August/September 2011 Her

Omaha Magazine • 5921 S. 118th Circle • Omaha, NE 68137

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 30 MONTEZUMA, IA

August/September 2011 • www.heromaha.com

Hot Spots Spotlight on Nonprofits

Erica Bryant 2011 Big Giver Award

August/September 2011, Volume 10 / Issue 4

inthisissue

August/September 2011 Feature .................... 6 Hot Spots: Red Mango

Celebrating, Empowering, Inspiring... the Women of Omaha.

Photo Feature ......... 9

published by

Transitioning to Fall Fashion

omaha magazine, ltd

Feature .................. 13

publisher

todd lemke

Omaha’s Big Give

m a n a g i n g e d i t o r, o m a h a p u b l i c a t i o n s

corey ross

Cover Story............ 25

editor

sandy lemke

Big Giver Award: Erica Bryant

assistant editor

linda persigehl editorial assistant

bailey hemphill art director

john gawley graphic designer

katie anderson principle photography by

minor white studios, inc s c o t t d r i c k e y, b i l l s i t z m a n n guest photographer

christian behr contributors

suzanne smith arney susan meyers • angelika stout stephanie vondrak, d.d.s. darcie dingman account executives

gwen lemke • vick i voet greg bruns • gil cohen alicia smith-hollins stacey penrod • paige edwards

Editor’s Letter...................................4 Auto Tips............................................ 7 Pet Restraints Home..................................................8 Cleaning Tips from the Pros Beauty Sheet...................................24 Minx Nails HER Art...........................................28 Carol Meis Ellington For Her Profile...............................30 Urban Events

warehouse distribution manager

mike brewer

for advertising information

(402) 884-2000

Send $9.95 for a one-year subscription (six issues) to P.O. Box 461208, Papillion, NE 68046-1208. www.heromaha.com Comments? Story Ideas?

Send your letter to the editor: letters@ heromaha.com Her Magazine is a community magazine. A special community of women. Please enjoy and share your issue of Her. Our advertisers make Her possible. So make sure to thank and support them as often as you can. Do you know a woman role model, mentor, activist, leader, artist, business owner, model, adventurer, survivor, or volunteer?

Let us know and we may share her story with the Her community of women. Her is your magazine; for the women of Metropolitan Omaha.

For Her Profile............................... 31 Bangs Salon Health Focus...................................33 Diagnosis: Diabetes Health Extra....................................34 Celiac Disease Dental Health..................................36 Husband Material by Lüc Carl...... 37 The ‘Thinker’ was probably thinking of ways to tick you off.

Food.................................................38 Guest Chef Gene Cammorata

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Her 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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WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER 3

editor’sletter

Dear Readers,

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annual Big Give issue! We know you have enjoyed these issues over the last several years because it is one of the most requested back issues from our office. In addition, we receive more reader comments on it than any other issue. It is our pleasure to bring you information on the nonprofit organizations that make our community such a great place to live and work.

What’s new this year is we are honoring Erica Bryant with HER Omaha Magazine’s Big Giver Award! Bryant does outstanding work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Nebraska, so much that we have decided to honor her with this inaugural award. Bryant exemplifies the Big Give spirit with her annual work and has a son with Cystic Fibrosis. You can read all about her story on page 25! Congratulations, Erica!

More “newness” in HER Omaha Magazine – a column written from a man’s perspective. We would like to extend a special welcome to Luc Carl – perhaps you’ve heard of him – on page 37 is his amusing entry.

Schedule note! We hope to see you all at the Riverfront Wine Festival!

This year it is at Stinson Park at Aksarben Village Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19-20. We will be there, come by and say hello! On page 30 is a special profile of Jennifer Kocher, founder of Urban Events and organizer elcome to the

Editor Sandy Lemke

of the Riverfront Wine Festival. Check out the article for information on her other community events coming up.

We hope you will enjoy our new food column, Guest Chef, featuring recipes from local chefs.

First up is Gene Cammorata, owner of Come On Into My Kitchen. Chef Gene always loves a big salad and shares with us here his recipe for Southwestern Chicken Salad. Thank you Gene for sharing this recipe with us!

Finally, as part of the Omaha Magazine family, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind all our good readers to vote in the Best of Omaha campaign, running now! Go to www.BestofOmaha.com to vote for all your favorite companies and receive a free subscription (or extension) to Omaha Magazine as well as a chance to win prizes. The winners will be revealed in the January 2012 issue!

Sandy Lemke Editor

Thank You Omaha! for voting us your #1 home accessories store in 2011. Please vote for us in 2012!

Go Vote for Us! BestOfOmaha.com July 1st through September 30th

402-778-0650 • 12965 W. Center Road (Montclair Shopping Center)

Contact us today at 402.399.4555 2120 South 72nd Street • Omaha, NE

4 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

Original Artwork by Local and Regional Artists

When

UNIQUE is

What You Seek...

Dundee Gallery is where you’ll find just the right piece to express your personality – and your good taste!

www.dundeegallery.com

402-505-8333

Tuesday - Thu rsday 11-7 Fri - S at 11-9 • S u n 12- 5

AMANDA

4916 Underwood Ave Omaha, NE 68132

Located just six short blocks north of Dodge on Underwood.

September 22-25, 2011 www.rivercityrodeo.com

FREE Event Admission • Loads of Family Fun Kids Activities • Parade Rodeo & Concert Tickets As Low As $15 Thursday Rodeo

Friday Rodeo & Concert

Clay Walker

Saturday Rodeo & Concert

Tracy Lawrence

Thank You Omaha for voting us as one of your best!

Define your body instead of your body defining you.

20% of any personal training package! (new endless possibilities clients only)

Endless Possibilities Training Systems 8410 K Street • Omaha, NE 68127 (402) 290-3915 www.eptsomaha.com

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

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feature: HOT SPOTS story by sandy lemke photos by minorwhite studios

Red Mango No Guilt in the Bill

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ed M ango is a national chain of restaurants serving gluten-free, kosher, all-natural frozen yogurt, smoothies, parfaits and iced beverages. Red Mango offers an array of toppings for the yogurt including fruit, granola, chocolate and nuts.

6 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

Auto tips for her Story by Darcie Dingman, Dingman’s Collision Center

Pet Restraints

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Red Mango is a hit in the big “O” with three Omaha locations (see sidebar).

Red Mango is a hot spot where you can “cool down” from the summer heat! Said HER reader Christina Gawley, “It was fun to go to the downtown shop during the College World Series. It was a great way to go inside and cool off. All of the locations are very accessible, depending on the location of town you are at. My favorite spot is the one at the Shops of Legacy because of the layout of the store and seating. And I really like to go at night because their signature red tree is so pretty!”

What makes it a Hot Spot? Gawley added, “I meet my close friends there...We usually catch up on life! Red Mango is a favorite spot because you can pick from the various flavors of yogurt and mix them, which is always fun to do when you are not decisive. Then it is really fun to play around with the toppings. I like to try something different every time. I like to try the fruit and nuts and sometimes the candy, depending on my mood.”

We asked Gawley about her favorite items: “I have only tried their yogurt but I really want to try their smoothies. I really enjoyed what I made last time I went to Red Mango.

I had coconut, hazelnut, and pineapple yogurt with almonds, cookie dough, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup and white chocolate syrup—all for under $5!! It was delicious! Next time I go

in I want to try their original yogurt with various fruit on it!”

Gawley added, “The cost of Red Mango is so reasonable. I really like it because there is no guilt in the bill. If you pile up your bowl then you pay for it, if you choose to just have a taste and not go overboard then it is so cheap!

The times I went, my bill was less than $5 each time.”

Downtown Omaha (self 808 North 13th St. Omaha, NE 68102 Phone: 402 933 8815 Sun-Thurs: 11am-11pm Fri-Sat: 11am-midnight One Pacific Place (self 10349 Pacific St. Omaha, NE 68114 Phone: 402 884 3795 Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm Shops at Legacy (self 16950 Wright Plaza Suite 151 Omaha, NE 68130 Phone: 402 334 4774 Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

serve)

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people are taking their pets with them in the car. I am one of those people! My dogs go nearly everywhere with me! Having a furry companion in the car can be great; however, the proper precautions must be taken.

