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Her Living • April/May 2012
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Losing weight was something Jodi Johnson knew she needed to do for herself. Which is why she became a patient at Alegent Creighton Health Weight Management. We understand losing weight isn’t easy. But that’s what makes the success even greater. After coming to our Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, Jodi has been able to change her life – for the better. And although we’re not promising a quick fix or an overnight transformation, we offer the most comprehensive weight loss programs, including medically monitored diet and exercise plans. We’ll determine the most safe and effective plan for you because, like Jodi, you deserve to be a success story. And the next chapter of your new life starts here. LOSE WEIGHT. GAIN CONFIDENCE. Attend a complimentary, no obligation seminar to learn more about your weight loss options. Call 1 -800-ALEGENT or visit AlegentCreighton.com/weightmanagement for class listings.
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Her Living • April/May 2013
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Her Editor’s Letter Bailey Hemphill • Editor
Dear Readers,
L
ast July, my significant other and I participated in The Color Run Omaha. It was scorching hot that morning, I had a wedding to go to later that night, and—oh, yeah—it was my first 5K ever. As you can imagine, I was pretty nervous. Sure, I had trained for a few months to get back in shape, but the truth was I probably hadn’t run 3.1 miles since I was in high school. I knew I’d have to occasionally stop to walk and catch my breath, which kind of disappointed me. Then I remembered why I had chosen The Color Run for my first run. They weren’t strict about running, walking, or race times. They just wanted participants to have a good time. That I could do. And you know what? Even though I had to stop running to walk every now and then, I crossed that finish line and had a total blast doing so. It was so rewarding that I’m already signing up for more 5Ks this summer. My only goal is to keep getting better every year. If you’re interested in running your first 5K, check out our Girls’ Getaway on pg. 8. We’ve listed some of the runs coming up this summer. Don’t worry if you miss these races; there are plenty of others happening in Omaha throughout the summer and fall. To find more, visit www.nendurance.com. Now, onto the cover feature! It’s wedding season, and we’re celebrating by spotlighting three local businesses—Rhylan Lang, Inez Gill, and Flowers for Special Occasions—all of which provide unique wedding products and services. I want to personally thank these businesses for coming together to create a beautiful cover for this issue. And a special thanks to models Tasia Belmont and Stephanie Finklea and hair and makeup stylist Kat Ferm with Creative Hair Design as well! See more in our cover feature on pg. 12. Also, our Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing, Gil Cohen, is fundraising for a relatively new nonprofit organization called Pink Elephant Posse, which advocates for the empowerment of young, cancer patients and survivors. His goal is to raise $5,000 by April 10. If the goal is met, Gil will donate his hair to Locks of Love with the help of Fringes Salon’s Troy Davis (who is featured in a business profile on pg. 29). To donate, please contact Gil Cohen at 402-884-2047 or gil@omahapublications.com. And finally, we at Omaha Publications have an announcement… This will be the final issue of HerLiving because we are merging with our sister publication and family magazine, Family Spectrum. The new publication will be called HerFamily (See what we did there?). It will continue to feature stories for Omaha families, focusing on parenting, health, education, and activities. But there will also be an entire section just for “mom,” featuring stories on fitness, recipes, women-focused businesses, beauty and fashion trends, health, leisure, and home improvement. We hope you’ll pick up the new HerFamily when it’s released in June! With peace, love, and multiple margaritas,
Bailey Hemphill Editor, HerLiving Magazine
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Her Living • April/May 2013
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volume 12 . issue 2 this issue April/May 2013
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april/may 2013 • Volume 12 . Issue 2 Publisher Todd Lemke Omaha publications Editor Linda Persigehl HER LIVING editor Bailey Hemphill Assistant Editor Chris Wolfgang Editorial Intern Mary Quinn (#26) Art director John Gawley Director of photography Bill Sitzmann Senior Graphic Designer Katie Anderson junior Graphic Designer Paul Lukes graphic design intern Marti Latka (#27) Contributors Lüc Carl • Darcie Dingman Susan Meyers Vice president Greg Bruns Account Executives Gwen Lemke • Gil Cohen • Vicki Voet Sandy Besch • Paige Edwards sales associate Alicia Smith Hollins • Jessica Linhart Catharine Kruse Technical advisor Tyler Lemke Warehouse Distribution Manager Mike Brewer For a one-year subscription (six issues), send $9.95 to P.O. Box 461208, Papillion, NE 68046-1208. www.heromaha.com
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Features 12 Cover Feature: Here Comes The Bride 18 Fashion: Spring Has Sprung 29 Business Profile: Fringes Salon 30 Business Profile: The Volleyball Academy DEPARTMENTS 6 Art: Courtney Kenny, Never Too Soon to Get Serious 8 Girls’ Getaway: Going Metric, Runs are the New Trend 17 Stylish Stylist: Rebecca Forsyth, Bungalow/8 20 Beauty Sheet: Quit Aging Yourself 21 Health Feature: Smoking Cessation Aids, What Works and What Doesn’t 24 Health Extra: E-Cigs, What’s the Deal? 26 Food: Bean & Corn Dip and Margaritas on the Rocks 27 Home Feature: The Big Move-In 28 Home Extra: Garage Sales, Quick Tips and Tricks Columns 10 Auto Tips: Spring Cleaning 16 Fitness: 5-Minute Workout, Posture Exercises 25 Husband Material: Who’s Wearing the Pants?
Comments? Story ideas? Send yourletter to the editor: letters@omahapublications.com Her Living magazine is a community magazine. A special community of women. Please enjoy and share your issue of Her Living. Our advertisers make Her Living possible. We ask that you support them as often as you can. Do you know a woman who is a role model in our community? A mentor, activist, leader, artist, business owner, model, adventurer, survivor, teacher, or volunteer? Share her story with us, and we may publish it in Her Living. Her Living is your magazine; for the women of the metropolitan of Omaha.
Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD Her Living magazine is published bi-monthly by Omaha Magazine, LTD, P.O. Box 461208, Omaha, NE 68046. No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, LTD, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, however no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations.
