Omaha Magazine - September 2023

REBUILDING COMMUNITIES

SEPTEMBER 2023 | U.S. $5.95

The Omaha Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary will host Tastes and Treasures, “Providing Hope to All Ages,” an annual fundraiser to benefit local programs and projects of The Salvation Army. The event promises an evening of fun, food and philanthropy featuring regional celebrities Juli Burney, humorist, and Michael Lyon, master of ceremonies.

Thursday, September 14th

Scott Conference Center

6450 Pine St. in Aksarben Village

6 PM Social hour followed by dinner and entertainment

For reservations: tastesandtreasures.com

Online Silent Auction September 7-14

THE CITY THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Though the retired slogan “Nebraska Nice” may be something on an instate meme at this point, there’s no denying that inhabitants of Nebraska, and by demographic concentration, Omaha, are among the most generous people around. Though a lifelong resident of Omaha, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel fairly extensively and still, with few exceptions, I’ve rarely encountered people with hearts more open than in my hometown (or wallets and purses, for that matter).

Our annual 'Big Give' special section highlights this well, and each nonprofit and charitable organization is well worth your consideration, whether for donations or volunteering opportunities.

Yet, generosity in Omaha displays in many different forms. For example, there’s the generosity of laughter, song, and spirit as seen in this issue’s Arts & Culture section. Then, there’s the unrivaled support of women’s athletics, as revealed by our sports profile on Creighton Volleyball head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth.

Conversation, compromise, and collaboration are uniquely bountiful in the case of our cover story. Initiated by Empowerment Network Founder and CEO Willie Barney, city officials, charitable organizations, and individual residents (or ‘neighborhood champions’ as described by YouTurn Executive Director Teresa Negron) set aside personal gain and grievances to make Omaha 360 not only a model for violence intervention and prevention locally, but nationally as reported by ABC and the Washington Post. Due to their selfless efforts, gun violence in the metro has reduced significantly over the past 15 years so much so, that former President Barack Obama has declared Omaha a My Brother’s Keeper Alliance ‘Model City as of 2023 a distinction shared by only three other cities this year.

Indeed, some people grow more generous with age others, like our adventure profile subject Brandon Schutt are simply built that way. Having undergone multiple operations as a result of rapid adolescent growth, the young man preserved with an unselfish spirit intact. After a viral video of Schutt surfaced one in which he helped a competing racer stand and cross the finish line after falling during a high school track meet the mayor of Bellevue proclaimed November 16, 2021 “Brandon Schutt Day” in honor of his altruism. Perhaps even more remarkable still, he just ran 365 miles across the state of Nebraska to raise money for charity.

Every September, Omaha Magazine’s ‘Giving Issue’ highlights the kindness, hospitality, and philanthropic spirit of our city and thankfully, there’s never a shortage of worthy subjects.

Thank you for reading, and for making my home such an inspiring place to live.

Sincerely,

-Julius Fredrick

*Note: The hotel edition of Omaha Magazine has a different cover and does not include all of the editorial content included in the magazine’s full city edition. For more information on our city edition, visit OmahaMagazine.com.

Listen to the entire issue here. Open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code.

ABOUT THE COVER

Look again —while guns may be emedded within our community, they needn’t define it. Check out our main feature on the Omaha 360 VIP (Violence and Prevention) Collaborative to discover why—and perhaps most importantly, how.

Zachary Wahab Cheek

THE LINES

Between

A LOOK AT THREE OMAHA MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS

LIZZY DIAMOND Editorial Intern

Lizzy Diamond (yes, that’s her real last name) grew up in Bennington with her three siblings and now attends Nebraska Wesleyan University. She is majoring in English with minors in communications and theater arts. During her time as editorial intern, she has had some fun and learned so much about the writing and editorial processes at Omaha Magazine. She also loves performing with the NWU theater department, where she is usually playing a child, but sometimes she gets to be an adult. When she is not working, writing or stuck at some rehearsal, she can be found visiting the Omaha zoo, lounging with an adorable basset hound, reading historical fiction or romance novels, and telling everyone about her latest celebrity crush. After graduating next spring, she hopes to live out her dreams of becoming a writer or editor and getting to travel to Europe.

MATT WIECZOREK Creative Director

Proudly born and raised in Ralston, Matt is the youngest of four boys. A multi-sport athlete and 2002 graduate of Ralston High School, he holds degrees in graphic design, computer graphics, and illustration from the now-shuttered Creative Center. Matt’s professional life has taken him from Hayneedle to DocuLynx, to Fat Brain Toys and finally Omaha Magazine. This DIY’er enjoys building and welding, and considers himself an amateur carpenter (and shade-tree mechanic), all of which are useful skills he and his wife, Chelsie, are using to fix up their Ralston abode. Matt relishes the outdoors camping, hiking, and biking as often as possible. During downtime, Matt enjoys relaxing with a cigar and a tumbler of small-batch whiskey while hanging out with Chelsie and his English bull terrier, Koa.

SARA WIEBOLD Contributing Writer

Born and raised in Omaha, Sara Wiebold returned to Nebraska with her two kids and fiancé when COVID shuttered the restaurant industry in 2020. She has spent time working and managing dining concepts in Lincoln, Omaha, and St. Louis, and received her Sommelier Certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers in March 2017. She has held every position in a restaurant, from hostess to general manager to her current role as the beverage director at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City. Self-described as hospitality-obsessed, her favorite hobby is dining out with friends and family, exploring all the Omaha (and beyond) dining scene has to offer. Sara is our newest restaurant reviewer, bringing light to the amazing chefs and culinary institutions the metro has to offer.

Contributing Writers JACOB ANDERSON · LEO ADAM BIGA · TAMSEN BUTLER MICHAEL KELLY · SARA LOCKE · SUSAN MEYERS · CAROL NIGRELLI SOPHIA RIDGE · WILLIAM RISCHLING

DOUGLAS “OTIS TWELVE” WESSELMANN · MIKE WHYE SARA WIEBOLD · DAVID WILLIAMS CREATIVE Creative Director MATT WIECZOREK Senior Graphic Designer RENEÉ LUDWICK

Graphic Designer II RACHEL BIRDSALL

Graphic Designer I NICKIE ROBINSON

Contributing Photographer SARAH LEMKE

STAY IN THE KNOMAHA!

Summer in the metro is jam packed with tons do—art, concerts, theater, festivals—we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive list and highlighted picks!

Art Music Festivals

FLIGHT AND HOPE

Samuel Bak Museum

August 12—December 22

Admission: Free 2289 S 67 St. unomaha.edu

Th is exhibition explores themes of fl ight, journey, and migration through Samuel Bak’s oeuvre. His work, informed by his experiences as a forced migrant and refugee in the aftermath of World War II, offers a potent reminder of the humanity of migrants, their dreams of freedom, their fl ight from oppression, their search for home, and the fraught journey they undertake in the hope for a better life. The exhibition paintings depict the ordeal of upheaval but also the hope and tenacity of those fleeing violence. Flight and Hope will situate Bak’s works as part of a broader conversation about the status of refugees in 2023. His paintings remind us that those undergoing this traumatic displacement are human; that individuals caught in confl ict long for peace and a home; and that hope is, despite all odds, eternal. 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 am to 6 pm Thursday; noon to 4 pm Sunday. 402.554.6100.

CLYDE’S

Omaha Community Playhouse

September 17

Admission: $40 6915 Cass St. omahaplayhouse.com

Fresh from Broadway, this production serves up equal parts fi re and ferocity. As it should. The play is by Lynn Nottage, who won Pulitzer Prizes for Ruined , which centers on women during the Congolese civil war, and Sweat , which tells the story of steelworkers fi ghting union-busting managers, as well as themselves. Quick-paced and guff aw-out-loud funny, this production centers on Clyde’s, a restaurant famous for sandwiches and second chances. The kitchen is where previously incarcerated individuals who are part of a transition program work with pride and resilience. As the employees strive for redemption, the restaurant owner, Clyde, ensures that they can’t leave their own purgatory. Full of dark humor, Clyde’s shows that a fresh start is attainable…if you pay the right price. 402.533.0800

SEPTEMBERFEST OMAHA

CHI Health Center Lot D

September 1—4

Admission: $7 (Free for 5 and Under) 455 N 10 St. septemberfestomaha.org

Since 1977, SeptemberFest has off ered entertainment, educational and artistic displays, a carnival, and Omaha’s largest parade. The festival lasts fi ve days, running through Labor Day weekend. The annual Salute to Labor has something for the entire family, from the musical acts in the Beer Garden, to plenty of entertainment for children in the Kiddie Kingdom, to a giant carnival midway for the entire family. SeptemberFest also includes arts & crafts, food, and a number of new special attractions each year. The event draws visitors from a fi ve-state area including Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. Proceeds from SeptemberFest fund a number of community improvement projects, and the event has been honored with a number of awards. 402.278.2951

L D C E A of 8 15 22

» EXHIBITIONS « THE LUNCHBOX: PACKED WITH POP CULTURE

Th rough September 3 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Featuring over 500 lunchboxes and one-of-a-kind original paintings, the display provides an overview of the history of lunchboxes, insight into the production process, and an educational introduction into the dynamic world of collecting. Th e Lunchbox demonstrates how lunchboxes are time capsules of American pop culture from the 1950s through the 1980s. Noon to 4 pm Sunday; 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday— Saturday. 402.444.5071.

—durhammuseum.org

HONORING 75 YEARS: THE HISTORY OF OMAHA’S WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL PARK

Th rough September 3 at Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St. Th is exihibition explores the history of Omaha’s seminal park, which was formed from a 65-acre tract of land formerly occupied by the Happy Hollow Country Club and later, the Dundee golf course, to become the site of a permanent tribute to those men and women who served our country in the US military. Noon to 4 pm Sunday; 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday—Saturday. 402.444.5071.

—durhammuseum.org

9 16 23

EVENTS

A GENERATION OF HOPE: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE HEARTLAND

Th rough September 3 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St. Th is exhibition is a celebration of the people who have called this region home for thousands of years. Children can learn about their culture and traditions throughout this interactive exhibit. 9 am to 4 pm Tuesday—Friday; 9 am to 5 pm Saturday—Sunday. 402.342.6164 —ocm.org

ABOVE & BEYOND: PRESENTED BY BOEING

Th rough September 10 at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W Park Hwy, Ashland. Above and Beyond celebrates the power of innovation. Packed with interactive challenges, vehicle concept models and prototypes, immersive media presentations, and inspiring innovator stories, this exhibition invites visitors to experience what it takes to make impossible dreams take fl ight. Open daily, 9 am to 5 pm. 402.944.3100

—sacmuseum.org

PRESENCE IN THE PAUSE: INTERIORITY AND ITS RADICAL IMMANENCE

Th rough September 17 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S 12th St. Features work focusing on the complexity of everyday relationships through portraits and domestic scenes that examine personhood, memories, and the speeding up and slowing down of contemporary life. 11 am to 5 pm, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; 11 am to 9 pm Thursday. 402.341.7130. —bemiscenter.org

ART FROM THE HEART BY TELAGIO BAPTISTA

Th rough September 23 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Award-winning artist Telagio Baptista tells stories with a single image. Drawn to visual arts from a young age, he worked in graphic design and then fully dedicated himself to his passion, watercolor painting. His paintings are rooted in realism as he depicts people, places, plants, and animals. Open daily, 9 am to 5 pm. 402.346.4002.

—lauritzengardens.org

GLASS IN FLIGHT 2 BY ALEX HEVERI

Th rough October 15 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Guests can discover 16 life-like installations in a sculpture exhibit that showcases the beauty and importance of butterfl ies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. They can see the giant insects made of steel frames and Dalle de Vera glass, and witness the interaction of sunlight and colored glass alongside the garden’s plant collection. Open daily, 9 am to 5 pm. 402.346.4002.

—lauritzengardens.org

ERIN HANSON: COLOR ON THE VINE

Th rough November 5 at Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, 575 E St, David City. Acclaimed California impressionist painter Erin Hanson presents a solo exhibition of coastal vineyard landscapes. 10 am to 4 pm, Wednesday—Saturday; 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday; 1 to 4 pm, Sunday. 402.367.4488.

—bonecreek.org

JURASSIC NEBRASKA

Th rough January 2024 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St. Children can experience what life would be like if dinosaurs were around in their everyday lives; toss a football against some ferocious defenders; explore and discover fossils in a giant dig pit; climb Chimney Rock to look a T-Rex in the eye; and more. 9 am to 4 pm Tuesday—Friday; 9 am to 5 pm Saturday— Sunday. 402.342.6164

—ocm.org

// 8 // SEPTEMBER 2023

Five venues, five unique celebration experiences Hosting events for 100 - 1,000 guests, Omaha Event Group boasts 15 years of experience with over 300 events each year, including Omaha Fashion Week Schedule a consultation with our team of experts today

CONCERTS

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR

September 1, 7:30 pm, at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Starring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, Classics IV, and The Cowsills. The tour will delight audiences with a show full of chart-topping hits from the ’60s and ’70s. 402.345.0606

—o-pa.org

BLACKBERRY SMOKE

September 7, 7 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. The southern rock band might be known for fuzzed-out electric guitars, but their songs translate equally well to being acoustic play. 402.345.0606.

—steelhouseomaha.com

HERE COME THE MUMMIES

September 7, 7 pm, at The Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. With Perpetual Groove. Here Come the Mummies is an eight-piece funk-rock band of 5000-year-old Egyptian mummies with a one-track mind. Their “Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave” is sure to get audiences moving and grooving. —theastrotheater.com

5TH ANNUAL SHADOW RIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL

September 8, 5 pm, at Shadow Ridge Country Club, 1501 S 188 Plaza. Th is fun festival is headlined by the Barenaked Ladies and Collective Soul and will also feature Toad The Wet Sprocket and The Samples. Attendees can enjoy live music, local foods, and cold brews. 402.333.4020

—shadowridgecountryclub.com

STAIND

September 10, 8 pm, at Harrah’s Casino Stir Concert Cove, One Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluff s, IA. Over the course of their career, Staind has released seven studio albums and eight Top 10 singles, selling over 15 million albums worldwide. 712.329.6000.

—caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluff s

JAI WOLF

September 11, 8 pm, at Slowdown, 729 N 14th St. With Evan Giia and Myrne. Evoking the heart-tugging feeling of a cinematic score, Jai Wolf makes electronic pop that conjures a dazzling spectrum of emotions. His audiences will no doubt feel the magical sense of connection. 401.345.7569

—the slowdown.com

COHEED AND CAMBRIA

September 13, 8 pm, at The Admiral, 2234 S 13th St. With special guest Deafheaven. Th is four-piece band from Nyack, New York, incorporates aspects of pop, heavy metal, and post-hardcore to create their progressive rock sound. 402.706.2205.

—theadmiral.com

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

September 14, 8 pm, at Th e Admiral, 2234 S 13th St. With American Aquarium. Drive-By Truckers pay homage to the Muscle Shoals honky-tonk where founding members Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley got their start: a concrete-floored dive lit like a disco, with the nightly promise of penny beer and truly dubious cover bands. 402.706.2205

—theadmiral.com

JONAS BROTHERS “THE TOUR” 2023

September 16, 7:30 pm, at CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St. One night. Five albums. The Jonas Brothers’ latest tour will include hits from fi ve of their biggest albums. So whether audiences grew up with hits like “S.O.S.” or are fans of the new stuff, they’ve got it covered. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

BETH HART

September 16, 8 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. Th is blues-rock artist is as real as it gets. In a music industry full of glossy production and airbrushed photoshoots, this is one artist who throws down her cards to give audiences an authentic experience.

—theastrotheater.com

PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC

September 17, 8 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. Headed by George Clinton, this American funk collective has been performing for decades. Audiences can enjoy music from the two groups, Parliament and Funkadelic, that include inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 402.345.0606.

—steelhouseomaha.com

SWANS

September 19, 8 pm, at Th e Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. With Norman Westberg. Swans are an experimental rock band formed in 1982 by Michael Gira. Initially part of the new wave scene, Swans have, through various iterations, contributed to the development of noise rock, post-punk, industrial, post-rock, and more. 402.884.5353. —waitingroomlounge.com

MEDIUM BUILD

September 21, 7 pm, at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. With Rent Madison. Medium Build fi nds levity in the rough edges and complications, crafting slice-of-life songs about growing up and making mistakes. Medium Build is an amalgamation of genres and influences centered on approaching life and music with humor, empathy, and casual absurdity. 402.884.5707. —reverblounge.com

MSSV

September 21, 7 pm, at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Featuring Mike Baggetta, Stephen Hodges, and Mike Watt. With Bad Bad Men. MSSV blends industrial vigor and impressionistic languor into a lingering impression of pressure, combustion, and power. 402.884.5707. —reverblounge.com

CASEY DONAHEW

September 22, 7:30 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. Over the last 18 years, Casey Donahew has risen from a favorite on the local Texas music scene, racking up 21 #1 singles, to a nationally hot touring act who consistently sells out venues all across the country. —theastrotheater.com

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY

September 22, 8 pm, at Th e Admiral, 2234 S 13th St. Features Austin, Texas, natives performing passionate, powerful instrumental music. Equal parts romance and tragedy, their beautiful melodies have the tendency to ignite into head-spinning walls of noise. 402.706.2205 —theadmiral.com

AX PLAYS MOZART

September 22-23, 7:30 pm, at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. World renowned pianist Emanuel Ax joins the Omaha Symphony in a performance of one of Mozart’s greatest piano works, Piano Concerto No. 25. 402.345.0606

—omahasymphony.org

THE USED

September 23, 7 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. The American punk rock band from Orem, Utah, brings their distinctive sound to Omaha. 402.345.0606.

—steelhouseomaha.com

GOO GOO DOLLS

September 23, 7:30 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. With special guest Fitz & The Tantrums. Multi-platinum, four-time Grammy-nominated rock band the Goo Goo Dolls have spent the summer taking their “Big Night Out Tour” all over the country, including a stop in La Vista.

—theastrotheater.com

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND

September 24, 7:30 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. Twenty-fi ve years into his recording career, Kenny Wayne Shepherd continues to create genre-defi ning, blues-infused rock & roll. Shepherd has built an enviable resume as an accomplished recording artist and a riveting live performer.

—theasrtotheater.com

EVERCLEAR

September 27, 6pm, at Barnato, 225 N 170th St, Suite 95. With The Ataris and The Pink Spiders. Everclear returns to Barnato, this time for an indoor, intimate headlining tour experience with big production and a full night of music. 402.964.2021

—barnato.bar

THE BABYLOK TOUR

September 28, 7 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Featuring BABYMETAL and Dethlok. Th is Japanese kawaii metal band BABYMETAL has earned success abroad and is joining forces with Dethlok to embark on the Babylok tour. 402.345.0606

—steelhouseomaha.com

311

September 29, 7 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. With special guests AWOLNATION and Blame My Youth. Th is American rock band was founded here in Omaha. Now with 13 studio albums, the band is returning home during their fall tour.

—theastrotheater.com

JORDAN DAVIS

September 28, 7:30 pm, at Liberty First Credit Union Arena, 7300 Q St. With Mike Ryan and Dylan Marlow. Country Music star Jordan Davis will perform hits from his latest album Bluebird Days, among his other hits. 402.934.9966 —libertyfi rstcreditunionarena.com

SAM HUNT

September 29, 8 pm, at Harrah’s Casino Stir Concert Cove, One Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluff s, IA. With Lily Rose. Earner of nine No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay chart hits, Sam Hunt is bringing his notable country sound to the metro area with his “Summer on the Outskirts” tour. 712.329.6000.

—caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluff s

NEXT FROM NASHVILLE WITH TY MARCH

September 29, 8 pm, at Barnato, 225 N 170th St, Suite 95. Nashville up-and-comer Ty March is a unique artist with any equal mix of energetic and emotional tones that will undoubtedly get stuck in your head. 402.964.2021

—barnato.bar

STEWART COPELAND: POLICE DERANGED FOR ORCHESTRA

September 30, 7:30 pm at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. Th e highenergy orchestral evening celebrates the work of legendary rock star and composer Stewart Copeland and focuses on the epic rise of his music career that has spanned over four decades. 402.345.0606

—omahasymphony.org

BRETT YOUNG: DANCE WITH YOU

September 30, 7:30 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. Features the American country pop singer. 402.345.0606.

—steelhouseomaha.com

STAGE PERFORMANCES

MEREDITH MASONY

September 1, 7:30 pm; September 2, 6 & 8:30 pm, at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St, Village Pointe. Meredith Masony is a wife, mother to three, and the emotional support person to one dog and two cats. Life isn’t supposed to be easy, but at least we can fi nd the funny. Meredith recently fi nished a 76-city national tour and is ready to get intimate on all of the dirty jobs she does as a mom. 402.493.8036.

—omaha.funnybone.com

THE MOUSETRAP

September 1-3, 7-10, check for showtimes, at Lofte Community Th eatre, 15841 Manley Rd, Manley. After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor fi nd themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them. Th is murder mystery features a brilliant surprise fi nish from Dame Agatha Christie, the foremost mystery writer of her time. 402.234.2553

—lofte.org

STEVE HOFSTETTER

September 3, 7 pm, at Slowdown, 729 N 14th St. Author, columnist, and comedian Steve Hofstetter has made appearances on several primetime series and is one of the top booked acts on the college circuit. He has performed live to sold-out venues across the country and may be adding the Slowdown to that list. 402.345.7569. -–theslowdown.com

QUINN DAHLE

September 6, 7:30 pm, at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St, Village Pointe. Dahle’s comedy appeals to all age groups and ethnicities, and he loves to talk about them all. However, audiences often come back just for his improvisational crowd work where he can be the most spontaneous. 402.493.8036. —omaha.funnybone.com

OPERA OUTDOORS

September 8, 7 pm, at Turner Park 3110 Farnam St. Join Opera Omaha’s annual kick-off to the 23/24 Season with the return of Opera Outdoors. In its 11th year, this free, family-friendly opera concert for the community will include highlights of the upcoming season in addition to some of opera’s greatest hits. 402.346.7372 —operaomaha.org

ARTHUR & FRIENDS MAKE A MUSICAL

September 8-24 at Th e Rose Th eater, 2001 Farnam St. From books to screen and now to the stage! Arthur is confronted with the biggest challenge of his life: writing a story about what makes you special. Come along with Arthur & Friends through this musical exploration of what makes us awesome, just as we are. 402.345.4849 —rosetheater.org

KERWIN CLAIBORNE

September 10, 7 pm, at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St., Village Pointe. Featuring comedy from one Mississippi native who has gained a following from his social media videos and nationwide shows. 402.493.8036. —omaha.funnybone.com

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

September 15—October 15, at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Tony Award winner

Beautiful: Th e Carole King Musical is the inspiring true story of singer/songwriter Carole King’s remarkable life, her journey to fame, and the mammoth impact she and her work had on the music industry. While not without strife and heartache, King’s story and unbreakable spirit will capture audiences’ hearts. 402.553.0800 —omahaplayhouse.com

ANCIENT ALIENS

September 21, 7:30 pm at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. Featuring Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, William Henry, Nick Pope, and David Childress. The 90-minute live experience celebrates the long-running program “Ancient Aliens” on The History Channel. The panel will discuss thought-provoking extraterrestrial theories on fan-favorite topics from Ancient Egypt to the moon. —theastrotheater.com

PSYCHIC MEDIUM CINDY KAZA

September 21, 7:30 pm, at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St, Village Pointe. Cindy Kaza is a psychic medium who had her fi rst memorable encounter with a spirit when she was just 10 years old. Kaza now travels across America providing people evidence and messages from the other side. 402.493.8036 —omaha.funnybone.com

MACBETH

September 21—October 22, at Bluebarn Theatre, 1106 S 10th St. Murder, witchcraft, and superstition are steeped into William Shakespeare’s darkest play. The story follows one man and his wife who will stop at nothing to get the Scottish crown. 402.345.1576 —bluebarn.org

MORE:

HUTCHFEST 2023

September 3, 10 am at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave. Attendees of this makers’ fair can peruse 200+ handmade artists and makers from across the midwest, feast on street-style brunch fare, sip gourmet cocktails and coff ee, get goofy in the oversized lawn games park, and enjoy local music performances.

—hutchfestomaha.com

TOWERS OF TOMORROW WITH LEGO BRICKS

Th rough September 3 at Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St. Features 20 skyscrapers from North America, Asia, and Australia constructed in breathtaking architectural detail by Ryan McNaught, one of only 21 LEGO®-certified professionals in the world. Noon to 4 pm Sunday; 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday—Saturday. 402.444.5071.

—durhammuseum.org

ALL-EUROPEAN SHOW AND SHINE

September 10 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. The All-European Show and Shine will feature fi ne European cars and motorcycles on display surrounded by the beauty of the garden. Guests may walk the 100 acres of gardens or they may take a narrated tram tour for $5 per person ($3 for garden members). The café will be open from 11 am to 2 pm for lunch and snacks. 402.346.4002. —lauritzengardens.org

ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE CASTLE

September 18, 5:30 pm, at Joslyn Castle, 390 Davenport St. Once Upon a Time at the Castle is a storytime adventure featuring a youth librarian from Omaha Public Library reading classic fairy tales from around the globe. After story time, the group can reenact tales using costumes, props, and the Castle gardens as their land of imagination. 402.595.2199

—joslyncastle.com

SLEEPING BAG SAFARI

September 18, 6 pm, at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S 10th St. Join the Zoo for an overnight program where adult guests spend the night at the zoo’s Tent Camp Site and experience the exhibits after hours. Program includes picnic dinner and drinks, an evening hike, movie, snacks, “grab-n-go” breakfast, morning hike, and a free day at the zoo. Th is event is for guests ages 21 and older. 402.733.8401

—omahazoo.com

2023 RIVER CITY RODEO

September 22—23, 7:30 pm, at CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St. River City Rodeo is a weekend Western festival featuring two nights of high-caliber PRCA rodeo where world champion cowboys will compete for their official entry into the National Finals Rodeo. The seven thrilling rodeo events include steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

FALL EQUINOX HIKE

September 23, 7 pm, at Camp Wa-kon-da, 402 Forest Dr. Join Fontenelle Forest this autumn and enjoy their Fall Equinox Hike. The hike will be about 1-1.5 hour in length over moderate terrain. After the hike, guests will meet at the bonfi re to make s’mores. 402.731.3140

—fontenelleforest.org

Would you like weekly event recommendations delivered right to your inbox? Open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code (left) to subscribe to Omaha Magazine ’s Weekend Entertainment Guide online.

On Monday nights, the North Omaha Music and Arts near 24th and Lake streets becomes a magnet for multi-generational jazz talent, featuring a lineup that's worked with some of the most trailblazing icons in contemporary music. At no cover charge, attendees are introduced to seasoned artists who’ve played for Wynton Marsalis, jammed at Lauryn Hill’s house, and toured for national Broadway shows. Open mic kicks off around 7pm. About an hour later, eager young musicians are invited to hone t heir chops.