It is not safe to have your pet unrestrained, loose in the vehicle. A sudden stop can make them lose their balance or they may want to wander to the front seat to be close to you.

The biggest reason that an animal needs to be restrained in a vehicle is to prevent extreme harm to them, or to you, or anyone else in your vehicle in case of an accident.

In an accident, an object that is not restrained becomes much more forceful than its actual weight.

A general calculation is: weight of an object x speed traveled = pounds of pressure.

My dog, Maya, weighs 70 pounds. If I get into an accident going even just 20 miles per hour, she would have 1,400 pounds of pressure propelling her. That amount of pressure could send her out of the vehicle or into me or a passenger, causing severe damage.

There are numerous restraint systems available for our furry friends. For an SUV, they offer metal pet barriers, which will keep animals confined in the hatch area. I like to use yoga mats in the back of my vehicle, which helps the dogs have better footing. Harnesses that buckle into the seat belt are great as well; this will keep the dog in a very small area. For small dogs and cats there are pet carriers that come with restraint belts to restrain the entire carrier.

With as many restraint systems that are available, you are sure to find something that will be a good fit for you and your pet.

Keep yourself, your passengers and your pets safe by using some form of restraint system for your pets in your vehicle. It will make for a much safer drive! ore and more ,

If you have any questions about your vehicle or need advice, please visit our website at www.dingmans.com

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

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HOME story by bailey hemphill

The most efficient way of cleaning is starting at the top and working all the way down to the floor.

–Cathy Tichy

of

Molly Maid

If you don’t have time to clean a fresh carpet spill immediately, wet a cloth with cold water and lay it on the spill. The cold water will keep the stain from setting up and may even remove much of it as the cloth dries..

–Sandy Hammer

of

Sparkling Klean

Cleaning Tips from the Pros

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just gifted with cleanliness. Others will always need a little help when it comes to managing their homes, whether it be hiring house cleaners or recruiting their the children to tidy the house before company arrives. If you are one of the latter, we’ve got some housecleaning tips for you straight from professional house cleaners. ome people are

Here are some housecleaning tips from the pros : • Clean baseboards, blinds, and behind curtains and sofas seasonally since those areas collect a lot of dust and dirt.

• Dust the ceilings and the ceiling fans before cleaning the floors since dust and dirt will fall to the floor.

• Place walk-off mats in the garage to help keep dust and dirt out of the house.

• If you have housecleaners coming, pick up all dirty clothes and put them in a hamper, put away children’s toys, place dishes in the sink or dishwasher, and put away or stack miscellaneous papers to make surface cleaning more accessible.

• If you have a limited amount of time before company arrives, clean the bathroom and the area where the company will be the most.

Here are some housecleaning products the pros love : • Mr. Clean Magic Eraser—works on multiple surfaces to get out stains and smudges.

• Fabuloso All-Purpose Cleaner (Lavender Scent)—the lavender scent is fresher and not as harsh in comparison to lemon pine scents.

• Hoover Portapower Commercial Vacuum Cleaner—great for getting those hard-to-reach areas around baseboards and furniture.

• Any all-purpose, multiple surfaces cleaning product—saves time and money.

• Any model/brand of steam cleaner—does an excellent job without using chemicals.

8 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

Summer days are waning but you can still look hot – even if the temperature is not. Pair some light pieces with fall looks; it’s not a fashion crime. Make certain the pieces have some parallel elements to tie the look together. Shown here, a flowy top and a leather skirt, both with stud detailing.

The leather miniskirt can be worn into the fall and throughout the winter.

Studded leather mini-skirt

by YA Los Angeles $29.

Off-white peasant top

by YA Los Angeles $59.

Both available at Me and Me in Village Pointe.

Hair/Makeup by Mikala Vandenbroucke WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

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As you feel the first crispness in the fall air, a light sweater dress will have you sitting pretty for a smart casual look.

Details such as ruffles and a wrap bracelet are right on trend.

Tan sweater dress with chiffon accentt by Theme $62.50.

Long beaded necklace $35.

Both available at Me and Me in Village Pointe.

Hair/Makeup by Mikala Vandenbroucke

10 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

Score top marks with an A-line skirt dress, in natural silk with an easy tie waist. A mix of soft hues and bold navy combine for a flattering palette. Depending on the weather or occasion, this dress can be paired with either a soft sweater or a smart blazer.

Silk dress by BCBG $348.

Exclusively available at the BCBG boutique inside Dillard’s Oak View.

Hair/Makeup by Mikala Vandenbroucke

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

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Indian summer. Linen is often a recipe for a wrinkly disaster, but this dress’ ruched construction makes for a flattering fit and room to move. Pair with sandals for summer – a light denim jacket and boots for early fall.

Guerilla Geisha by Chelsea Violet $98. Available at Dillards Oak View.

Hair/Makeup by Nicki Atkinson

12 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

Her Omaha Magazine’s annual look at local nonprofits returns for a fourth year

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elcome to

Omaha’s Big Give, HER Magazine

and Omaha Publications’ annual tribute to the good work done by local nonprofit organizations.

Now in its fourth year, Omaha’s Big Give was designed to heighten

awareness about nonprofits in Omaha and surrounding towns, and the wonderful work they are doing to support and reach out to Nebraskans in need. It’s also intended to act as a reference guide to our readers, helping them determine how they might best donate their time, talents, charitable gifts, and other resources and give back to their community.

With recent economic hard times, demand for the services of many of these nonprofits is being felt more than ever. Read on to learn about what these Big Givers do for our community, the impact they’ve made, and the ways you can lend a hand (or pay it forward).

This year, 10 local nonprofits chose to participate in the Big Give. For more information about the section, or to inquire about participation in the 2012 Big Give, you can call 884.2000 or email us at corey@omahapublications.com.

Past issues of the Big Give can be found in archived copies of HER Omaha Magazine at www.readonlinenow.com.

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

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Open Door Mission 2828 North 23rd Street East Omaha, NE 68110 402-422-1111 www.opendoormission.org

Big Givers

Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission providing basic needs and life-changing programs for the homeless and needy, with long-term solutions that break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Our desire is to be a bridge for people trying to reclaim the base necessities of life, restore their God-given dignity and hope, and rejoin the community as full and active participants.

Candace L. Gregory, President/CEO, is a national advocate for the homeless. She uses her extensive experience in community prevention programs to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Gregory longs to build a bridge of hope to others, and develops innovative ways to make it happen through partnerships and collaborations.

Brag Lines Every month, Open Door Mission partners with more than 450 volunteers logging over 5,000 hours making a difference right here, right now in their community. Please visit www.opendoormission.org and click on the volunteer button and see how you can have a life-changing volunteer opportunity today.

Pay It Forward

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Our need is greater today than in any other year in the Mission’s history. The Rebuilding Lives Campaign is creating a campus with safe shelter for men, women, and children. Open Door Mission continues to provide the tools to empower them to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Phase I of the Rebuilding Lives Campaign was the Lydia House, which opened January 2010 and provides shelter and programs to 72 single women and 46 families.

Phase II, Permanent Support Housing, provides 41 two-and-three bedroom apartments to allow for a safe, stable environment for men, women, and children to live in during their transition from homeless to independence. This facility opened in June 2011.

Phase III is a new Garland Thompson Men’s Center, which will provide over 300 beds for homeless men. Construction for this facility is scheduled for the summer of 2011. Open Door Mission is still raising funds for the final phase of the Rebuilding Lives Campaign. There is only 3.3 million needed to complete this project and cut the ribbon debt-free.

The Timberlake Outreach Center offers low-income families and individuals the opportunity to supplement their income, empowering them to remain in their own homes and prevent homelessness. Free clothing, furniture, appliances, food, plus educational and life-skills classes, such as GED, ESL, parenting and case management are available.

Follow Open Door Mission on: HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly 1941 South 42nd Street, Suite 127 Omaha, NE 68105 402-884-6641 omaha.littlebrothers.org

Big Givers

Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly is a national network of nonprofit, volunteer-based organizations committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. We offer to people of good will the opportunity to join the elderly in friendship and the celebration of life.