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Her Living • April/May 2013
18 26 Find this issue, and past issues online at Find us on www.Womego.com; an integrated online community that gives women access to a great wealth of content from the journalists, bloggers and community leaders you already know and trust.
we the women
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Her Art Story by Chris Wolfgang • Photos by Bill Sitzmann & Provided by Courtney Kenny
Courtney Kenny
Never Too Soon to Get Serious
C
ourtney Kenny’s favorite piece, currently, is a self-portrait in charcoal. Tousled pale hair is set off by a careless smirk. And a huge, red, acrylic “F” circled over her face and checkmarked for emphasis. The unforgiving letter is the epitome of every student’s nightmares. “When I was doing Failure,” Kenny says, “I was stressed and frustrated. I’d just got declined from some gallery, so I was stressed about that and kind of feeling like a failure.” Her friends couldn’t understand it. “They’d say, ‘Why do you feel like a failure?’” Kenny recalls. After all, she of all her peers from Bethany College (she graduated last December)
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Her Living • April/May 2013
had been in juried shows as a sophomore and had her first solo exhibition as a freshman. She’s what you might call driven. The reaction she gets when applying to galleries and shows is usually along the lines of “You’re how old? What, 23?” “It leads me to believe more artists wait till they’re older to show,” Kenny says, adding that most students aren’t even thinking about shows in college, just making art. “I was doing things my peers weren’t,” she says. Determined to get her work seen, she felt her way along with “lots of research, lots of trial and error, lots of rejection, lots of failure.” And even if she doesn’t sell as many pieces as she wants at the shows she does get into, she knows each show is an addition to her résumé. “It’s always better to be able to say, ‘Hey, I currently have a show here,’” Kenny points out. “That alone, other galleries perk up a little bit.” All the while, she’s amassed a body of work in what she calls “unrealistic realism.” The style is realistic, with people and animals portrayed in fine detail with graphite, charcoal, acrylic, or oil, but the subject matter is unrealistic. Elements are drawn in such a way as to make viewers look twice. Is that…real? Could it be real? Consider, for example, the Nude Bitch. At first glance, the charcoal and acrylic piece is a study of a tired beagle sacked out on a couch. But upon closer inspection, a viewer might notice the rose petals. And are those draped sheets? “That one’s making fun of the nude model,” Kenny says. “No one gets it at first.” She’s always looking for the quirk, the sense of humor, the hint of tongue-in-cheek. Artists such as Banksy, Chuck Close, and Francoise Nielly encourage her to embrace a subtle wit in her own work. And, perhaps, a tendency to poke fun at art itself. “I’ve always respected artists more who, if they do a piece that’s just three stripes on a canvas, and then I see another piece of theirs that does show they have the technical skills, I can accept the first piece,” Kenny says. “Then you know it’s intentional, not a cover-up for the fact that they can’t draw.” For Kenny, drawing is where it all began, and she’s taken certain elements from drawing into her painting. For example, nearly all of her work is in black and white. Drawing in black and white is typical, but a www.OmahaPublications.com
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black-and-white oil painting raises eyebrows. “It’s more honed in,” she says. “Minimalist. That’s also why most of my pieces don’t have a ton in the background.” A good example of this stark minimalism would be Unravel, a mixed media work with yarn and acrylic. Kenny does reserve splashes of color to draw focus, such as the In Bloom series. “Too much color,” she says, “and you’re almost noticing the color over the medium.” But she lets her viewers be the judges, saying she wants to provide a direction but not specific answers as to what her art has to say.
Kenny recently wrapped up a monthlong show at the Crossroads Art District in Kansas City in March. Her next show will be at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts in Nebraska City in July. For more information, visit www.courtneykennyart.com. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
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Her Girls' Getaway Story by Bailey Hemphill • Photo by Sportraits
Going Metric
Runs are the New Trend 8
Her Living • April/May 2013
N
othing gives you more confidence than crossing the finish line of a race—even more so when you’ve been training and getting in shape for months. You’ve probably seen people all over Facebook and Twitter talking about the latest 5K or half marathon. And if you’ve ever completed a race, you can understand the hype. Runs are extremely fun, and they promote a healthy lifestyle. In fact, they're great to experience with a bunch of friends. There are plenty of runs going on this spring and summer in the Omaha area. All of these races have registration deadlines or fees that increase closer to the race dates, so the sooner you sign up, the better. www.OmahaPublications.com
Claussen-Leahy Run & Walk Stinson Park at Aksarben Village April 20 – 8:30am
Runners of all ages are encouraged to participate in the Claussen-Leahy Run & Walk (originally the UNO Women’s Walk), which benefits UNO student athletes. The event begins with an 800-meter kids’ race and elders' walk followed by 5K and 2K runs and a group walk. For more information, visit www.omavs.com.
Registration is required. $35 for adults, $25 for kids under 12. Team registration is also available.
6th Annual Puzzle Walk & 5K Run Elmwood Park April 27 – 8:30am
Members of the Omaha community are invited to support the Autism Society of Nebraska in their annual Walk & 5K Run. The event kicks off with a the run, followed by events for the whole family. All participants in the walk and run will receive an event t-shirt. Medals will be awarded to the top runners in each age bracket, and prizes will be awarded for the most funds raised. For more information, visit www.autismnebraska.org.
Registration is required.
Color Me Rad 5K Mid-America Center May 11 – 9am
If you’re itching for a great time, check out the Color Me Rad 5K. Wear white to the race and get plastered with a different color of paint at every 1K of the run (Don’t worry—it washes off!). Proceeds from the event will benefit the Special Olympics. For more information, visit www.colormerad.com.
Registration is required. Depending on your date of registration, sign-up will cost between $35-45.
Papillion Half Marathon Papillion-La Vista South High School May 19 – 7:30am
The 6th Annual Papillion Half Marathon includes a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K. During the races, activities will be held inside the Papillion-La Vista South High School Stadium, which will include music, bounce houses, food, and service vendors. For more information, visit www.papillion.org.
Registration is required. Depending on your date of registration, sign-ups will cost between $45-60 for the Half Marathon, between $35-50 for the 10K, and between $10-20 for the 5K.
The Color Run Omaha CenturyLink Center Omaha May 25 – 11am
Join other Color Runners at the craziest, most colorful 5K running event in the country. Dress in white and have fun! Don’t worry about race times— runners come in all different ages, shapes, sizes, and speeds. Race solo or with a “color team.” For more information, visit www.thecolorrun.com.
Registration is required. $50 for solo runners, $45 for 4+ person teams.
Omaha Women’s Triathlon Lawrence Youngman Lake June 2
Are you up for a challenge? Test your endurance by checking out the Omaha Women’s Triathlon. This women only event consists of a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride, and a 5K run. For more information, visit www.raceomaha.com.
Registration is required. $89 for solo participants, $130 for teams.