For the “pro” set, Dana Murray—executive director of North Omaha Music and Arts—usually sits behind the drums. For Jeff Jenkins, it’s behind the ivory keys.

On a warm Tuesday evening in June, Jenkins strolled into NOMA looking the part of a jazz pianist. Wearing a dark blue plaid blazer, a black pork pie hat, and sporting a neat goatee, Jenkins watched with anticipation as fellow musicians set up for the night’s session.

Born in Hebron, Nebraska, Jenkins and his family moved to Nebraska City when he was 2 years old. His father, Bill, a trumpet player, was a high school music director. He encouraged the young Jenkins to play trombone, but it was his mother, Ellie, who taught him piano. More than 50 years later, Jeff ’s son, Ellington (named after famous jazz pianist Duke Ellington), still has the Baldwin Acrosonic piano that Jeff learned to play on when he was 4.

After graduating from Nebraska City High School, Jenkins spent two years at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont when his father sent him to the Jamey Aebersold jazz camp in Kansas. While there, he met composer and jazz pianist Dan Haerle, who encouraged Jenkins to finish his schooling at the University of North Texas.

“At that point, that was one of probably a half-dozen places in the country where you could actually study jazz,” Jenkin s recalled.

Jenkins followed Haerle’s advice, earning his Bachelor of Arts in jazz performance before spending time in Dallas to learn the ropes of live gigs. In 1983, he decided to move to New York City. He sold the piano he had in Dallas to buy a new one in New York, and braced himself for intense competition.

“People are nice in New York, but they’re brutally honest,” Jenkins said. “If you’re not cutting it, they’ll tell you.”

During his fi rst year in New York, Jenkins didn’t perform for audiences. Living off his savings, he focused exclusively on practice. Putting a piano in a New York studio apartment meant sleeping beneath it atop a rolled-out futon mattress.

“I thought it was romantic and cool. Now, I wouldn’t think that,” Jenkins laughed.

Jenkins’ fi rst big break came with the off-Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors in 1984. After fi lling in for a friend in the off-Broadway version, Jenkins was hired to play

keyboards for the national tour. For two years, he traveled throughout the United States. When he returned to New York in late 1985, he took over the keyboard position for the New York production of Little Shop of Horrors. As one of the most successful off-Broadway productions in New York City’s history, the coveted slot offered both fi nancial stability and musical credibility.

In 1990, Jenkins moved to Denver, Colorado, to be with his then-wife. Even though Jenkins was no longer living in New York City, he continued to encounter some of the most influential figures in jazz, including Bobby Hutcherson and Freddie Hubbard. Along with playing festivals, Jenkins was part of a music ensemble that opened for David Byrne at the world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

In 2008, Jenkins joined the faculty of the University of Colorado at Boulder as a jazz studies professor. In addition to teaching, Jenkins ran his own recording studio, Mile High Music. Brad Goode, a trumpet player and an associate professor of jazz studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder, recorded his album Chicago Red at Jenkins’ studio. Jenkins plays keyboards on Goode’s latest album, The Unknown, which was released this year. During a Zoom interview, Goode said Jenkins’ deep knowledge of jazz extended to other genres, like Latin music and Broadway musicals.

“He’s not a ‘dabbler'—he’s an expert in so many different areas of music,” Goode noted.

Jenkins moved to Omaha in August 2022 with his wife, singer Terri Jo Jenkins. Th is past spring, he retired from the University of Colorado. He cited his health as one of the main reasons he chose to retire. He was diagnosed with Adrenomyeloneuropathy, or AMN—an inherited genetic disorder that affects the spinal cord, requiring Jenkins to use a cane.

Growing restless in his fi rst year of retirement, Jenkins began playing at The Jewell in Omaha’s Capitol District, where he caught the eye of drummer nad music producer Dana Murray. In addition to the Monday night sessions, Jenkins teaches a jazz improvisational class at North Omaha Music and Arts.

“There’s a soul and organic nature about how he plays,” Mu rray said.

Visit northomahamusic.org, jewellomaha.com, and Jenkins’ YouTube channel @allkeyspro6606 for more information.

“There’s a soul and organic nature about how he plays.” -Dana Murray

One

Cool Cat

Jazz pianist Jeff Jenkins made a name for himself in New York & Denver.

Now, he’s delighting crowds in Omaha

BY SEAN MCCARTHY // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

Scarlet, Cream, & an Abstract Dream

Ashley Spitsnogle Seizes Opportunities, Paints a Portrait of Success

Ashley Spitsnogle’s creativity comes in many forms. Whether fans know her from her illustrative work, her abstract pieces, or her larger-than-life Huskers portraits, the passion, artistry, and joy present in each piece remain constants.

Spitsnogle initially honed her talent through painting and drawing courses at Doane College, bolstered by a graduate intensive in Florence, Italy. She has nurtured a career as a self-employed artist ever since, seeking new opportunities and tackling fresh challenges to do what she loves.

One of Spitsnogle’s fi rst gigs as an artist was to illustrate Josh the Baby Otter, a children’s book promoting water safety. After losing their son in a tragic drowning incident, Blake and Kathy Collingsworth of Lincoln, Nebraska, wrote the story to teach parents and kids alike how to enjoy swimming safely. Both Spitsnogle and the Collingsworths now work with organizations like Rotary International, the Coast Guard, and the Michael Phelps Foundation, and have printed over a million copies of the book.

“I loved working on the book and promoting it because of how passionate everyone in those organizations is,” Spitsnogle said. “But i’d say that abstract is probably my favorite way to paint.”

According to Spitsnogle, she quickly took to abstract painting during her studies at Doane and now primarily produces abstract works out of her Elkhorn gallery.

“The actual physical painting usually happens quickly with abstract art, but the preparation often takes weeks or even months ahead of time,” she explained. “I establish a visualization of what I want to paint and a plan of what colors to mix and how to make them stand out, but even then sometimes it goes a totally different direction on t he canvas.”

Following this intensive preparation period, Spitsnogle can often fi nish an abstract piece in a single day. Th is pace has also opened opportunities in the sports world, though not in the ways one might expect.

Her fi rst introduction to the professional Husker world was at a fundraising gala for TeamMates, a teen mentoring organization, where Spitsnogle was asked to do a live painting. After considering a subject that would have broad appeal, she decided to reproduce a famous sideline scene of former Husker Football Coach Tom Osborne and the late Brook Berringer.

The painting was received positively by Osborne, the Berringer family, and Big Red fans online—revealing a unique opportunity for artistic connection, eventually leading Spitsnogle to obtain licensure from the university to produce and sell Husker artwork.

Now alongside her abstract pieces, those visiting Spitsnogle’s gallery are quick to notice the iconic Cornhusker scarlet spanning several of her canvases. The collection includes a variety of Husker sports scenes, from interviews with coaches to frame-by-frame recreations of classic Husker moments and legend ary players.

One such legend immortalized in Spitsnogle’s art is Heisman Trophy-winner Johnny Rodgers, who’s thoroughly impressed by her skill.

“Ashley is a young artist with oodles of talent, and even more personality,” Rodgers said. “You can be as sweet as can be, but without skill and dedication, you won’t go anywhere.”

Rodgers lauded Spitsnogle for her dedication, and emphasized that greatness can’t be achieved without hard work.

“You can tell she has respect for herself and her craft, but also respect for the people she is working with,” he noted. “I hope I am around 20 years from now to see what she does. She will be a world-class artist one day.”

Rodgers shared that he will sign as many autographs and make as much in royalties from a signing at Spitsnogle’s gallery as he will at large-scale events in some of the biggest cities in the nation.

One of her most popular works captures that fan-family mentality, showing a timeline progression of historic Husker styles in a panoramic view outside Memorial Stadium’s iconic east gate, blending from black-andwhite top hats and cigars to corn heads and Husker scarlet. The painting features suggestions from fans and captures generations of team spirit and nostalgia in a single canvas. For Spitsnogle, capturing these memories and moments of hope makes each Husker piece meaningful.

“After our signing with Johnny, my dad told me that when he was watching Johnny play growing up, he never could have imagined that he would be sitting in his daughter’s studio watching one of his heroes sign her artwork,” Spitsnogle said.

Another highly regarded piece features two Nebraska football stars whose lives were tragically shortened—Brook Berringer and Sam Foltz walking through a brightly-lit game day tunnel together. Spitsnogle said that the feelings of hope and love the piece inspired in both players’ families makes it a personal favorite for the artist.

Admirers of Spitsnogle’s work can look forward to seeing more abstract canvases, a second installment of Josh the Baby Otter, and, later this year, another fan meet-and-greet signing at her Elkhorn space with Heisman Trophy-winners Eric Crouch, Mike Rosier, and Johnny Rodgers.

As for the longterm, she’s simply excited to take on more opportunities to create, whatever they may look like.

“I just really freaking love what I do,” Spitsnogle affi rmed. “I love getting to be around other artists every day. I love being able to work with so many passionate people and organizations. I love being able to capture meaningful memories both for my family, and the rest of the Huskers family.

“I love being able to have a job that furthers my art.”

For more information, visit ashleyspitsnogle.com.

The Hot Widows Club Podcast

PROVIDES SOLACE FOR OTHERS

rystal Sauser and Allie Bruening describe themselves as “tired as hell from raising kids, wiping asses, making decisions, and being parents if you know, you know.”

Actually, most people don’t know at least not in their late 30s or early 40s. That’s when both women watched their husbands die from cancer; agonizing experiences that left each feeling helpless. But when they lost their soulmates, they found each other, and through their tears, they somehow managed to laugh long enough to found the Hot Widows Club Podcast , an online show dedicated to exploring grief and life after the death of a loved one.

At times brutally serious, others uproariously funny, the bi-weekly, unscripted podcast touches on a subject that for many is either uncomfortable or downright taboo. Then again, Sauser and Bruening, both Omaha residents, know all about being uncomfortable. Sauser’s husband, Eric, died in February 2021 following a 2019 diagnosis of leukemia. He was only 43. Now 41 and a human resources director for Airlite Plastics, Sauser was left a single mother to three children, ages 11, 9, and 5.

“I had loved him like no other. I died with him,” she confessed. “We had a very jovial relationship. I spitballed a lot with him.”

In a way, she spitballed his obituary.

Hosts of the Hot Widows Club Podcast Allie Bruening (right) and Crystal Sauser (left).

“I wanted to do something special,” Sauser reflected of the humorous obit that said, in part: “Eric hated sad stories, beets, romantic comedies, a snow-packed driveway, and turning off the garage light…We are not positive, but we think the cause of death was either leukemia or more likely being ‘dead sexy.’”

Sauser’s heartfelt ode to Eric went viral and captured the attention of Ross Bruening, who himself had been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer around the same time as Eric. He died at 38 in May 2021. He told his wife that, when it was his time, he wanted a similarly irreverent riff on his passing. She wrote: “Despite multiple rounds of chemo and several major surgeries, the doctors were unable to determine whether the cause of death was his cancer diagnosis or the outcome of recent Husker football seasons.”

Like her podcasting partner, Bruening, today 38 and CFO of the Strawhecker Group, was also devastated and left to care for her children, ages 4 and 2, on her own.

A mutual friend and coworker put them in touch, believing they could support one another. When Sauser and Bruening met in July 2021, they sat together and wept. Then Bruening shared something that changed how both would process their husbands’ premature deaths a podcast.

“I couldn’t talk about my grief, and it really drove me crazy,” she explained. “Ross and I talked about everything. He was my best friend. I lost that, and going through it was one of the hardest things of my life. I felt very alone. I didn’t know anyone else with the same experience.”

Bruening didn’t want other people in like circumstances to feel the same, and a podcast seemed like the right vehicle to bring them together.

“We all process our grief differently,” she said. “I wanted everyone to know that they’re not alone.”

“When Allie said she just wanted to talk about grief, she didn’t realize that I was foul-mouthed,” joked Sauser, who, after a little trepidation, leaped at the suggestion.

Although they discussed using one of their basements to record, they ultimately approached Webberized, an Omaha business Margie Sturgeon and Richard Lewis founded as a platform to help people tell and disseminate their stories.

During their first phone call, Sturgeon heard in Bruening's voice that the recent widow had something she desperately needed to share.

“That meant a lot to me,” Sturgeon said. “I immediately thought it was so important. I lost my own mother to cancer in 2009. Grief is an ongoing, universal process. but people don’t talk about. For example, what it’s like seeing someone’s last moments. Crystal and Allie have created a space where people feel comfortable discussing that.”

“Especially when you lose a spouse, it’s life-altering,” Lewis added. “The way they bring in guests, they have a great rapport… what they are doing on their podcast is helping other people.”

In March 2022, Sauser and Bruening dropped the first episode of the Hot Widows Club Podcast , a name they chose tongue-incheek to encapsulate both the difficult subject matter and the humor they brought to it.

Since its debut, the podcast has garnered over 20,000 listens.

“People want to hide us and tell us we’re an anomaly for losing spouses so young,” Sauser said. “I’d say, ‘Bitch, please. We are not an anomaly. There are other beautiful widows and widowers out there who are strong, confident people.’ The most special thing that we’ve found is that the podcast makes those people who felt alone now feel so connected.”

It’s also allowed the recording duo to experience something beyond sorrow and loss.

“Grief isn’t complete sadness; you can find joy,” Sauser said. “I didn’t realize that I didn’t have to just lie in bed for like three or five years and cry and wear a black shawl over my head. We’re broken, but we’re not non-functional.”

Bruening concurred and emphasized that the Hot Widows Club Podcast is about giving back.

“Podcasting gave me a purpose when I was going through something so traumatic,” she shared. “I struggle; it’s hard. But we’re serving our community. I feel very validated putting my grief out there. This has been really special to me.”

Just as listeners have felt connected to other widows and widowers, so, too, have Sauser and Bruening connected to one another, depending on each other during days good and bad.

“Allie is my better half and gave me confidence that I never knew I was capable of,” Sauser said. “She is a presence of love and encompassing grace who brings me up when I’m down and carries me. She calls me out on my bullshit and I call her out on hers.”

Still, both podcasters continue to feel connected to their late husbands.

“I don’t feel Eric has ever left my side,” Sauser said.

“I’ve said the exact same thing,” Bruening softly added. “I hated that Ross died the way he did. I wanted to make something from it and Crystal and I have.”

The Hot Widows Club Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, Google, and other podcasting platforms. For more information, visit facebook.com/HotWidowsClubPodcast.

“People want to hide us and tell us we’re an anomaly for losing spouses so young. I’d say, ‘Bitch, please. We are not an anomaly. There are other beautiful widows and widowers out there who are strong, confident people.’ The most special thing that we’ve found is that the podcast makes those people who felt alone now feel so connected.”

— Crystal Sauser

“We all process our grief differently. I wanted everyone to know that they’re not alone.”

—Allie Bruening

STORY BY WILLIAM RISCHLING // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

A LAUGHING MATTER

From Punk Rock to Punchlines With Zach Peterson

There is a sort of ease that passes over the crowd when a comic takes control of the room; a shared knowledge that the individual guiding the experience promises smiles, laughter, and aching sides. However, comedy is an unforgiving career wherein financial security is far from assured. Nontheless, Omaha maintains a thriving comedy scene thanks in no small part to premier local talent, like Zach Peterson.

Between running the Omaha chapter of Don’t Tell Comedy, operating his own brand under Broken Magic, and lending support to area comedians, the Iowa-born comic keeps a hectic schedule.

“I started when I was 27,” Peterson reminisced. “I remember because it was a big year for me; a lot happened. I got into comedy and graduated college in the same year. I was in punk rock and hardcore bands, and I was always the singer. I wasn’t really musically talented in any other way like my friends were, so they kept on doing music and I had to find my own thing.”

Peterson's recollection was laced with hard-won humility. While a firm direction remained elusive well into his late 20s, Peterson’s patience paid off when he embraced the comedy stage.

Peterson continued, “Some of my friends were like, ‘Hey, we're making videos’ […] and then some of those people started doing stand up. I started doing stand-up [too], and just seemed to really fit.

“I remember going on stage for the first time and it felt like, ‘This is the thing I'm supposed to do.’”

As anyone who has attended a basement show can attest, being a punk rocker is not for those wary of the spotlight an experience that steeled Peterson to the fickle, at times unpredictable scrutiny of stand-up audiences.

In regard to anxiety before a show, Peterson said, “It doesn’t happen so much anymore. After 13 years of doing it, I don't care. I can get on stage, and it's a non-event. I just have more fun now because there's no stakes. There’s less pressure to do well every single time; so long as I’m having fun, [and] the audience is having fun. I put my sense of humor out there instead of doing what I think other people will find funny, and sometimes it takes a little bit longer to get people on board. But if I’m not doing material that I like then it’s not nearly as fun.”

An unavoidable pitfall of comedy is the attention-seeking heckler. From videos of awkward interactions and even physical altercations the harassment of working comics appears to be a common, if not viral, occurrence.

Peterson’s view of this phenomenon is rather nuanced, claiming, “I think the perception of heckling is far worse than the actual problem of heckling. One of the last times I hosted at the Funny Bone there was a couple that was just fall-down drunk, and they were a pain in the ass but they were just drunk, you know? Most of the time the venue will take care of it for you. And if someone's really ruining the show, then you have to engage […] it sucks, but it's part of the job.

"People end up forcing heckler interactions, they want stuff for their TikTok but at the same time, that's the game. And I don't blame anyone for playing the game.”

Zach Peterson

“I like organic crowd work. For me, being an old person that just likes jokes, it can be a bit disheartening to see people try to get unique moments instead of letting them happen organically, but that's the way that things are going. People end up forcing heckler interactions, they want stuff for their TikTok but at the same time, that's the game. And I don't blame anyone for playing the game.”

Peterson emphasized the necessity of including the audience in the performance while still maintaining control over the room. It’s become second-nature to him now, like breathing or taking a morning leak.

“Say you're performing in a club and you sold 15 tickets. It happens more than anyone wants to admit,” Peterson chuckled. “One of the best things you can do is engage the audience, because you're not going to get the big thunderous laughs that you want. Just make sure that everyone there has the best time possible. Sometimes, those are the most fun.”

Peterson concluded by celebrating his fellow comedians and the Omaha comedy scene at large.

“There's a community, there's a culture, and there's a whole thing going on that people may not be aware of,” he explained. “Dylan at The Backline [Comedy Theatre] serves as a great community hub for comedy in Omaha. And they run the Omaha Comedy Festival, which is phenomenal. I've done probably 60 to 70 festivals around the country, and that one's legit. Colleen and Daisy at The Funny Bone create a great environment for comedians to get in front of big crowds and professional comics […] I encourage people to be part of the community.

“You need more people to give a damn. I love it. It's changed my life in dramatic ways but you have to really be passionate about it.” For more information, visit brokenmagic.com.

For 16 years and counting, Omaha Magazine’s annual Big Give has centered the spotlight on a number of Omaha’s most impactful—and most generous—organizations. Each of the following nonprofits improves the lives of its citizens in varied and vital ways, yielding a net positive citywide. Time, effort, and donations are essential to the continued success of their missions, and no matter the cause, every give makes a big difference. After all, when it comes to the city of Omaha—friends, families, and neighbors alike—it’s about all of us. Get involved today!

38. Do Space

39. Great Plains Black History Museum

49. Nebraska Humane Society

50. Omaha Children’s Museum

51. Omaha Home for Boys (OHB)

52. Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF)

53. Open Door Mission

54. Opera Omaha

55. Outlook Enrichment

56. Partnership 4 Kids (P4K)

63. Stephen Center

64. The 712 Initiative

65. Together

66. Whispering Roots

67. YMCA of Greater Omaha

68. Youth Emergency Services (YES)

69. Child Saving Institute (CSI)

Rejuvenating Women

The Rose Theater

70. Completely KIDS Table Grace Cafe Epilepsy Foundation

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

A unified network of leaders committed to preserving and expanding prosperity in heartland communities through education, workforce development and civic projects born from effective private, public, and philanthropic partnerships.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Aksarben Ball

October 28, 2023

WISH LIST

Support of Aksarben Foundation initiatives:

• Aksarben Scholarships

• Aksarben Community Grants

• Aksarben Workforce Initiatives

AKSARBEN FOUNDATION

2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 800 Omaha, NE 68124

402.554.9600

aksarben.org

BACKGROUND

Since 1895, the Aksarben Foundation has been convening leaders dedicated to Nebraska prosperity. While these needs have changed overtime, Aksarben remains committed to this work through initiatives of education, community, agriculture, workforce development, and honor. The Aksarben Ball continues to celebrate and honor those individuals and families who give their time, talent, and treasure, both to their communities and to the state. This event is held each October and helps raise funds for the Aksarben Scholarship Program.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Support of the Aksarben Foundation makes the Aksarben initiatives possible. The Aksarben | Horatio Alger State Scholarships are awarded each year to students across Nebraska and western Iowa who have great financial need who have overcome insurmountable odds, so that they may attend the college or university of their choice in Nebraska. By keeping our young people in Nebraska to continue their education, we stand a better chance of retaining these individuals postgraduation to live, work, and raise their families—having a positive impact on our workforce and economy.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION STATEMENT

American Midwest Ballet is your resident professional dance company, bringing work beyond words to audiences in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond. Performing at home and on tour, our mission is to inspire people through dance programs of the highest quality: breathtaking performances, enriching education, and uplifting community engagement.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Momentum

Oct. 14-15, 2023

The Nutcracker

Nov. 18-19 and Dec. 9-10, 2023

Cinderella

April 27-28 and May 11-12, 2024

AMERICAN MIDWEST BALLET

1001 S. 6th St Council Bluffs, IA 51501

712.890.5590

amballet.org

info@amballet.org

BACKGROUND

In 2010, when the metro area faced a future without professional dance, founder and artistic director Erika Overturff took on the challenge: creating a new company that became today’s American Midwest Ballet.

Now, 14 seasons later, AMB is a recognized success, with a company of professional dancers, a repertory of classical and contemporary works, and a roster of acclaimed guest and resident choreographers.

AMB reaches more than 7,500 area students through special performances partnered by Omaha Performing Arts and more than 100 area schools. Collaborations with the Omaha Symphony and

Opera Omaha, plus services to more than 30 community partners including Girls Inc., MICAH House, Heartland Family Service, and Impact Hill, support AMB’s core belief that dance is for everyone.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Attend a performance

• Become a season subscriber

• Make a donation or become a sponsor

• Take a class at the AMB School

• Join the AMB Guild

• Partner with AMB to bring dance to your audience

• Follow AMB on social media

• Subscribe for updates at amballet.org/signup

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT: Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Act of Random Community Kindness’s (ARCK) mission is ‘helping people find their way,’ connecting professional community caregivers to places of help and healing one conversation at a time.

WISH LIST

• Sponsor a Food or Beverage donation to a professional community caregiver office or a Volunteer Fire Department

• On-line donations

• Encourage family and friends who are community caregivers to explore new and interesting self-care opportunities

ARCK WELLNESS & RESOURCES, INC.

7823 Wakeley Plaza Omaha, NE 68132 by appointment only 402.917.0722

thearck.org/contact

Artemis Tea and Botanical 4013 Farnam St. - 531.375.5844

Centering Corporation, Grief Recovery Books and Resources visit their website at centering.org

Certified Healing Touch Practitioners website heartandhandshealingtouch.com

Lorri Hibbeler, BS, LMT and Healing Touch practitioner 402.917.0722

Leah Hamilton, RN, LMT appointments available at Godfrey Natural Chiropractic 2281 S. 67th St. - 402.566.5133

Dr. Mary Schmidt, D.C. Balance and Integration services 360.350.9713

Tea Smith 345 N. 78th - 402.303.7070

Thirteen Moons Acupuncture 1000 N. 72 St. - 402.827.1355

BACKGROUND

We believe a healing journey can begin with just a simple conversation or kind gesture and that HOPE is an anchor for the soul. ARCK was established to bring awareness, connection, and validation regarding the importance of self-care to individuals whose job requires them to give much of themselves—their time, energy, and care—to others in a highly emotion filled environment on a daily basis. ARCK lends support to community caregivers—teachers, first-responders, healthcare professionals, social workers, and more—by connecting them to wellness programs and healing arts services designed to ease the stress inherent of these invaluable, but often taxing, services they provide. By helping these dedicated individuals—neighbors, friends, and family members—the entire community grows healthier, stronger, and more capable facing life’s various challenges.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

A key aspect of ARCK’s mission is to provide community outreach opportunities.

The following are some ways you help support the mission of our non-profit:

• Nominate a professional services group of 50 or less employees or a volunteer fire department to receive a delivery of bagels and beverages as an act of random kindness. This small act of hospitality brings a great amount of joy and is a wonderful way to thank these giving and exceptional individuals.

• As a professional community caregiver, take time to explore and discover some different or interesting ideas for your much-needed self-care. Included on this page is a small list of self-care resources, please visit our website thearck.org for more information or call/text 402.917.0722

On-line donations are always appreciated! Support your area caregivers today!

FOR

EXPANDED CONTENT: Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION STATEMENT

Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Operation School Bell®

October 2023

October 2023 ALO, in partnership with JCPenney®, provides clothing and shoes to thousands of Omaha area school children.

Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes Gala

November 1, 2023

Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes

November 2, 2023

WISH LIST

• Monetary donations

• Volunteers

• Tax deductible donations of housewares, adult clothing, and accessories to the Thrift Shop

• Books for young children

• Donations and Grants

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE ® OF OMAHA

8502 West Center Rd. Omaha, NE 68124

402.342.4288

alomaha.org

BACKGROUND

Assistance League® of Omaha (ALO) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit service organization whose members identify, develop, implement and fund ongoing philanthropic programs to serve specific needs of local children and adults in the Greater Omaha Area. Assistance League of Omaha receives no federal, state, or city funding.

PAY IT FORWARD

• Operation School Bell® –3,624 students were provided clothing in partnership with JCPenney® and ALO volunteers worked 4,628 hours.

• Assault Survivor Kits® –Approximately 348 kits were assembled for area hospitals and emergency agencies. Through our partnership with Project Harmony, approximately $3,405 worth of new children’s clothing was provided.

• Operation Bear Hug –742 teddy bears delivered to agencies and hospitals that service children who are in physical or emotional crisis situations.

• Operation Literacy –Over 1500 books were distributed to children and adults in the community.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

• Operation Teen Parent –volunteers encourage teen parents in school with academic, citizenship, and attendance rewards. They support literacy of parents and children with books and resources and offer four $700 scholarships.

• Operation Recovery –Each month, we organize various events for the Santa Monica House residents including self-defense, creative classes, beauty evenings, and more. We also host a Christmas party and provide extra gifts to make the women feel special.