No one wants to grow old alone. LBFE Omaha serves a target population of socially isolated men and women age 62 and older. The average age of our “Old Friends” is 81. Older adults are a precious resource and represent the fastest growing segment of the population. Companionship with others not only contributes to the healthy aging process, but Old Friends sharing their wisdom, knowledge and friendship educates younger generations.

Brag Lines

From starting as a Christmas dinner hosted by volunteers in 1999, LBFE Omaha became an independent nonprofit corporation in 2010. LBFE Omaha joined other U.S. chapters in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Minneapolis/St.Paul, and San Francisco as members of the International Federation of Little Brothers-Friends of the Poor with programs in seven countries.

LBFE Omaha offers two major programs including the Visiting Volunteer program, which matches a volunteer with an elder in hopes of creating a lifelong friendship, and the Holiday/Special Event program, which provides meals, visits, gifts and friendship at Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and on birthdays.

Pay It Forward

LBFE Omaha relies totally on private donations. To donate online, please go to omaha.littlebrothers.org. Gifts of personal health care products, birthday presents, or holiday gifts are also accepted. Little things mean a lot. Volunteer opportunities are available as a Visiting Volunteer, Friendship & Flowers Volunteer, Holiday Celebration & Special Event Volunteer, Telephone Companion, Administrative Volunteer or Intern/Practicum Student. Contact us at 402-884-6641 for more information.

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

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Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition 2240 Landon Court, Omaha, NE 68102 402-346-0902 www.NUIHC.com

CEO Dr. Donna Polk-Primm

Ruben Zendejas, winner of national poster contest.

Big Givers

NUIHC’s mission is to elevate the health status of urban Indians to the highest level possible. This year we begin a celebration of 25 years of service to the Omaha, Lincoln and Sioux City, IA communities.

Brag Lines

Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition contracts with the Indian Health Service to provide access to health care to urban Indians living in Omaha, Lincoln and Sioux City, IA. NUIHC also has contracts with Region 6 Behavioral Health and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

NUIHC is great because we excel at what we do.

NUIHC’s Behavioral Health programs were accredited in June by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). We were one of 35 non-profits selected to sell fireworks. We have a flourishing youth/families program that focuses on suicide and meth prevention. We offer transportation. We are also a senior meal site—which is open to anyone 62 years or older. NUIHC is collaborating with No More Empty Pots and Tomato Tomato to provide organic fruits, vegetables and dairy products to Native elders.

Pay It Forward 16

We ask Omahans to contribute to our first capital campaign. We will use the funds to build a new 25,000 sf building on the corner of 24th and Landon Court. This building will be the first urban Indian construction project in Omaha. Please visit our website www.nuihc.com to make a secure donation and monitor our progress.

HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

NOVA Treatment Community 3483 Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-8347 • novatc.org

Big Givers

NOVA Treatment Community, formerly NOVA Therapeutic Community, has provided behavioral health care programs and services since 1984 to more than 7,000 individuals and families. Adolescents and adults struggling with alcohol and/or drug dependency (substance use disorders), often with co-occurring mental health problems, have the opportunity to experience empowerment through NOVA’s residential and outpatient programs. NOVA also provides foster care and in-home services for children 0 – 18 years of age. While NOVA is located in Omaha, we have a statewide presence.

NOVA Treatment Community is passionate about providing treatment services, education programs and foster care for children, adolescents, adults and families. We are committed to helping empower individuals and families to experience a life without substance use, family turmoil and other problems that adversely affect their lives.

Brag Lines

NOVA Treatment Community is a nonprofit organization that has served Omahans and Nebraskans for more than 25 years and is accredited by CARF International.

NOVA’s recent name change reflects the array of treatment services NOVA offers to children, adolescents, adults and families who are affected by substance use disorders, which often co-occur with mental health problems.

NOVA’s program members actively participate in their treatment, which encourages each individual to experience empowerment.

NOVA is funded in part with federal, state and local funds. Primary funding is through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Division, Medicaid, and Children and Family Services.

Pay It Forward

The NOVA 1-2-3 Recovery Walk will be held on Saturday morning, Sept. 24, at Heartland of America Park, downtown Omaha. September is designated as “National Recovery Month,” which focuses attention on programs supporting recovery from alcohol and drug use. The walk is a one- two- or three-mile walk around Heartland’s lagoon. Walkers/teams can register on NOVA’s website, www.novatc.org, or request a registration form from Lynne at 402-455-8303, ext. 114.

If you or someone you know needs help, we are here to help children, adolescents, adults and families experience empowerment in their lives. You can find out more about NOVA’s programs and services by checking out our website: www.novatc.org or calling 402-455-8347.

Join NOVA for the NOVA 1-2-3 Recovery Walk! Sign up as a team or walk as an individual. Volunteer your time. If you have questions or would like to support the walk with a cash or in-kind sponsorship, contact Lynne at 402-455-8303, ext. 114 or lholmquist@novatc.org.

Individual gifts to NOVA are encouraged and appreciated. Thank you for your support.

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

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Siena/Francis House 1702 Nicholas Street Omaha, NE 68102 402-341-1821 www.sienafrancis.org

Big Givers

The Siena/Francis House, with three facilities at 17th and Nicholas streets, is the region’s largest provider of emergency housing for women, youth, infants and single men.

The Siena/Francis House is dedicated to providing all of our services to our homeless guests with respect and dignity, and tries never to turn anyone away who comes to us for assistance. The Siena/Francis House, led by Executive Director Mike Saklar, is a 501 (C)(3), tax-exempt, charitable organization, is not affiliated with any parent organization or church, and is not a United Way member agency.

Brag Lines

The Siena/Francis House is the premier provider of services to homeless men, women and children: • The Siena/Francis House has two model emergency shelter facilities which provide safe, clean and secure housing for its guests.

• On any given night the Siena/Francis House provides more emergency shelter and food to families and individuals who are homeless than the other Omaha shelters, combined.

• The Siena/Francis House provides all of our services at no cost to our guests.

• The Siena/Francis House operates Nebraska’s largest residential mental health/chemical addictions treatment program administered by licensed professionals.

• The Siena/Francis House’s mental health/chemical addictions treatment program is the only such program in our community that does not charge fees to participants for services.

• The Siena/Francis House has a 95-person employment training program which provides the homeless work-related and personal growth skills.

• Employment training staff help operate the Siena/Francis House’s facilities and programs and receive monthly stipends for their work.

• In 2010, the Siena/Francis House’s Day Services team helped 416 families and individuals attain permanent housing.

• The Siena/Francis House has developed a vast network of suppliers and providers that will enable us to provide more than 420,000 meals in 2011.

Pay It Forward

The Siena/Francis House provides our basic human services of emergency shelter, food and clothing at no cost to the homeless families and individuals needing our services. As such, we rely primarily on the generosity of the community for our operational expenses. Having sufficient supplies is crucial. For example, each month we need 2,600 rolls of toilet paper and enough soap for 5,760 loads of laundry. Please visit www.sienafrancis.org to make a contribution, donate materials, or to volunteer.

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HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

4920 South 30th Street, Omaha, NE 68107 402-734-4110 • www.oneworldomaha.org

Big Givers OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc., in partnership with the community, provides culturally respectful, quality health care with special attention to the underserved across Douglas, Sarpy and Cass counties. OneWorld serves a diverse and everchanging population in the Greater Omaha Metro Area and is a federally qualified health center. OneWorld provides primary health care services, including medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and additional patient care support services. We provide these services to all those who need us, regardless of who they are, how much money they make, or what language they speak. We rely on the generosity of the community to assist us in fulfilling our mission in providing excellent health care. Our face in the community is our CEO, Andrea Skolkin.

Brag Lines OneWorld is now the largest provider of primary health care services in South Omaha and is the only primary care clinic that has a majority bilingual and bicultural staff, a sliding fee scale for low-income patients without insurance, entitlement enrollment, on-site pharmacy, dental, behavioral health and vision services all under one roof. OneWorld hosts satellite locations, the first statewide electronic health record and partners with the Ronald McDonald House Charities on the Caremobile (a mobile dental van). In 2010, OneWorld saw over 21,345 individual patients in over 70,000 patient visits. OneWorld continues to plan for the future in hopes of building an affordable, quality health care campus.