Photo provided by The Color Run www.ReadOnlineNow.com
Photos provided by Race Omaha Her Living • April/May 2013
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Her Auto Tips
Bring inside outside
Story by Darcie Dingman, Dingman’s Collision Center
Entertain with style
I
Spring Cleaning
t’s that time of year again. Spring cleaning not only applies to our homes but to our vehicles as well. After the long winter, it’s time to give your vehicle some TLC. After all, the best way to avoid having to spend a lot of money on your vehicle is by doing regular upkeep. All of the sand, salt, and other chemicals that are thrown on the streets during the winter can really wreak havoc on your vehicle. To begin with, an extremely good wash is in order. This doesn’t just mean rolling through a carwash on your way home from work. That will not get the areas that are in desperate need of cleaning. It’s extremely important to clean underneath your vehicle as well. That’s where the majority of all of the gunk is hanging out. Also, the wheel wells need to really be cleaned and scrubbed. This is a prime spot for rust to start. Open your doors and make sure that you clean the door jambs, where the hinges are, and the bottom of the interior door. This is another place that salt and chemicals hang out and can begin to create rust issues. Anything that can be done to prevent the beginning of rust needs to be done. Once it starts, there aren’t a lot of great options. After giving your vehicle a good wash, paying close attention to all the “hot spots,” you should be in good shape to begin the spring. My last advice is that if you notice your vehicle driving a little funny, pulling one way or another, you may need an alignment. The potholes can create this issue very easily, and it’s better to get it taken care of right away than to drive around with your alignment off. One result of driving with your alignment off—it can wear your tires unevenly, possibly causing you to need new tires.
For more information on what to do in case of an accident, visit www.dingmans.com.
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Her Living • April/May 2013
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The new HerFamily will continue to feature stories on parenting, children’s health and education, and family-friendly activities. HerFamily will also include a section just for “mom,” featuring stories on fitness, women-focused businesses, beauty and fashion trends, women’s health, home improvement, and more. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
Her Living • April/May 2013
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Cover Feature Story by Bailey Hemphill • Photos by Bill Sitzmann
Here Comes The Bride Three local businesses help make your walk down the aisle truly unique.
J
ust as April marks the arrival of springtime, so, too, does it signal the beginning of wedding season—typically viewed as mid-April through mid-October— and the onset of "wedding fever" for many excited soon-to-be and wanna-be brides. Regardless of whether your nuptials are a year away or far off in the distance, wedding season is a great time to attend Omaha bridal fairs and visit bridal boutiques, floral shops, and other wedding businesses in the metro and start making a list of all your must-haves for your special day. After all, creating your dream wedding takes time and planning—why not get started now? To celebrate wedding season, we’re spotlighting three metro businesses that provide distinctive products and services for Omaha brides: gown boutique, Rhylan Lang; accessories vendor, Inez Gill; and floral service, Flowers for Special Occasions. All three are owned by local, young women who are not only on top of national trends, but in fact are leading the way in the Midwest with unique, high-end wedding fashions and accessories. >>
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Her Living • April/May 2013
www.OmahaPublications.com
Models Tasia Belmont (left) and Stephanie Finklea with Flowers for Special Occasions owner, Jessica Pitt; Rhylan Lang owner, Tracy Ponec; Creative Design hair and makeup stylist, Kat Ferm; and Inez Gill owner, Courtney Zurcher. Gowns provided by Rhylan Lang. Accessories provided by Inez Gill. Floral arrangements provided by Flowers for Special Occasions. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
Her Living • April/May 2013
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Cover Feature Here Comes The Bride
Rhylan Lang The goal of upscale bridal boutique, Rhylan Lang, is simple—to make sure that each bride leaves with a dress that is as amazing as the memories created. “Every dress in the store is made from silk fabrics,” says owner Tracy Ponec, 29, of her unique collection. “If there is beading, it is Swarovski. If there is lace, it has intricate details. I want brides to be able to tell the difference in quality.” Ponec, who has a joint degree in textiles and journalism from the University of NebraskaLincoln, has been working in the wedding gown industry for nine years. “In college, I [did] bridal alterations,” she says. “I never thought I was going to make a career out of it.” After graduating, she moved to Kansas City. “I had done a few internships that were more in-line with fashion-related public relations, but there wasn't a lot of opportunity for that in the Midwest.” But with years of bridal alterations experience on her résumé, she took a shot and applied to the highest-end bridal salon in Kansas City, even though they weren’t hiring. Of course, she got hired. She even had the opportunity to do some professional training in New York with bridal design teams for Vera Wang and Reem Acra. “The owner [of the salon] and I made a great team. I learned so much from him. A few months in, he told me he thought I was born to do this.” When Ponec returned to Nebraska, she saw the bridal market with new eyes. “Knowing how many of my brides in Kansas City were from Omaha, it was pretty obvious there was something missing for these brides in the Nebraska market.” She worked a bridal position for a short time but then decided it was time to bring her vision to life. A few years later with a business plan in hand, Ponec opened Rhylan Lang. The name “Rhylan Lang” is actually a play on Ponec’s maiden name, Rhylander. “There is part of me in the name, but [the brand] isn’t about me. It’s about the brides,” she says. Because she cares about her brides, Ponec wanted her gown collection—which starts at a range of $1,600 to $6,000—to be exclusive in the state. From there, it was important to that the dresses were the highest quality fabrics and finishes available at each price point. “During an appointment, a professional stylist will help select gowns from our inventory based on what a bride is looking for and their budget. The experience here is more intimate and far less chaotic than brides are used to. It’s a pleasant change for those that have been shopping a lot.” For more information, visit www.rhylanlang.com or call 402-933-3510.