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

To improve the quality of life of persons on the Autism Spectrum and their families through education, advocacy, and support, thereby enabling them to be an integral part of the community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

A Vintage Affaire XV Gala

September 30, 2023

Sensory Friendly Nutcracker

November 19, 2023

4th Annual Swing for the Spectrum Golf Fundraiser

May 6, 2024

WISH LIST

• Corporate partners

• COMPASS inclusion training opportunities with organizations & corporations

• Employment opportunities for Prosper Workforce Services

• Inclusion event opportunities

• Volunteer Guild members

• Donations

AUTISM ACTION PARTNERSHIP

10909 Mill Valley Road, Suite 205

Omaha, NE 68154

402.763.8830

AutismAction.org

info@AutismAction.org

BACKGROUND

For 15 Years, Autism Action Partnership has served the needs of the Nebraska autism community. AAP offers programming focused on support, inclusion, and prosperity.

The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to grow, worldwide and locally, with 1 in 36 children diagnosed. Autism Action Partnership provides programs and services for autistic individuals and their families and remains dedicated to working with community partners to create a more inclusive environment to allow the autism community to thrive.

In 2023, we launched our COMPASS training program to grow inclusion efforts in our community by educating the general public which increases acceptance and understanding of the autism community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

As a community, we encourage people to grow and expand inclusion of individuals with different abilities.

The world and our local community have continued to embrace autism more than ever before. Communities and businesses are turning their focus to the unique abilities of autistic individuals and the significant contributions they can make in all areas of life.

As the needs of the autism community continue to grow and diversify, so too must AAP in order to achieve our mission. Autism Action Partnership is seeking support in all forms to help harness and sustain opportunities to fulfill our mission. Contact us today to learn more about making a positive impact that can help change lives!

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Changing the way America cares for children and families.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Boys Town RUN

September 9, 2023

Light The Town

December 2023

Boys Town Annual Booster Banquet

April, 29 2024

WISH LIST

• Make a donation at boystown.org.

• Purchase items off our Amazon wish lists

• Come and take a tour of our beautiful campus

BOYS TOWN

14100 Crawford St. Boys Town, NE 68010 531.355.1508 boystown.org

BACKGROUND

When Father Edward J. Flanagan purchased Overlook Farm in 1921, it became the new, permanent site of Boys Town. Over the decades that followed, schools, churches and homes were built, and tens of thousands of young lives have been transformed. At Boys Town, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. Today, Boys Town has multiple successful programs, from in-home services to school services and residential care, all recognizing that every child is an individual with unique needs. The care provided is effective because it is driven by the belief that every child and family have the potential to heal and build a better future. When Boys Town saves a child, the positive effects make society a better place for all.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Boys Town kids are everywhere. They are teachers, parents, engineers and artists. Given a second chance, help and healing, they have triumphed to become valued members and leaders of our communities. They, along with donors, are central to spreading the word about the amazing work Boys Town does every day — and has been doing for more than 100 years. Abused, abandoned and neglected children deserve kindness, stability and the opportunity for another chance to heal and grow. Broken families require time, resources and support to heal and reunite. For these children and families, people are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation to Boys Town. Every dollar of your donation will go toward our youth and family services.

FOR

EXPANDED CONTENT:

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Responding to the cry of a child.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PurseOnalities Luncheon

November 2, 2023

Substitute Santa

December 6-8, 2023

Cabaret 2024

April 5, 2024

WISH LIST

• Due to the construction occurring in and around the Child Saving Institute (CSI) building, there is limited space to store new donation items. At this time, we are not currently accepting any donations other than those listed below:

• Personal Hygiene products such as: toothbrushes, hair brushes, shampoo & conditioner, shaving cream, razors (men’s & women’s)

• Diapers & Pull-Ups (All sizes)

CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE

Ally Goedeken, Development Manager

402.504.3664 (direct)

402.553.6000 (main)

4545 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68132

childsaving.org

BACKGROUND

For more than 131 years, Child Saving Institute (CSI) has been dedicated to the changing needs of Omaha children and families. CSI’s programming is diverse, but so are the needs of today’s children and youth.

Currently serving nearly 3,000 children and families annually, CSI provides life-changing services for all children—infants to young adults through its programs including: Early Childhood Education, Therapy, Foster Care, parenting education and support, Pediatric Social Work, an Emergency Shelter, and more.

The CSI mission is “responding to the cry of a child”, but it is the vision that guides the organization’s work to provide all children with safe, happy childhoods. CSI’s vision is that “all children have homes where hope is kindled and dreams can be achieved”.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Join the CSI Guild at its 16th annual PurseOnalities Luncheon on Thursday, November 2 at the Hilton Omaha to support local children and families receiving services from CSI. Event attendees will enjoy a silent auction featuring fabulous purse packages and hear from inspiring speaker and author, Josh Shipp. Purchase your tickets online at childsaving.org/PurseOnalities.

• When you give to CSI, you are making a lasting difference in the lives of kids in your community. Children need your help. Families need your help. A donation to CSI will help countless local children and families. Make a donation online at childsaving.org.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

• Child Saving Institute (CSI) is making progress towards its $46 million capital campaign—Campaign for Hope. Through expanded services, CSI will provide more support to children and families in need, faster. Learn more about CSI’s Campaign for Hope and how you can get involved at childsaving.org/campaignforhope.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The City of Omaha Human Rights and Relations Department has four major responsibilities: Civil Rights Investigations and Enforcement Support Services, Economic Equity and Inclusion Program Administration, Community Outreach and Education, and a Restorative Justice Program.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Annual High & Middle School

“Living the Dream” Competition

January 15, 2024

Monthly HRR & MCCD Board Meetings

WISH LIST

• Parade volunteers

• Board volunteers

•“Living the Dream” Competition participants and Teacher sponsors

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS, CITY OF OMAHA

1819 Farnam St. #502 Omaha, NE 68183 402.444.5055

humanrightsrelations@ cityofomaha.org

humanrights.cityofomaha.org

BACKGROUND

The Human Rights and Relations Department is primarily responsible for:

• the investigation and prevention of prohibited discrimination in the areas of housing, employment and public accommodation, based on race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation or gender identity;

• helping small and emerging businesses from economically distressed areas of Omaha to become self-sufficient and secure City contracts through active participation in the public bidding process;

• promoting development of the local workforce by encouraging businesses to create economic equity and inclusion plans and utilize apprenticeships;

• advancing restorative justice as an alternative to conviction for misdemeanor offenses in collaboration with the Omaha Police Department and the City Prosecutor’s Office; and

events such as Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth, World Refugee Day, and Heartland Pride and presentation of seminars and events to provide information about the Department’s work.

The Department additionally oversees the operation of two appointed boards: the Human Rights and Relations Board and the Civil Rights Hearing Board.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Volunteer at parade and festival events

• Invite the Department to make presentations on discrimination, small and emerging businesses, economic equity and inclusions plans, or apprentice utilization to your group, at your work place, or your organization’s next meeting.

• Serve on the Human Rights and Relations Board or Civil Rights Hearing Board

Join us and help the Department work for civil rights for all, improved human relations, and business and job development in Omaha!

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

• community education and outreach through participation in community

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Collective for Youth’s mission is to advocate for, facilitate resources, and provide quality training for out of school time program providers.

WISH LIST

• Online donations via PayPal at collectiveforyouth.org/donate/

• Prospective providers seeking assistance in establishing out of school time programs for youth

• Funding and strategic partners

COLLECTIVE FOR YOUTH

105 N. 31st Ave. Suite 103 Omaha, NE 68131

402.932.2025

collectiveforyouth.org

BACKGROUND

Since 2007, Collective for Youth has connected providers with resources and funding, connecting donors to good work that best supports their giving goals. Additionally, Collective for Youth has implemented streamlined coordination and communication between parties working to improve the standards of the community’s youth— advocating on behalf of donors, the school district, and lawmakers toward providing professional development, feedback, and cutting-edge assessment tools. To accomplish this, Collective for Youth partner with more than 60 providers to oversee out of school time activities for over 7,000 elementary- and middle school-aged students in 42 Omaha Public Schools each year.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Collective for Youth’s life-changing work depends on the support and generosity of community-minded donors.

Through donations made online at collectiveforyouth.org/donate/, our organization can continue its mission to support area youth outside of school hours, an investment that ultimately benefits everyone involved. Donate today!

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Completely KIDS educates and empowers KIDS and families to create a safe, healthy, successful and connected community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pinot, Pigs & Pours

September 14, 2023

FORE! the KIDS

September 25, 2023

Completely KIDS Luncheon

March 20, 2024

WISH LIST

• New winter coats

• New school supplies

• New holiday gifts

• Sports equipment

• Board games

COMPLETELY KIDS

Completely KIDS

2566 Saint Mary’s Avenue

Omaha, NE 68105

402-397-5809

Completelykids.org

BACKGROUND

Completely KIDS serves more than 2,000 KIDS ages 4-17 with a depth of critical services after school and all summer long. We partner with Omaha Public Schools, Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools and several community-based organizations, including homeless shelters to provide a variety of needed programs.

Access to opportunities is not distributed equally across our community. Many have limited access to nutritious food, mental health services, and/or experiences that broaden the mind and spark the imagination. The programs provided by Completely KIDS break down those barriers and provide equal access for all.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Completely KIDS offers many ways to get involved through time or financial contributions. Your time, talents and dollars support the important work we do for the KIDS and families in our community every day. We are grateful for all the support, grants and gifts we receive as well as volunteer contributions. There are always more KIDS and families in Omaha who need Completely KIDS’ help. The organization can’t do it without the backing of donors and volunteers—people just like you. For more information, please contact Chief Development Officer, Lacey Locklear at llocklear@completelykids.org or at 402-397-5809.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Established in 2019, Culxr House is an innovative community hub that focuses on providing artists, creatives, and activists a safe space to cultivate their talents.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Art Battles

Sept 16th & Nov 18th

WISH LIST

• Embroidery Machine

• DTG T-Shirt Printing

• PA System

• Digital Live Sound Mixer

• Resin 3D Printer

CUXLR HOUSE

3014 N. 24th St. Omaha, NE 68110 402.320.4769

culxr.house

BACKGROUND

Starting in 2019, Culxr House is a hub that uses its space to hold various community events—typically in collaboration with other local organizations to expand creativity and culture within the North Omaha community. Culxr House also provides artists, creatives, and musicians a space to grow, experiment with, and refine their craft.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Attending various Culxr House events, or even stopping by to see our organizers and talented creatives at work, makes a huge difference toward local engagement and spreading awareness. Donations are always open and volunteers are greatly appreciated.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Do Space’s mission is to empower the Omaha community through access to technology and innovative learning experiences.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Littles Lab

Interactive Tech Program suitable for children ages 2-5

Every Wednesday & Saturday from 11:00 am - 11:45 am

Register for free at DoSpace.org/calendar

Cyber Seniors

Tech Help for Seniors in a supportive community atmosphere

Every Thursday from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

No registration required

Make It!

Creative and hands-on program suitable for ages 6-12

Every Wednesday from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Register for free at DoSpace.org/calendar

WISH LIST

• 3D Printers

• Materials for laser cutting, such as acrylic, glass, and wood

• Tools and equipment for electronics repair

DO SPACE

5111 N 90th St

Omaha, NE 68134

402.819.4022

DoSpace.org

Hello@dospace.org

BACKGROUND

Do Space is an innovative and vibrant community technology library located in Omaha, Nebraska. Established in 2015, it has become a premier hub for digital access, learning, and exploration. Operated by the nonprofit organization Community Information Trust, Do Space aims to build digital equity by offering free access to cutting-edge technology and resources to all ages and skill levels.

Now located in the Abrahams Library on 90th and Fort Streets, Do Space offers free access to computers, laptops, 3D printers, virtual reality equipment, a podcast studio, and other cutting-edge

technologies. With a mission to empower individuals with essential digital skills, the space hosts workshops, mentor appointments, and hands-on classes on topics such as coding, digital design, entrepreneurship, and more.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Sign up for a free Do Space membership

• Make a Donation on the Do Space website

• Attend one of our workshops and/or drop-in programs

• Volunteer your time at Do Space

• Follow Do Space on social media

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

To preserve, educate, and exhibit the contributions and achievements of African Americans with an emphasis on the Great Plains region. To provide a space to learn, explore, reflect, and remind us of our history.

UPCOMING EVENTS

GPBHM Tuskegee Airmen: Who Called Nebraska Home & African Americas Who Served Exhibit

November 3, 2023 – January 6, 2024

Smithsonian Exhibit Voice & Vote Democracy in America

December 2, 2023 – January 27, 2024

The Seven Days of Kwanzaa Exhibit & Program

December 2, 2023 – January 6, 2024

WISH LIST

• Organizational Sponsorships

• Donations (Time, Talent, Resources)

• Artifact and Manuscript Donations

• Volunteer

• Dedicated Facility to Allow for Growth

GREAT PLAINS BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM

2221 North 24th Street

Omaha, NE 68110

402.932.7077

Info.gpbhm@gmail.com

gpblackhistorymuseum.org

BACKGROUND

Mrs. Bertha Calloway founded the Great Plains Black History Museum in 1976, aided by a grant from the 1976 Bicentennial Commission. The Museum was opened in the historical Webster Telephone Exchange Building. The Museum is currently located in the historic Jewel Building, home of the Dreamland Ballroom. Since then, the Museum has hosted and created exhibits that featured paintings, rare books, documents, and artifacts related to the African American experience. The Museum has hosted a slate of athletes, politicians, and other dignitaries as well as local, national, and international visitors. Through a series of victories and challenges, the Great Plains Black History Museum continues to serve an important role in our community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Visit the Museum

• Schedule a Face-to-face our virtual educational presentation

• Schedule a virtual organizational lunch and tour

• Become a member of the Great Plains Black History Museum

• Donate to the Great Plains Black History Museum

• Follow the Great Plains Black History Museum on social media.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The mission of Heartland Family Service is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through advocacy, education, counseling, and support services.

UPCOMING EVENTS

“Carnival of Love” Gala

Feb. 24, 2024

“Strike a Chord” Gala

June 2024

Safe Haven Golf Tournament

August 2024

WISH LIST

• Pot and pan sets/stovetop cookware

• Toilet paper/paper towel rolls

• Hygiene/home cleaning supplies

HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE

Central Administration Office

2101 S. 42nd St., Omaha, NE 68105

402.552.7400

heartlandfamilyservice.org

BACKGROUND

• Founded in 1875

• Incorporated in 1952

• Providing compassionate, systemsoriented helping services

• Private nongovernmental organization

• Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization

• Nonsectarian, not affiliated with a religious organization

• Operates from 20 safe, comfortable locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa

• Achieves mission through the efforts of 464 staff, 132 volunteers, and 671 generous individual donors, family foundations, and key funders

• Connected with nearly 153,000 individuals and families last year, through direct services, advocacy, education, and outreach

• A reputation for quality services, conscientious management, and excellent customer service

• Accredited by the Council on Accreditation since 1984

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Heartland Family Service relies on charitable investments from individuals, corporations, and foundations to ensure the sustainability of their services. Continuing and/or increasing an annual contribution will ensure the availability of high-quality, life-changing services for the individuals, families, and communities Heartland Family Service serves. Donate today by visiting the “Donate Now” button on the Heartland Family Service website and support their vision: Strong Communities, So Everyone Can. The “Support Us” tab on the website shows other ways to give to Heartland Family Service, including planned giving, volunteering, and in-kind giving through their wish lists. Heartland Family Service encourages everyone to help build a community of opportunity. So everyone can.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Humanities Nebraska helps people explore what connects us and makes us human.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Voices & Votes Exhibition: Wahoo

Now Through October 7

Mari Sandoz Symposium: Chadron

September 29 & 30

Humanities Week

October 7-15

28th Annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities, Omaha & Livestream

October 10

Prime Time Family Reading

September-November

Nebraska Warrior Writers

September-November

WISH LIST

• Award-winning children’s books for underserved families

• Writing textbooks for veterans/ military in Nebraska

Warrior Writers

• Shipping cost reimbursement for communities hosting “Museum on Main Street”

Smithsonian traveling exhibitions

• Transportation costs for high school students participating in Capitol Forum on America’s Future

• Table sponsorships for the annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities

HUMANITIES NEBRASKA

215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 330 Lincoln, NE 68508

402.474.2131

HumanitiesNebraska.org

BACKGROUND

For 50 years, HN has annually offered hundreds of free and accessible programs throughout the state, each an opportunity to connect with other people, cultures, and ideas. HN programming includes Prime Time Family Reading to help underserved families break the poverty cycle, the summer Chautauqua history festival, high school civics curriculum and deliberation, writing workshops for veterans and active duty military, a speakers bureau, traveling exhibitions from the Smithsonian, grant funding for local humanities projects, and the annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

HN has programs that enrich the lives of Nebraskans in many different ways. Supporting HN with a monthly, quarterly, or annual gift will: enable more at-risk kids gain literacy so they succeed in school, inspire high school students to become life-long engaged and informed citizens, encourage communities to come together to celebrate history and culture, assist veterans and active duty military, and support local non-profits across Nebraska.

CONTENT:

FOR EXPANDED

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

We break down barriers to empower immigrants and refugees by providing highquality immigration legal representation, social work, and refugee resettlement services to help them thrive.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Food Truck World TourThe Slowdown

September 29, 2023

WISH LIST

• home set-ups

• co-sponsorships

• English teachers

• Conversationalists

• pro-bono attorneys

IMMIGRANT

LEGAL CENTER

4223 Center St. Omaha, NE 68105 402.898.1349 immigrantlc.org

BACKGROUND

Immigrant Legal Center + Refugee Empowerment Center is an organization that truly cares about the communities we serve. After merging in October 2022, and with 50 years of combined experience, we offer a wide variety of high-quality services that include legal representation, social work, and resettlement assistance. Our clients come from all over the world, fleeing persecution, seeking refuge from conflict, and migrating to find better opportunities. Our goal is to empower them and give them the resources they need to succeed.

Our staff is diverse, representing the multitude of cultures and languages our clients bring with them. We strive to provide culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate services to ensure everyone feels welcome and respected. This has led to strong relationships with community leaders and a greater understanding of the challenges and experiences faced by our clients.

BRAG LINES

FOR

EXPANDED CONTENT:

We are proud of our impact in the community, with last year alone seeing over 3,000 individuals empowered as a result of our work to break down barriers and promote inclusivity. Witnessing

the transformation of our clients as they navigate the complex immigration system, achieve stability, and contribute meaningfully to their communities is what motivates us every day. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, and we are here to support them every step of the way.

PAY IT FORWARD

When you give to Immigrant Legal Center, your contribution helps immigrants in our communities live with confidence and free from fear. Immigrant Legal Center + Refugee Empowerment Center offers a variety of options for donors to support our work, through your employer, online, or even a donation of stock. Visit immigrantlc. org/ways-to-give to learn more.

• Making a donation to fund legal fees for an immigrant family.

• Attending ILC events

• Inviting ILC attorneys to speak to your community group about immigration.

• Contacting your representatives and ask them to advocate for legislation that supports immigrant families.

• Volunteer to set up a home for a new refugee

• Co-sponsor a refugee family for a year

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

To build and sustain a strong, vibrant, and inclusive Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Omaha Jewish Film Festival

October 16 – 19, 2023

Evening with Author & Historian Saskia Coenen Snyder

November 9, 2023

Hanukkah Extravaganza

December 10, 2023

Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Commemoration

May 8, 2024

Introduction to Judaism TBD

Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group

Monthly

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus

333 S. 132nd St. Omaha, NE 68154

402.334.8200

jewishomaha.org

BACKGROUND

The Jewish Federation of Omaha (JFO) is a welcoming organization that has been an integral part of Omaha for more than eight decades. Along with their agencies, the JFO provides critical services, educational opportunities and programs for all stages of life. They also provide a wide range of resources including counseling services, parenting classes, senior outreach, a weekly newspaper, and much more. Whether it be a youth program like summer camp, a senior fitness class, or a Jewish engagement mission trip, the JFO is proud to offer inclusive programs that build a sense of belonging and opportunity for growth. They are committed to community advocacy and welcome you to come see the work they do.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The JFO is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that greatly appreciates individual and corporate donations to assist them in carrying out their mission. Visit www.jewishomaha.org for more information.

Your SUPPORT makes an IMPACT.

Your contribution will support programs that provide critical services, engage and educate the community, and inspire change.

Critical Support Services: Food pantry, mental health services, parenting classes, memory care, adoption services, skilled nursing, and hospice care.

Engagement & Education Opportunities: Early childhood education, Jewish Film Festival, Jewish Business Leaders, Local Author Series, community programs in performing arts, fitness, athletics and aquatics.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

Programs to Inspire Change: Week of Understanding, Anne Frank Traveling Exhibit, Third Thursday Lunch & Learns, Clean Speech Nebraska, and more.

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Lutheran Family Services expresses God’s love by providing safety, hope, and well-being for all people.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Golf Outing honoring Veterans and First Responders

September 11, 2023

The Future of Human Care Symposium

October 11, 2023

Replanted Conference (for foster families)

October 13-14, 2023

WISH LIST

• Your wish list donations support our foster closet, our refugee resettlement program, or others in need.

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES (LFS)

7929 West Center Road

Omaha, Nebraska 68124

402-342-7038

Onelfs.org

info@onelfs.org

BACKGROUND

As one of the oldest and largest human care organizations in the region, LFS provides exceptional services that support thousands of individuals, children, and families every year. Through relevant, timely, and evidencebased programming, LFS helps create peace and stability within communities and families. Traumatized people with refugee status get the support they need to transition into a productive Midwestern life. Young mothers and fathers receive the support they need to thrive. People struggling with their mental health finally find relief, while those fighting addiction find freedom. Headquartered in

Omaha with over 20 statewide offices, LFS also delivers services remotely. It is a place for fresh beginnings and second chances.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Visit www.onelfs.org/get-involved

• Volunteer, either on your own or with a group

• Shop our Wish List

• Donate furniture or household items

• Become a corporate impact partner

• Financial and legacy donations

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The Metropolitan Community College Foundation advances the College’s mission by creating community awareness, building and nurturing meaningful relationships and connecting community partners with giving opportunities that fulfill their philanthropic objectives.

WISH LIST

• Personal hygiene products

• Blankets or comforter bed sets

• Laundry supplies

• Socks, hats and gloves

• Towels

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION

531.MCC.2346

foundation@mccneb.edu

BACKGROUND

At Metropolitan Community College, student success is the default. In 2024, MCC will celebrate 50 years of providing affordable education through a guided educational model that aligns with students’ goals, prioritizes their experience and puts them on the path to achievement.

With 13 locations serving a four-county area, MCC provides transformative learning and immersive training experiences. Through innovative industry partnerships, students earn high-demand technical skills, industry credentials and credits to help them reach academic goals.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The MCC Foundation aligns with the philanthropic goals of MCC supporters by offering a variety of ways to positively impact students. Support MCC student achievement in the following ways:

• Donate directly to the Metropolitan Community College Foundation via the QR code listed on this page or visit mccneb.edu/GreatestNeed.

CONTENT:

MCC engages the community with lifelong learning opportunities through a robust offering of Community and Workforce Education programs. The Foundation connects the College’s diverse learners with scholarships provided by a generous community of donors to uncover resources that change the trajectory of students’ lives.

• Purchase vital, necessary and daily items noted on our “Wish List” for MCC students in need. As of 2021, 39% of students at two-year colleges were affected by food insecurity. Additionally, 48% of two-year college students faced some form of housing insecurity.

• Create a scholarship fund to help fulfill the College’s mission by bridging financial gaps for students.

FOR EXPANDED

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Embracing God’s call, Mosaic relentlessly pursues opportunities that empower people.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Discover the Possibilities Tour

2nd Wednesday of every month

Golf Tournament

September 25

Partners in Possibilities

Luncheon

October 4

WISH LIST

• Individual and in-kind donations

• Community partnerships to provide new experiences

• Volunteers to help with outings and events

• Advocates to strengthen Mosaic’s mission

MOSAIC IN OMAHA

13919 S Plaza

Omaha, NE 68137

mosaicinfo.org/omaha

jessica.westerlin@mosaicinfo.org

angela.tunink@mosaicinfo.org

BACKGROUND

Mosaic is a whole-person healthcare organization reaching across 13 states in more than 700 communities and providing support to nearly 4,900 people. Services empower people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs, autism, as well as aging adults to live their best life.

Mosaic in Omaha offers Day Services, Mosaic at Home® (our shared living program) and Intermediate Care Facilities (for those with higher medical needs). Serving the whole person, Mosaic helps individuals participate in all the things their community has to offer. Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Supporting Mosaic is an investment that provides possibilities to so many throughout Omaha.

Foster a caring community by engaging in community partnerships and volunteering to provide special opportunities to individuals in our programs. Attend a Discover the Possibilities tour to learn more about Mosaic’s mission from the individuals and families who know it best. Donate to help expand Mosaic’s mission to create a meaningful life. Advocate with Mosaic for disability rights by encouraging self-advocacy and promoting public policy that positively impacts the individuals served.

Mosaic stands proudly alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to bring awareness to issues that affect their lives. Providing truly personalized services, Mosaic helps people achieve their goals and dreams.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Nebraska Diaper Bank provides diapers through collaborative partnerships to change lives and empower families in need.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Music to Their Rears

Thursday, September 21, 2023

7-9pm

National Diaper Need

Awareness Week

September 18-September 24, 2023

WISH LIST

• Monetary donations

• Volunteers

• Corporate partners

• Diaper donations

NEBRASKA DIAPER BANK

9100 F St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68127

402-557-8205

www.nebraskadiaperbank.org

BACKGROUND

Nebraska Diaper Bank has run a growing diaper distribution program since 2014, working collaboratively with other social service agencies to serve the community.

Clean, dry diapers are necessary to the health and well being of growing babies, yet many families struggle to provide enough diapers for their child’s needs. Diapers are not covered by any federal program such as SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid. For families who stretch every dollar, the extra burden of $80+ for diapers every month can be the breaking point. Diapers reduce family stress and help parents go to work.

Last year NDB distributed 1.3 million diapers to 5,777 babies, and they are on track to distribute 3 million diapers in 2023.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Join Nebraska Diaper Bank for Music to Their Rears on Thursday, September 21,2023 at the Ackerhurst Dairy Farm. Tickets available at www.nebraskadiaperbank.org/events-news

Donate: As the only organization in the state partnered with National Diaper Bank Network, NDB has access to bulk buying programs. When you support NDB your monetary donations double in buying power. www.nebraskadiaperbank.org/donate

Volunteer: Looking for a meaningful volunteer experience? Sign up on the organization’s website under Take Action for an open wrap or contact them to schedule a private diaper wrap for larger groups.