OneWorld has been the recipient of several corporate and employee awards in recent years. They include the 2008 NonProfit of the Year Award by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, 2008 Organization of the Year by the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance, and the 2009 Outstanding Non-Profit of the Year from the Center for Reducing Health Disparities at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. CEO Andrea Skolkin is a 2011 WCA Tribute to Women Honoree and finalist for the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Business Women of the Year award. In addition, numerous staff members have received honors in their respective fields.

Pay It Forward Thirty-three percent of OneWorld’s annual budget is derived from private donations, which include cash gifts, grants, planned gifts and in-kind donations. All contributions are used to support OneWorld’s mission of providing culturally respectful, quality health care with special attention to the underserved. Each donation, small or large, can make a difference! If interested in making a donation or taking a historic tour please contact the development office at (402) 502-8855.

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

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Outlook Nebraska, Inc. 4125 South 72nd Street Omaha, NE 68127 402-614-3331 www.outlooknebraska.com

Big Givers

Established in 2000, Outlook Nebraska, Inc.’s mission is to ‘Enhance the Quality of Life of the Blind and Visually Impaired.’

Outlook Nebraska, Inc. (ONI) is a 501c3 organization that provides employment and workplace training to the blind and visually impaired in an Omaha-based converting operation that supplies a full line of 100 percent recycled fiber content tissue and towel products to the U.S. Government and other customers. ONI also has a strong focus on upward mobility. More than half of the administrative and management positions are filled by the blind. The largest employer of the blind and visually impaired in Nebraska and the only agency of its kind in a seven-state region, ONI provides additional services for its associates, including social activities, education, technology and adaptive aids training, and health and wellness programs. The organization operates under the Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Act and the AbilityOne Program, which mandates the federal government to provide preferred vendor status to agencies such as ONI who employ persons who are blind or have other significant disabilities. Eric Stueckrath is the CEO, John Wick is the Director of Fund Development and Merv Riepe is the Chairperson of the ONI Board of Directors.

Brag Lines ONI strives to create opportunities for the blind and visually impaired through enhancing independence and offering upward mobility. One of ONI’s recently implemented programs, an education and training program, was established to make technology, and all the benefits that go with it, available on-site to blind and visually impaired individuals. With the accommodations available on our computers, blind and visually impaired associates can use the internet, pay bills, and scan and read documents independently. We have raised over $65,000 for this project. ONI is also developing additional voice and assistive technology for implementation on equipment throughout ONI’s tissue converting facility; the goal is to have the blind competitively employed at all levels and positions. We receive grants and other donations from entities such as the Kind World Foundation, the Gary and Mary West Foundation, and the ADAH AND LEON MILLARD Foundation.

Pay It Forward

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ONI is an organization that makes life better for the blind and visually impaired and improves community. We would like Omahans to learn more about the capabilities of the blind at ONI and share those success stories with the greater public. We are always open for tours, and we would love to visit with members of this great community about who we are and what we do.

Donations are always appreciated so that we can positively affect more lives while we carry out our mission. Fundraising is vital to providing our valuable services to the blind and visually impaired.

HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

YMCA of Greater Omaha 430 South 20th Street Omaha, NE 68102 402-977-4300 www.metroymca.org

Big Givers

Mission Statement: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

What is the Y about? The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.

“We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors,” said Leonard Romano, President and CEO for the YMCA of Greater Omaha “That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

Brag Lines • The YMCA of Greater Omaha has 10 locations and a camp serving Douglas, Sarpy, Pottawattamie and Mills counties.

• For 145 years, the YMCA of Greater Omaha has been listening and responding to the needs of the community. “The Y brings people together. We connect people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs,” Romano said.

• The Y offers activities for all ages. YMCAs collectively are the largest provider of child care in the country. The YMCA of Greater Omaha provides many options for visiting members or working parents needing quality child care.

• In addition to working out in our wellness centers, the Y offers a variety of exercise classes and programs including child care, family programs, swim lessons, sports, summer day camp, older adult activities, programs for teenagers and more.

• The Y is also working to establish medically based wellness programs through partnerships with area health organizations.

Most recently, the Y received a grant from the LIVESTRONG organization to establish programs for cancer survivors.

Pay It Forward

Ways you can help: • Join the Y. Become a member of a community that’s committed every day to helping you and your kids learn, grow and thrive.

• Give to the Y. The Y is in your community to give everyone an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. When you give to the Y, your gift will have a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own neighborhood.

• Volunteer at the Y. The Y is a cause for strengthening communities, committed every day to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. When you volunteer at the Y, you take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change right in your own neighborhood.

• Advocate for the Y. When you advocate for the Y for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, you have a partner that has the longstanding track record and on-the-ground presence to address the nation’s most pressing social issues.

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

21

P.O. Box 540852 Omaha, NE 68154 402-571-4011 www.tcfomaha.org

Big Givers

Chartered in 1979, the Omaha Chapter of The Compassionate Friends is one of over 625 chapters nationwide dedicated to reaching out to families who have experienced the death of a child through a support group, newsletters, grief resource library, speakers bureau and memorial programs. Whether the child you mourn died before birth, as an infant, child, teen, or adult, we join together to remember our children, learn coping skills, and make friendships that can help carry us through the most difficult time in our lives by sharing stories of pain and stories of hope. The group is self-led by a committee of caring leaders who are not professionals, but have walked the walk.

The two-fold mission is to promote the positive resolution of families’ grief following the death of a child at any age or any cause, and to foster better understanding of parental and sibling grief among family members, friends, and employers of those who have suffered this tragedy. The secret of TCF’s success is simple: as seasoned grievers reach out to the newly bereaved, energy that has been directed inward begins to flow outward and both are helped to heal.

Brag Lines

On the 2nd Sunday of December at 7 p.m., the Omaha Chapter hosts a memorial event in observance of the Worldwide Candle Lighting. Hundreds of families in Omaha join families around the world to remember all children who have died by lighting a candle for one hour.

In 2009, the Angel of Hope Children’s Memorial at Boys Town became the 95th statue built in the United States, as a place of remembrance, connection and peace for families. In it’s wing is inscribed the word HOPE and a child’s name is written on each brick. It stands as a symbol of hope for all parents and loved ones who have experienced the death of a child, and reminds parents that they are not alone and that they, too, can survive. The project is our way to show we care for grieving families and our children are remembered, and live on through us.

The Greater Omaha Chapter hosted the 2011 Regional Conference “On the Wings of Hope” to provide families a comfortable and pleasant learning and sharing experience with over 35 presenters.

Pay It Forward

• Purchase a brick in memory of a child at the Angel of Hope Children’s Memorial.

• Give a gift in any amount in memory of a child.

• Serve on the advisory board of professionals who have experienced the death of a child and understand and support the work of the group.

• Help us reach out to grieving families who may have never heard of Compassionate Friends and don’t know where else to turn.

22

HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

P.O. Box 286 Auburn, NE 68305 402-274-3679 www.hua.org

Big Givers

Located just an hour south of Omaha, Hearts United for Animals is a monumental dream come true for animals in need, a dream that involves compassion, hope and 65 acres of trees and grass for dogs to run and play. Hearts United for Animals is a national no-kill animal shelter, sanctuary and animal welfare organization dedicated to the relief of suffering. HUA takes creatures who are lost, afraid, hungry or ill and comforts them, gives them a warm, soft bed, good food, medical care and most of all love. HUA is a place of joy and love. Their primary interest is to make the dogs happy. HUA, home to over 400 dogs rescued from the most horrible conditions, is a place to celebrate the joy of life.

The organization has many programs related to its efforts to end misery and provide quality care : • The Puppy Mill Rescue program liberates dogs from puppy mills, where many suffer with hernias, tumors, injuries, infections, and genetic defects.

• Tia’s Place is a sanctuary for pets that come from homes with domestic violence.

• The Sanctuary Sweetheart program gives permanent residence to dogs unable to find homes or who have severe emotional or physical problems.

