to twice a week, and continues working with her mentor. “Sarah really kicks my butt,” Amy says. “Since having two kids and being almost 40, it’s just not that easy anymore to do it by myself. She really pushes me every time I train with her. I have continued to train with Sarah for over three years now and feel fantastic. I feel that after a certain age, you need that push from someone to get you to the next level, and Sarah has done that for me.” Reeve calls Amy an outstanding client since the two first hooked up. She remembers the excessive weight Amy
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was trying to shed from her first pregnancy. “It took a little while to get it off, probably a year or so,” Reeve says. “We pretty much focused on clean eating, making sure she got enough calories in. We focused on muscle gain and also helped with her toning, which most people shy away from.” For women like Amy who continued exercising through her pregnancy, workouts at Elite are altered to be careful guarding the baby growing inside. “We catered to what exercises she could and could not do,” Reeve said. “She was a little stronger than some individuals I work with. We did compound sets, and we burned up a lot of calories.” Amy finds Elite Gym to be conveniently located near Westroads Mall, and she enjoys the friendly atmosphere. “Everyone I have met there is great,” she says. “From the time you walk in the door everyone has a smile on their faces.” For more Omaha transformation stories, trainers tips and everything health and wellness, visit Complete Transformation Magazine at ctmomaha.com.
HerFamily • November 2014 23
food
sponsored content by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
ingredients • 2 Tbsp dry sherry or red wine • 2 Tbsp lowersodium soy sauce (gluten-free, if needed) • 1 tsp sugar • 1 lb boneless flank steak, cut diagonally across grain into thin slices • 1/2 cup beef broth (glutenfree, if needed) • 1 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot
• 1 Tbsp hoisin sauce (glutenfree, if needed) • 1 Tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp chopped fresh ginger • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 4 cups broccoli florets • 1/3 cup sliced scallions • 1/2 cup water chestnuts • 2 cups cooked brown rice
preparation 1. In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of sherry, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, sugar, and flank steak. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon sherry, the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, broth, corn starch, and hoisin. Set aside. 3. Lightly coat a skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat on medium high. Add the beef mixture and cook for three minutes, or until browned. Remove beef from skillet and drain the juices. 4. Add oil to skillet. Add ginger and garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. 5. Add broccoli and 1/4 cup water and cook for two to three minutes, or until broccoli is softened but still crisp. 6. Add scallions and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Add broth mixture, beef mixture, and water chestnuts; cook for two minutes, or until beef is thoroughly heated and sauce is slightly thick. Serve beef mixture over rice.
Beef and Broccoli
a
Stir Fry take-out favorite, beef and broccoli is often loaded with sodium and dripping in unhealthy sauce. With this stir-fry recipe, you’ll get all the good taste without those unhealthy additives.
Find more great recipes at HealthyKohlsKids.com. The Healthy Kohl’s Kids program is a partnership between Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and Kohl’s Department Stores to educate children and parents about healthy nutrition and fitness.
Nutrition Facts: Calories: 434, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 467mg, Carbohydrates: 36g, Fiber: 3g ,Protein: 37g Yield: 4 servings Serving size: about 1 1/2 cups of beef and broccoli and ½ cup cooked rice
24 HerFamily • November 2014
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HerFamily • November 2014 25 7/1/2014 4:29:13 PM
mom on the rocks by Leslie Murrell
Giving Thanks and Just Giving It’s tough sometimes to forego judgment for charity.
i
f there was one thing I did well when working in my church front office, it was receiving calls and walk-ins from people who needed money for food, gas bill, rent, or a heat bill. The hard part was telling them we couldn’t help them with their requests. For the record, and as a sign of the times, churches don’t keep cash around. If someone ended up at our church, it was likely they had already been through every paper-worked system in the community. They were surely told they were liars. They surely had been asked how they got into that position in the first place. They were harshly judged. They had bill collectors threaten them. They surely had to decide whether to pay the heat bill or buy groceries. And maybe they were lying. Maybe they should have done things differently. But when it all comes down to it, so what? Does solving the mystery of how or why somebody got where they are solve anything? Shouldn’t we just keep it simple? Just help out with no strings of judgment attached? Don’t forget they’re hungry. Do you know what it feels like to be hungry? Do you know how grumpy you are when you’re hungry for just 20 minutes? Heck, we miss a meal at our house and it’s four Mr. Hydes running around. Imagine missing four meals or two days of food and having no idea where or when you’ll get your next meal. I made sure to come home from the church office and tell Chris about the calls I had taken and the circumstances. I’d whisper so the kids would do what they always do when they hear whispers— try to listen in. I want them to know that there are people in need. So, this year, we will sit down for our healthy and humble, traditional Thanksgiving meal. And we’ll have served at our church food pantry throughout the year. We’ll have given away the clothes the children have grown out of so fast that they’re practically brand new. And hopefully I’ve listened to a few people in need, and helped when I could. Eat well. Be grateful. Hug a lot. And listen. I think we’ll all be better for it.