Host a Diaper Drive: Gather your office or friends to collect diapers and raise awareness. Download the toolkit on our website under the Take Action tab.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative gives parents and child care providers the resources they need, to give children the education they deserve.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Elevate24 Child Care Business Conference

Saturday, June 1, 2024

WISH LIST

• Partner with us!

• Your Elevate24 sponsorship or donation makes it possible to continue NECC’s mission.

NEBRASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD COLLABORATIVE (NECC)

3200 N. 30th St., Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68111

531.999.3900

nebraskaearly.org

donate@nebraskaearly.org

BACKGROUND

At NECC, we believe when child care providers are doing well, the families they serve are doing better, and ultimately, the children in their care are doing the best.

As home to one of the largest statewide child care networks in the country, we bravely challenge the status quo, inclusively innovating and taking calculated risks to meet the unique needs of our community. In the last year, our Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership program served 280 children and families in eight Omaha locations, while our Child Care Network grew to serve 1,000 Nebraska child care businesses. In addition to bilingual connection and resources, participating providers last year accessed 2,650 professional development hours, with 90% reporting improved business practices.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Your support allows us to respond when Nebraska’s child care providers share with us what they need in our pursuit to elevate this essential business and the children and families served.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

We are currently seeking sponsors for our Elevate24 Conference – a one-ofa-kind business summit exclusively designed for child care providers seeking to start, grow, or sustain their businesses. This event will feature industry experts, delivering an empowering, exciting, and engaging summit to help attendees grow as child care professionals and small businesses. Your support helps NECC keep Elevate24 and all NECC services accessible at low or no cost to Nebraska child care providers, so they can invest their time, energy, and resources into the children and families they serve.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The Nebraska Humane Society protects, saves and enriches the lives of animals in the communities we serve.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Margre Durham Walk & Dog Fest

Sept 24, 2023

Whine Fest

November 16, 2023

Black Tie and Tails

June 7, 2024

WISH LIST

• Vienna Sausages

• Soft dog treats

• Canned Chicken/Tuna

• Kitty wand toys

• Kong toys

NEBRASKA

HUMANE SOCIETY

8929 Fort St. Omaha, NE 68134 402.444.7800

nehumanesociety.org

BACKGROUND

The Nebraska Humane Society offers shelter and care for animals in the Omaha metro area. NHS provides animal control services to Omaha and all of Sarpy County, upholding laws that protect animals and the people who love them. They provide education, encourage adoptions, offer pet owner resources, and promote responsible pet care for the communities they serve.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Adopt a cat, dog or critter

• Foster NHS pets in your home

• Volunteer to walk dogs or cuddle cats

• Provide monetary support

• Take a Training Class

• Spay/Neuter your pets

• Microchip and tag your pets

• License your pets

• Teach children good pet etiquette

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NHS’s commitment to animals doesn’t stop at the adoption. The shelter has a host of services that work to keep pets in their homes, from a free behavior helpline, and pet food pantry, to help for domestic violence victims and food deliveries for homebound owners. We encourage people to spread the word about the good we do, so that the community utilizes our resources!

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

To engage the imagination and create excitement about learning.

UPCOMING EVENTS

A Generation of Hope: Indigenous Peoples of the Heartland

Open now to September 3, 2023

Jurassic Nebraska

Open now to January 7, 2024

Cobweb Castle

September 30 to October 31

Santa’s Magic

November 24 to December 23

WISH LIST

BACKGROUND

• Omaha Children’s Museum greatly appreciates donations that enhance and support our exhibits and programming throughout the year.

BRAG LINES

MISSION STATEMENT

WISH LIST

Omaha Children’s Museum greatly appreciates donations that enhance and support our exhibits and programming throughout the year.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Great Friends To Kids

Luncheon

Sept. 17, 2018

Monster’s Ball

Oct. 20, 2018

For The Kids Benefit

May 4, 2019

Fairytale Ball

July 27, 2019

OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

In 2017, Omaha Children’s Museum had a record-breaking year with nearly 325,000 visitors to the museum, making OCM the most-visited museum in Nebraska. The museum served nearly 800 summer campers and nearly 40,000 students through outreach programs and field trips.

500 S. 20th St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.342.6164

ocm.org

One of the great things about Omaha Children’s Museum is its ability to create change. Whether inside the museum walls or out in the community, OCM truly believes they can impact the youth in the metro area and beyond through fun and educational family programming that stimulates growth and development. The talented and creative staff members, combined with generous support from the Omaha community, is what makes Omaha Children’s Museum a unique place to visit for young children.

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BACKGROUND

In summer 2016, the museum began a three-year partnership with the Nebraska State Fair to bring an educational and fun exhibit to the fair each year. OCM staff served as consultants for the Nebraska 150 Celebration’s Mobile Children’s Museum, which launched its six-month, statewide tour from the museum in April 2017. In October 2017,

the museum launched its first national tour, Forever Forest. This will tour for 10 years, stopping at science centers, children’s museums, and other venues.

BRAG LINES

To engage the imagination and create excitement about learning. OMAHA

One of the great things about Omaha Children’s Museum is its ability to create change. Whether inside the museum or out in the community, OCM truly believes they can impact the youth in the metro area and beyond through fun and educational family programming that stimulates growth and development. The talented and creative staff members, combined with generous support from the Omaha community, make Omaha Children’s Museum a unique place to visit for young children.

PAY IT FORWARD

The best way to support Omaha Children’s Museum is by walking through the doors and seeing the many ways that children can learn through play. Other ways to support the museum are through the purchase of an annual membership, volunteering, or making a financial contribution. Donations can also be made to the Welcome Fund, a donorfunded subsidized membership for families who otherwise could not afford to visit the museum.

500 S. 20th St. Omaha, NE 68102 402-342-6164 ocm.org

Since 1976, Omaha Children’s Museum has grown to become the most-visited museum in Nebraska, serving visiting families, school field trips, summer campers, and thousands of students through outreach programs in schools, libraries, and daycares. To make an impact on a larger audience, the museum launched Museum Without Walls in 2020 to provide education and museum-quality experiences to children and families who may not otherwise be able to visit Omaha Children’s Museum. In 2022, 16,850 individuals were served outside the museum’s normal business operations. Since 2020, the museum staff has teamed up with Varsity Tutors to present free, monthly online events to its nationwide audience.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

OHB’s mission is to support and strengthen youth, young adults, and families through services that inspire and equip them to lead independent, productive lives.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Imagine... Annual Fundraising Event

October 20, 2023

Project Christmas Joy

December 2023

OHB Golf Classic

June 2024

WISH LIST

• Books, board games, and activity books for teens and young adults

• Gift cards for clothes, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies

• Hygiene products, cleaning and laundry supplies, and household wares

• Essentials, such as vacuums, bedding, towels and dishes, for setting up a first-time apartment

• Essentials for children ages newborn to five

OMAHA HOME FOR BOYS

4343 N 52nd St. Omaha, NE 68104

402.457.7000

ohb.org

giving@ohb.org

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BACKGROUND

At Omaha Home for Boys, we transform lives and strengthen communities! OHB serves youth, young adults and families who are often living in a state of crisis. Through programs and services focused on housing, employment, education, basic life skills, and mental and behavioral health, these individuals are empowered and equipped with the skills needed to be productive, independent members of our community.

OHB is committed to evolving in order to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. Most recently, OHB’s programs have expanded to include clinical services, crisis intervention, supportive housing, and skilled trades. OHB has been serving the community for more than 100 years, and with your support, it will change lives for the next century.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Supporting OHB is an investment in the community shared by all!

Individuals and businesses can invest in the youth, young adults and families at OHB by giving monetary gifts that make a direct and immediate impact, helping clients become self-sufficient, productive members of the community. Become a monthly donor to expand impact even further.

Additional ways to invest in OHB include hosting a drive for wish list items, volunteering or attending an event. Engage in OHB’s mission by becoming a member of the OHB Friends Group or hosting an awareness event. OHB also participates in TAGG and Share Omaha where the community can offer extended support.

Find a meaningful way to give at OHB.org.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The Omaha Public Schools Foundation enriches students’ lives by funding learning experiences that inspire hope, open doors, and help students to achieve their dreams.

WISH LIST

• Contributions to our 2023-2024 Teachers Wish List Fund

OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

3861 Farnam St. Omaha, NE 68131

402.502.3032

OPSFpossible.org

www.facebook.com/ OmahaSchoolsFoundation

www.instagram.com/ ops_foundation/ twitter.com/OPS_Foundation

BACKGROUND

HOW YOU CAN HELP

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For two incredible years, OPSF has proudly distributed $30,000 annually through our Teacher Wish Lists program. This initiative aids teachers in alleviating the financial burden of purchasing classroom supplies out of their own pockets, creating a lasting impact on educators and students. Every item undergoes District approval, ensuring adherence to OPS standards and equipping our classrooms with top-quality materials. From cozy reading corner stools to desk chair covers, laptop desks, engaging Lego sets, versatile storage bins, math manipulatives, captivating maps and globes, technology to provide virtual experiences—each item holds the power to transform classrooms into vibrant hubs of inspiration. It is a joy to help our hard working teachers offset some costs as they work to make their classrooms welcoming and interesting.

Omaha Public Schools Foundation is seeking your invaluable support in funding our Teachers Wish Lists—a gateway to enriching education and empowering students to reach their full potential.

We can’t do it without you. Your generosity holds the power to transform lives and shape the future of our students. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes an immeasurable impact, enabling us to fulfill more wishes and provide our teachers with the resources they need to create extraordinary educational experiences. Together, we can make a profound difference. Visit our website or reach out to us to discover how you can support OPSF’s Teacher Wish Lists and be a catalyst for positive change in our schools. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students and educators.

FOR

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that meets the basic needs of individuals and families while inspiring hope for lasting change.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ladle of Love

September 17, 11 - 2

Love Your Neighbor Celebration

November 2

5:30 - 8

King of Kings

WISH LIST

• Boxed Meals

• Cereal

• Underwear for Men, Women, and Children (XL & up)

• Mac N Cheese

• $10.00 Gift Cards for Target or Walmart

• Pasta/Noodles

• Canned Fruit/Vegetables

• Toddler Toys

• Board Games and Puzzles (especially for ages 8+ and families)

• Diapers (Sizes 4, 5, 6)

OPEN DOOR MISSION.

2828 N. 23rd St. E. Omaha, NE 68110

402.422.1111

opendoormission.org

BACKGROUND

Open Door Mission meets the basic needs of individuals and families while inspiring hope for lasting change. They are a bridge for people trying to reclaim basic necessities, restore dignity and hope, and rejoin the community. President/CEO Candace L. Gregory uses her extensive experience in community prevention programs to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. She works to bring hope to others and develops innovative ways to make this happen through partnerships and collaborations.

BRAG LINES

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Daily, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe shelter beds; serves over 4,747 hot, nutritious meals to feed the hungry; and provides homeless preventive resources to

over 1,000 people living in poverty so they can remain in their homes. Open Door Mission monthly partners with more than 1,300 volunteers who make a difference right here in their community. Please visit the website to learn how to have a life-changing volunteer experience.

PAY IT FORWARD

This holiday season, Open Door Mission expects to provide more than 284,820 hot, nutritious meals to the Heartland. We invite individuals, churches, or businesses to organize a Hope for the Hungry food drive to help stock Open Door Mission’s pantry shelves for the holidays with canned vegetables, fruits, and meats; instant potatoes; and boxed meals. Please visit opendoormission.org for more information.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

A growth-minded, high energy, and innovative company with a demanding mission: producing opera performances in multiple formats and styles and cocreating artist-led programs for a variety of community service organizations.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Opera Outdoors

September 8, 2023

Don Pasquale

October 27 & 29, 2023

La Traviata

February 16 & 18, 2024

El último sueño de Frida y Diego

May 3 & 5, 2024

WISH LIST

• Support our work today through an online gift via operaomaha. org/donate or by mail at 1850 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102

• We are always looking for donations of unused craft supplies for use in our Holland Community Opera Fellowship workshops

• Volunteer to help run the Kids Zone at Opera Outdoors, featuring yard games, crafts, and more for children and families

• Check out upcoming community events or purchase tickets for 2023-24 season productions at operaomaha.org/community/ upcoming-events

OPERA OMAHA

1850 Farnam St. Omaha, NE 68102

402.34.OPERA (402-346-7372) operaomaha.org

BACKGROUND

Opera Omaha, Nebraska’s only opera company, exists to enrich the quality of life in our community by creating professional opera and music theatre, which uniquely combine the visual and performing arts to express humanity’s deepest emotions and highest aspirations.

This is achieved through the presentation of main stage productions with the highest artistic standards and through customized education and engagement programs designed to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of prior exposure to the arts.

Embracing the collaborative nature of the art form, Opera Omaha forges opera’s rich storytelling power, historical significance, and cross-cultural relevance into an array of activities aimed to provide our community with equal opportunity to share in the joy, power, and impact of opera.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Ticket sales alone are not enough to support the entire scope of our work as an artistic, cultural, and civic resource for our community. We are stewards of our field and of our city; from world-class productions, to industry-leading education and engagement initiatives, to the one-of-a-kind Holland Community Opera Fellowship, our robust programming relies on the critical, generous philanthropic support and commitment of our community.

With your support, Opera Omaha is empowered to deliver unique and meaningful artistic experiences in service to more than 22,000 people each year. For more information about ways to give and how best to align your philanthropic priorities with our work, contact Joe Prickett, Director of Development, at (402) 346-7372 x201 or jprickett@operaomaha.org.

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Journey Beyond Vision

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Empowering people living with vision loss with the skills and tools to achieve their goals.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2nd Annual Outlook Enrichment

Craft Fair

Fall Date TBD

Vision Beyond Sight Gala, The Journey is Just Beginning

Friday, October 13, 2023 * 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Tee It Up Fore Sight –20th Anniversary June 5, 2024

WISH LIST

• Sponsorships

• Individual Donations

• Volunteer Time

• In-Kind Donations

• Board Members

OUTLOOK ENRICHMENT

4125 South 72nd Street

Omaha, NE 68127

531.365.5051

outlooken.org

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

BACKGROUND

Our goal is to help people on their journey beyond vision. Helping them realize they can do more than they ever imagined. We aspire to be the first-place people in our community and beyond turn to when seeking resources that empower those who are blind and those losing their sight.

Outlook Enrichment offers the following programing: Adaptive Technology Training, Support Group, Adaptive Recreation and Leisure activities, Independent Living, and Employment Training.

Our program philosophy aligns strongly with the Independent Living Movement and advocates for consumer choice.

The goal is to help individuals living independently in the least restrictive environment.

Individuals set their own goals, and training plans are developed to help them successfully achieve their goals.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Volunteer at our Golf Tournament or Gala

• Be on the planning committee

• Help day of

• Golf in our tournament

• Come as individual or team

• Be a sighted golfer to pair with a visually impaired golfer

• Volunteer at one of our recreation or arts/cultural activities

• Tandem Bike Captains

• Down-hill skiers

• Assist with jewelry making

• Become an individual donor

• Volunteer your time as a board member

• Become a sponsor

• Golf tournament

• Gala

• Donate items for our raffle and/or auction

• Gift cards

• Baskets

• Individual items

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The mission of Partnership 4 Kids (P4K) is to engage and inspire students from preschool to graduation, guiding them to success with individualized support, career exploration, and scholarships.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Hops & Grapes: 35th Anniversary Celebration

April 26, 2024

Swing 4 Kids Annual Golf Tournament

July 29, 2024

WISH LIST

• College Care Baskets (basic hygiene supplies)

• STEAM Kits

• Student rewards for successfully reaching goals (Bikes & Educational Games)

• Visit our Share Omaha Donate page for up-to-date needs: shareomaha.org/nonprofit/ partnership-4-kids

PARTNERSHIP 4 KIDS

1004 Farnam St. Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68102

402.930.3000

p4k.org

BACKGROUND

LONG-TERM SUPPORT FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS. P4K was born from the merger of two youth-serving organizations guided by similar principles but serving age groups at opposite ends of the spectrum. All Our Kids was established in 1989 by Dr. Gail and Mr. Mike Yanney and served middle, high school, and college students. Winners Circle was established in 1996 by Cookie and Jerry Hoberman and served elementary school students. Both programs shared the support of local philanthropists, Mary, and Dick, Holland. The Hollands envisioned the creation of a single organization that provided a pathway of education and support for early learners through postsecondary pursuits. In 2007 the Hollands’ vision became a reality when the two programs officially became Partnership 4 Kids.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Volunteer as a Book Buddy, Goal Buddy, or Group Mentor. Contact mentor@p4k.org for more information.

• Host an in-person or virtual fundraiser to support programming for their 3,000+ students between prekindergarten and postsecondary. Contact Cheryl at cmurray@p4k.org to learn more.

• Share professional expertise as a volunteer Career Coach for middle and high school students.

• Promote career exploration by helping to arrange business tours, job shadow experiences, or internships for P4K students.

• Visit the P4K website and follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

• Make a donation or consider sponsoring a student for a year of programming at only $5/day or $35/week.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Project Houseworks enhances lives and strengthens communities through the preservation of quality affordable housing.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Brush-Up

Third Saturday in August

WISH LIST

• LED light bulbs

• tape measures

• home improvement store gift cards

• grocery gift cards

• front door welcome mats

PROJECT HOUSEWORKS

Executive Director, Jim Clements

2316 South 24th Street

Omaha, NE 68108

1-402-965-9201

BACKGROUND

Project Houseworks was founded in 1995 and has continuously evolved in its efforts to preserve and create affordable housing for low-and middle-income households. Through Home Preservation Services and a Home Affordability Program, pre-qualified households can apply for services to help maintain existing housing or to secure affordable homeownership opportunities. In addition to its primary programs, Project Houseworks provides hands-on construction internships to youth from partner organizations to help increase the construction workforce and is partnering with Front Porch Investments on a Greenlining effort designed to assist historically Redlined communities.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

FOR

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The affordable housing crisis impacts many families in the Omaha Metro Area. While this problem disproportionately impacts low-income households, it can impact households at all income levels, including members of critical workforces like educators, construction workers, and healthcare professionals. Project Houseworks works hard to build awareness about this issue. Community members can help Project Houseworks and other organizations working on the affordable housing crisis by sharing the message about the need for more affordable housing options, and by donating to causes that work directly to help local families achieve and maintain home ownership. Preserving affordable housing options positively impacts our entire community’s property values, helps prevent homelessness, and ensures there is enough housing available for our workforce needs.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Inspiring young people and their families to discover the magic of theater, to find their voices and enrich their communities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Rockin’ Rosie

April 6, 2024

WISH LIST

• Become a Member!

• Donate (& Corporate Sponsorships)

• Volunteer

• Audition

THE ROSE THEATER

2001 Farnam St. Omaha, NE 68102

(402) 345-4849

Rosetheater.org

BACKGROUND

For over 70 years, the Omaha Theater Company has served children and families in the Omaha area and beyond. Families come together not just for an hour or two of quality entertainment but also to laugh, cry, and witness the magic of theater and its power to bring people together in a shared experience. Today, the children who once passed through our doors in wide-eyed wonderment now bring their own families to share in the joy that is The Rose. We are proud to have become a tradition for so many families in the Omaha area and a fixture in the childhood of so many of our area’s young people. Although much has changed over the past years, we remain dedicated to our original mission: to enrich the lives of children and families through live theater arts and education.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Rose Theater is proud to be the place where a love of the arts begins. Bring the love of theater home with a membership to The Rose, currently on sale now. Membership is the best way to enjoy everything The Rose has to offer, making memories together as a familymemories that will last a lifetime.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The Salvation Army’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tree of Lights Kickoff

November 19, 2023

TurkeyFest

November 23, 2023

WISH LIST

• Corporate donations

• Individual donations

• Volunteers

THE SALVATION ARMY

Western Divisional Headquarters

10755 Burt St. Omaha, NE 68114 402.898.7700

salarmyomaha.org

BACKGROUND

The Salvation Army of Omaha’s three community centers—Citadel Corps, North Corps, and the Kroc Center—as well as the Burrows Center for Help and Hope and Renaissance Village, are uniquely situated to meet the diverse needs of Omaha’s metro-area neighborhoods. From after-school programs, to food pantries and mobile food distributions, to behavioral health programs, The Salvation Army of Omaha sustains the bodies, minds, and spirits of the community’s most vulnerable.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Monetary donations support thousands in the metro area whose lives are improved by The Salvation Army’s eight core programs—food, housing, material assistance, youth development, older adult services, behavioral health, anti-human trafficking, and disaster relief services. In Omaha, 86 cents of every donated dollar funds programs that help those most in need. Donations can be made online at salarmyomaha.org.

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Our work is extensive. To provide just a few statistical examples: in the 2022 calendar year, The North Corps Community Care Kitchen served more than 27,000 lunches and after-school snacks to people in need, while the Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen program served more than 10,000 lunches to local children over the summer months. In August 2022, we gave away nearly 9,900 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to families in need.

The Salvation Army also offers many rewarding volunteer opportunities, from assisting with mobile meal distribution and packing backpacks with school supplies to delivering Thanksgiving dinners to older adults and helping to organize toys and gifts for families in need at Christmastime. For more information about volunteering with The Salvation Army of Omaha, call 402.898.6000 or visit salarmyomaha.org.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Provide a continuum of care that empowers women to live productively drug and alcohol free

UPCOMING EVENTS

Hands Across the Bridge

September 16th, 2023

Giving Tuesday SHARE OMAHA

November 28th, 2023

Annual Spring Fundraiser

April 2023

SANTA MONICA HOUSE

401 S. 39th Street

Omaha, NE 68131

402.558.7133

santamonicahouse.org

BACKGROUND

Founded in 1972, Santa Monica has spent the last 50 years developing a premier treatment experience for women facing substance misuse, mental health, and trauma. Through a holistic approach women stabilize mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically. Santa Monica reaches women by employing multiple therapeutic strategies that compliment individualized life experiences and needs. Women develop personal accountability and life skills during their journey which supports their growth towards independence. Santa Monica provides a continuum of care that can last up to two years via four steps down levels of care; Intermediate Residential, Halfway House, ¾ way house and Supported Transitional Living apartments. Services added in the last year are internal Peer Support Services and Chemical Dependency Evaluations.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Women face significant stigma around substance misuse, mental health, and trauma. When women are in the throes of these challenges the barriers seem insurmountable. Supporting women during their road to recovery has a ripple effect beyond measure. Women are pillars in families, social groups, and work groups. By supporting them you are reducing recidivism, increasing employability, removing children from out of home placement, and investing in community. The easiest way to support our mission is to advocate for support of women and places like Santa Monica that empower women to live into their potential. To face the recovery journey with dignity, women also need necessities such as clothes and toiletries. When these are finite, the road can seem darker.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Scatter Joy’s mission is to provide a new home, new life, and new meaning by rescuing abused or neglected animals.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Let Love Lead Annual Fundraiser

October 5, 2023 5:30-8: pm

Drive Thru Nativity and Santa Wonderland

December 16, 2023

WISH LIST

• Become a ‘hay maker’

($10 = a bale of hay)

• Sponsor an animal

• Sponsor an individual for our Animal Assisted Therapy

SCATTER JOY ACRES

4107 Waverly Rd Murray

Omaha , NE 68409

402.709.9401

scatterjoyacres.org

BACKGROUND

Scatter Joy Acres provides therapy for those who need it. SJA is home to over 70 animals, and all have stories that demonstrate the warmth and love they provide. They offer experiences unlike any other, as an animal rescue providing therapy and an urban ranch with real-life hands-on STEM education and animal interaction. SJA is a certified education site for “Cowboy Ethics” curriculum. Other certification includes Animal Assisted Therapy and EAGALA Equine Therapy.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

SJA provides Animal Assisted Therapy to many in the community They partner with dozens of charities to provide therapy and rescue. Interested supporters can sponsor an individual for their programs which will allow them to continue their mission and provide therapy to those in need, which in most cases, sadly, is not covered by insurance.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Sheltering Tree’s mission is to build apartments for adults with developmental disabilities to empower them to live self-determined lives and to be engaged in their community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Living the Dream!

-A place of My Own

September 15, 2023

WISH LIST

• Capital funds to build our Elkhorn location

• Volunteers to share their talents and hobbies with Tree tenants

• Tickets or passes for tenants to attend area events or attractions.

• Activity Supplies (Clay, Painting, Gardening, Cooking, Music, Sewing, and more!)

SHELTERING TREE, INC.

Beth Ferree

—Advancement Director

402.973.0229

beth@shelteringtreecommunity.org

shelteringtreecommunity.org

BACKGROUND

Sheltering Tree, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) burgeoning organization tackling a big issue-the urgent need for affordable housing for adults with developmental disabilities (DD).

Sheltering Tree is dedicated to serving persons in the Omaha metro area with DD through consumer-controlled, affordable, and safe apartment communities. This housing model empowers adults with developmental disabilities to live self-determined lives and to be engaged in their community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

Since the opening of the first location in Bellevue eight years ago, Sheltering Tree has maintained an effective and sustainable model ready for future development. Doubling the size of our largest community in Benson, the Papillion location that is under-construction will be open for occupancy in late summer 2023. A location in Elkhorn is slated to be built in the next two to three years.

Sheltering Tree has been blessed to have many outstanding foundations and individuals join in the effort to meet the urgent need for affordable housing for adults with developmental disabilities. These generous donors have provided consumer-controlled apartments in three areas of the Omaha Metro. We are thrilled to announce the launch of Sheltering Tree’s Elkhorn Capital Campaign. This campaign will raise funds to build the fourth location serving forty-four more adults with developmental disabilities. We invite you to join us and provide a gift that will elevate the lives of adults with developmental disabilities.

Donate today at shelteringtreecommunity. org or contact Advancement Director

Beth Ferree

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Stephen Center partners with individuals, families and the community to overcome homelessness, substance abuse and mental health concerns.

UPCOMING EVENTS

VinNebraska Grand Wine Tasting, Dinner & Auction

April 5-6, 2024

WISH LIST

• Bottled water

• Coffee

• Bath towels and twin size linens (new or gently used)

• Pillows/blankets (gently used or new)

• Laundry detergent

• Shampoo/conditioner (travel size)

• Volunteers

• Monetary Donations

STEPHEN CENTER

2723 Q St. Omaha, NE 68107

402.731.0238

stephencenter.org

BACKGROUND

Stephen Center has served homeless and low-income individuals in Omaha since 1984. Founders Sharon and Dick McNeil’s goal was simple: provide food, shelter and safety to those in need. They bought an old bar in south Omaha, laid mattresses on the floor, and found resources for meals. Since them, Stephen Center has expanded its mission and services to serve over 1,200 men, women and children annually through three CARF accredited programs:

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Gifts of time, talent and treasure are always appreciated. Visit www.stephencenter.org to donate online. Stephen Center’s Donation Center accepts donations of in-kind items daily. See the website for a list of needs. Furniture is accepted by appointment only. To volunteer, contact our Community Engagement team at 402-715-5445 or beth.ellis@stephencenter.org.