• The Buddy Program allows supporters to sponsor dogs awaiting homes. Each sponsor writes a special message for the dog’s webpage.

• HUA operates a low cost Spay/Neuter Clinic for the general public. They also vaccinate and provide care and comfort.

• The volunteer program provides the dogs socialization, emotional healing and fun.

• The educational outreach programs provide literature and videos on the subject of puppy mills and animal care.

Brag Lines • • • •

Since 1996, HUA has rescued over 5,000 puppy mill dogs.

The Spay/Neuter Clinic has helped over 8,000 patients since 2004.

Animal welfare curriculum organized by HUA is being piloted in Lincoln Public Schools.

The Jet Set Dogs program has placed dogs in wonderful homes in 48 states and Canada. The program’s innovative use of technology was honored with the Smithsonian Institute’s Computerworld Smithsonian Award.

• Actress Katherine Heigl, of “Grey’s Anatomy,” is a famous supporter of HUA. She hosted a benefit for HUA and helped raise awareness of animal welfare issues at an event in Los Angeles.

• The Gary and Mary West Foundation donated funds for the Homeward Bound project — a new building at HUA’s sanctuary that comfortably houses 200 puppy mill survivors.

• HUA has been rescuing dogs and cats from the 2011 Missouri River Flood and will house them until their people can return for them.

Pay It Forward

Donations are always welcome since caring and providing for all of the dogs takes a lot of resources. Whether it’s donating, adopting a dog in need of a good home, or volunteering, all efforts are appreciated. To visit the dogs for adoption, read their stories, and donate online visit www.hua.org.

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

23

beautysheet story by Sandy Lemke

A

Minx Nails

in celebrity nails, the Minx line is hitting Omaha’s salons. They are a favorite of A-listers Beyoncé Knowles, Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift and Rihanna.

Instead of a liquid polish, the product is made of flexible film and is printed with either sparkly metallics, graphics or photo-quality designs.

According to the owner of Rêvé Salon & Spa in Rockbrook Village, Lynnette Kennedy, Minx is a very popular service. Said Kennedy, “Minx nails are a stunning new fashion in nail services that can be easily applied in the same amount of time as polish with no dry time.”

A Minx pedicure service at Rêvé Salon is one hour and would include a full, relaxing pedicure and a Minx application. Rêvé also offers a half hour service that is a Minx application only. Rêvé professionals apply Minx perfectly over acrylics, gels, silk wraps and natural nails. Kennedy said, “Our most popular designs include metallic cheetah prints and floral designs in a variety of colors. Minx has been offered as a service at Rêvé for over a year and a half! The staff of nail technicians at Rêvé are dedicated to their client relationships and all have years of experience to ensure the highest quality service.” n ever-increasing trend

Minx FAQ with Nikki Okun from Seven Salon 1. How long do Minx Nails take to apply? Typically applied with a manicure or over another nail application, it takes approximately an hour.

2. How long do they last? Do they chip or wear? They can last up to two weeks on the fingernails, and up to a month on the toes.

3. Can they be customized? Minx does offer a customizable option, yes, though they are a bit more costly.

4. How many different styles do you carry? Minx is available in HUNDREDS of designs, we carry about 75 and try to reorder different ones each time.

5. Please describe the application process. Minx is applied over the nail plate. The decal has an adhesive that is heated for more pliability, then placed and shaped on the nail bed.

6. How are they removed? Minx can be removed by again heating the decal and just peeling it off.

7. What are the most popular designs/colors? Again, with so many choices, we have yet to repeat any!

Clean green.

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24 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

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Big Giver Award

Erica Bryant

E

rica Bryant, 32, from Omaha, is like many other young mothers –marveling at how her life has changed since having children, beaming with pride talking up her kids’ accomplishments and talents. Her sunny disposition belies her reality: caring for a special needs child.

Bryant’s son Sam, 4, has Cystic Fibrosis (pictured above). >>>

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

25

JOIN THE Y

AND MAKE A CHANGE FOR GOOD Whether it’s starting an exercise routine, trying a new class or meeting new friends, the Y is here to help you meet your life goals.

There’s so much hope. I can see how it is going to change my son’s and others’ lives!

–Erica Bryant

Join today at www.metroymca.org.

Use promo code HER8911 to waive the joining fee. Expires 9/30/11. Online purchases only.

For Erica, Sam’s disease has been a “blessing in disguise.” Bryant says she and her husband Aaron, say that CF has “taught us to think outside of ourselves. We wouldn’t change Sam for anything.” The Bryants also have a son, Benjamin, 6, and a daughter, Olivia, 11 months.

To their credit, the Bryants have taken an active role in the CF community, working to fund research. It’s Erica’s work for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Nebraska Chapter that has earned her HER Omaha Magazine’s “Big Giver” Award.

Great Strides When Sam was just a couple of months old, Erica called to see how she could become involved in the CF Foundation’s work. Soon she formed a team in their Great Strides Walk. Said Bryant, “We formed a team of mostly family and close friends and had t-shirts made. That first year we raised $3,500.” Added Bryant, “Every year since then it has gotten bigger. Last year we raised $20,000.”

The Great Strides Walk is the CF Foundation’s largest national fundraising event, held in cities all over the U.S. every year.

26 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

COVER STORY

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a genetic

mutation. Both parents must be carriers

of the gene. One in 29 are carriers. If both

parents are carriers, the the chance for CF

in each pregnancy is one in four. The dis-

ease affects the lungs and digestive system

of about 30,000 U.S. children and adults.

Erica’s talent as a fundraiser is topped only by her enthusiasm for her cause. She swells with pride when talking about the CF Foundation’s work. Said Bryant, “It is a great foundation – of the money you donate, 92 percent goes right to R&D.” She feels her efforts will be rewarded – and soon: “One med coming out at the end of the year is changing the defect that causes the illness. It gives me goosebumps to think about it.” The drugs to which she refers are VX-770 and VX-809, currently in clinical trials. They are not purported to be a cure for CF, but do appear to improve the symptoms in the most common mutations of CF. Aaron also serves on the CF Foundation board of directors and works on the committee for the golf event.

Said Bryant, “I was raised to volunteer. I went to Duchesne Academy. We belong to St. Roberts. I was in a sorority. I used to be a member of Junior League of Omaha. But, CF is close to my heart. It’s a grassroots organization. There’s so much hope. I can see how it is going to change my son’s and others lives!”

Bryant said that with quite a few parents in Omaha involved in the CF Foundation, it’s a great way to learn from each other.

Bryant does her fundraising via email. “We have so much support from our family and friends. It is so humbling I feel bad asking –Erica Bryant people for money for my son’s illness. I have people I have never even met donating generously.” In addition to the fundraising, it’s the actual walk that is fun for Bryant. “1,500 people show up, even though it is freezing cold. It is a celebration day. It’s like a carnival. They have a bounce house, a band, and a DJ.” Bryant co-chaired the walk the last two years and would “do it again,” she said. This year the walk raised an impressive $310,000. Of that amount, $70,000 is corporate. “It is almost all grassroots. That’s what I like the most about the walk aspect and the galas that we do. Not everybody can afford to buy a table or round of golf,” Bryant said.

Erica said the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Nebraska Chapter is lucky to count famed Nebraska and NFL football great Dave Rimington as an enthusiastic supporter. Dave Rimington is President of the Boomer Esiason Foundation. The Foundation is named for former NFL quarterback and CBS Sports color analyst Boomer Esiason, whose son has CF. In addition to that, Dave Rimington donates all the proceeds from the Rimington Football Camp and the annual Rimington Trophy Banquet to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Nebraska Chapter.

In addition to her fundraising, Bryant works on a Family Advisory Board. It is parents coming together to create resources for parents of newly diagnosed CF patients at Childrens and UNMC. “I feel like it’s my way of helping. I feel like it’s awesome that I have this opportunity.”

Erica said, “Sam is definitely a fighter.” She went on to say, “There is no cure on the horizon, but these new drugs would be amazing!”

The more active he is, the better...we have to be conscious about keeping him clean, keeping on top of his meds and about adding salt to his diet.