26 HerFamily • November 2014
omahamagazine.com
fitness
by HerFamily staff photography by Bill Sitzmann
a
Swizzle Stick re you prepared to stick it out? This exercise might give your normal routine a twist. Tone your abs, obliques, thighs, hamstrings, and calves and strengthen your lower half with this handy workout tip.
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Exercise
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1. Stand with feet together, hands in fists at chest, elbows out. 2. Jump as high as you can, twisting hips to left and upper body to right. 3. Land and repeat quickly on opposite side for one rep. 4. Do eight reps. bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • November 2014 27
Calendar of Events
Bam! It’s a Picture Book
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)
Fall Chrysanthemum Show
FOR THE KIDS
FOR THE FAMILY
FOR MOM & DAD
FROM FIELD TO FORK
FALL CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW
- 500 S. 20TH ST. Exhibit teaches kids and their
MIDLAND UNIVERSITY GOSPEL HONORS CHOIR CONCERT, FEATURING WINTLEY PHIPPS
families about the role of agriculture in their
NOVEMBER 1, HOLLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
brightly colored chrysanthemums, unique
daily lives and what is produced in Nebraska.
– 1200 DOUGLAS ST. Celebrate by welcoming
designs, water features, and textures. 9 am-5
$9, free admission for kids under 24 months of
Santa, helping him light the tree, and enjoying
pm, $3-$7. 402-346-4002.
age. 402-930-2352.
a fireworks display. 7 pm, admission TBA.
– LAURITZENGARDENS.ORG
- OCM.ORG
402-537-0046.
NOVEMBER-APRIL 2015, OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
UNTIL NOVEMBER 23, LAURITZEN GARDENS - 100 BANCROFT ST. Enjoy the beauty of autumn with
NOVEMBER 1-16, THE ROSE THEATER – 2001 FARNAM
AUTUMN FESTIVAL
ANDY WARHOL IN LIVING COLOR: CONTEMPORARY PRINTS FROM JORDAN D. SCHNITZER
ST. Meg embarks with her brother, Charles
NOVEMBER 6-9, RALSTON ARENA – 7300 Q ST.,
UNTIL JANUARY 11, JOSLYN ART MUSEUM - 2200 DODGE
Wallace, and their friends on a dangerous quest
RALSTON, NE. Hundreds of the nation’s finest
ST. This exhibit examines how color impacts
traversing time and space to rescue her dad
artists and crafters sell their handcrafted works.
both subject and viewer, creating a dialogue
from evil forces on another planet. Friday 7 pm;
Voted one of the top 100 shows in the country.
between Warhol and 19 contemporary artists
Saturday 2 pm & 5 pm; Sunday 2 pm. $18: Non
Featuring stage entertainment, hourly gift
who all use color to shape how we understand
Members; Free: Members. 402-345-4849.
certificate drawings and free parking. Thursday
images. 402-342-3300.
- ROSETHEATER.ORG
& Friday 11 am- 9 pm; Saturday 9 am- 7 pm;
- JOSLYN.ORG
- MIDLANDU.EDU
A WRINKLE IN TIME
Sunday 10 am- 5 pm, Adults $8, Seniors (62+)
BAM! IT’S A PICTURE BOOK: THE ART BEHIND GRAPHIC NOVELS
$7, Children under 10 are free. 402-331-2889.
CHER
- HPIFESTIVALS.COM
NOVEMBER 1, CENTURYLINK CENTER OMAHA. – 455 N. 10TH ST. Cher D2K Tour with special guest
NOVEMBER 8 - MARCH 29, 2015, JOSLYN ART MUSEUM – 2200 DODGE ST. Popular among young readers,
TURKEY TROT 5K RUN/WALK
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Tickets available
graphic novels are known for their comic
NOVEMBER 27, MIDTOWN CROSSING – 31ST-33RD AND
through Ticketmaster. 8 pm, $21 - $117.
format. This exhibition features the work of
FARNAM-DODGE STS. Join us on Thanksgiving
402-341-1500.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Mark Crilley, Matt Holm,
morning to walk or run a 5K around midtown.
-- CENTURYLINKCENTEROMAHA.COM
Raina Telgemeier, and Lincoln Peirce. Tuesday
Bank some extra calories for the Turkey Day
- Wednesday & Friday - Sunday 10 am- 4
Meal. Sponsored by Joslyn Castle. 9 am.
pm; Thursday 10 am- 8 pm. Free admission.
Please visit website for ticket information.
COMEDY NIGHT
402-342-3300.
402-595-2199.