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EXPANDED CONTENT:

1)The Pettigrew Emergency Shelter provides food, shelter and clothing to men, women and children experiencing homelessness. 2) The HERO Program is a state-licensed substance abuse treatment program providing residential and non-residential treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental illness. 3) Permanent Supportive Housing Apartments provide housing and supportive services for people moving from homelessness. Meals are available three times per day/seven days a week.

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The 712 Initiative is aimed at improving the economic vitality in redevelopment areas through investments in built environment, activating public spaces and delivering programs that increase social engagement and healthy lifestyles.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Farmers Market Council Bluffs

September 7, 14, 21 & 28

Block to Block Classic Car Show

October 7

Shamrock Shuffle

March 2024

WISH LIST

• Sponsorships

• Individual Donations

• Volunteers

THE 712 INITIATIVE

1228 S. Main Street

Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503

712.396.2494

The712Initiative.org

BACKGROUND

Created in 2016, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The 712 Initiative relies on the support of the public to sustain its progress in the community. This support is used in our programs and events to improve our neighborhoods by creating and improving housing, improving public spaces, and providing opportunities to bring neighbors together. The 712 Initiative is able to build off the nearly 30-year history of its parent organizations as an Iowa West Foundation initiative. The 712 Initiative is filling the need for an organization that can identify and leverage opportunities around development and quality of life in Council Bluffs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

There are many ways to make an impact with The 712 Initiative. Your support— whether it’s a donation, sponsorship, or volunteering—will help make a difference in the Council Bluffs community. There are many available sponsorships for The 712 Initiative’s programs and events. Want to lend a hand? Sign up to get added to our volunteer list! You’ll be the first to hear about volunteer opportunities with our nonprofit. We appreciate you giving your time and effort to support The 712 Initiative.

A donation to The 712 Initiative is an investment into the community of Council Bluffs!

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Together’s mission is to prevent and end hunger and homelessness. Together envisions a community of prosperity where everyone experiences safe, affordable housing, food security, health, and wellness.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coming Together 2023

WISH LIST

• Monetary Donations

• Corporate Partnerships

• Non-Perishable Food Items

• Hygiene/Sanitary Products

TOGETHER

812 S. 24th St. Omaha, NE 68108 402.345.8047 togetheromaha.org

BACKGROUND

After the devastating tornado of 1975 that swept across Omaha, the “Together” cooperative was formed by a group of seven faith organizations, and many others, to meet the immediate needs of the hundreds of families that were struggling with the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, and shelter. Now, 48 years later, with the help of donors and volunteers, Together continues to grow and evolve, and provides the community with financial assistance, case management, navigation and referral support, and nutritious food. Through all the years, Together’s purpose remains the same: bringing relief to those in need.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Together is always welcoming volunteer groups, donations, and corporate sponsorships; all of the above help support the thousands of families and individuals they serve each year. Donations to the Horizons Program and Crisis Engagement directly support the rapid rehousing and prevention efforts. Donations to the Nourish Program help provide nutritious food, SNAP referrals, and WIC outreach support. Together offers a variety of volunteer opportunities through their Choice Food Pantry, Community Garden, and more.

FOR

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Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The mission of Whispering Roots is to use innovative nextgeneration agricultural practices to provide nutritious food, focused supply chain logistics, hands-on learning, and career pathways that cultivate healthy communities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

TacoFest 2024

May 3, 2024

WISH LIST

• Monetary donations to purchase supplies for student engagement

• Monetary donations to purchase additional healthy food and supplies for emergency food deliveries

• Volunteers

• Corporate Partners

• Gift Cards to Home Depot, Lowes and Menards

WHISPERING ROOTS

4104 S. 90th St. Omaha , NE 68127

402-614-9492

whisperingroots.org

BACKGROUND

With a focus on growing food, minds and communities, Whispering Roots was created to address the health, education, and economic disparities experienced by children and adults living in poverty. The Whispering Roots approach is to use agriculture, supply chain logistics, and hands-on experiential learning—both in the classroom and other settings to help break the endless cycle of poverty. They are firm believers that solid roots form the foundation of any strong plant, or any strong community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donating to Whispering Roots means helping to give their clients communities a hand up, not a hand out. It means putting healthy food into the mouths of those most in need. It means helping to level the educational playing field. Donors provide a means for these clients to learn how to become self-sufficient. These patrons are truly growing food, minds, and communities.

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MISSION ST ATEM ENT

The YMCA of Greater Omaha’s cause is to strengthen the foundation of community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

YMCA Welcoming Week

September 8th-17th, 2023

Healthy Kids Day

April 28th, 2024

11am-2pm

WISH LIST

• In-person donations

• Online donations via: metroymca.org/give

• Volunteers

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

430 S 20th St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.977.4300 metroymca.org

BACKGROUND

The YMCA of Greater Omaha’s cause is to strengthen the foundation of community. Every day, the Y works alongside community members to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to participate in services and programs that help them learn, grow and thrive. The Y believes that lasting social change can only happen when people work together to invest in the health and wellness of their kids, neighbors, and community. The YMCA’s commitment to accessibility and opportunities for all will expand further with the addition of the Gretna Crossing YMCA this September in partnership with the City of Gretna.

The Y is for a Better Us.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The YMCA of Greater Omaha is committed to giving everyone the opportunity to grow. With sports leagues, swim lessons, childcare, fitness programs and more, there’s something for everyone. The Y cannot serve the community without the help of volunteers. Board members, youth sports coaches, and program advocates are all volunteers. Also, as a nonprofit, we rely on donations to provide scholarships and financial assistance for memberships, youth sports, swim lessons, and summer camp.

Stop into any location to donate or visit us at metroymca.org/give.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION ST ATEM ENT

Youth Emergency Services (YES) assists youth experiencing homelessness and nearhomelessness by providing critically-needed resources which support them in their desire to be self-sufficient.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dance for a Chance

October 12, 2023

WISH LIST

• Donate Meals

• Get Involved

YES

Kalisha Reed

Executive Director

2566 Farnam St., Ste. 301 Omaha, NE 68131 402.345.5187

kreeed@yesomaha.org yesomaha.org

BACKGROUND

Youth Emergency Services (YES) was founded in 1974 by a group of community volunteers who noticed an increased presence among homeless youth in Omaha. The volunteers invested in the first YES Emergency Shelter. YES added the Street Outreach Center in 1999 and launched the Transitional Living program and Maternity Group Home in 2008. Youth Emergency Services is the only local organization with a dedicated response to housing insecurities that young people experience. They address their immediate needs of shelter, food, and safety. The team facilitates programs that provide stability and skills that prepare youth for self-sufficiency.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Youth Emergency Services is dedicated to providing support to over 598 homeless or near-homeless youth and young adults in the Omaha area. Our street outreach team hits the streets of greater Omaha twice a week to identify young people in crisis and offer immediate assistance. Our staff carry backpacks filled with basic needs and emergency supplies as they patrol areas where homeless and at-risk youth are known to gather. You can make a difference by donating hygiene products, snacks, pantry items, or even a meal to our Street Outreach center. We serve over 150 meals a week and rely on the generosity of donors to continue to provide this vital service. Additionally, we offer a Maternity Group Home program for pregnant or parenting runaway and homeless youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who may not have access to other services. Your support and donations are crucial to our ability to continue to help youth and young adults in Omaha.

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION STATEMENT

Responding to the cry of a child.

FEATURED EVENT

PurseOnalities Luncheon

DATE

November 2, 2023

LOCATION

Hilton Omaha

1001 Cass St. Omaha, NE 68102

TIME 11am

TICKET PRICING

Individual tickets starting at $85

Sponsorships are available

Visit childsaving.org to purchase tickets or for sponsorship information

ATTIRE

Business Casual

CONTACT INFO

Child Saving Institute

Ally Goedeken, Development Manager

402.504.3664 (direct)

402.553.6000 (main)

4545 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68132 childsaving.org

MISSION STATEMENT

Providing hope and restoration for individuals of human trafficking and exploitation. Their vision is empowering trafficked individuals to lead healthy and independent lives.

FEATURED EVENT

Jeff Allen “Are we there yet?” Comedy tour

DATE

Friday, December 1st, 2023

LOCATION

Beautiful Savior Lutheran church 7706 South 96th Street

La Vista, NE 68128

TIME 7:30 pm - Doors open 6:30 pm

MISSION STATEMENT

Inspiring young people and their families to discover the magic of theater, to find their voices and enrich their communities.

FEATURED EVENT

Rockin’ Rosie Hangs Ten

DATE

Saturday, April 6, 2024

LOCATION

Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Drive, Omaha, NE 68164

TIME

Cocktail hour begins at 5pm. More information will be available closer to the event.

TICKET PRICING

$150 for an individual ticket or $1,500 for a table of 10.

CONTACT INFO

Rejuvenating Women

P.O. Box 207

Boys Town, NE 68010 800.402.0601

rejuvenatingwomen.com

Corporate Sponsorships also available.

ATTIRE Casual

CONTACT INFO

2001 Farnam St. (402) 345-4849

rockinrosieomaha@gmail.com rockinrosie2024.com/tickets

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT: Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION STATEMENT

Completely KIDS educates and empowers KIDS and families to create a safe, healthy, successful and connected community.

FEATURED EVENT

Pinot, Pigs and Pours

DATE

September 14, 2023

LOCATION

Champions Run

13800 Eagle Run Drive

TIME

6:00-9:00Pm

TICKET PRICING

$150-$250

ATTIRE

Cocktail

CONTACT INFO

Lacey Locklear, Chief Development Officer

llocklear@completelykids.org

402-397-5809 completelykids.org

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission is to foster a healthy community by offering great food prepared and served with dignity and to provide opportunities for transformation both personally and spiritually through hospitality, music and fellowship.

FEATURED EVENT

Annual Table Grace Gala “Voices of Respect”

DATE

Friday, March 8th, 5:30-8pm

LOCATION

Contact Simone @ 402-965-1276 for more info

TIME 5:30-8 pm

TICKET PRICING

$85 per ticket, $500-$10,000 Sponsorships

ATTIRE

Business casual

CONTACT INFO

Simone Weber

1611 1/2 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102

402.965.1276

www.tablegracecafe.com

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives.

FEATURED EVENT

90s Retro Fest – A Blackstone Stroll Event

DATE 9/23/23

LOCATION

Blackstone District

TIME 4pm-10pm

TICKET PRICING

General Admission $75

VIP Admission $100

ATTIRE

Casual – 90s themed

CONTACT INFO

6001 Dodge Street, CEC 228.7 Omaha, NE 68182-0598

402-715-9422

epilepsy.com

epilepsy.com/blackstonestroll

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT: Open

the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

MISSION STATEMENT

To celebrate the announcement of the 2024 “Best of” winners with an elegant, celebratory cocktail party.

FEATURED EVENT

A Night of The Best - The 2023 Soirée

Hosted by Omaha Magazine

DATE

November 2, 2023

LOCATION

Granary

Corbel Room

7401 Main St, Ralston, NE 68127

TIME 6-9 p.m.

TICKET PRICING

$60 each

Additional ticket options available online. Sponsorships available.

ATTIRE

Chic attire is requested

CONTACT INFO

Omaha Magazine

5921 S 118th Cir.

Omaha, NE 68137

402.884.2000

omahamagazine.com

Play-to-Pay

“

Todd was talking about the hustle and the grind. And that was a big turning point in my life.”

—Tyler Robert

Play-to-Pay

Tyler Robert is on target with his accounting coursework to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2025 and intends to eventually earn master’s and doctoral degrees. He’s already working as a tax preparer for Liberty Tax, and even serves as a marketing and branding coordinator for Kinstler Brown Companies (the franchisee) and another partner, Selectel Wireless.

Robert’s impressive path actually started when he was still a sophomore in high school and discovered the Find the Why! platform through a local nonprofit, Symphony Workforce.

“My thing was business. [Symphony Workforce CEO] Todd Smith was a guest speaker in my Accounting I class,” Robert said. “Todd was talking about the hustle and the grind. And that was a big turning point in my life.”

Robert said he felt undervalued working at a buffet restaurant as a 15-year-old.

“Then here comes this guy who’s saying, ‘Hey, companies need you. They need your knowledge, your experience.’ It felt like a sign from God…I got a group together, decided to compete, and I was the first-ever winner of the [Find the Why!] finalist competition. And I’ve kept doing it ever since. I think I’ve only missed two challenges out of all they’ve done the past four years, and I’ve won probably a little over $10,00 0 in total.”

Smith said Symphony Workforce Foundation created Find the Why! (formerly Find Your Genius) to provide young people ages 13 and up with the chance to discover and explore careers and potential employers and also the opportunity to be recruited by companies seeking young talent. Find the Why! is accessed through a mobile app which appeals to students raised in a digital world and presents a challenge for them to propose solutions to real-world company problems in a gamified environment. Through Find the Why!, young people discover and explore postsecondary options at their own pace, Smith noted, and winning a challenge includes

a cash prize. Even the non-winning participants build an automatically generated digital resume and can still be recruited by companies for employment or internships or access college scholarship opp ortunities.

“Businesses post their actual problems on our platform for students to choose which one to solve. We call them ‘challenges,’” Smith explained. “Students engage with businesses, virtual advisors, and assessments to provide critical data to both themselves and businesses in order to make the right career/hiring decisions.”

Examples of past challenges include redesigning a combine harvester (CNH Industrial) and developing a mental-health solution for teens (Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska). Other participating organizations have included Hawkins Construction, OPPD, Quantum Workplace, and C hick-fil-A.

Students can take part in as many challenges as they have an interest in, and participating companies not only ingratiate students to their organization, but also aggregate student-volunteered data, Smith explained. Companies identify potential future interns while students determine potential “good fit” employment, so everyone benefits.

The Find the Why! challenges are always interesting, Robert said.

“We did one where we designed a light rail system from Omaha to Lincoln. That was one of my favorite challenges to do,” he recalled. “When Black Lives Matter was going on, and the ‘defund the police’ [movement] was going on, there was a nonprofit organization who sponsored a challenge to redesign how police training will go. That was also a really fun one…every challenge has a place in my heart […] but I would say I’m definitely more attracted to the engineering-based and social issues-based ones.”

The prize money is certainly appreciated, Robert said, but he finds the mental exercise of contributing ideas and delineating solutions even more rewarding.

“[It’s] showing them you can do more than the world thinks you can, showing that you can solve these big problems that companies have,” he explained. “A lot of times with my generation, people tend to look at us and think, ‘They spent their whole life in front of a phone and video games and TVs…’”

Robert said that Find the Why! has renewed and reinforced his confidence in his problem-solving abilities, and it’s helping him navigate the moder n workplace.

“You are able to have any problem come your way and solve that issue instead of complaining about it and waiting,” he said. “The only ‘impossible’ is the one that we make for ourselves.”

Symphony Workforce has developed partnerships with local organizations including Omaha Chamber members involved with CEOs for CODE, an opportunity, diversity and equity initiative. Any student can participate in Find the Why! but Symphony Workforce is also working with educators, including via a new initiative with Omaha Public Schools, to introduce thousands of students to Find the Why! opportunities in the classroom. Symphony Workforce has also established a partnership with The Simple Foundation, whose target population includes unders erved youth.

“Nebraska is pouring a lot of funding and focus into student retention and career awareness,” Smith said. “Our governor has the aforementioned effort front and center, evident by his speech at the [May 25] Aksarben Stakeholders meeting and at a Willa Cather event in Washington, DC. We are looking forward to partnering with Nebraska’s leadership as we engage more than 30,000 Nebraska students, businesses, and post-secondaries together multiple times this 2023-2024 school year that produces actionable data/outcomes.”

For more information, visit symphonyworkforce.org and find thewhy.org.

“[IT’S] SHOWING THEM YOU CAN DO MORE THAN THE WORLD THINKS YOU CAN, SHOWING THAT YOU CAN SOLVE THESE BIG PROBLEMS THAT COMPANIES HAVE.”

TYLER ROBERT

STORY BY KIM CARPENTER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

MARATHON MAN

ou’re all going to die.”

Those weren’t exactly the words Brandon Schutt expected to hear while running 365 miles across the state of Nebraska, but then again, the 19-year-old is all about the unexpected.

In late May, he embarked on an epic marathon to raise money for Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Make-a-Wish Nebraska, the Stephen Center, and Community Alliance. He already had ample experience running as a track star at Bellevue East High School. After graduating in 2022, though, he thought his time pounding out miles was behind him.

Schutt, however, isn’t built that way. In fact, he’s built quite differently both literally and figuratively. During the summer between the sixth and seventh grades, his growth rate was so rapid, he went from standing 5-feet-tall to 5 feet 10 inches. That rapid growth necessitated two epiphysiodesis operations, a procedure that inserts temporary metal plates to slow bone growth.

“It was a crazy experience,” Schutt remembered. “When they removed the plates, I was a completely different athlete. I was 10 ti mes faster.”

The teen kept running; but he was also willing to slow down. During his final track meet as a senior in October 2021, Schutt did something extraordinary. Burke High School freshman Blake Cerveny suffered leg cramps that crumpled him to the ground. As Cerveny struggled to regain his footing, Schutt stopped, helped his competitor stand, and then supported him to the finish line, making sure to let the Burke athlete c ross first.

This athletic altruism was widely celebrated, even making it to NBC’s Nightly News . It also resulted in Bellevue’s mayor officially proclaiming November 16, 2021 as “Brandon Schutt Day.”

Still, the athlete thought his time racing the cloc k was past.

“The moment running stopped being fun, I thought, ‘What’s the point?’ I was done running for other people. I wanted to do it for the right reason s,” he said.

He found one. Less than one month after the day declared in his honor, Schutt had “a super weird idea” inspired by Michael Warden, whose 2022 run across the US raised money for World Vision.

“I didn’t even tell my parents,” he confessed. “Finally, I said, ‘I don’t know how to tell you this. I’m going to run across the state of Nebraska.’”

When the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation gave Schutt and Cerveny the Ron Gustafson Inspiration Award in September 2022, the University of Nebraska-Omaha freshman gave an unpla nned speech.

“I said, ‘In the summer of 2023, I’m going to run across the state of Nebraska for charity.’ There were former NFL and MLB players there. No one said a word. It seemed so crazy to them, but I’m used to that kind of reception,” Schutt recalled.

TJ Isaacs, lead director of philanthropy at Children’s Hospital who coordinated with Schutt for his donation, reacted similarly: “From a runner’s perspective, I thought it was a little crazy.”

Such reactions don’t bother the teen he’d rather focus on g iving back.

“I think I have an obligation,” Schutt explained. “I can do something not a lot of people can. If you have a talent, you can use it to help others.”

Accordingly, the college freshman focused on a full course load during the day and trained at night. He also found time to coach track at Lewis and Clark Middle School.

“That is where the fun began,” he smiled. “I was running an average of 40 miles a week. One week, I hit 130. I’d get off class and train for four hours.”

He ran so hard, he experienced what’s known as an ultra marathoner hal lucination.

“I started seeing people,” Schutt recalled. “I thought, ‘I’m not rocking with this.’”

Still, he never complained and ke pt running.

“I didn’t see my friends a lot, and they didn’t even know why I didn’t tell them,” Schutt admitted.

Schutt shared his plan with them in December. Eight close friends decided to join him.

On the evening of May 31, Schutt and his running posse began in Big Springs, Colorado, at the “Welcome to Nebraska” sign and ran eastward across US Highway 30. They averaged 40 miles, or roughly six hours, a day. Childish Gambino, Tyler the Creator, Brockhampton and the like kept a rotating, steady beat in his Air Pods. Day three saw a personal best for Schutt, who logge d 85 miles.

“I ran from 7am to 12 that night,” he recounted. “I took a two-hour break in North Platte.”

It was around there that “some dude in a truck” pulled over and ominously intoned that the runners were all going to meet t heir demise.

“He just glared at us,” Schutt shrugged. “Who knows what his problem was.”

On June 10, Schutt finished at American Heroes Park in Bellevue. His “Running Across Nebraska for Charity” GoFundMe goal had been to raise $50,000; he thought $20,000 was more realistic. When the fundraiser ended in late June, the total was $27,905.

“Brandon was very passionate about the run. It meant a lot to him. It’s just awesome and fantastic to see,” Isaacs said. “I’m blown away by his character and drive and so pr oud of him.”

Despite his incredible achievement, Schutt is already preparing for his next mara thon effort.

“It’s crazy. Now that I’m done, I’m even more ambitious,” he said. “I’m going to take a two-year hiatus before I do something new. I want to do more stuff like this in the future but on a bigger scale. I always wanted to see the world. Why not do it my way?”

For information about the charities Brandon Schutt chose for his cross-Nebraska run, visit children somaha.org; wish.org/nebraska; stephencenter.org; and community-al liance.org.

“Themoment runningstopped being fun, I thought, ‘What’s the point?’ Iwasdonerunningfor other people. I wanted to do it fortherightreasons.”

— Brandon Schutt

BY SARA LOCKE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

Nebraska’s Young Ambassador

Zachary Wahab Cheek Pursues PhD, International Trade Relations from the Platte t o the Thames

None of Zachary Wahab Cheek’s success came down to impulse. An advanced education, a career focused on growing Omaha’s potential, and a position making a difference in his community were all ‘Plan A.’ How he’s managed to come this far, however, is charged with s erendipity.

“My music professor at UNL once told me that it seemed like every step I had taken was an accident,” Cheek said. “It brought me exactly where I want to be, but I wouldn’t have guessed that this was the road it was goi ng to take.”

In fact, life took an unexpected turn before the 23-year-old was even born.

“My mom was the youngest of 10 kids growing up in Afghanistan. She came here in 1980 fleeing the Russian invasion,” Cheek recounted. “My aunt had done an exchange program with UNO’s Biology department, and she knew that winters in Omaha were similar to the weather in Afghanistan. So they came here, and my mom eventually enrolled. UNO became a pretty big part of our family’s story my parents even met at UNO.”

And thus, the Cheeks became a family of Mavericks.

“I always thought I’d study at UNO,” Cheek said. “Whether or not I was going to college was never a question. My parents taught me to prioritize my education and to be smart with money.”

Cheek set his sights on studying music, laying out a path to earn scholarships to make it happen. Then an Elkhorn High School student, he joined the exclusive Metro Area Youth Jazz Orchestra, and focused on a career as a music professor.

“I work hard, but no amount of hard work could have earned me the privileges I’ve experienced,” Cheek humbly continued. “And when I won a partial scholarship to UNO, it seemed like everything wa s aligning.”

But when he was also awarded a full scholarship to UNL, in addition to a music scholarship that covered a significant portion of the cost of living, it was worth considering where this opportunity cou ld take him.

“Maybe somebody is looking out for me. That’s part of what keeps me so driven. All of these opportunities that I objectively shouldn’t have received,” he said. “I enjoy working within those circumstances and I keep finding chances I wouldn’t have been given outside of these unique parameters.”

With his parents’ blessing, Cheek broke with the family’s Maverick tradition and embarked for Lincoln to pursue a double major a s a Husker.

“I’m very interested in public policy, so I majored in music and economics,” Cheek said. “My scholarship is in music, and I had to take band for the credits. That was a really fun situation to be in...to have to do what you love in order t o graduate.”

His next step was just as unexpected.

“UNL nominated me for a very competitive scholarship to attend a master’s program in the UK. I didn’t end up getting that scholarship, but it got me looking at the British academic system. A PhD in London is only a three-year program. A master’s in only one. So, I figured even without the scholarship, I may as well apply,” he recalled.

After earning acceptance to the University of Glasgow, Cheek felt he couldn’t have found himself in a bette r situation.

“Besides Omaha, Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities in the world,” he said. “I was excited and talking to my econ professor about it and he stopped me. He felt I was qualified to attend LSE (London School of Economics) and that I ha d to apply.”

With one of the most diverse student bodies in the world, and a carbon-neutral campus, LSE operates under the same principles and ideals that Cheek hopes t o champion.

“One concept I was intent on studying is international trade; it’s a huge issue for Nebraska. We supply beef to Japan, corn to Mexico, and our economy is wrapped up intrinsically in international trade,” Cheek explained. “And Nebraska is integral in the battle against rural poverty in the global economy. Reducing barriers that are made on skepticism of science or on political talking points will lead to better economic growth, better healthcare and education, and more food security where it’s needed most.”

And so, yet another pivot found Cheek att ending LSE.

“I have no doubt that he changes a lot of minds with his positive attitude to open discussion and general friendliness.”

‑Ela Heeley

“Maybe somebody is looking out for me. That’s part of what keeps me so driven. All of these opportunities that I objectively shouldn’t have received.”

‑Zachary Wahab Cheek

“Everyone laughed at me for almost attending Glasgow just so I could be in Scotland,” he laughed. “Living in London means you can visit Scotland as much as you want. But the experience I’ve had at LSE couldn’t have happened any where else.”

His ability to take every opportunity in stride doesn’t stop at travel, education, or change-making. Cheek is a master at interpersonal connection as well. As his resume grows, so does his network of allies and advocates.

“Zack is one of the least judgmental people I have ever met,” noted Ela Heeley, former classmate and president of the student Hayek Society at LSE. “He’s very politically intelligent and proactive in engaging with other peoples’ opinions.”

Cheek’s passion for politics doesn’t echo from atop a soapbox. Rather, he offers an engaging and informed perspective that provides proponents and skeptics alike a more nuanced understanding of the policies affecting community, and one’s place in it.

“I have no doubt that he changes a lot of minds with his positive attitude to open discussion and general friendliness,” Healey said.

He’s keen to bring that positivity back to Omaha and see what kind of impact he can have in his home state.

“He’s very proud to be a Nebraskan! He’s notoriously easy to talk to, and he’s become a good friend,” Heeley said. “He has taught us all a lot about life acros s the pond.”

Cheek is a Gen O-mahan to keep an eye on. He knows exactly where he’s going and however he gets there, the trail will be ablaze b ehind him.

STORY BY JULIUS FREDRICK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

The Omaha 360 VIP Collaborative Proves Community and Trust are the Keys to Violence Prevention

Oma ha 360, 2023

On 52nd Street, just west of Ames Avenue, the whir of passing vehicles idled to a hum; a sequence of blinking turn signals lined the street before filing into Sprague Plaza. As 2pm drew near, the ‘thump’ of car doors and snatches of conversation punctuated the thick summer air, the Omaha Home for Boy’s south campus alive with community members some in suits or blouses, some in graphic tees, others in uniform as they converged on the Wurdeman Conference Center. The hour arrived with a hush settling over the hall, around 80 participants in total. Empowerment Network founder and Omaha 360 organizer Willie Barney strode parallel a projection screen, rows of faces, familiar and new, radiating from the podium.