A thick, sticky mucus clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening infections and

obstructs the pancreas, stopping natural

enzymes from helping the system from

breaking down and absorbing food prop-

erly. Adults with CF are usually candidates

for a lung transplant. Life expectancy for

CF patients is approximately 37.

Life

with

CF

Erica explained, “Sam was born with

a bowel obstruction, meconium ileus, and had to have surgery. Since then, he

has been in the hospital seven times for bowel obstruction. CF is an interesting

illness, because it creates extra mucus

in your body. It affects the respiratory system, lungs, affects the GI tract and

pancreas,” said Bryant.

To combat the obstructions, Sam

undergoes twice-daily treatments and

takes 35 pills a day.

Sam appears healthy and doesn’t have

a cough like most CF patients. In fact

this summer he attended soccer camp.

But when he is sick, it feels like someone

is sitting on him. Sam also enjoys swim-

ming. “The more active he is, the better,” said Bryant. “We have to be conscious

about keeping him clean, keeping on

top of his meds and about adding salt to his diet,” she added.

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

27

herart

Carol Meis Ellington The Allure and Challenge of Art

A

s a girl , Carol Meis Ellington used art to escape periods of boredom while tending her father’s feed store. It was a beacon that led her to Omaha to attend art school (on her own at 17), a career in commercial art, and a midlife BFA. Art’s allure and challenges have shaped her life choices, brightened and broadened her view of the world, and pushed her beyond her limits. Despite the seemingly countless successful prints seen in galleries over the years, each one has its unique enticements, and even the “mistakes” stacked in her studio suggest new ideas and invite

reinvention. Ellington has never, ever become bored with art.

Ellington’s medium of choice is woodcut, a type of relief print. As such, a design is transferred to a wooden block, then the negative space, or non-printed areas, are carved away. This leaves the image in relief. Ink is rolled onto the raised image with a brayer and covered with a sheet of paper. Ellington doesn’t use a press, but imprints her design by rubbing the back of the paper with a baren or a spoon. If working in color, each requires a separate block, with just the desired color areas in relief,

28 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

column By Suzanne Smith Arney Photo by minorwhite studios

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printed sequentially from light to dark. Each block is carefully “keyed” to keep the image in exact alignment. A variation of this process is reduction woodcut. In this case, only one block is used. The entire design is inked and printed on the number of finished prints desired (the edition). After each color is printed, the block is washed and recut, reducing the area of the block as it receives subsequent, darker colors.

The result is a layered progression of color, and using just one block eliminates worries about alignment. By the same token, however, there is no allowance for mistakes. Once the board is cut there is no chance to redo that stage of the print.

One spring afternoon, Ellington was working on a woodcut of a pumpkin blossom. She shows me its progression, beginning with a drawing in ink and pencil with color notes. Scanning her drawing into the computer allowed her to easily enlarge it to any size. She determined her palette by working up trials in various colors, then traces her design onto a birchwood board and begins the exacting reduction process. Artists and viewers appreciate woodcut’s strong lines and the layering mentioned earlier. In some woodcut prints the wood’s grain is a conscious design element.

Photography is also a strong contender for Ellington’s artistic heart. Like printmaking (and Ellington uses several processes in addition to woodblock), photography develops, sometimes in unexpected ways, during its process of creation. This process mirrors “a personal journey of self-discovery” that Ellington has found in her work and explores to “create a dialogue between myself and the viewer,” she says. Even so-called mistakes are seen as opportunities to “play around.” Some Ellington cuts into shapes and pieces into “quilts.” One of these was a highlight at the 2006 Cathedral Flower Show.

Seek out the process in Ellington’s pictures— it’s a sure cure for boredom!

Carol Meis Ellington is one of the artists featured Aug. 2-28 at Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, 405 S. 11th Street. Meet Carol at the artists’ reception on August 5 (“First Friday” in the Old Market), 6-9.

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Nebraska Organ Recovery System Give the most precious gift of all... Life!

Need a Speaker for your next event?

Nebraska Organ Recovery System welcomes the opportunity to come and speak to your school, service group, or community organization about the benefits and opportunities of organ and tissue donation.

To find out more visit www.nedonation.org or call (877) 633-1800 WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

29

forher

profile J

ennifer Kocher is founder of Urban Events, the organization that hosts several local events: the Riverfront Wine Festival, the Omaha Beer Fest and new this year, Omaha Restaurant Week.

Said Kocher, “I created Urban Events for the sole purpose of organizing the wine festival in Nebraska. My partners and I saw a need for a more serious wine event where both beginners and afficionados could not only taste new wines, but also have an opportunity to learn about the varietals, experience wine/food pairings and challenge their palates with comparative tastings.” This year’s Riverfront Wine Festival is Aug. 19 and 20 at Stinson Park at Aksarben Village, 63rd-67th between Center & Pine Streets. The festival is in its third year.

Kocher also planned this year’s inaugural Omaha Beer Fest. The Omaha Beer Fest featured over 100 craft beers from 40 different breweries. Brewmasters and other VIPs from the industry taught seminars and showcased their finest brews in our Beer Academy. Said Kocher, “Omaha has a growing craft beer culture and we wanted to start a festival that exposed it and satisfied their itch for something more than just a tasting event. We look forward to bringing more events like this to Omaha in the future.”

New this year is Omaha Restaurant Week, a promotional period where select restaurants will offer a three-course, prix fixe menu. Restaurant Week campaigns have been successful in markets such as Kansas City, Denver and Chicago. Said Kocher, “Omaha has a unique restaurant scene and several notable restaurants have opened in the past few years. Omaha Restaurant Week gives local foodies and visitors a reason to get out and try these new places, revisit old favorites, and indulge at restaurants they have never before visited.” Omaha Restaurant Week runs September 16 through September 25.

Kocher grew up in near Elmwood Park and raised her family there. “Omaha’s growth and livelihood is important to me, so I strive to bring the types of events that are popular in other major metropolitan areas to my hometown.” Her background includes event planning and real estate sales.

Kocher is committed to working with a charitable organization on all of her events. For the Omaha Beer Fest, attendance supports the Nebraska chapter of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. The wine festival supports Junior League of Omaha and the Omaha Restaurant Week will raise money and awareness for Food Bank for the Heartland.

Jen Kocher, Founder/CEO

John Wade, Event Coordinator

30 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

riverfrontwinefestival.com omahabeerfest.com omaharestaurantweek.com

forher

profile B

run-of-the-mill hair salon. With a fun and energetic atmosphere and a young but experienced styling staff, Bangs has “glamour and edge all at the same time,” says Bangs owner, Margi Clark. And that’s by design.

Clark, owner of both Bangs Salon locations, is an expert in her field. By the age of 23, she owned four hair salons in Lincoln. She spent several years as an educator for companies like Helene Curtis and Attractions, served as an admissions recruiter for Capitol School of Hairstyling, and two years ago, she seized the opportunity to purchase both Bangs hair salons in Omaha. “I thought this was the next step to mentoring young professionals so they could love the industry as much as I do when they’re 54 like I am!” says Clark.

In addition to mentoring young stylists, Clark is working hard to change the entire salon industry. Instead of competing against other salons, Clark would like to see salon professionals unite to compete against at-home hair care.

“The world of hairdressing has not always been seen as a profession,” comments Clark, but “most major milestones in anyone’s life are centered around their stylist, even if it’s hard for them to admit: first haircut, wedding, prom, graduation… we’re there for it all.”

As part of the hair and beauty industry, Clark commits a significant amount of time and energy to raising awareness for the Lyal McCaig Image Recovery Center, a salon and spa centered by Alegent hospitals. This special salon is dedicated to helping cancer patients who are receiving treatment deal with the devastating side effects of hair loss. “Most people don’t realize that cancer takes away the ‘you’… that you see everyday in the mirror.

It’s hard to face everyday challenges with work and families when you have no eyebrows, 2623 South 144th Street eyelashes or hair,” explains Clark. Every year, Bangs Salon holds a “Fall With a BANG” Omaha, NE 68144 fashion show that raises funds to contribute to the Lyal McCaig Image Recovery Center.

402-934-5244 Clark knows the ins and outs of what it takes to run a successful salon and business. “Even in this day of texting and computers, people still like to hear ‘Thank you, have a great day!’”