NOVEMBER 7, OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO &
- JOSLYN.ORG/COLLECTIONS-AND-EXHIBITIONS/
- JOSLYNCASTLE.COM
AQUARIUM – 3701 S. 10TH ST. With a cocktail in hand, it will be a night filled with laughs all
TEMPORARY-EXHIBITIONS/UPCOMING/
EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME!)
around as guests are invited to take advantage
NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 21, BLUE BARN THEATRE –
after-hours. Admission includes heavy
NOVEMBER 26, SHADOW LAKE TOWNE CENTER – 7775
614 S. 11TH ST. They’re back! Theresa Sindelar, Ben
hors d’oeuvres and two free drink tickets.
OLSON DR, PAPILLON, NE. Celebrate by welcoming
Beck, and Bill Grennan reprise their hilarious
Reservations are required. 21 and over.
Santa, helping him light the tree, and enjoying
characters in this fast, fond, and furious look
6:30-9 pm, Admission $50. 402-738-2038
a fireworks display. Time/admission TBA.
at the holiday traditions we all remember, and
– OMAHAZOO.COM
402-537-0046.
a few we’d like to forget. Thursday - Saturday
- SHADOWLAKESHOPPING.COM
7:30 pm; Sunday 6 pm. Adults $30; Students &
TREE LIGHTING & SANTA’S ARRIVAL AT SHADOW LAKE
of the beauty and serenity of the Aquarium
Seniors $25. 402-345-1576. - BLUEBARN.ORG
28 HerFamily • November 2014
omahamagazine.com
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HerFamily • November 2014 29
the grandpa chronicles by David Williams
The PG Dilemma Lessons Learned in the Dark
m
y 3-year-old grandson, Barrett, is just crazy about dragons. His toy box is full of the scaly creatures, and he loves to invent epic narrative tales of good and evil featuring the winged beasts. So it seemed a no-brainer to select How to Train Your Dragon 2 as a good flick for us to see together. Our anticipation doubled when we learned that this would be the very first theater experience for Barrett and his then 4-year-old brother, Easton. My wife, Julie, wisely aired some concerns about the PG rating. I wish I had paid closer attention to her objections. Instead, I convinced her that the label was most likely innocuous. The usual suspects, I surmised, could be anything from an obligatory flatulence scene to a dose or three of fire-breathing violence of the not-too-scary variety. Oh, and don’t forget the likelihood that we would encounter a classic cliché found so often in such movies —that familiar plot device that has the film’s young protagonist being made into an instant orphan early in the story (think Bambi or The Lion King). We’ll be fine, I promised. I was spot on in my guess (spoiler alert) about the circumstances surrounding how the film’s intrepid hero takes on the mantle of clan leadership at such a tender age, but I was dead wrong on everything else. The fast-paced CGI production was a sensory overload featuring a dizzying style—one that employed about a million jump cuts per minute to fuel and punctuate the action. Way too much to look at. Way too much to follow. There’s a reason why the grandchildren watch virtually no TV when we babysit and, in their own home, are allowed access only to the gentle, parent-friendly fare of Nick Jr. That network’s offerings are created by educators and have clear curriculum goals in mind. A kid named Dora teaches them a little Spanish. They learn about
30 HerFamily • November 2014
shapes from a bunch of amorphous blobs in a program improbably dubbed “Yo Gabba Gabba!” Then there’s the D&D duo of dragons and dinosaurs in “Mike the Knight” and “Dino Dan,” respectively. How to Train Your Dragon 2 turned out to be something of a poster child for an insipid form of addiction, one that thrives on unceasing stimulation and the need for pointless distraction. The only good news was that Barrett quickly lost interest. Even the fruit snacks smuggled into the cheap-seat theater couldn’t hold his attention, so we ended up spending much of the movie hanging out in the lobby. Barrett soon found the drinking fountain, a magical device that can occupy his interest for hours and should rank right up there with Lincoln Logs and Legos as the world’s most treasured childhood toys. Back in the theater, Julie was left to field a cavalcade of questions from Easton. “Is that the bad guy? Is that dragon dead? What’s happening?” omahamagazine.com
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W H AT D I D
YOUR CHILD LEARN TODAY? For fear that we would be exposed as horrible grandparents, Julie practically begged me not to write this column. But the revealing of poor choices will be a good thing if even one grandparent out there takes my mistakes to heart. Making age-appropriate entertainment decisions for young children carries a responsibility that I shirked. I should have learned more about the film. I should have browsed parenting sites that offer reviews and advice on how to make better choices. It would have been so easy. Simply put, I blew this one. “Horrible” is too strong a word, but we (make that I because Julie was in the right all along) learned some valuable lessons sitting there in the dark that day.
Call (402)932-4978 or visit omahacm.org to begin your child’s
LEARNING! bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • November 2014 31
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