“Thank you all for joining us for this week’s Omaha 360 meeting. Let’s get started with introductions,” he announced.

For 15 years and counting, a crosshatch of Omaha citizenry has stratified to form a unique community flagstone: the Omaha 360 VIP (Violence Intervention and Prevention) Collaborative. The weekly, hour-long gatherings commence with names and statements of affiliation, a microphone bobbing through the crowd as it’s passed hand from hand:

“…representing Gifford Park Neighborhood a ssociation.”

“…representing the Native Omaha Days Organizin g Committee.

“…with the Jewish Community Relations Council.”

“…with the Boys and Girls Club.”

“…Set Me Free Project; human trafficking education and prevention.

“…Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition.”

“…Mayor ’s Office.”

“…National Council of Negro Women.”

“…just trying to bring the community together.”

For expanded content, open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code above.

GUN VIOLENCE, ONE WEEK AT A TIME:

Enhancing educational opportunities, career outlooks, rates of home ownership, cultural engagement and enrichment, and access to family and community resources for North Omaha residents (and over time, greater Omaha) are all key tenets of the Empowerment Network’s ‘7-Step Plan’ to date, drawing together nearly 500 organizations to enact it. Omaha 360 was, in part, born from one of the plan’s primary goals: “living in a safe and secure community.” The model has proven highly effective toward this end, garnering national headlines in 2023 for notching steady progress in its fight against violent crime where many major cities h ave stalled.

“I think that speaks volumes to the culture that’s been created. Early 2000s, especially with a violence-displaying felon ramming vehicles, things like that, there was a time period where officers would’ve discharged weapons; that’s one column, for years now, on not the way we do business,” affirmed Lt. Marcus Taylor of the Omaha Police Department, concluding his report detailing an armed carjacking suspect who’d struck OPD cruisers in a an effort to escape arrest. “We were glad to see that end with a peaceful resolution really happy to see it wa s peaceful.”

Lt. Taylor reported on behalf of the OPD’s Gang Activity and Prevention Unit, while officers representing the Northeast and Northwest Precincts, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, shared details similar o ccurrences.

The briefings centered on youth gun violence, Omaha hardly immune to the devastating upswing in youth-related crime nationwide part of a 50% increase in gunfire-related deaths in those 18 and under between 2019 to 2021, per an April report by the Pew Research Center. While the news is often grim, it’s this transparency between authorities and residents, among other reforms recommended in 2015, that’s born an inverse statistic: a 50% decrease in complaints against O maha police.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, preparing for July’s 24th biennial Native Omaha Days Festival and Parade a weeklong celebration of the history, culture, and community spirit of North Omaha with security measures and volunteers fr ont of mind.

“Thank you Willie and thank you Omaha 360,” began Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee spokesperson Vicki Quaites-Ferris. “Again, if it were not for the collaboration established, probably back in 2008, between Omaha 360 and the Northeast Precinct, the parade and Native Omaha Days celebrations would not be ne ar as safe…”

Oma ha 360, 2008

“Let me back up a little bit. I moved to Omaha in 2000,” Barney said. “Before that, I kind of moved around the country, looking at different things that were happening primarily in the African American community. I had a chance through my corporate job to travel to Chicago and Miami and New York and LA…and no matter what I saw, it was pretty consistent that our communities were left behind. And because of that, poverty, unemployment, and in many cases, gun violence, was concentrated in some of these c ommunities…”

Over a period of years, I started to track the data and do research and look at different models. I started to have conversations […] to figure out how to work together to improve some of these conditions. So we started to have some meetings around in the Black community as far as how we could work together. We met for the better part of nine months […] and we launched the Empowerment Plan in April of 2007. In July of 2007, we had, I think it was 42 shootings in 30 days. So we had this huge plan and strategy long term for working with the community but we recognized really quickly that we weren’t going to be able to do a whole lot unless we addressed specifically the gu n violence.”

Barney credits author George Fraser and then-Senator Barack Obama as powerful influences that “led up to me finally stepping out in faith to move on it.” While meetings still began at 2pm, the 24th and

Lake Street setting was modest, with just seven individuals convening under the more general Violence Intervention Prevention Group. However, by 2008, the assembly had swelled to more than 30 members, and Barney tapped the Omaha Home for Boys for additional space. Perhaps inspired by the fanning, lecture hall arrangement, the name “Omaha 360” was officially adopted in Janu ary 2009.

As Omaha 360 matured, Barney approached and implored the Omaha Police Department to attend. With the help of “a few key people,” including Deputy Chief John Ewing, Chief Tom Warren, and Sergeant Teresa Negron, OPD got on board though not without some convincing.

“Initially, when I said [to Chief Warren],‘We need you to come to a community meeting,’ he said, ‘I don’t really want to do that, because typically when the police department comes to a community meeting, we’re to blame and we get the fingers pointed back and forth, so I don’t necessarily want to,’” Barney explained. “I asked him if he’d just give me a chance to facilitate a meeting where we think we can make it more productive, and eventually he agreed. And that’s exactly what happened […] and because of that, it started to build relationship a nd trust.”

“OUR HOMICIDE RATES ARE STILL AT 100% CLEARANCE RATE, AND THAT’S NOT A POLICE STAT, THAT’S A COMM UNITY STAT.”

‑ LT. M ARCUS TAYLOR

Lt. Taylor a 19-year veteran with the force and cofounder of the Black Police Officers Association of Omaha recalls these early years vividly. The intensity and scale of violent crime and the disconnect between law enforcement and residents were in s harp relief.

“Going back to the history, during that violent time period…I was in the gang unit at that time, and that time was a different era in Omaha,” Taylor said. “There was a lot of mistrust, and I think that was due to a lack of relationships, and just even culture-wise how we went about policing. You know, it was just different.”

As police attendance became regular, and tough conversations steeled the resolve of officers and community members in kind, a newfound alliance took shape.

“One of the biggest things I’d credit 360 and the Empowerment Network for, is the power of collaboration and synergy realizing we all wanted the same goals, we all had the same big heart for the community, and we wanted this community to be safe,” Taylor said.

Today, the impact of the collaborative can’t be overlooked. The city’s homicide rate plummeted to a 20-year low in 2018 at 4.5 homicides per 100,000 people, as compared to 2007’s 10.3 per 100,000 and Omaha Police Department data revealed shooting victims more than halved between 2009 and 2022. Whilst the aftershocks of the COVID pandemic saw a spike in activity, percentages of total violent crime are down 15% from last year as of June 2023.

Taylor attributes much of this success to a more “holistic” approach to policing, counting “probation officers, faith leaders, and volunteers”as essential to the tra nsformation.

“Our homicide rates are still at 100% clearance rate, and that’s not a police stat, that’s a community sta t,” he said.

On whether Omaha has uncovered a ‘sweet spot’ in the hard versus soft on crime debate, Empowerment Network Vice President of Community Collaboratives Jonathan Chapman emphasized nuance and the varied, often conditioned notions surroundin g the issue.

“When people come to 360 for the first time, they very clearly have one perspective that oftentimes is very negative. And we live in a day and age where a lot of people’s perceptions are determined by their consumption of media,” Cha pman noted.

“But what usually ends up happening is when somebody comes to 360 […] you can see their perception begin to change when they really begin to understand the level of collaboration that exists her e in Omaha.”

Omaha Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Neal Bonacci, concurred.

“It’s not just North or South Omaha, there’s people from West Omaha. There’s faith based leaders, there’s all sorts of different people from all different backgrounds that’s the beauty of it,” Bonacci added. “I think that’s the difference between what Omaha is doing and a lot of other major cities where you are seeing these spikes and upward trend s in crime.”

While strengthened relations between residents and officers has been pivotal to Omaha 360’s efforts, the police department is one of many voices, and eyes, that enable the collaborative’s sweeping yet dexterous hand in preventing violence. Omaha 360 Director Ricky Smith empathized that the model can’t thrive i n isolation.

“It’s important that all the partners understand, maybe even the new cities coming to the table, it’s not just 360. You have to have a foundation, you have to have an Empowerment Network. You can’t just have one small piece and make it work,” he said. “You’ve got to have that foundation where people know that they can come to, and trust you’re working in several different capacities in several areas.”

Weekly meetings mean 360 attendees can confront more than annual or monthly trends, but identify at-risk youth in near realtime, quickly connecting them to individuals and/or organizations uniquely positioned to help. For some, that means enrolling in educational, leadership, and career advancement organizations like Step-Up Omaha! or the Omaha Youth 360 program launched last year. For those already mired in the criminal underworld, programs like YouTurn sec ond chances.

The latter is overseen by the aforementioned Teresa Negron, who now serves as YouTurn’s executive director since 2019 after retiring from her role as an OPD homicide detective after nearly 23 years on the force. The nonprofit utilizes the Cure Violence Global Health Model, which takes an epidemiological view of violence like a physician diagnosing and treating an infectious disease. Mediation and conflict resolution, school and community outreach, and one-on-one case management are just a few of the methods employed to reach ‘highest risk’ individuals (those already involved or likely to become involved in gang or regular crimina l activity).

“My whole team does canvassing, but part of the street team’s goal is they’re going to hotspots where things are actively happening,” she explained. “When there’s a shooting that happens in our target area, within 24 hours our team is there onsite, talking to people, doing the things that we need to do to try to bring the temperature d own, right?”

In addition to overseeing YouTurn’s street, school, and conflict mediation teams, Negron has remained involved with the Empowerment Network and as one of the original liaisons between the OPD and the collaborative , Omaha 360.

“I think of Omaha 360 as a networking opportunity for all these different, freestanding organizations to come together and have discussions,” Negron continued.

“When we first started, the police department would come in and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got this area that’s a hotspot,’ and Omaha 360 would get a ‘neighborhood champion,’ that would say ‘Hey, we’ll be the champion for people to meet, talk to law enforcement’…the community could express themselves about what was happening in their specific neighborhood, and solutions came out of that. [Then determining ] which organization has the ability to do whatever the need was, right? And that’s the beauty of Omaha 360 it’s commu nity-driven.

“You have to have a place, and you have to have facilitators for the conversations that are taking place and kind of put them together in one bucket, and that’s the beauty that I always see in Willie Barney,” she said. “When you have somebody like that, that can take what’s being said, we can figure out who’s doing what, and we can wrap their arms around whatever the situation is…that’s the beauty of it, and that’s the import ance of it.”

Om aha 360 202X

As a source of inspiration behind the formation of Omaha 360, it’s only fitting that former President Barack Obama has taken stock of the initiative’s triumphs. In 2023, the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance initiative proclaimed Omaha one of four ‘Model Cities’ in the US, having reached one of six MBK Milestones: “Remaining Safe From Violent Crime.” As a result, Barney was invited to Chicago to partake in an “Impact in Action” panel in May one of four representatives to join the former President on stage.

“First of all, as an individual, he’s everything that you see; he knew us inside and out. He had done his research; he knew about Omaha, he knew what we were doing together, the impact…” Barney recalled. “His focus, and what he’s reinforced, is that he wants to see results, he doesn’t just want to hear the positives. He wants to see results about real change. And so, being on the stage with him, and being a part of that collaborative conversation with him and other cities, it was very, very encouraging. And I think it pushes us to go even further, realizing that other cities are really looking to us.”

Though a landmark achievement, Barney understands that it’s only the beginning and that Omaha is up to the challenge.

“We want to be the first city in the country they have six milestone areas we want to be the first in the country that is exceeding in all six areas: violence prevention, graduation rates, our young people having jobs and opportunities and careers, reading efficiency at third grade, all those components,” Barney said. “Sitting on that stage, it just really encouraged that the fire has always been there. But it just took it to a whole new level when you get recognized by a President of United States, a global leader, is saying that this is a good thing.

“We believe in it as a matter of fact. It’s showing what’s possible.”

Visit empoweromaha.com /omaha-360/ for more information.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

In an interdependent web of creativity and capital, art collectors and patrons like Duane and Monte Thompson of Omaha, and Robert and Karen Duncan of Lincoln, support individual artist practices and sustain gallery-museum activities.

“Every metro art scene is an ecosystem, consisting of makers, presenters, and an audience. Within that audience, collectors play a vital role in creating a healthy environment in which the arts can flourish,” Omaha curator Janet Farber explained. “Collectors purchase art directly from artists or galleries. Many provide vital financial support and board leadership for museums and art centers, as well as help them build their permanent holdings through donations of artwork. Some generate additional opportunities for artists, offering residencies, commissions, locations, [and] c onnections.”

“Collectors, galleries and artists are what make the whole thing work,” added Gallery 1516 owner, Patrick Drickey. “Here we recognize that collectors are probably the most important part of th at triad.”

As with the Thompsons and Duncans, Farber said, “Collecting does not start out as a goal, but happens more or ganically.”

For serious collectors like these, it becomes a lifestyle and avocation. The couples do their own acquiring and curating, often becoming intimately involved in artists’ lives in t he process.

“The highlight of our collecting experience is getting to know the artist and the art community,” Robert Duncan said. “They are among our closest friends. We get great satisfaction out of knowing and conversing with artists, collectors and people in the arts field. It’s a wonderful experience and really one of the driving forces of our desire to collect.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if out of our collection there’s at least 500 artists that we know. We’re the sort that gets to know the artist and sees their work over a period of years before we even commit to a purchase, so it’s not unusual to have a long relationship before we bring it t o fruition.”

There are occasions they do buy from an artist they don’t know, Karen said, “But we’ve been known to get in touch after and ask if we can meet. That, we do a lot, and it works out well in enduring f riendships.”

The same holds true for the Thompsons. One of the first artists they got to know was the late Omaha realist Ke nt Bellows. For a 2010 Bellows retrospective at Joslyn

Art Museum, curators drew on work held by the Thompsons and others, further elevating the Bellows name. Such representation in key galleries and private collections raises an artist’s profile, and potentially increases their w orks’ value.

Drickey said artists know the importance of getting their work into “a good collection that’s how their legacy moves forward.”

For collectors, it’s not always about monetary value.

“There’s really joy in knowing the person who creates something that is very appealing, attractive to you,” Duane Thompson noted. “Each relationship we have with an artist starts with buying a piece of their art.”

“They become friends, they become important in our life,” Monte Th ompson said.

“Once the piece of art is in your home, it’s sort of a constant high” Duane said. “You can look at it every morning and still get a rush like when you bought it. It’s also great to think about the artist and maybe the conversation you had with him or her. Having been collecting for 50 some years, it’s also being grateful for having known artists who are no longer with us but they are certainly present when we look at their work on our walls or in our dis play cases.”

The Thompsons have been Old Market devotees since Ree (Schonlau) Kaneko’s original Craftsman Gallery, where they acquired many of their functional ceramic pieces. Through her evolution as an arts administrator with the Bemis, and later the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, the Thompsons remained supportive, serving on the first Bemis board and collecting works by some of its resid ent artists.

The Thompsons and Duncans display much of their eclectic collections at their respective homes. Look in any direction or room at the Thompson’s Blackstone co-op residence and paintings, drawings, pottery, and sculptures are never more than a glance away. They host open houses and parties where their collection takes c enter stage.

“Collectors often function, intentionally or not, as influencers, inspiring others to develop their personal aesthetic sensibilities and discover their own paths to becoming collectors,” Farber said.

“Collecting art can be at any financial level,” Robert Duncan said. “There are beautiful objects for a hundred dollars. You have to go on a quest, you have to find them, you have to find something that speaks to you and then meet the artist.”

Omaha area art collectors Duane (left) and Monte (right) Thompson.

When it comes to acquisitions, Robert explained, “Collecting art is always a joint effort. We agree on the pieces we’re going to buy 99.9% of the time. We won’t buy anything of consequence unless we both agree. Our tastes have developed together. Five decades is a long time.”

By now, the couple share the same discriminating eye for what they feel has merit. But they don’t always ge t it right.

“We’ve made a lot of mistakes, too, but we get better and better at it,” Robert confessed. “I think both of us have got a really good eye now to collec t good art.”

As a premiere Midwest collecting couple the Duncans take things to the next level at their classically influenced home in Lincoln designed by London-based architect Dimitri Porphyrios. The eight-yearsin-the-making residence also functions as a gallery with museum-grade lighting, temperature controls, and dedicated art spaces.

The Duncans also display art at their home in Mexico, at the homes of their adult children, and the headquarters of Duncan Aviation, the company Robert founded and headed. Additional works can be found their gallery, The Assemblage, in downtown Lincoln and their Carnegie Clarinda Art Museum in their shared hometown of Cla rinda, Iowa.

“We believe we have an obligation to share our art,” Robert said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to be able to collect it and we want as many people to see it as possible. We really work hard in getting our art out where people can see it and appreciate it.”

The two couples often loan pieces for temporary or touring shows and donate others for charitable auctions.

In addition to purchasing art, the Duncans sometimes sponsor individual artist residencies and have even been known to subsidize artists’ livi ng expenses.

Art stewardship extends to serving on boards. Robert Duncan was recruited by the City of Lincoln to create the Lincoln Public Art initiative.

“Of course, I reached out to this interconnected community to bring people on the board,” Robert said. “I think we’ve brought something like $5 to $6 million worth of art to Lincoln.”

Drickey says the Nebraska Artists Biennial he puts on at Gallery 1516 featuring area artists brings out collectors like the Duncans and Thompsons.

“That has been very successful and it’s really given collectors an opportunity a reason to support a Nebraska artist,” said Drickey, who takes to heart advice from the late Omaha painter, Milton Wolksy. “Buy art because you like it and try to buy it from someone you meet because you’ll create a friend for life.”

The Thompson collection in particular is Nebraska-centric, which makes getting to know arti sts easier.

“We do get involved with artists,” Duane said, including Jun Kaneko mentees Iggy Sunmik and Jes s Benjamin.

Collectors get leads on new artists, Duane observed, by being aligned with galleries like 1516 or the Bemis.

“Then you’re made aware of new artists that come in,” he said. “We belong to Bemis, so whenever a new artist is in residence we’re made aware of that. When they have exhibition openings or open studios we know about it.”

“These wonderful collectors support the artists directly from their studios, at local galleries, and at the annual Bemis Benefit Art Auction, whose participating artists benefit from collectors of all ranges,” said Bemis Chief Curator and Director of Programs, Rachel Adams. “We are thankful for all the collector support, which allows Bemis to continue its support of artists.”

“It’s a small community,” Duane added. “Many of our friends are also interested in art, and when they go to a gallery that maybe we have not been to there’s always good conversation about the work they saw and they encourage us to go see the work ourselves.”

Collectors, whether individually or collectively, make this symbiosis between buyers and makers more than an exchange they make it an environment for art, and local talent, to flourish.

“Buy art because you like it and try to buy it from someone you meet because you’ll create a frien d for life.”

Milton Wolksy

HISTORY

STORY BY SOPHIA RIDGE

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN

DO BLONDES HAVE MORE FUN?

DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

Welcoming Back the Old, New Herbie Husker

The Nebraska Huskers Twitter account tweeted a video in April that ended wit h two words: “He’s back.”

At this point, fans should be accustomed to the ever-changing aesthetics of the Husker program. Yet, perhaps in a last ditch effort to bring back the nostalgia of a dominant the Husker Football era, a familiar face has returned with a makeover. Last year, the Huskers dumped their blonde-haired, blue-eyed prodigal son, Scott Frost, after a lack of results and added another to the athletic program the revitalized Herbie Husker of the 1970s, slightly trimmed and adjusted for modern audiences.

Change has always been part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln athletic program. The Cornhusker program has faced numerous identity crises over its 133-year history, as the first mascot attests. Initially, UNL’s sports teams in the 1890s were dubbed the Old Gold Knights, yet the colors were too similar to the neighboring Iowa team. In 1899, UNL changed their school colors to scarlet and cream and Cy Sherman a sports editor at the Lincoln Journal Star took UNL’s team branding into his own hands by conceiving the name we all know and love: The Nebraska Cornhuskers. The first official mascot was introduced about 50 years later a half-ear of corn mask that donned an outfit replete with green overalls. In 1960, possibly due to the unsettling nature of the half-ear of corn’s anthropomorphized facial features, the university decided to go with a human mascot that related to UNL’s agricultural roots.

Fast forward to 1973 at the Cotton Bowl in Texas where cartoonist Dirk West’s rendering, essentially, a caricature of a typical Nebraska fan, catching the eye of the UNL sports information director. A year later, the cartoon became Herbie Husker. The original cartoon included the same massive jawline and tufted light-colored hair, an ear of corn placed in the back pocket of his overalls which displayed the classic Nebraska “N,” and a football in his right hand while the left hand held up an “OK” sign. Later on, West would be asked permission to use his cartoon as the official school mascot, but West insisted on making some tweaks: one change applied to the portrait was a red cowboy hat, and the

second was making the facial expression much less friendly with the addition of a taunting scowl-smile. And thus, the original Herbie was born.

Husker fans might notice, however, that a very simple (but noticeable) amendment was unveiled as part of the good ol’ Herbie 2023 comeback tour. What once was an innocuous hand gesture had put Nebraska Athletics in a pinch the “OK” sign of the classic Herbie was officially retrofitted after the gesture was deemed a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League in 2019. This change was first applied to the post-2003 ‘modern’ Herbie, who sported a red polo and bluejeans in an effort to better represent contempora ry farmers.

“The concern about the hand gesture was brought to our attention by our apparel provider and others, and we decided to move forward with a revised Herbie Husker logo,” read a statement issued by Nebraska Athletics in 2022. “The process of changing the logo began in 2020, and we updated our brand guidelines in July of 2021. The revised logo is now the only Herbie Husker mark available to licensees.”

Now, the mascot holds up his pointer finger to signal that the Huskers are No. 1 (maybe this will finally be our year?). Regardless, this return to tradition coincides with yet another coaching overhaul and tempered hopes that the dynamic, battle-tested Matt Rhule can similarly bridge modern Husker Football to the previous eras of gridiron dominance, if at least bowl contention.

And while the ’03 Herbie may have won the 2005 National Mascot of the Year award, there may be a kernel of wisdom in returning to the classic design. After all, ’70s Herbie looks a little hungrier, with the bulk to prove it traits that hopefully translate to and inspire the Cornhuskers’ offensive line th is season.

The old, new Herbie Husker made his debut on April 22, ahead the 2023 Spring Game. And like the rest of Husker Nation, he’s a ride or die fan straddling a “Husker” emblazoned chopper motorcycle to the roar of a packed Memor ial Stadium.

“Herbie Husker has been one of the iconic symbols of Nebraska Athletics for nearly 50 years,” Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts said in a statement. “Our fans are passionate about all things related to the Huskers, and they have a particular fondness for Herbie.”

Alberts is right, but will the revival of this classic look herald a return to glory? Perhaps only Herbie knows… In the meantime, Husker Nation will have to tide itself over with the usual plate: (extremely cautious) optimism. And maybe for a side, something out of the orginal Herbie’s playbook a pocketfu l of corn.

Visit huskers.com for more information.

LEADING A NEBRASKA

Volleyball Renaissance

KIRSTEN BERNTHAL BOOTH’S BLUEJAYS ARE CREATING THEIR OWN MASTERPIECE

When the letter “s” is affixed to the word “decade” in one’s work bio, it may be hard for some to keep things fresh to stay hungry. Not so for Creighton University’s women’s volleyball coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth, owner of multiple records, and now, multiple decades at the helm of the increasingly potent Bluej ays program.

“If I had to say 20 years ago, ‘Are you pleased with where you’ve been, and where you’ve taken the program?’ to myself now, I’d be pretty stoked,” Bernthal Booth said, now in her 20th year as a Creighton head coach. “I want to go further. I love the student athletes. I just want to impact lives.”

Her rise to become three-time National Coach of the Year and an in-state powerhouse wasn’t preordained. In fact, she almost found herself doing an entirely different kind of volley.

Growing up, in Lincoln, Nebraska, it certainly seemed she was on nearly every court but the one she has come to dominate from the Omah a sidelines.

“I was a swimmer, did tennis, and basketball. I was kind of in everything,” she said, laughing at the glaring omission from her youth sports resume. “In 7th grade, one of my friends gave me a flier for the Lincoln Juniors, the top club in Lincoln at that time. And I’ll never forget, she said to me, ‘I don’t want to [play for them], but you might.’”

“The program prior to my arrival was playing at a high school, so you can imagine how difficult that was to recruit to. I was 27, and when I say I was clueless, the people around would verify that.

—Kirsten Berthal Booth

HELPING FAMILIES PROTECT A

Bernthal Booth took the flier home, convinced her parents that she could fundraise the $40 team fee, and began her volleyball career. She quickly excelled in the team sport, but eventually her skills on the other court with a net led her to a major athletic crossroads.

After nearly accepting a walk-on spot at Nebraska as a tennis player, she made her choice and set her sites on setting.

Leaving behind the solo act on the tennis courts of Lincoln, Bernthal Booth headed to college and quickly made the most of connecting with her teammates between the lines where the student-athlete broke the Truman State U all-time assists mark as a setter and off the court, where she graduated with honors and even served as a stud ent senator.

While coaching may have seemed like a natural fit for a relationships-first, high-IQ volleyball player, it wasn’t initially on Bernthal Booth’s radar. With a father in administration at the University of Nebraska, she envisioned herself as a career academic, but found herself drifting back into coaching while getting her master’s degree at the University of Iowa, where she volunteered with their volleyb all program.

Her first head coaching gig followed soon after, landing the position at Kirkwood Community College. After going a combined 112-41 and securing District Coach of the Year honors twice, she put herself in the running for the head coaching position at Creighton University.

That’s when she received a recommendation to the administration at Creighton from bonafied Nebraska volleyball royalty, no less.

“Terry Petit is a mentor of mine. His daughter was a freshman when I was a senior at Lincoln East [High School]. I didn’t know her until she came in, but I just liked her,” Bernthal Booth recalled. “As Terry would say, I took her under my wing and helped her. When the Creighton position opened, [CU Athletic Director] Bruce Rasmussen essentially hired Coach Petit to give names to them for their search. Fortunately, I was a name that he pa ssed along.”

Her kindness repaid, her track record impeccable, Bernthal Booth arrived at Creighton in her home state with her work cut out for her.

“The program prior to my arrival was playing at a high school,” she said, referring to the team’s ‘home gym’ at Omaha South. “So you can imagine how difficult that was to recruit. I was 27, and when I say I was clue less, the people around would verify that. I hired Angie (Oxley) Behrens, who had just gotten done winning a national champion ship (under Petit at Nebraska) a year prior and she gave us some real c redibility.”

“As a player at Nebraska, I loved my expe rience,” said Oxley Behrens, who’s been an assistant on Bernthal Booth’s staff for 20 years. “But, it felt like it was more business, more about wins and losses. Kirsten has instilled in me that you can do both. You can care about winning and losing and care about the player a s a person.”