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Her Living • April/May 2013
Inez Gill Courtney Zurcher, 24, got the itch to start her own accessories business after making scarves for her family and friends. Today, she is the owner and designer at her accessories business, Inez Gill. Since starting Inez Gill, Zurcher’s accessories have been featured in Omaha’s Wedding Essentials and on Daily Candy, an email newsletter and website devoted to what's new and hot. She’s even designing accessories for the Daily Candy editor’s wedding. “Inez Gill actually came from a combination of family names,” she explains of her business’ name. “My grandfather’s mom, Inez, was the kind of woman who just painted everything. She even painted the fridge once. She was very eccentric. Gill was my grandmother’s last name. She was a traditional mom and did needlework to make clothing.” Zurcher likes the combination of Inez and Gill because “one was artsy and one was practical,” which is how she’d like to approach her business. When it comes to weddings, more brides are willing to pay for high-end products that are unique. That’s where Inez Gill accessories come in. “Accessories have a lot of life because you can put it on and it will change an outfit completely,” says Zurcher, who recently displayed her work at Omaha Fashion Week. Most of Zurcher’s bridal accessories are for the brides who want really www.OmahaPublications.com
fun, colorful looks. “I want [my pieces] to feel like accessories from a 1920s hat shop down the street—things that tailors and seamstresses would custom-make.” While most designers and bridal vendors ship in their accessories, Zurcher creates and designs each piece. “Some designers draw sketches, but I just think of what I have, and then I put it together. I do have to put a lot more thought into how I design an accessory though because I take so many different pieces and put them together. I have my own system, and I don’t buy anything pre-made, unless it’s like a vintage leaf or something.” With suppliers coming from everywhere (even some out of England), Zurcher has a lot of unique pieces to work with in creating each accessory. Natural stemming, vintage leaves, rhinestones—she finds all kinds of items from her suppliers and antique shops. “I don’t really follow a particular style,” she says of her mix-and-match work. But just because Zurcher makes her accessories by hand doesn’t mean they look handmade. In fact, she prefers to spend more time making each accessory have a high-end look, even if it takes her more than the usual three to five hours. “I just like making things that make people feel good.” For more information, visit www.inezgill. com.
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Flowers for Special Occasions “We have a strong passion for floral design,” says Jessica Pitt, 29, owner and designer at Flowers for Special Occasions. “We are always reinventing our work to stay fresh and in touch with the ever-changing fashion of the [wedding] industry.” Although Pitt studied Fine Arts at College of Saint Mary and Behavioral Sciences at Bellevue University, she says that the floral business is in her blood. With four generations of her family having been involved in florals, it was only natural for Pitt to take up the business. “I grew up in my mother’s flower shop, spending afternoons as a child playing in the shop and eventually working there from the time I was 15 through college.” A customer actually gave the business its name. “We were trying to establish ourselves as a vendor who worked exclusively with weddings and other special events. The name just sort of stuck,” Pitt says. But the business is also known as the Flower Design Studio, which Pitt explains comes from their days as a co-op with two other businesses. Pitt says Flowers for Special Occasions is unique because they custom-make floral arrangements. “None of our work is based on cookie-cutter bouquets,” she adds. “We work with the client to develop a special feel for the event, and we create our pieces based on our collaborations.” Budgets of all sizes are welcomed by the Flowers for Special Occasions team. It doesn’t matter if a couple is working on a small or large budget—Pitt says the floral arrangements will look beautiful. “We have built a very loyal following through the years. We work primarily through word of mouth. I believe [that] our happy clients and their referrals are what has built and sustained our company, making it the success it is today. “Since we are a family business, we all have a personal stake in wanting our business to succeed. We never cut corners,” she says. “We have one chance to get it right, so we always strive to give each wedding something very special.” For more information, visit www.flowersforspecialoccasions.webs.com or call 402-891-1602.
Her Living • April/May 2013
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Her Fitness Story by Peg Ryan, Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Trainer, Prairie Life Fitness
5-Minute Workout Posture Exercises
T
hink “good posture.” Doing standing exercises is a good way to focus on muscle groups while maintaining work in the core of the body. This workout is ideal to use as a fitness break—like at your office desk or in the kitchen while you’re waiting for food to cook. I personally like to do these exercises to wake up while I’m brushing my teeth or waiting for my coffee to brew. To perform these moves, you’ll need open space and a sturdy chair or the back of a couch. With each exercise, keep the core of your body lengthened, creating a longer distance between the ribcage and hips.
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A
2 Deep Knee Bends:
1. With feet shoulder-width apart, extend arms forward and squat low, squeezing your butt and keeping your heels on the ground (Imagine you’re sitting in a child’s chair). 2. As you rise back to standing position, swing your arms back as you stand.
B
1
2
3 Plié Squats:
1. Place your hands on the back of a sturdy chair or couch with your feet about two feet apart, toes facing outward. 2. Bend your knees and lower down so your butt is level with your knees, keeping your butt tucked in. 3. Rise halfway and hold the position for 30 seconds.
Special thanks to fitness model Shaela Bruce.
C Practice pulling and holding the navel to the spine, widening and flattening out your tummy when you’re sitting and standing throughout the day.
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Her Living • April/May 2013
1
2 Back-Angled Leg Lifts:
1. Place your hands on the back of a sturdy chair or couch and lift one leg backward, keeping your foot flexed (toes not pointed) and your heel pointed to the back of the room. 2. Lower and lift your leg for 30 seconds and then switch legs.
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Her Stylish Stylist
v v
Story by Bailey Hemphill • Photo by Bill Sitzmann
“I
Rebecca Forsyth
Bungalow/8
think I always wanted to be a hairdresser,” says Rebecca Forsyth, 26. With a mother as a receptionist in a hair salon, it’s no wonder that Forsyth aspired to work in a salon, as she spent a good deal of her childhood in one. As Forsyth got older, she veered from the cosmetology path and attended a traditional, four-year college. “At the end of it all, having cut all of my friends’ hair in my kitchen since high school, I realized hair was still where my heart was.” Forsyth moved to Omaha about five years ago from Sioux Falls, S.D., to attend cosmetology school at Capitol School of Hairstyling and is currently a stylist at Bungalow/8 off 105th and Pacific Street. “It’s a fabulous and beautiful space, and I couldn’t dream of a better fit,” she says of the salon. “Everyone working there is so inspired and passionate.” Hair color is Forsyth’s specialty. She’s an American Board Certified Haircolorist, an honor only attained by 1,700 stylists in the U.S. But she also has interests in styling. “I collaborate with a lot of photographers, fashion designers, and other creative types locally in both photo and video work, so I'm constantly working to help others realize their vision.” In addition to her hair coloring and styling credits, Forsyth has also developed a number of hairstyling tutorials with Sarah Lorsung Tvrdik, co-founder of Helo Holiday, an Omaha womens wear ecomerce site. The tutorials have been seen in magazines, reblogged, and pinned thousands of times on Tumblr and Pinterest. From braids to blowouts to beehives, Forsyth says she loves it all. “My love of styling has really helped me to find ways to work on teaching my clients while they're in my chair how to style their own hair at home. Before I was a hairdresser, I was always so frustrated that my hair would look great when I'd leave the salon, but I would be clueless about what to do with it when I was at home in front of the bathroom mirror. I've made it my mission to try to bridge that gap.” Her clientele is very diverse, ranging from men and women, young and old. She also sees many clients with long hair and red hair. “I was a redhead myself for many years, which is likely where my eye for red comes from.” As for her personal style, Forsyth describes her look as “a www.ReadOnlineNow.com
mixture of Brigitte Bardot, a Bradley doll, Dolly Parton, and a 1960s airline stewardess.” She explains that she’s very influenced by the late ‘60s big hair, lipstick, and winged eyeliner. “I haven't worn pants in like seven years. I'm very into femininity but certainly a bit country and a bit rock and roll. You are as likely to find me in cowboy boots or a square dancing dress as you are to find me in a fabulous jumper and pair of heeled Mary Janes.”