Bangs caters to anyone from “a child getting his first haircut to the HOT grandma down the 3905 Twin Creek Drive street!” For the second year in a row, Bangs has participated in Omaha Fashion Week, styling Bellevue, NE 68123 hair for two major Omaha fashion designers. angs isn’t your

402-934-0799

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

31

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story By Susan Meyers photos by minorwhitestudios.com

healthfocus

Diagnosis: Diabetes M

Prusa has always been an avid exerciser. So when she joined a new health club and started losing weight – she thought she had finally found the magic bullet. But the weight kept coming off. Within a couple of months, she had shed 30 pounds.

She also developed an uncontrollable thirst, frequent urination and became so fatigued she could barely walk up the stairs. >>> ary

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

33

Health Extra Story by bailey hemphill

Celiac Disease

C

eliac

dis -

a genetic digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.

People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. Although gluten is found mainly in foods, it can also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.

When a person with celiac disease eats foods or uses products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine that allow nutrients to be absorbed from food through the walls of the intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much they eat.

Symptoms vary from person to person and may occur in the digestive system or in the other parts of the body. Common symptoms include: • abdominal bloating and pain • chronic diarrhea • vomiting • constipation • pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool • weight loss “A person dealing with celiac disease should eat a gluten-free diet for the rest of their life to prevent symptoms from reoccurring or to reduce long-term side effects,” says Amanda Jochum, a registered dietitian and trained wellness coach at HyVee. She explains that people with celiac disease can benefit greatly from formulating a healthy meal plan and talking with a registered dietitian about a gluten-free lifestyle.

Gluten-free products are becoming more available nationwide in grocery stores, health food stores, and restaurants. Here are some local restaurants with gluten-free items on their menus: • Godfather’s Pizza • Blue Sushi • M’s Pub • Blue Planet Natural Grill • Red Mango September is National Celiac Awareness Month. For more information, visit www. csaceliacs.org for the Omaha support group, Celiac Sprue Association. ease

is

healthfocus Something wasn’t right.

Her daughter urged her to see a doctor.

“It was a little overwhelming When she did, blood tests revealed her blood at first, but then I started sugar was soaring at dangerously high levels of 400 and more. A normal blood sugar ranges seeing the educators at the in the 70s to 90s. Prusa’s symptoms were also Diabetes Center every week. classic of advanced diabetes.

Prusa was diagnosed with acute onset of type They helped me get my 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs in just 5 to 10 sugars under control and percent of the population and is far less common than type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes results taught me how to monitor from the body’s failure to produce insulin and my carbs.” often appears in childhood. In some cases, as — Mary Prusa with Prusa, it can come on suddenly later in life.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is one of the fastest growing diseases in the country and is slightly more common among women than men. It is estimated that approximately one quarter of the population is living with pre-diabetes or full-blown diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is primarily a by-product of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. In the past, most type 2 diabetes cases did not develop until about age 40. However, because of today’s unhealthy lifestyle habits, the disease is appearing in patients at much earlier ages. Approximately one-quarter of the 2 million new cases that developed in 2010 were in ages 20 to 44, says Andjela Drincic, MD, endocrinologist and medical director of the Diabetes Center at The Nebraska Medical Center.

“The good news is that since type 2 diabetes is often caused by obesity, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, it is also preventable,” says Drincic. “Studies have shown that the amount of weight loss needed to prevent diabetes is just 5 to 7 percent of a person’s total weight. That equates to just 10

“The good news is that since type 2 diabetes is often caused by obesity, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, it is also preventable” — Dr. Drincic

Andjela Drincic, MD, endocrinologist and medical director of the Diabetes Center at The Nebraska Medical Center.

to 14 pounds in a 200-pound person.”

Studies have also shown that those individuals who are prediabetic (when a person’s blood sugars are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes) can achieve a 60 percent reduction in progressing to diabetes by simply exercising and losing weight, says Drincic.

Diet, weight control and exercise are also the most effective steps one can take to manage diabetes. Careful management of diabetes is critical for curtailing additional complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and cancer.

And a little bit of exercise goes a long way.

“Exercise is the best medicine we have for diabetes,” says Joni Pagenkemper, a dietitian with Creighton Medical Associates. “All it takes is 30 minutes of walking five days a week. This can be done all at once or even in small chunks throughout the day.”

34 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

healthfocus “The more muscle you have, the better

Exercise helps the muscles make better use of the body’s own insulin, therefore reducblood sugars.” ing one’s dependence on insulin medications. “It increases — Newberry insulin sensitivity, which carries over for 24 to 48 hours,” says Pagenkemper. “It also lowers triglycerides, increases good cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure, and reduces heart risks.”

To take full advantage of the benefits reaped from exercise, Pagenkemper suggests going for short walks after meals, which can have an immediate affect on lowering blood sugars.

Aerobic exercise combined with resistance training has been show to further boost one’s sensitivity to insulin. “The more muscle you have, the better your body uses glucose, which lowers blood sugars,” says Rebecca Newberry, a nurse practitioner at the Methodist Center for Diabetes and Nutritional Health.

Taking control of your diet When evaluating your diet, watching your carbohydrate intake is the most important step you need to take, says Newberry. She suggests eating three meals a day and to maintain a consistent carbohydrate intake at each meal. This should consist of three to four carbohydrates at each meal from four primary categories: bread, rice and pastas; dairy products such as milk and yogurt; starchy vegetables such as corn, potatoes and peas; and fruits. Combine these foods, which are necessary for energy, with proteins, which will help you feel full longer.

“For most people with diabetes, it’s about portion control,” says Pagenkemper. “Everything should be eaten in smaller portions and in moderation. Sugared beverages like pop, juices, lattes and Kool-aid should be avoided, unless needed in small amounts to treat a low blood sugar.” >>>

your body uses glucose, which lowers

Rebecca Newberry, a nurse practitioner at the Methodist Center for Diabetes and Nutritional Health.

Lifelong care for generations of women

Dr. Carlson OB/GYN

Omaha’s first medical campus dedicated to women’s health is trusted by women of all ages. It’s comprised of a women’s center that offers all-encompassing treatment options and individualized care. A women’s hospital nationally ranked in the top 10 percent for patient satisfaction. And a name that has been, and will continue to be, passed down for generations to come. Methodist. That’s the meaning of care. bestcare.org ©2011 Methodist Health System

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

35

HER DENTAL HEALTH Story by Stephanie Vondrak, D.D.S.

healthfocus

Do you have a “Disney” Dentist?

I

sn’t it funny how words can trigger different emotions and thoughts in all of us? For example, I think of happiness and sunshine when hearing words such as lake or swimming but negatively associate snow and mountains with falling from my skis and breaking bones!

Mention “childhood sports” and I think fondly of gymnastics meets and tennis matches. Say “softball” and I instinctively flinch and duck, ready for the incoming hit.

As a dentist, I have come to learn that the mere mention of my profession (DENTIST) can trigger immediate reactions in certain individuals as well. Those with poor past dental experiences often have difficulty trusting that better dental healthcare options are available today. Therefore, the challenge: how to associate “going to the dentist” with a positive, optimistic outlook.

I turned to Walt Disney for help. We all know Disney World is synonymous with smiling children, Mickey Mouse, and carefree fun.

Historically, however, patrons agreed the magic of Disney is not Mickey Mouse. The magic is in how you feel during your Disney experience.

Disney World has the ability to “make you feel like an individual” among the thousands of visitors everyday. This is the lesson to be learned.

Your dentist, physician, physical therapist, etc… should be focused on you as an individual. How we make you feel while caring for your healthcare needs should be our primary concern. My goal is to create the Disney experience with my patients through individualized quality dental care. In doing so, I hope to learn more about each patient and how I can better care for his or her dental needs.

My hope…the next time you stop to buy toothpaste or see your reminder postcard in the stack of mail, your associated thought is comforting and pleasant because, “it’s time to go to the dentist!”

More information about Vondrak Dental can be found at www.drvondrak.com.

Joni Pagenkemper, a dietitian with Creighton Medical Associates.