As she has developed from the fresh-faced, rookie coach at the high school gymna sium into the 20-year veteran and leader of a Big East powerhouse in a nationally acclaimed facility (CHI Health Center Arena), Bernthal Booth has watched the game grow to match her home-st ate efforts.

“You really have to tip your cap to what Terry Petit did at Nebraska,” she said. “He went out at a grassroots level to grow the sport. He was out there training coaches. What that has led to is phenomenal high school coaches, phenomenal club coaches, from small schools to big schools. I really credit Nebraska volleyball for that. Volleyball is well supported here; all the col lege and high school teams, it’s remarkable. Nebraska kids and fans may take that for granted, but it’s not that way around most of t he country.”

The local ties, the ability to grow along with the game, and the hunger to keep innovating and developing, are all ways Bernthal Booth has kept stagnation at bay. But above all, it’s her belief in the people around her that has sustained her excellence a t Creighton.

“Kirsten does a fantastic job of building relationships. With her peers, but also with her players,” Behrens noted. “She feels that each and every one of the players is comfortable to talk volleyball or talk life.

“You don’t usually see a lot of players who want to come to a coach’s office, but it’s amazing when she builds confidence a nd trust.”

For more information, visit gocreighton.com/ sports/womens -volleyball.

GIVING CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 2023

Sept. 14

FEATURED EVENT

TASTES AND TREASURES

Benefiting: Omaha Salvation Army Location: Scott Conference Center

The Omaha Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary will host Tastes and Treasures, “Providing Hope to All Ages,” an annual fundraiser to benefit local programs and projects of the Salvation Army. Some of the programs previously enhanced by Taste and Treasures include Winter Night Watch and Emergency Disaster Services, the Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen, and the A Way to Work program. The event promises an evening of fun, food, and philanthropy featuring regional celebrities Juli Burney, humorist, and Michael Lyon, master of ceremonies. —tastesandtreasures.com

September 1

4TH ANNUAL SNEAKER SOIRÉE BENEFITS: YOUTH EMERGENCY SERVICES (YES HOUSE) OF OMAHA Location: Slowdown —theslowdown.com

September 3

BINGO OPEN GOLF CHARITY FUNDRAISER

Benefits: NWA Kids Fishing Clinics

Charity Location: Grandpa’s Woods Golf Course —nebraskawalley.com/fishing-is-fun-3/

September 8

GOLDENRIDE BIKEFEST

Benefits: Bike Walk Nebraska

Location: Jayne Syder Trail Center —bikewalknebraska.org

September 8

23RD ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC AND SILENT AUCTION

Benefits: Connections Area Agency on Aging

Location: Dodge Riverside Gold Club —connectionsaaa.org

September 8

BENEFITS: THE HOPE CENTER FOR KIDS

Location: The Hope Center for Kids —thehopecenterforkids.com

Sept. 08

September 8

PLATTE RIVER RUMBLE-HIGH SCHOOL

Benefits: Omaha Sports Commission Location: Mahoney State Park —omahasports.org

September 9

OLYMPICS FOR ANGELS

Benefits: Angels Among Us

Location: Sonny’s in Aksarben —omahajaycees.org

September 10

UNITED WE WALK 2023

Benefits: Tri-Faith Initiative

Location: Tri-Faith Commons —trifaith.org

September 10

MULLIGANS FOR MUTTS

Benefits: Town and Country Humane Society

Location: Tarra Hills Golf Course —townandcountryhumanesociety.org

September 12

FARMER’S AGENT CHARITIES OF OMAHA ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Benefits: Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands and Make-A-Wish Nebraska Location: Pacific Springs Golf Club —wish.org/nebraska

Sept. 10

September 13

TEE IT UP FORE CUES SCHOOLS

Benefits: CUES School System

Location: Top Golf —cues schools.org

September 14

FORK CANCER OMAHA

Benefits: American Cancer Society Location: The Omar —cancer.org/about-us/ local/nebraska.html

September 14

LUNCH FOR THE GIRLS

Benefits: Girls Inc.

Location: CHI Health Center —girlsincomaha.org

September 14

9TH ANNUAL RESTORED WINGS “FLOURISH” GALA

Benefits: Rejuvenating Women

Location: Embassy Suites LaVista —restoredwings.org

September 14—15

DIABETES EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE AND GALA

Benefits: Dear Diabetes

Location: Metro Community College Fort Omaha Campus —deardiabetes.org

September 16

HERO’S SCRAMBLE

Benefits: CPL Daegan Page Foundation

Location: Lake Ridge Golf Course —daeganpage.org

September 16

CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE WALK FOR WISHES

Benefits: Make-A-Wish Nebraska

Location: Chalco Hills Recreation Area —wish.org/nebraska

September 16

PUTTIN’ 4 PINK

Benefits: Project Pink’d Location: Putting Plus —allevent.in/omaha

September 17

LADLE OF LOVE

Benefits: Open Door Mission Location: Garland Thompson Men’s Center —opendoormission.org

September 17

WALK IN THE PARK FOR PARKINSON’S

Benefits: Parkinson’s Nebraska

Location: Elmwood Park —givesignuqp.org/Race/NE/ Omaha/Parkinsonswalk

September 20

A TIME FOR HOPE & HEALING

Benefits: The Kim Foundation Location: Embassy Suites LaVista Conference Center —thekimfoundation.org

September 21

HIT THE LINKS DRIVE AGAINST DISABILITIES GOLF TOURNAMENT

Benefits: United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska

Location: Indian Creek —ucpnebraska.org

September 21

49TH WOMAN OF THE YEAR GALA

Benefits: Arthritis Foundation Nebraska Location: Omaha Marriott Regency —arthritis.org

September 21

BOOTS & BUCKETS

Benefits: Dreamweaver Foundation

Location: A View West Shores —dreamweaver.org

September 21

MUSIC TO THEIR REARS 2023

Benefits: Nebraska Diaper Bank

Location: Ackerhurst Dairy Farm —nebraskadiaperbank.org

2023 2023

First Place

First Place

Caterer

CONNECTIONS & ASSOCIATES

September 21

WHERE THE RHYTHM MEETS THE ROAD: MOZART, MOTOWN & MUSCLE CARS

Benefits: Omaha Conservatory of Music

Location: Omaha Conservatory of Music —omahacm.org

September 22

HALFWAY TO ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Benefits: Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center

Location: Champions Run —projectharmony.com

September 23

MILES FOR MADONNA

Benefits: Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital

VOTED FIRST PLACE!

YEARS IN A ROW-

OUR TOP PROVIDERS

Salina Anderson, APRN

Geraldine Alexis, LIMHP, PLADC

Julie Bierman, LCSW, LMHP

Chantel Bruha, LIMHP, LADC

Korrie Conners, LMHP, CSAT

Kirby Davis, LMHP

Peggy Deaver, LIMHP, CPC

Davin Dickerson, APRN

Beth Farrell, LCSW, LIMHP

Dumayi Gutierrez, PhD, LMHP

Lucy Hancock, MA

Charlene Hills, LCSW, LIMHP

KG Langdon, APRN

Mary Loftis, LMHP, CPC

Kim Mueller, LIMHP, CPC

Nicole Obrecht, LIMHP

Kara Schneider, BA

Marty Stoltenberg, APRN-BC

Kristi Tackett-Newburg, PhD, LIMHP

Greg Tvrdik, LIMHP, CPC

Sarah Wenzl, LMHP, CPC

Michele Yanney-Wehbi, LIMHP, CPC

Sept. 22

Location: Zorinsky Lake Main Shelter Area —madonna.org

September 24

MARGE DURHAM WALK & DOG FEST

Benefits: Nebraska Humane Society Location: Nebraska Humane Society —nehumanesociety.org

September 24

BREAD FOR LIFE BRUNCH FUNDRAISER

Benefits: Project Hope Location: Project Hope, Inc. —projecthopeomaha.org

September 24

STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME WALK & FAMILY FESTIVAL

Benefits: Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands

Location: Werner Park —dsmidlands.org

September 24

BETWEEN THE LINES WITH MOLLY SHANNON AND SUSAN ORLEAN

Benefits: Omaha Public Library

Foundation

Sept. 24

Location: Holland Performing Arts Center —o-pa.org

September 25

CHILDREN’S CHARITY CLASSIC

Benefits: Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

Location: Omaha Country Club —childrensomaha.org

September 28

LIGHT THE NIGHT

Benefits: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Location: Stinson Park —lightthenight.org/lopln

Dr. Kristi Tackett-Newburg Founder/Owner

2023 First Place

Counseling Services

September 28

OMAHA GO RED FOR WOMEN EXPO

Benefits: American Heart Association

Location: Embassy Suites LaVista —americanheartomaha.ejionme.org

September 29

FOOD TRUCK WORLD TOUR

Benefits: Immigrant Legal Center + Refugee Empowerment Center Location: The Slowdown —immigrantlc.org

September 29

KANEKO SOIRÉE

Sept. 29

Benefits: KANEKO exhibitions and programming

Location: KANEKO —thekaneko.org

September 29

RITECARE CLASSIC GOLF OUTING AND BENEFIT

Benefits: RiteCare Speech and Language Clinics

Location: Dodge Riverside Golf Club —scottishriteomaha.org

September 30

A VINTAGE AFFAIR XV: THE CRYSTAL ANNIVERSARY GALA

Benefits: Autism Action Partnership Location: Embassy Suites LaVista —autismaction.org

September 30 OUT OF THE DARKNESS OMAHA WALK

Benefits: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Location: Stinson Park —asfp.org

Event times and details are correct as of presstime, but are subject to change.

Omaha Magazine encourages readers to visit venues' websites and/or calling ahead before attending an event or visiting a museum.

At Station 5 in northeast Omaha, Tom McCoy did what all firefighters do during their long shifts: he k illed time.

“You spend 24 hours on [a shift], and when you get a call, you are out the door without hesitation,” McCoy said. “But when there isn’t a call…there is a lot of down time.”

And during that down time, McCoy had taken to getting to know a few of the neighborhood kids.

“There was this one kid we nicknamed ‘Fifty Cent.’ We had a vending machine on site and it sold pop for 50 cents,” he said. “We kept our doors open in the summer, and every day he would come around and ask everyone on site, ‘Hey, can I get 50 cents?’ Just al l the time.”

Somehow, there was always change to spare for the station’s frequent visitor, and Fifty Cent was a welcome distraction from the monotony of waiting for a call. Seeing the child light up over a cold drink on a hot day was a morale boost on even the h ardest days.

A Bicycle Built for… Three?

“One day I was outside and saw Fifty and two other kids all on his bike.” McCoy recalled. “This one old bike… one kid was riding the seat, another was sitting on the handle bars, and the other was standing on the back on the foot pegs. I asked them where their bikes were and they said they didn’t have one.”

While it was heartwarming to see kids outside playing, getting along sharing even there are some experiences McCoy felt jus t shouldn’t be mis sed out on.

“I was a military brat. I moved around a lot, but there’s that one universal childhood memory of just hopping on your bike and riding it around the neighborhood,” he said. “It’s just the greatest feeling. And even though these kids are doing a great job of making it work, it wasn’t an opportunity they had been given.”

Soon thereafter, reminis cing turned to revelation.

“We were all sitting around later that day and I thought, ‘I just know I have a bike laying around.’ One my kid outgrew and it was just sitting around collecting dust,” McCoy said. “Then a couple of the other

guys said the same thing; they had a bike or two in their garages. They might need some work, but they were good bikes.”

McCoy put out the word to the department.

“We asked if anyone knew how to wrench on bikes, thinking we had a nice handful to give out to the neighborhood,” he continued. “But one thing you’ve got to know about firefighters is that they show up if you ask for a couple, you’re going to g et a dozen.”

Helmet Club Bikes for Kids was launched in June 2013 to create a space to connect over t he project.

The crew’s “handful of bikes” continued to multiply, and they needed a place to store and repair them before the giveaway. Then-Fire Captain Jerry Kleidosty stepped up in an unexpected way that first year, partnering with McCoy and his ragtag team of ‘wrenchers.’

“Jerry had started a business, Timberland Hardwood Floors. He stepped up right away and offered to be our sponsor that first year,” McCoy said. “He let us use his shop

“One day I was outside and saw Fifty and two other kids all on his bike.This one old bike… I asked them where their bikes were and they said they didn’ t have one.”

“Fifty and his friends were all there. They each got to pick out a bike, a safe bike, and one they liked,” McCoy explained. “And they each got a helmet to go with it.”

The team came together a few more years to host giveaways, but soon, Bike Rack was no longer able to take part in the event. Without his biggest sponsor, and coming up on retirement himself, McCoy had to come to terms with the fact that the mission had served its purpose and run its course.

Taking Another Spin

In 2019, Alex Emerson was in his second year on the fire department when his children had outgrown t heir bikes.

“I had heard about this program but didn’t know how to go about donating my kids’ bikes,” Emerson recalled. “I started talking with my neighbor, who is also a fireman, and he told me that the program was no longer going. We were just talking and I don’t know if he convinced me or if he let me convince him, but we agreed to start the progra m up again.”

Emerson reached out to McCoy to learn the ropes of how he had run the Bikes for Kids program. With the groundwork in place, he set about acquiring sponsors and partners to make the project s ustainable.

to do all of our repairs. He even made a banner for us for our giveaway event. That’s still the banner we us e, in fact.”

Another unexpected surprise came in the form of a partnership with Bike Rack’s Steve Herbermann.

“Steve was so great to deal with, and Bike Rack was so generous,” McCoy said “We ended up with so many more bikes than we thought we could get our hands on, and Bike Rack donated a helmet for every single one.”

On July 5, 2013, the crew gave away 125 bikes and helmets to kids in the Florence area.

“I learned so much from Tom, and this program meant a lot to him,” Emerson said. “I wanted to do everything I could to get it going again. I reached out to people selling bikes on Facebook, asking if they’d be willing to donate them. I worked with Habitat Restore and set up a relationship with them. We partnered with Goodwill, too. They’ve been very good to us, donating 50 to a 100 bikes every year.

“The first year, our event was at Howard Elementary School in North Omaha. We gave away 150 bikes. We had worked really hard that first year, it was very involved. I was dropping off five bikes a week all through the winter at Bikeway, during their off season. They would fix them up for us in their down time. The firefighters were working on two or three bikes at a time, and we were working on them every day, from the day we started collecting them until the giveaway. We had to figure out some new logistics to make it sus tainable.”

—Tom McCoy

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The second year, an answer to those logistics found Emerson.

“Team Bike Rescue of Omaha is a nonprofit here in town, and [Rick Settje] reached out to me. This is what he does all year, for all kinds of organizations,” Emerson said. “He refurbishes bikes and donates them. That partnership was huge. I was still struggling to keep it efficient, because at that point I had bikes in my garage, in my truck, everywhere. Another firefighter’s father-in-law owns Milt’s Mini Storage, and he donated a garage for us to store the bikes in. Everyone was pitching in whatever they could, and it was just looking better al l the time.”

The second year of the newly relaunched event was held at GI Forum in South Omaha. A whopping 165 bikes were given away, and it looked like the team had found its rhythm. But like most modern stories, it was hit with this too-familiar plot twist:

“And then the next year, COVID hit,“ Emerson said. “The president of our union, Steve LeClair, reached out to churches in North Omaha to arrange smaller giveaways. We would bring 10 bikes to the church and give them aw ay outside.”

In spite of a global shutdown, the team still managed to come through for the kids in nee d of wheels.

“We love doing this, and it’s such a welcome respite from getting a call and spending someone’s worst day with them; to be able to step away and give families this really happy moment,” Emerson affirmed. “When we’re working on these bikes when we’re making the calls or hauling them from storage to repair to the event we’re thinking that whole time about the big payoff. Seeing that one kid ride off on a bike they got to choose on their own.”

Emerson remains humble, deflecting all credit back to Tom McCoy for his original vision, and showering his many sponsors, partners, and volunteers w ith praise:

“It’s so much less stressful for me now. Goodwill sends volunteers for the event, Play it Again Sports gives us the helmets at cost. The Helmet Club pays some of the expenses, and the Union is paying for the helmets now. Tom made such a great event every year, and he didn’t have the support I do now. I am so grateful to him for creating this opportunity, and for everyone who comes together to make sure we can just have an amazing event and enjoy all of the smiles we ge t to see!”

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or several generations, scores of people have flocked to Nebraska City in mid-September to savor autumn apples. The annual AppleJack Festival, now entering its 55th year, has become a rite of passage into the year’s cooler months; a beloved tradition that holds a special place of honor in family photo albums across the region.

Jack Brawner is the man often credited with coming up with the idea to establish AppleJack. Born in Fairbury, Nebraska, in 1929, Brawner moved with his family in 1931 to Nebraska City, where they opened Brawne r Furniture.

While serving as chairman of retail trade for the town’s Chamber of Commerce in the late 1960s, Brawner pitched hosting an autumn festival. Before then, Nebraska City had tried holding an annual spring apple blossom celebration to capitalize on its apple orchards, but peak bloom times proved unpredictable. Instead, Brawner suggested putting on an event centered around the apple harvest. The bulk of apples were ready by the middle of September, he reasoned, and the weather typically tended to be reliably temper ate and dry.

The business community loved the idea, and in 1968, Nebraska City held its first AppleJack Festival. While the name can refer to the apple liquor “jacking” involves freezing hard cider and removing the ice from the liquid to boost alcohol content the apocryphal consensus is that AppleJack had Brawner to thank for the event ’s namesake.

“We can’t verify it officially,” said Tammy Partsch, author and marketing director for Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce. “The story behind it is tricky. Although his son says the festival was named after his father, Jack would never confirm it. He didn’t like the spotlight.”

Brawner did, however, love shining the spotlight on Nebraska City. Over the last half century, the festival has grown to attract some 60,000-80,000 visitors annually.

Although Brawner, who died in 2021 at age 91, eschewed credit for AppleJack, he still enjoyed participating. In 2014, he proudly rode the “All Jack” parade float, which exclusively featured people with the name “Jack.”

That was a banner year, remembered Amy Allgood, Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce’s executive director.

“We had perfect, beautiful, crisp weather, and there was no football game. We had over 100,000 visitors. It was our biggest AppleJack ever!” she exclaimed.

The event includes multiple, competing marching bands, parade floats, and Navy sailors from the nuclear submarine the USS Nebraska.

“All of our businesses have floats; seeing them all is so cool,” Allgood said. “Local businesses also make serious investments in candy. Kids always bring sacks.”

AppleJack also includes vendor booths, a classic car show, food trucks, the “All Things Apple” recipe contest, as well as apple picking at Nebraska City’s main three orchards: Arbor Day Farm, Union Orchard, and Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard.

Connie Van Nostrand, marketing manager for Arbor Day Farm and Lied Lodge, which takes part in the festival every year, said orchard visits are a perennial favorite wit h visitors.

“I’ve seen a lot of AppleJacks,” she said. “One of our primary activities is apple picking. It’s a family tradition. People did it as children, and now they do it with their kids or grandkids. It’s really speci al to them.”

Partsch said many visitors are eager to share their AppleJack memories: “We hear all the time, ‘Oh, my gosh! I was in the marching band!’ People just love it. They know they’re getting their apple pie and a pple cider.”

After a moment, the marketing director confessed that she can’t remember a time without the festival.

“When I was a kid, I thought the cereal was named after the festival,” she laughed. “I grew up across the street from the Arbor Day Farm. I stole so many apples as a child and have attended so many festivals. There have been only a handful of years when I missed the parade.”

Partsch further shared that in 1993, during her senior year of high school, she was crowned the festival’s Miss AppleJack. Although the pageant is no longer held, she fondly reminisces about the a chievement.

“I still have my $250 savings bond,” s he chuckled.

Allgood and Partsch are so intertwined with AppleJack’s history, the duo relaunched the festival’s beloved water barrel fight in 2017. The contest involves opposing teams using fire hoses to move wire-suspended metal barrels 20 feet above the street to a goal point.

“This was an event you did in the fifth grade,” Allgood recounted. “Your entire class came and cheered you on. It didn’t matter who you were; you were a cool kid if you got picked to do it. We have so many people our age putting teams together and registering to do this. Now, we’re the cool kids again! There’s tremendous nostal gia for it.”

Allgood loves how the festival continues to be Nebraska City’s autumn highlight. “The reason that AppleJack is such a success is that the whole community comes together. Everybody does their part. It’s a humongous endeavor,” she said. “I always get emotiona l about it.”

As for Partsch, there’s one thing she specifically looks forward to every AppleJack: cara mel apples.

“I’ve eaten so many of them holy smoke, I just love them!” she enthused. “Having them in the fall at the festival is a highlight for our family.”

“People love the caramel apples,” agreed Van Nostrand. “We had a meeting recently, and AppleJack and caramel apples came up. A new person asked, ‘Just how many caramel apples are we talking, exactly?’ Last year, we did ar ound 3,600.”

Von Nostrand paused. “They really are w onderful.”

For details about this year’s AppleJack Festival, visit nebraskacity.com/festival/ apple-ja ck-festival.

“The reason that AppleJack is such a success is that the whole community comes together. Everybody does their part. It’s a humongous endeavor.”

-Tammy Partsch

STORY BY LIZZY DIAMOND

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

The Dedicated

Dr. Dunn

Michael Dunn’s decades long career in internal medicine

After an eighth grade course on the physiology of the eye sparked his interest, a teenage Michael Dunn was inspired to pursue a career as a physician. Seven decades later, Dr. Dunn continues to practice medicine. The 84-year-old spent years as an internal medicine physician, enjoyed a single year of retirement in the early 2000s, and now works in clinical patie nt studies.

Two years after his first glimpse into the medical field, Dunn read a book about becoming a doctor during his sophomore year of high school. From there, his future was set. After graduating high school in the late 1950s, he enrolled at Creighton University, where his father had been a pharmacy student 30 years prior. His next step: med ical school.

“I was able to get into med school after three years,” Dunn said. “They don’t let you do that anymore. If you read, you’re good enough to pass the MCAT test adequately, they’ll le t you in.”

The next four years consisted of basic sciences, hospital rounds, and copious of reading for the soon-to-be Dr. Dunn. Medical school was followed by a year-long internship with rotations in internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, and the emergency room. That internal medicine rotation led Dunn to do a three-year residency in the field before going into practice as an internal medicine physician.

While in school, Dunn met fellow medical student Dr. Dave Jasper. The two ended up working at the same practice, often seeing each other’s patients when the other was unavailable. Jasper always felt confident leaving his patients with Dunn; he often observed Dunn spending extra time with them, looking at them from a different angle and a fresh set of eyes that might catch something new.

“He’s an excellent physician,” Jasper stated. “And he’s a thorough physician. He’s honest and all business-like. He’s very, very dedicated to the profession of medicine.”

That dedication has never diminished. Shortly after his retirement in the early 2000s, Dunn got back into the medical field after a friend called about a job at Quality Clinical Research. The Omaha organization conducts patient studies for a variety of products such as vaccinations, baby formula, and migraine relief. Participants will come in for visits with physicians, like Dunn, during t heir trial.

“The patients are very nice. They’re usually not ill, and they enjoy coming in. The girls in the office are real professionals, [and] are courteous in taking care of patients.”

Dunn has taken up the post of medical director with Quality Clinical Research and states that it is one of the best jobs that he’s ever had.

With his continuing medical practice, Dunn has also been continuing his education beyond medical school.

“Even from when I was a student until I retired, I went to what’s called Harrison Club,” he said. “Harrison was the textbook of internal medicine. And my major mentor, Dan Egan, M.D. who was a kidney specialist we met Friday night from 5 to 7, Saturday from noon to 2pm, and Sunday from noon to 2pm to rea d Harrison.”

“I did not go other than a short time,” Jasper recalled of his own Harrison Club experience. “But Mike went every week. That’s dedication.”

Dedicated is certainly one of the best words to describe Dunn. Along with Harrison Club, Dunn also participated in a weekly journal club where he read three medical journals a week: The New England Journal of Medicine, The American Journal of Medicine, and the Annals of Interna l Medicine.

In his decades-long career, Dunn has observed changes in medical practice. One big change is corporate presence i n medicine.

“Companies are taking over the physicians in groups. I wasn’t involved in that as a private practice, fortunately, when I retired. But at that time when I retired [in 2004], a lot of people were getting bought out by hospitals,” he explained. “So the prime, priority physician is not on his own anymore.

“When I was an internal medicine physician and had patients in the hospital, I’d follow patients in the hospital. Now they have what they call hospitalists,” Dunn continued.

This lack of personalization in hospital care is what Dunn dislikes the most about today’s medica l practice.

“They have hospitalists every 12 hours, so they know nothing about me and ask me questions,” he noted, mournfully.

Jasper shares this opinion, which is why he had Dunn perform a pre-surgery physical on him earlier this year.

“The person that I needed to see for a physical pre-op wasn’t available, so Dr. Dunn did the physical. I mean, he did a physical just like he would anybody else,” he said. “He checked everything. He didn’t have to do be that thorough, but he’s always thorough. He feels that if you break the routine or the moment, you start missing things and he’s right.”

As for medical students, newly minted physicians, and even older doctors that may have grown disillusioned with modern practices, Dunn offered the following advice:

“Be honest with people; be thorough, be prepared, and be up to date on everything. It’s hard to see, but there’s so much going on.”

For more information, visit qc romaha.com.

Although he’s been known as John, Steve, Mr. Berry, JSB. counsel, lieutenant, captain, author, poet, husband, dad, radio host, Iowan, Nebraskan, American, and more, John Stevens Berry uses hi s full name.

In his birthplace of Onawa, Iowa, many called him John. However, when he attended Stanford University, a John Berry was already there. So, an advisor called the newcomer John Stevens Berry to avoid confusion and despite the length, it stuck.

Over the years, he’s inhabited several different worlds. In the realm of law, John (as he prefers to be called) has written more than his share of contracts dense with legal terms, complex wills divvying up property, and calculated arguments voiced before judge and jury. He has also written articles, books, and poems that are far removed from the hefty legal tomes anchoring bookshelves in judges’ chambers and l aw offices.

His fourth book, Foot Soldier, now in its second printing by Solo Press as of June, reveals yet another world one in motions and briefs give way to stanzas and abstractions. More than 100 poems chronicle John’s experiences as an army lawyer in Vietnam, his early years in Onawa, friends, family, myths, and passages in life. Nebraska humorist Roger Welsch writes in the book’s introduction: “In an age of froth and whimsy, Berry gives us poems made of iron. He is a demanding poet. His poems require close listening, rather than mer e skimming.”

& Ink

John Stevens Berry & the Trials of a Poet

The Platte, Nor the Mekong Not a four acre farm to provide one meal a day.

Just the flash and blaze of lightning and a hay stack.