TIP
Her favorite styling products and tools include:
Mason Pearson Popular Mixture hairbrushes—“It’s the Rolls Royce of brushes and has helped me produce amazing styling results.” Kerastase's Ciment Thermique— “Many of my blonde clients will tell you I'm also a huge fan. [It’s] a product that protects from heat and helps to rebuild broken and damaged hair. I've seen incredible results with it.” Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode—“It holds fabulously and provides great texture and body but is still dry and brushable, which is great for re-styling and avoiding that 1980s shellac-ed look.” Her Living • April/May 2013
17
Her Fashion Styled by Sarah Lorsung Tvrdik • Photos by Bill Sitzmann
Room To Bloom Dress, ($154.99) and Turning Point Sandals ($79) from Hello Holiday. Navy Bangle ($10) from Kajoma’s Boutique on 104 E. 1st St. in Papillion.
She Loves Me Sweater ($81.99), Sloan Shorts ($83.99), and Down To The Wire Wedges ($109) from Hello Holiday at www.helloholiday.com.
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Her Living • April/May 2013
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Hair & Makeup by Kat Ferm, Creative Hair Design • Omaha Model: Kim Sitzmann
Everybody's Sweetheart Dress ($57.99) from Hello Holiday. Cardigan ($84) and Seychelles Heels ($89) from Kajoma’s Boutique.
Meringue Merengue Dress ($65.99) and Down To The Wire Wedges ($109) from Hello Holiday.
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Her Living • April/May 2013
19
Her Beauty Sheet Story by Bailey Hemphill
E
Quit Aging Yourself
very year, we spend tons of money to keep our faces looking youthful and tight. But what we don’t realize is that some of our bad beauty habits are actually making us look older than we are. Here are some seemingly “no-brainer” tips that will help you keep your face looking young and beautiful without spending a fortune on anti-aging products: Find the Right Foundation. Every woman has been guilty of those embarrassing foundation lines at some point in her life. What you might not know is that the appearance of those lines is usually a signal that you’re not using the right kind or color of foundation. Even worse, using the wrong foundation can speed up the process of aging of your skin. The best way to prevent both of these problems is to find the best foundation for your skin. Before you even think about brands, you need to determine what kind of foundation works best with your skin type. Have dry skin? Look for “moisturizing” or “hydrating” foundations. Have oily skin? Look for “oil-free” or “matte” foundations. Have a combination of oily and dry skin? Look for “cream-to-powder” foundations. Or if that seems like too much of a hassle, look for
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Her Living • April/May 2013
mineral foundations, which go great with any skin type—especially sensitive skin. After determining the right kind of foundation, you need to match the color to your skin tone. Despite what you might have heard about testing the color on your wrist, the best place to test a foundation color is actually on your jawline, as this is the area where foundation is most noticeable (Remember those lines?). Make sure you’re as close to natural light as possible—like outside or near a window—while testing colors since indoor lighting can make you choose to dark of a color. Whichever color blends or disappears into your skin tone during the test is the color you should get. Don’t Overpluck Your Brows. Some women prefer professional eyebrow threading or waxing. But for those of us that prefer to save cash and time, plucking is the way to go. The only problem with plucking is that, too often, we overpluck our brows, giving us an aged look. Actually, the fuller the brow, the more youthful you look. Now, “fuller” doesn’t mean you let your eyebrows go ungroomed—just don’t pluck them too thin. Before plucking, wash your face, brush your brows up and out with a brow brush (a clean toothbrush works, too), and sit near
a window with a good mirror. To determine your brow thickness, use an eye pencil and draw a line along the bottom edge of your brow, following the fullest, natural shape. Any hairs that fall below this line are okay to pluck. The general rule with plucking is to make sure your brow begins in line with the inner corner of your eye and ends in line diagonally with the bottom edge of your nose and the outer corner of your eye. You can use a ruler (or your tweezers, if they’re long enough) to check if everything is aligned. Any hairs outside of these measurements can be removed. If your brows are naturally too-thin, or if you’ve overplucked and are trying to grow your brows back out, use powder or an eyebrow pencil to fill in the shape. Just make sure to match the powder or eyebrow pencil shade to your natural hair color so you don’t age yourself any further—or look like a cartoon villain. Remove Makeup and Wash Your Face. It’s hard to get in the habit of removing our makeup and washing our faces every night when we’re tired and just want to get in bed. But not removing your makeup or washing your face is one of the quickest ways to age your skin. Just think about the fact that the average woman today begins wearing makeup at age 12 and wears makeup into her 70s and 80s. That’s long-term damage. If you don’t use all-natural makeup, there are tons of harsh chemicals in your makeup that can damage your skin. Not to mention your skin is exposed to dirt, pollution, and germs throughout the day. Imagine all of those things collecting on your pillows as you sleep. If you think that’s gross, then why are you leaving those things on your face? At night, the skin needs oxygen to repair the damage done throughout the day. With your pores clogged, your skin can’t go through its natural exfoliation. Also, our eyes start showing age the earliest because the skin around them is the thinnest. Going to bed with your makeup on dries the skin around your eyes out and weakens the hairs in your eyebrows and eyelashes, causing them to thin and fall out. Remember—it’s a lot easier to remove your makeup and wash your face than it is to undo aging and regrow your eyebrows and eyelashes. www.OmahaPublications.com
Her Health Story by Susan Meyers • Photo by Bill Sitzmann
Smoking T
Cessation Aids What Works and What Doesn’t
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he old saying “third time’s the charm” didn’t work so well for Laura Adams when it came to quitting smoking. “Every time I quit, I’d be good for about six months,” she says. “Then I’d get stressed about something and decide to have just one. Well, once you start up again, it’s all over. It’s an all-or-nothing thing.” Adams is not in the minority. Most smokers will try quitting multiple times before they are successful. There’s a lot more to smoking than meets the eye, say local smoking cessation experts. “There’s an addiction to nicotine, the actual habit, and the emotional dependence that all need to be addressed,” says Laura Krajicek, a smoking cessation coordinator for Nebraska