“Exercise is the best medicine we have for diabetes. It increases insulin sensitivity, which carries over for 24 to 48 hours. It also lowers triglycerides, cholesterol levels and reduces heart risks.”

— Pagenkemper

helping me learn how to manage my condition.”

“This is a difficult disease to live with, but I always remind myself that I could have it much worse,” says Prusa. “Now that I have my blood sugar levels under control, I feel so much better. I’m just so grateful that we have the medicines and ability to control the disease like we do today.”

Gestational diabetes on the rise There’s another part of diabetes that women also need to be in tune to and that’s gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is associated with high blood sugars that develop during pregnancy, usually during the second trimester. Up to 18 percent of women will develop gestational diabetes, but for most women, it goes away after pregnancy. However, these women do have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes as they age.

Pregnancy outcomes for those with gestational diabetes are dependent on sugar control.

“These women can have healthy babies as long as they maintain very close control of their blood sugars, “ says Drincic. “Careful management brings down complication rates to near that of an average woman with no diabetes.”

The same is true for a woman who begins pregnancy with diabetes. “They should be checking their blood sugars six to eight times a day and as the pregnancy progresses, they will have an increasing need to use insulin injections,” says Drincic.

Diabetes screening key to early diagnosis

Learning to manage your diabetes and balancing the right types and amounts of foods can be overwhelming at first, notes Pagenkemper.

That’s why she recommends that everyone who is diagnosed with diabetes participate in diabetes education. “All data shows that getting education improves management of the disease and helps prevent long-term complications,” says Pagenkemper.

Prusa, who is now able to keep her blood sugars in acceptable ranges, says she attributes her success to the educators at the Diabetes Center at The Nebraska Medical Center. “It was a little overwhelming at first, but then I started seeing the educators at the Diabetes Center every week. They helped me get my sugars under control and taught me how to monitor my carbs. The education was huge in

36 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

Diabetes is an insidious disease. It progresses slowly and without early symptoms. By the time symptoms begin to appear, such as an unquenching thirst, frequent urination and fatigue, it has usually progressed to more advanced stages.

Diabetes screening can detect early development so that interventions can begin to prevent full-blown diabetes.

All individuals over the age of 45 should be screened every three years if blood glucose values continue to be normal. High-risk individuals should receive annual screenings before the age of 45, including those of AfricanAmerican, Latino, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Island descent, individuals with hypertension, obesity, high triglycerides, a family history of diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes.

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT HORSES

By lÜc carl

HUSBAND material

The ‘Thinker’ was probably thinking of ways to tick you off.

M If you’ve always dreamed of learning to ride, there’s no time like today to get in the saddle. Join our fun and growing group of adult beginners who are living the dream.

Call Jack or Lisa at 402-453-4000 or email us at lessons@poncahillsfarm.com

RIDERS, HORSES & LEARNING SINCE 1965

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WWW. PONCAHILLSFARM. COM

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14605 NORTH 42ND ST, OMAHA

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Old Market • Downtown • Riverfro nt

www.oldmarket .com

March/April 2011

Spokes-Person Omaha Bicycle/Ped estrian

Coordinator Carlos Morales TEXT

Omaha Coupons

Se Follo e The for Sp wing Page ec and Co ial Offer s upon s s!

to 63638 to have coupons sent to your mobile phone.

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Page 17

All Downtown, All The Time

en are simple creatures. Work, play, drink, sex. There is not a whole lot on our minds. That does not mean in any way that as a woman, it is your job to turn us into the man we’re too stupid to realize we want to be. After all, you cannot sculpt the perfect man. And if you could, he would simply stand there at attention ready to please your every desire. After about seven days he is no longer a man, he is but a servant and your desires will look elsewhere for stimulation.

The truth is, men don’t want to drink as much as they drink, they don’t want to play as hard as they play (even if it is video games and poker), and they sure as hell don’t want to have as much sex with random women as we would like you to believe.

We’re afraid. We’re afraid that if we let you sculpt us into the perfect mold of a man that you’ve built in your head, you will place us in the museum of your life and move on to the next wet, cold lump of clay.

The perfect man is always a work in progress.

The hard part is finding one that is willing to let you sculpt him into something resembling a human being. You don’t want him to stand at attention whenever you say stand, and you certainly don’t want him to be putty in your hands.

Lüc Carl is a writer in NYC, originally from Springfield, NE. His website DrunkDiet.com has had over one million hits in one year. Look for his book The Drunk Diet - March 2012. Follow @luccarl

WWW.READONLINENOW.COM • August/September 2011 • HER

37

OMAHA MAGAZIN E • 5921 S. 118TH CIRCLE • OMAHA, NE 68137

FOODguest chef story By sandy lemke photos by minorwhitestudios.com

base salad

S

OUTHWESTERN CHICKEN SALAD

3 lbs. diced cooked chicken 1 diced roasted red pepper 1 diced roasted Anaheim chili 1 diced green bell pepper 1 diced small onion 1 can chopped smoked almonds Dressing: 1 C. red wine vinegar 3 C. corn oil 2 Tbls. chopped cilantro 1 C. orange juice Salt & fresh cracked pepper Method: Make dressing and mix with chopped ingredients. Chill and adjust seasonings. And serve.

guest chef

Gene Cammorata

S

Gene of his chicken salad recipe: “This chicken salad recipe is a light and refreshing alternative to traditional chicken salad with a spicy difference that is just right and a variety of textures that are like a party in your mouth. It can be served alone, with tortilla chips or on top of a bed of salad greens with appropriate garnishes and is tasty as well as unique.”

Cammorata went on to say, “I was always interested in cooking and at a young age, I figured out that if my mom didn’t make it, I wouldn’t like it so I had better learn to make it myself. I cooked my entire life and after my career as a rock star didn’t work out and I got thin, I thought that cooking would be a great option.”

Cammorata learned to cook from a French chef and worked in various large hotels before attending the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Upon graduating he worked for the Pebble Beach Company in Pacific Grove, Calif. , spent some time in Colorado and moved to Omaha in 1990. He ran a couple of restaurants before he and his wife Julie opened The Brass Grille in 1994. In 2003 they opened Come on into My Kitchen at 55th & Leavenworth Street where they remain today. Open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

During the summer months they serve dinner on Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Cammorata added, “My hope someday is to teach culinary full time and maybe just get that rock & roll band going.” aid

38 HER • August/September 2011 • www.readonlinenow.com

WEARING RED TO A BULLFIGHT. IT MAKES ABOUT AS MUCH SENSE AS NOT KNOWING YOUR PHYSICIAN. They know all about you. Your ailments. What troubles you. Where it hur ts. Isn’t it only fair you know a little more about your physician? After all, your relationship with this physician could be for years. That’s why Alegent Health Clinic offers video introductions of doctors to help you choose the best primary care physician who best f its your lifestyle and interests.

Visit Alegent.com/clinic or call 1-800-ALEGENT to find the right physician for you.

1-800-ALEG E NT Alegent.com/clinic

Featured here is Kirti Gupta, MD, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

Alegent Health is a faith-based health ministry sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives and Immanuel.

Now two ways to improve your skin!

TWO FACILITIES, 75 DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS, ONE GOAL: TO HELP YOU LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST EVERY DAY

An Elle Genius Award Winner and eleven time winner of Omaha Magazine’s “Best of Omaha”, Dr. Schlessinger is dedicated to providing the best care possible for his patients.

Always on the forefront of dermatological science, Dr. Schlessinger is consistently featured in national publications ranging from Glamour to the New York Times. He oversees a specially trained staff at our world-class day spa as well one of the largest dermatology clinical research facilities in the nation.

Prepare to be impressed with LovelySkin’s flagship store! Shop in our luxurious retail space, conveniently open seven days a week, across from Oak View Mall.

We carry over 170 brands and 7000 items on site!

Sales associates trained by Dr. Schlessinger can find the perfect solution for your individual needs,not to mention great gift ideas.

And don’t miss our special events with national makeup artists and educators. It’s a great opportunity to meet the experts and learn the latest in makeup and cosmetic trends around the world! Sign up or find out more at www.LovelySkin.com/retail

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402-334-SKIN (7546)

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