Laura Adams, a smoker for more than 20 years, quit with the help of Chantix. Methodist Health System. A smoker for more than 20 years, smoking had become a crutch for Adams. “It helped me deal with daily stresses,” she explains. “When I had a cigarette, that was my relaxation time, my ‘me time.’ Coffee, cigarettes, and break time all went together. It was hard to have one without the other.” Adams knew that it wasn’t a “pretty habit,” nor one she was proud of. With a campus-wide no smoking policy at her place of employment, Alegent Creighton Health Immanuel Medical Center, Adams would have to “sneak” to an off-site parking lot to smoke. To mask the nasty smoke odor, she would slip on a different coat, pull her hair back in a ponytail, wash her hands, and coat herself with body spray before returning to >> Her Living • April/May 2013
21
Her Health Smoking Cessation
Lisa Fuchs, certified tobacco treatment specialist at Alegent Creighton Health << the office. “It was an embarrassing addiction,” she recalls. When Adams learned about Alegent Creighton Health’s smoking cessation program, Tobacco Free U, she decided this might be the extra push she needed to help her quit for good. The program focuses on
the use of group or individual counseling in combination with a smoking cessation aid such as nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or medications. According to the Cochrane Review, an internationally recognized reviewer of health care and research, combining counseling and medication improves quit rates by as much as 70 to 100 percent compared to minimal intervention or no treatment. “Success rates rise drastically when you combine the two,” says Lisa Fuchs, a certified tobacco treatment specialist at Alegent Creighton Health. The counseling portion helps people tackle the behavioral addiction, and the smoking cessation aids help with the nicotine addiction. Which smoking cessation aid is recommended depends on how heavy a smoker, health conditions, as well as what seems to be the best fit for that person’s lifestyle, notes Fuchs. These aids are most successful in individuals who have been counseled on how to use them appropriately. The most
common aids include: Nicotine patch – The patch is a long-acting therapy that delivers a steady dose of nicotine over a 24-hour period and is designed to curb a person’s cravings for nicotine. This may be appropriate for very heavy smokers. The dosage is gradually lowered to wean a person off the nicotine habit. Nicotine gum or lozenges – Gum and lozenges are short-acting therapies that deliver smaller doses of nicotine and can be taken as needed to curb the nicotine urge. Tom Klingemann, certified tobacco treatment specialist at The Nebraska Medical Center, recommends that smokers schedule the doses so that they maintain a steady state of nicotine in the body to avoid the nicotine cravings and temptation to smoke. In general, he is opposed to short-acting nicotine replacement therapies because “they keep people looking for a chemical fix even though they may not be smoking anymore.” They are also very expensive, and most people trying to quit can’t afford the $40 a week price tag they
Meeting the big needs of our smallest patients
Jamie, RN
Sometimes our smallest patients have very big needs. From a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit designed to help premature babies get stronger, to a neonatal team with levels of care among the best in the nation, we deliver what babies need during their most delicate times. And what parents need to feel most assured. Methodist Women’s Hospital. That’s the meaning of care. bestcare.org ©2012 Methodist Women’s Hospital, an affiliate of Methodist Health System
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Her Living • April/May 2013
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would cost if used appropriately. e-cigarettes – These work by heating up a liquid nicotine substance that is inhaled as vapor. The product is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and many still have a lot of chemicals that may not be any healthier than actual smoking, notes Klingemann. “These are not intended to help people quit but keep them addicted to nicotine,” he says. Medications – The two primary prescription medications used for smoking cessation include Zyban and Chantix, with Chantix being the preferred of the two, says Fuchs. “Zyban is an anti-depressant and may be recommended for a person with mild depression to help with moodiness as well as decreasing cravings and withdrawals,” notes Fuchs. It is believed to work by enhancing your mood and decreasing agitation related to trying to quit. Chantix is a newer drug and works by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain and blocking them so that nicotine can no longer
activate those receptors, causing a person to get less satisfaction from smoking. At the same time, it also triggers a small release of dopamine, the reward neurotransmitter in the brain. It appears to be safe and quite effective, notes Klingemann. Krijicek says that her clients have seen the most success with this aid. Adams used Chantix, which she said helped curb her nicotine urges. But what helped the most, she says, was to change the habits that she associated with smoking. For instance, instead of coffee and cigarettes in the morning, she reached for coffee and orange juice. Because she normally smoked while driving, she changed the route she drove to work. She also replaced the time she would have spent smoking with more positive habits like walking her dogs, running, bicycling, and swimming. “Once I quit, I started making healthier decisions in other parts of my life as well,” she says. “I started eating better, drinking less caffeine, and exercising more. I feel
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Tom Klingemann, certified tobacco treatment specialist at The Nebraska Medical Center better now.” “For 90 percent of smokers, the addiction is behavioral,” notes Klingemann. “It’s all of the other stuff that drives the smoking addiction. Until you start changing your behaviors and routines, it’s really hard to quit.”
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Her Living
1 r ou Y page s t’ e? ha us W • April/M xc ay E 2012 1
Midlands Two Professional Center 401 E Gold Coast Rd, Ste 329 Papillion, NE 68046 phone (402) 934-9323 fax (402) 934-9471 www.yourbreasthealthcare.com Her Living • April/May 2013
23
Her Health Extra Story by Mary Quinn • Photo by Bill Sitzmann
E-Cigs What’s the Deal?
W
ith the implementation of Omaha's indoor smoking ban in 2006, electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have become a popular option for many patrons in local bars and businesses. Kiosks in the mall have started selling the so-called “better for you” cigarettes, and even Jake's Cigars and Spirits in Benson and House of Loom in Downtown Omaha now sell and allow customers to smoke e-cigs. Each bar has its own rules about e-cigs; it’s up to the owner's discretion whether e-cig smoking in their establishment is allowed. Bar owner Tim Addison of Addy's Bar and Grill in Millard said smoking e-cigs in his business is permissible, though he prefers those with e-cigs go outside “like everyone else.” Addy's is a family-friendly place, he said, and he feels smoking e-cigs indoors just looks bad. Addison cites a regular customer
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Her Living • April/May 2013
who comes in often for lunch: "He smokes electronic cigarettes, but he still goes outside out of routine." The occasionally disposable but usually rechargeable e-cigs are a battery-powered nicotine delivery system that simulates the act of smoking a traditional cigarette. E-cigs use a mixture of vapor, flavoring, and nicotine to create a smoking affect, and some even have a light at the end that glows when inhaled, mimicking a real cigarette. The controversy surrounding e-cigs, however, is this: while makers claim they help some people quit smoking, they are still not considered a safe alternative to smoking by many health professionals. According to WebMD, e-cigs have different levels of nicotine, so in theory they can be used to lessen one's addiction to cigarettes, or even help them quit. Unlike Chantix or the Nicotine patch, however,
e-cigs are not FDA-approved as smoking cessation aids. Marketers of e-cigs appeal to the smoking masses with brands like Njoy, Vapor4Life, and Blu Cigs (which is endorsed by actor Stephen Dorff). Blu Cigs offers flavored versions as well, like Magnificent Menth, Vivid Vanilla, and Pina Colada. Njoy even has a disposable version called One Joy. Despite their popularity, the jury is still out on the safety of e-cigs. But as Joy Fortuna from Pcmag.com writes, "E-cigs may help you decrease your dependence on nicotine…It is conceivable that a self-managed program of nicotine step-down might lead to a drugfree lifestyle." As far as bar owner Tim Addison is concerned, he plans to use e-cigs to help him kick his own smoking habit "real soon."
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Who’s Wearing the Pants?
hat do you get the woman who has everything? A man who wants nothing! So you’ve spent your entire life working your way to the top of the corporate ladder, the big house, the big paycheck, and the big car. The problem is finding the big man. In your case, the big man is going to have be the smaller man in many ways. You’re the alpha-female. You have to be in control. Do you really want to come home to a man who can’t handle your success? What you need is a man that is happy finding success in different ways, such as in the gym or being an excellent chef. Does that mean you’re looking for a maid with abs that walks around all day in an apron that says, “Kiss the Cook”? It’s possible, if that’s what you’re looking for. The most important thing is to find a man who takes pride in whatever it is that he does—regardless of its monetary return. An alpha-female dating a less successful alpha-male is a one-way ticket to nowhere. Set him free. There’s someone out there that can make him feel like the man he needs to be, and there’s someone out there that can make you feel at home on top of your ivory tower. Lüc Carl is a writer in NYC, originally from Springfield, Neb. His website, DrunkDiet. com, has had over one million hits in one year. Look for his book The Drunk Diet. Follow @luccarl Her Living • April/May 2013
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Her Food Made by Bailey Hemphill & Linda Persigehl • Photo by Bill Sitzmann
Bean & Corn Dip
and Margaritas on the Rocks
H
e re are t w o recipes that we’re sure you’ll love! Besides the fact that these recipes taste like pure summer, they’re refreshing, easy to make, and great for parties!
Bean & Corn Dip Ingredients: • 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed • 1 can shoepeg corn, drained and rinsed • 1 red onion, chopped • 6 tbsp lime juice • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1½ tsp cumin • ¼ cup fresh cilantro , chopped • 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped • ½ tsp salt • 1 tomato, seeded and chopped
Margaritas on the Rocks Ingredients: • 2 cups sweet and sour mix • 1 cup triple sec • 1½ cups gold tequila • 1/3 cup brandy-based orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier®) • 2 limes, quartered
Recipe Sources: www.allrecipes.com
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Her Living • April/May 2013
Instructions: • Mix all ingredients (except the tomato) in a large mixing bowl, then place in fridge for 30 min. • After chilled and just before serving, add diced tomato to mix. • Transfer to decorative serving bowl and garnish with cilantro. • Serve with tortilla chips.
Instructions: • Salt the rims of your glasses. To do so, pour salt onto a small plate, rub the rims of the glasses with lime, and press them into the salt. • Fill glasses with ice. • In a shaker, combine sweet and sour mix, triple sec, tequila, and liqueur. Shake to your hearts desire. • Pour into glasses, squeeze a quarter lime into each glass, and serve. www.OmahaPublications.com
Her Home Story by Mary Quinn • Photo by Bill Sitzmann
HIS
HERS
The Big Move-In
S
o you and your partner have decided to take your relationship to the next step by moving in together. Holy cow, you say, where do we start? Before even beginning the home hunt, ask yourself if this is something you truly want. If you feel unsure or pressured, now is the time to speak up. Do not use moving in as an excuse to save an already troubled relationship. Think on it for a few weeks, or even a few months, if you can. Make sure you both legitimately enjoy each others' company and have as many overnights as possible so he gets used to your natural beauty (i.e., sans makeup), and you get used to his cleaning rituals—or lack thereof. As Laura Drucker for The Daily Muse puts it, "It's okay to feel scared—big changes can potentially equal big disasters," but if you two are in a serious, committed relationship, cohabitation may allow you two to continue your life together and get to know each other on a newer, deeper level. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
Consolidating Your Inventories Downsizing your own inventory first will help you to decide what stays and what goes. Maybe it’s time to let go of the 20 socks with no mates (even though the plaid one is super cute), or the coffee maker since you're a tea drinker now. This could even be a lucrative decision, as lightly worn clothing or older, unmatched furniture can easily be sold on Ebay or Craigslist. Next, make a list of everything you are moving with and everything else you are putting into storage. When consolidating the big items, choose the newer, nicer pieces. Rosemary Brennan's “5 Conversations You Must Have Before Moving In Together” in Glamour suggests, "keeping the most comfortable bed, better television, and newer living room furniture." The Sit-Down The distribution of bills and chores is incredibly important. First, it helps if both of you are financially stable with steady incomes. Split bills down the middle if you
make about the same, or split them based on ratio if one of you has a higher-paying position than the other. Have a sit-down before signing the lease to discuss chores, scheduling, budgeting, and even who is (and is not) allowed over when one of you is not home. Starting with a plan you can actually stick to will help soften the blow when these issues arise in the future. Communication is Key Know how to argue successfully with your partner without being hurtful. Make sure there is a definite end to an argument, and, most importantly, a resolution. This is when Mom's advice on knowing when to pick your battles really starts coming into play. Be open to compromise. For example, agree to keep his shot glass collection in exchange for more room in the closet. Be diplomatic, not demanding about what stays and what goes. By making the effort, the process of you and your partner moving in together will be easier and more successful. Her Living • April/May 2013
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Her Home Extra Story by Mary Quinn
10 AM - 5 PM 10 AM - 4 PM
Includes the Senior Living Expo! Over 300 Exhibitors promoting healthy, holistic lifestyle choices and therapies including alternative medicine Over 50 educational workshops, demonstrations, presentations - all free! Natural food dining experiences Spa & Beauty Show Sports & Fitness Clinics for kids - free!
Saturday: Fun Run, Walk Sunday: Bike Ride, Gran Fondo, Run, and Omaha Biathlon
Garage Sales
Quick Tips and Tricks
S
pring cleaning is a yearly tradition for most households, and while we all have shopped our fair share of garage sales, a lot of people don’t know how to host one. Here are a few tips and tricks for having your own: • Advertising is key. Make large, sturdy signs with arrows pointing the way to your sale. • Use the newspaper or Craigslist to reach the masses about your sale but also keep in mind sites like garagesalefinder. com, where people can search garage sales by zip code or city. • Price items in advance with readable, easy-to-remove stickers. For example, blue painter’s tape won’t take off finish or leave sticky remnants behind. • Organize items by category (clothing, housewares, etc.). For clothing, hang and organize by size and gender. • Sell clean items only. • Hold your garage sale on Fridays and Saturdays. • If your garage sale happens on a warm weekend, keep a cooler of soda and water nearby to sell to shoppers for $.25. Encouraging kids to run a lemonade stand is also a great idea. • Get more change than you think you’ll need. Many shoppers get paid on Friday and will usually have bigger bills. • If you don’t have a lockable safe for your garage sale change, have someone always watching the money or keep it on you in an apron. After the success of your garage sale, the house will be clean. And with the extra cash, hosting a cookout or throwing a party will be a great reward!
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Her Living • April/May 2013
Stilettos Dry Cleaning Delivery is now in your Neighborhood! $5.00 coupon to start new service with us. *One per household. Save time, gas and money! We’ll dazzle you from head to toe! 100% Satisfaction guaranteed - over 100 years in combined business experience and knowledge.
Betty Kruse, Stilettos Dry Cleaning Delivery Service 402-934-3898 |www.stilettosdelivery.com “We’ll dazzle you from head to toe!” www.OmahaPublications.com
Her Business Profile
Her Business Profile
an EDGEWORTHY Salon Experience
S
hortly after starting cosmetology school in Omaha, Troy Davis knew that he wanted to own his own business. He wanted to share knowledge and techniques with other hair stylists and provide a place for designers to go to work and creatively express themselves—whatever that expression may be. Davis went to work for Carol Cole, owner and founder of Fringes Salon, after graduating. “I fell in love with Carol, quickly becoming good friends with her,” he says. “She has always been a great role model and mentor, both in business and in life.” At the time that Davis began his employment with Fringes, Cole was managing two locations. Within a couple of months, she chose to close the location where Davis worked, asking him if he would move to the West Omaha location. He did, but he wasn’t sure how long he would stay, as he loved the environment in Downtown and Midtown Omaha more. But after four years, Davis and Cole partnered and opened Fringes in the Old Market, now EDGEWORTHY a Fringes Salon and Spa. “I was 24 [with] nothing else to my name besides my car…I went in with very little, starting the business from ‘nothing’ to build it to what we have become today. I remember going that first year with no income, and it [was] one of the most creative and happiest years of my life.” Our salon is like an art studio, and the people who work there are artists, in Davis’ opinion. “We’re all very creative
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individuals working together for the good of the team.” He also believes that the salon and spa is unique because of the educated atmosphere. “We are the only salon that has ongoing, weekly classes for our designers,” he says. “Clients like knowing that we are up-todate on the newest styles, techniques, and products available to us.” As for the design team, Davis says they’re very diverse. “We have stylists who speak different languages and come from different cultures of all ages and genders, which means that our guests are just as diverse. We hear people tell us a lot how comfortable they are in our salon [because] it’s not a stuffy or pretentious environment—its an EDGEWORTHY experience.” One of the most interesting lessons Davis has learned being in business is the distinction of ownership. “An owner is generative, not reactive. They are creative, always looking for ways to improve their business for both customers and employees. They are ultimately responsible for everything.” Davis says that his goal with Fringes is just to make a difference in the days, lives, and careers of the people that he touches. “[It’s] what shoots me out of bed in the morning. It’s what has me work long hours day after day. It’s what gives me my energy and the edge to keep going.” Edgeworthy - A Fringes Salon Old Market 518 S. 10th St. (402) 345-0404 www.fringessalon.com
Her Living • April/May 2013
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Her Business Profile
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The Volleyball Academy
eb Grafentin was an educator for 23 years before opening The Volleyball Academy in 2006. "My dream has always been to coach and teach," she says, "TVA allows me to do this on a daily basis." Six years after opening, The Volleyball Academy still prides itself on being the only business in Omaha that provides the most volleyball programs and classes under one roof. Players start as early as kindergarten, and while classes are available for adults as well, the most common customer is the K-12th grader. Customer satisfaction is most important to Grafentin, as she explains, “We really want our clients to feel welcome when they enter and throughout their experience with TVA." Each year, TVA has seen a steady increase in the growth of their classes, with the Lil' Diggers and Fall, Winter, and Spring Leagues as their most popular programs. The Lil' Digger-Big Digger program encourages parents of K-4th graders to attend with their children and get involved in learning volleyball skills. "This allows the family to enjoy volleyball all year long wherever they may want to play—family picnic, the backyard, on the beach, etc." The newest program, the Lil' Digger 2nd-4th grade Balloon Ball League, has been added as a three-on-three mini court game in which Balloon Balls are used for players to get more practice in contacts and touches of the ball. The Volleyball Academy, which is located in the West OmahaChalco area, is a unique company in that it continues to cater to both kids and adults each year with new programs and changes existing programs based on the needs of players. "When a child, teenager, or adult come to us for some style of training, and they leave knowing they have improved and had fun participating in our programs, that to us says it all." This is evident in the testimonials on TVA's website, and what may be Grafentin's favorite memory. "The first summer we opened
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Her Living • April/May 2013
our doors at a summer camp for Lil' Diggers, one of the 6-year-olds came skipping up to one of our court coaches on her way to a water break and said, ‘This is the greatest day of my life!’ Right then and there, I knew we opened for all the right reasons." With the success of TVA and the opportunity to teach volleyball skills every day to players of all ages, Grafentin's dreams are finally coming true. 8930 S. 137th Cir., # 2 (402) 213-4644 www.thevolleyballacademy.com
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