Still, I slap leather which isn’t there for my pistol, which isn’t there, for reassurance, which, for a split second, i sn’t there.

Corn fields, not r ice paddies.

Steel irrigation systems, not ba gia* with her ancient legs walking in place on treadles, and handle arms made of bamboo to move water.

After war, you are never quite where y ou belong.

*grandmother

Although born in Iowa, John’s roots run deep in Nebraska with a father from Wayne and mother from Arapahoe. His maternal grandfather was a lawyer in Beaver City, and his uncle practiced law in McCook. In his younger years, John listened as the two argued cases. A cousin and a great uncle also practiced law in Sioux City, Iowa, and another great uncle practiced law in

Wayne and was president of the Nebraska Bar Association.

John began writing poems and short stories in junior high. Upon graduating from high school, he attended New Mexico Militar y Institute.

“I got some nice awards for some short stories I wrote there,” he said. “I’ve always enjoy ed writing.”

Next, he studied at Stanford University and wrote for its humor magazine, The Stanford Chaparral . He enrolled in creative writing workshops including courses taught by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Wall ace Stegner.

Some of his poems, essays, and stories were published during his time at Stanford. Twice, he received awards from the Academy of American Poets and appeared in an anthology of college poets. In May 1960, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and, having been in the Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps, became a second lieutenant in the infantry.

However, he was ordered not to report for duty until the following January. In the interim, he enrolled in the University of Iowa’s Writer’s Workshop for the fall semester that year.

60+ ACTIVE LIVING // STORY BY MIKE WHYE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

“I had to go into the villages with an interpreter and talk to the village chiefs and find out what damage had been done and pay what restitution was allowed.”

-John Stevens Berry

After six months active duty in Missouri, he studied for a year at Sorbonne University in Paris. Returning from there and wanting to study law, he attended Northwestern University for three years on the advice of a lawyer who said that it was the place to learn to try cases. Throughout this time, he served in the army reserve and reported for annual exercises at bases in Kansas and Missouri. He also squeezed in a trip to Europe with h is mother.

When he returned to the states again, John offered to go to active duty with the army as long as he was assigned to Vietnam to serve as defense counsel. His conditions met, he joined the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, which provides legal services to the army and its personnel. In Vietnam, John became a foreign claim s officer.

“I had to go into the villages with an interpreter and talk to the village chiefs and find out what damage had been done and pay what restitution was allowed,” explained John, who was also chief defense counsel for 80,000 troops.

Fo reign Claims

To pay a Vietnames e national, loss must be collateral, not comb at related.

As if anything wasn’t related to everything in this fucking war

So: about $40 in piasters, solatium for the 15-year-old k id you lost, & a certificate & a bag of rice & a bag with cigarette s and candy. & that’s all we could do. All. We . Could. Do.

“Some JAG officers sat behind steel desks,” John said. “I went into t he field.”

Because Vietnam was a fluid checkerboard of friendly and enemy forces, John packed a .45 caliber pistol wherever he traveled. His interpreter was heavily armed as well, and the driver had a grenade launcher stowed beneath his seat. The weapons didn’t go unused.

Easter Sunday, 1969 Angel Wing Cambo dian border.

Brief fight.

Other guy dies.

Is t hat Easter?

Do we live became someone else bled?

Don’t know.

But it brings a man to his knees.

Turning to civilian law when he returned to the US with a Bronze Star and other medals including some from the Republic of Vietnam John worked for a New York firm for a year before returning to the Midwest and opening Berry Law. At first, he represented veterans pro bono, establishing a large base of thankful clients. Today, Berry Law employees 120 people with offices in Lincoln, Omaha, and Council Bluffs. John now lives with his wife, artist Margaret Berry, in Lincoln where they raised sons John Jr., Chris, and Cory and daughte r Laura.

John’s first book, a collection of poems titled The Blackness of Snow, was wellreceived by critics and earned awards from the Academy of American Poets.

His next book, Those Gallant Men , is about his successful defense of nine Green Berets charged with murder in Vietnam.

His third book had its beginnings in a radio talk show John hosted on KLIN from 1994 to 1997. During one particular show, Caril Ann Fugate talked about her request for a pardon. She had been sentenced to life to prison in 1958 for accompanying mass murderer Charles Starkweather when he killed 10 people in Nebraska and Wyoming. With her sentence reduced to 30-50 years in 1973, she was paroled three years later. In 2014, John and Linda Battisti co-wrote The Twelfth Victim , laying out the case that Fugate should be pardoned because she had been an unwilling companion of St arkweather.

“I’m absolutely convinced that she’s innocent,” asserted John, whose stance was not viewed favorably by some Nebraskans, as occasionally expressed through death threats. “I figured if the Viet Cong wouldn’t do it to me, these people s ure can’t.”

The book was made into a TV series for Showtime though this heightened profile and appearances before the Board of Pardons have not resulted in a pardon for Fugate (who now has the last name of Claire).

Twyla Hansen, Nebraska State Poet from 2013-2018, met John whom she calls Steve when she worked at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Taking some English literature classes on the campus, she met the lawyer when he would hang out there i n the 1980s.

“I didn’t know he was an author and didn’t know he was a poet,” Hansen said of their early encounters. “I couldn’t believe how powerful his poems were they packed a real punch. His poems about PTSD are spare, powerful, and well-crafted. Foot Soldier is an amazing introduction to h is writing.”

Permissive Travel Orde rs (partial)

…… Once, a young lieutenant was trying to get me Onto a chopper. They were loadin g body bags.

“The captain has permissive tra vel orders.”

The bored specialist nodded at the body bags.

“Yeah, these guys g ot ‘em too.”

Karen Gettert Shoemaker, author of The Meaning of Names , also refers to John as Steve. They met at Larksong, a community of writers that she founded in Linc oln in 2020.

“His poems are so heartfelt and he has a really keen eye for people, places and things,” Shoemaker said. “I was surprised how intimate and vulnerable his poems are and how clearly he can see othe r people.”

The E nd (partial)

No hourglass, no compass I navigate by the stars,

Guiding my journey t o its end.

ive 'Tis Better to

NEW OMAHA NONPROFITS AIM TO ADDRESS MANIFOLD NEEDS

There’s no doubt about it: the city is home to generous people. Whether it’s a school drive or a charity, Omahans don't hesitate to open their wallets (and checkbooks) to help those in need. While there are many deserving, established nonprofits throughout the city, these six newcomers are taking on unique issues. As community members prepare their end-of-year quarterly giving, these fledgling organizations shouldn’t be overlooked—each offers unique and important avenues of impact and are well worth the consideration of the engaged citizen.

1. INSPIRE COLLABORATIVE HEALTH ASSOCIATION

12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 | 402.953.9660

ICHA is a nonprofit organization that bridges the healthcare gap by creating a community for medical providers and alternative practitioners to come together. The organization offers a conduit for the communication and cooperation of its growing network of health professionals to give the public a reliable resource to pursue their health the way they want with the support they need, while simultaneously offering better-individualized wellness recommendations. By bringing together a group of open-minded and qualified healthcare professionals, the association facilitates collaborations between health specialties to make each patient or client not only feel heard, but also start them on the path to a healthier lifestyle. —inspirehealthassociation.com

2. OMAHA FOR US

402.814.1146

This nonprofit builds intentional community and creates equitable space in service to LGBTQ+ individuals and families of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. The organization, which has the support of Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, is working to create an LGBTQ+ community center in the metro with programming to meet their specific needs. The agency plans to offer programs and services that will include LGBTQ+ affirming clinical counseling and support groups. Mental health services, which are often challenging for many in the LGBTQ+ community to obtain, will be a main priority. —omahaforus.org

3. GOOD VIBRATIONS

402.679.3302

When Emiliano Carrera-Ybanez dreamed of joining the All-State Orchestra at Bryan High School in 2017, the then-sophomore lacked the funds to make his dream come true. Omaha Symphony violinist Judy Davis came up with the idea to help pay for private lessons and an instrument. Good Vibrations was born—the nonprofit provides new or used instruments, which are professionally repaired and restored, to students attending Title I, or low-income, schools in Omaha while also bringing them together with mentors from the Omaha Chamber Music Society. Additionally, the nonprofit provides professional development workshops for teachers and future music teachers about stringed instrument purchase and care, as well as private lessons for teachers that don’t specialize in chordophones. —omahachambermusic.org/good-vibrations

4. NEBRASKA MONARCHS

531.242.3253

The mission is simple: bring back butterflies. Nebraska Monarchs accomplishes this by helping people and communities create gardens and habitats that help native pollinators thrive. The organization has been working to restore pollinator habitat in Midwest communities since 2015 via free milkweed seed and native plant giveaways. In late 2022, Nebraska Monarchs officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit when the board voted to refocus resources away from the free seed program in favor of the native plant giveaway, where organizations and individuals residing in Omaha and surrounding communities can receive free native plants that are locally sourced from Midwest Natives Nursery. —nemonarchs.com

5. GIVE BLUE HOPE

402.906.9077

This nonprofit’s mission is to help bridge the financial gap for the immediate families of law enforcement officers, corrections officers, or first responders who have been feloniously assaulted and killed while protecting and serving the communities they loved. Founded by Curtis DeBerg, a former police officer who provides personal security and works as a driver for Warren Buffett, Give Blue Hope helps bridge the financial gap from the time a police officer is killed in the line of duty to the benefit package of the department which helps with immediate bills such as groceries, car payments, rents, mortgages, and/ or electricity.

—givebluehope.org

6. ASTUTE COFFEE

1818 Dodge St. | 402.345.0213; 2929 California St. | 531.466.4654

Formerly The Bike Union and Coffee, Astute Coffee connects young adults to the workforce and supports their self-sufficiency through personal and professional development programming. The workforce development coffeehouse model exists solely to provide professional resources to young adults who have been impacted by the foster care system. The BUMP mountain bike program partners with Child Saving Institute's emergency shelter. Every coffee purchase from Astute strengthens an organization with the purpose to give back to the community.

—shareomaha.org/nonprofit/astute-coffee

(and Beyond) at the German American Society

STORY BY TAMSEN BUTLER // ILLUSTRATION BY MIDGER // DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

maha’s German American Society (GAS) was founded in 1883, serving as a cultural hub for German Americans to explore their heritage for 140 years and counting. The club celebrates all things German—not just the Bavaria region, as is the case for many German societies in the US—and welcomes all, regardless of ancestry.

Frank Friehaut, entertainment director and former GAS president, was hooked after his first visit. A fourth-generation American with German ancestry on both sides of parents, he grew up with “a lot of German traditions. Different things like opening gifts on Christmas Eve, different meals, like the Sauerbraten my mom would make.”

“After I moved to Omaha, my wife and I drove past the club a couple times and said ‘Boy, we both have German ancestry.’ Then a friend invited us out and it’s just been a blast ever since,” Friehaut recalled. “We started

doing the German folk dancing, wearing the Lederhosen, and having a great time. It’s a great club to meet other families, other couples, and different aspects of the suborganizations of the club.”

He’s been with the Society for more than 20 years.

And while the GAS does indeed host an annual German Day Oktoberfest celebration (the largest in the state), it’s far from the only opportunity to participate in Germanic culture. With a wide variety of annual celebrations and sub-organizations, the German American Society provides Omaha residents the chance to experience authentic German cuisine and culture year-round.

When asked what aspects of the club feel the most authentically German to him, Friehaut responded, “Everything from the German food, of course, the beer. There’s a shooting club, the air rifles, the German dance, the singing clubs. Both the formal chorus and the men’s chorus. There’s the Turners, which is the gymnastics—we still have the kids doing that. There’s a men’s club that was birthed out of that. So there’s a lot of different aspects to the German culture that just makes it a lot of fun.”

“We started doing the German folk dancing, wearing the Lederhosen, and having a great time. It’s a great club to meet other families, other couples, and different aspects of the sub-organizations of the club.”

—Frank Friehaut

“Most of those clubs stem from clubs that are out of Germany. In Germany, there are huge shooting clubs that have shooting fests like in Hanover and other cities, so these clubs come from over there,” added GAS chairperson Michael Olk. “The traditions of singing and dancing all come from Germany, so they were continued here. All those aspects are a part of how we celebrate the greatness of the German culture.”

Olk further explained, “It’s an apolitical club, non-political—it’s all just the fun features of the German culture. You don’t have to be German to belong. As a matter of fact, we have a lot of members who aren’t."

Freihaut added, “Obviously, Germany itself has had a very checkered and horrible history that we never want repeated, but that doesn’t mean there’s not some great aspects of our culture that we want people to enjoy. That’s where our ancestors came from and that’s what we try to get out there that there are neat aspects of the German people who came and settled in Nebraska.”

President David Hollran clarified that the Society hosts 11 sub-organizations and 10 activity groups. Whether members want to learn how to make authentic German sausage, how to shoot an air rifle, speak German, or sing four-part harmonies to German songs—or even brew German beer—there’s no shortage of cultural activities.

Olk, who is also the Society’s cultural director, said, “If you come and you see all the sub-organizations,  you’re going to be able to immerse yourself in every aspect of German culture—the dancing, the singing, the sausage-making, the wine-making, and the beer-making.”

As for those curious to sample German cuisine and drinks, Friehaut bills the German Day Oktoberfest festivities the best bet for variety.

”Bratwurst is a favorite for me, but they also make a wonderful rotisserie chicken and on Saturdays we roast a pig,” he explained. “People always think of the brats, and they’re always there and always fantastic, but I love the chicken and the pork dinners. These are suckling pigs, so they’re 55-60 pounds and we get them from a special place in Iowa and they go on a spit. We even put a special oil on the skin so it’s crispy brown, and it just turns round and round…”

Served with the chicken or pork is German potato salad, Sauerkraut, and a hard roll.

“Then if you get a nice cold Stein of beer with that and, like a friend of mine used to say, ‘It’ll make a puppy pull a freight train’ it’s so good!” Friehaut exclaimed.

Hollran also suggests that people attend the annual Christmas in Germany celebration to try the Glühwein, which is a hot, mulled wine.

For every annual celebration, most of the food is prepared by Society volunteers or kitchen staff. During German Day Oktoberfest, the Society recruits between 140 and 160 volunteers a day. The need for volunteers is the reason the Society combined German Day and Oktoberfest into a single celebration.

“It’s a little different than any other Oktoberfest around town because we’re the German Club and we try to put the culture stuff out there,” Friehaut noted. “It’s celebrating our German culture; showing Omaha and Nebraska our culture. We try to make that a full-family event and we’ve tied that into Oktoberfest that worldwide, everybody knows.”

This year’s German Day Oktoberfest celebration will be the 139th one the Society has celebrated and is widely regarded as among the more authentic in the country.

The same goes for the many other ‘fests’ hosted by the GAS, whether it’s Bockfest (which celebrates the making of Bock Bier), Maifest (celebrating the arrival of Spring), or Fasching (a carnival celebration akin to Mardi Gras).

“When you go to one of the restaurant or microbrew Oktoberfest, they’re essentially just beer or food,” Freihaut explained. “When you come the German American Society, we put that cultural aspect to the forefront so you actually see the folk dancing, the German singing, and the food we try to make authentically.

“In fact, the sausage club makes the bratwurst!”

For more information, visit germanamericansociety.org

“It’s a little different than any other Oktoberfest around town because we’re the German Club and we try to put the culture stuff out there.”

—David Hollran

chef profile

Family, Prayer, and Determination Propel Chef Michelle Alfaro into Culinary Spotlight, Past Cancer Diagnosis

Michelle Alfaro’s journey as a chef began with an unlikely request: her 17-year-old son asked if he could go on a mission trip to El Salvador to serve an impoverished community. She and her husband, Jose, saw the passion in their son’s eyes, and committed to making his vision a reality. They began raising money by offering their time and labor to neighbors and friends for a variety of odd jobs. However, despite their earnest efforts, it became clear this strategy wouldn’t raise enough money in time for their son's departure. Still, they minced, mashed, and mixed every possibility until, at last, they discovered the recipe for success: homemade salsa.

“We started selling our salsa to people that I worked with, and we sold $700 worth on the very first day,” Michelle recounted.

The Alfaro’s homemade salsa exploded in popularity, and the proud parents acquired the funds for their son’s mission trip in short order. Then, it was back to business as usual. Michelle was the Zoning Board of Appeals Administrator for the City of Omaha at the time, and while prepping documents for a monthly meeting, a pleasant aftertaste lingered. She picked up the phone and rang Hy-Vee, curious about the logistics of getting her salsa on the store shelves of the regional grocery giant. Her impulse proved fateful—the director of the store was not only onsite this day, but available to speak with Michelle personally.

“I’d never done anything like that before in my life,” Michelle explained. “While I was staring at my computer screen, the inclination to call Hy-Vee was just so strong. I felt God saying that I was meant to be doing something different with my life, so I called and a day and a half later I was sharing my salsa with the director and a small group of people.”

Michelle’s salsa was an instant hit, being praised as among of the best a taste-testing group had ever scooped. Hy-Vee committed to her products, and within the first six months of operation, her salsa was in 13 of the 14 local metropolitan locations. In the meantime, Michelle needed to find a proper commercial kitchen to meet the demand.

BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

I felt God saying that I was meant to be doing something different with my life, so I called and a day and a half later I was sharing my salsa with the director and a small group of people.”

—Michelle Alfaro

She and Jose went for long drives, prospecting small towns surrounding the metro. While in Louisville, Nebraska, a quaint cafe that closed at 2pm each day caught their eye. Michelle found the owner on Facebook and inquired about using the kitchen after closing for the day. It just so happened that this owner shared Michelle and Jose’s faith, establishing an immediate connection.

“We prayed together, and she opened up her kitchen to us,” Michelle said.  “After we spent some time chatting and getting to know each other, it’s what God wanted her to do.”

The Alfaros’ salsa operation was now in full swing, requiring the couple to work more than 100 hours a week to maintain their full time jobs while scaling production. In time, this arduous routine grew unsustainable— and the Alfaros had to make a difficult decision. After much deliberation, they chose to leave their full-time jobs to focus exclusively on their business. The gamble payed off, as yet another opportunity emerged.

“While we were marketing the salsa, Michelle would make her amazing creations to accompany and highlight the salsa in the photoshoots, but everything just looked so good that people started asking if she sold the food as well,” Jose explained.

Michelle started doing pop-ups, and the popularity of her dishes led to area event coordinators requesting her catering services. However, due to lack of a business plan and COVID ravaging the marketplace, Michelle and her husband found themselves in a harrowing situation. As the hospitality industry sputtered, she interviewed for another city position as well as a waitressing position.

“They were so different, but we just needed to bring money in and those were the two

openings,” Michelle recalled. “I asked God to close the door I wasn’t meant to walk through. Then, I got the call that I didn’t get the administrative position…”

She earned a managerial role after a month of working in a restaurant, a role she maintained for about a year. While there, Michelle learned the financial workings of the restaurant and decided to relaunch her own concept after a kitchen became available in Louisville, near her original hub. Her restaurant, Sauced, was born and they began service with carryout only. It was a kitchen—and only a kitchen—yet, as word of mouth buzzed over the flavor of her culinary creations, patrons lined up outside the spartan establishment for up to an hour at a time.

“One man called 87 times to try and place an order,” Jose said. “We only had one phone line and we were taking orders from people who were waiting in person. That man still comes to this location today.”

Michelle moved from the Louisville kitchen to their current Papillion restaurant in Spring 2022. The business and community support continued to grow; however, a visit to the doctor threatened to upend everything. Michelle was diagnosed with cervical cancer later that year. The community, her staff, and her husband all stepped up and kept Sauced running smoothly while Michelle underwent surgeries and extended hospital stays. This nerve-wracking, life-altering period was blanketed with prayers and blessings from friends and family, and Michelle was confirmed cancer-free as of July 2023.

Having beat cancer, Chef Alfaro is helming the Sauced kitchen once more. Despite numerous setbacks, Michelle has proven her tenacity and talent, and continues to blend unique flavors with classic dishes to the delight of her customers. After all, for Michelle, cooking is about bridging love, passion, and connection to her community, which she views as family. Jose summed up Michelle’s food succinctly:

“It just makes you happy.”

Visit saucedbyalfaropapillion.com for more information.

STORY

sara wiebold

PHOTOGRAPHY

bill sitzmann

DESIGN

matt wieczorek

LambLollipops:FourFrench-trimmedlambchops, garnishedwithlemonandgarlicoverabedofarugula.

SIPS ON 10 TH POPS THE CORK WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Sips On 10th is located within Omaha’s historical, yet vibrant, Little Italy neighborhood. The area is undergoing a commercial renaissance, with an influx of exciting new businesses cropping up over the last few years. Sips on 10th stands out as a versatile space ready to welcome longtime locals as well as new-to-thearea and Blue Barn showtime patrons. This cherished building has been a cornerstone of the community for over half a century, with roots dating back to the 1890s and a legacy steeped in hospitality that has borne witness to the evolution of Omaha's urban sprawl. Today, Sips On 10th carries on that tradition with odes to the neighborhood’s heritage while reinvigorating the space with an approachable, yet aesthetically artisanal menu of drinks and food.

At Sips On 10th, one’s culinary journey could begin early in the morning or extend into the late hours of the night, making it a go-to spot for both brunch enthusiasts and late-night revelers. The menu is a trove of tantalizing options depending on the hour and one’s appetite, featuring a range of staple dishes along with a few surprises. My dining experience began with a late-night drop-in and the always welcome surprise of reverse happy hour.

The interior is a mix of exposed brick and quartz high-top tables, melding classic and modern design elements. The bar sits off the front entrance, enticing passersby to wander in before or after a theater performance. Past the bar is the lower dining room and patio areas, where large garage doors open to let in the gentle summer breeze over a round of drinks and snacks. The weekend vibe was energetic and fun, as large portraits of Warren Buffett and Lady Gaga peer over the bar as hip hop plays over speakers, punctuated by the sounds of cocktail tins rattling and wine bottles popping.

I typically like to start with a cocktail but always glance at the wine list to come up with a game plan. Here, I stopped pursuing the former and immediately took notice of how approachable the prices were. This affordability extended to the cocktails and spirits as well. I find a lot of enjoyment in getting great value on a wine list—it’s also a sure way to get me to happily spend more than I was planning…it seems this is a cornerstone of their wine program, providing an amazing drinking experience at a lower price point for all to enjoy.

After probing the staff about the wine list, specifically the champagne section, I settled on the Laurent Perrier Rosé, and we were off to a bubbly start. The list also included an impressive selection of sparkling wines from all over the world, as well as the traditional cabernet-chardonnay-pinot noir-sauvignon blanc heavy hitters from both classic and cult producers. Most restaurants do not

carry large formats of sparkling wine, let alone renowned multi-generational champagne houses. Combine this with the price points and there’s plenty to sip, and celebrate. Service was prompt and friendly from beginning to end, albeit some of my more nuanced wine questions went unanswered. Sips on 10th has only been open since March of this year, and its potential is obvious.

The menu is small enough—you get the sense everything is house made, but large enough to represent a variety of palates. A standout dish is the Venice Inn Escargot (the Caniglia family restaurant namesakes just one example of how the restaurant pays homage to Omaha's culinary tradition) a classic favorite that isn’t seen on every menu. Here, it was perfectly broiled, with a balanced butter-tocheese ratio—an ideal, rich accompaniment to our sparkling wine. Dare I say they give the traditional M’s Pub escargot starter a run for their money!

If you're looking for a side dish to accompany your meal, the ‘Sidewinders’ are a must-try. These crispy potato spirals, expertly fried to perfection, came served in a heaping pile with three delectable sauces (bacon jam, champagne aioli, and homemade ketchup). For those craving a touch of sophistication with their late-night bites, the lamb lollipops are an absolute knockout, served in portions of four. Tender and succulent, these were cooked to perfection at 10pm—that isn’t a ‘gimme.’ They selfdescribe the menu as “upscale bar snacks,” and Sips On 10th certainly makes good on that promise.

The thoughtful preservation of this space showcases this restaurant group's commitment to maintaining Omaha's landmarks while transforming it into a vibrant hub for social gatherings. Whether you're seeking a leisurely brunch or a late-night indulgence, this menu is sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you thinking about your next stop in. I am excited to see the neighborhood continue to rise, and with it the first (unofficial) champagne bar in the city.

Run, don’t walk. Cheers! Visit

WHETHER YOU'RE SEEKING A LEISURELY BRUNCH OR A LATE-NIGHT INDULGENCE, THIS MENU IS SURE TO SATISFY YOUR CRAVINGS AND LEAVE YOU THINKING ABOUT YOUR NEXT STOP IN.

Caniglia’s Venice Inn Escargot: Classic escargot dish served in a buttery garlic sauce beneath a blanket of mozzarella cheese.

AMERICAN

BARREL & VINE- $$

1311 South 203rd St., Omaha, NE 68130 - 402.504.1777

Barrel and Vine’s restaurant is an elevated food experience that is made from scratch daily with love in our kitchen. Our menu combines a mixture of Chef driven creative dishes, craveable comfort meals and premium Nebraska steaks. Barrel & Vine also doubles as a live music venue and offers a rooftop bar, outdoor patio with firepits, and dozens of high end bourbons, scotch, and over 100 wine selections. Come check out an experience that is like nothing else in Nebraska. Open 7 days a week. —bvomaha.com

DJ’S DUGOUT SPORTS BAR - $

Seven Metro Area Locations:

Bellevue - 10308 S. 23rd St.

- 402.292.9096

Miracle Hills - 777 N. 114th St. - 402.498.8855

Downtown - 1003 Capitol Ave. - 402.763.9974

Aksarben - 2102 S. 67th St. - 402.933.3533

Millard - 17666 Welch Plaza - 402.933.8844

Elkhorn - 19020 Evans St. - 402.315.1985

Plattsmouth - 2405 Oak Hill Rd. - 402.298.4166

Voted Omaha’s #1 Sports Bar, DJ’s Dugout is locally and Vietnam Veteran owned. DJ’s Dugout features delicious burgers, wings, wraps, salads, sandwiches and an impressive drink menu. Plus, DJ’s has huge media walls full of HD TVs and projector screens. Catch all the action at DJ’s seven Omaha-area locations. Dig In... At The Dugout! —djsdugout.co m

DINING GUIDE Omaha

JAMS- $$

7814 Dodge St. - 402.399.8300

17070 Wright Plz, Ste. 100 - 402.810.9600

1101 Harney St. in the OldMarket

- 402.614.9333

Jams is an Omaha restaurant legacy, an “American Grill” that offers a melting pot of different styles and varieties. The dishes are made with high-quality ingredients that pair well with awardwinning wines or creative cocktails. —jamseats.com

LE PEEP - $

69th & Pacific - 402.933.2776

177th and Center St. - 402.934.9914

156th St. & W. Dodge Rd. - 402.408.1728

120th and Blondo St. - 402.991.8222

Le Peep puts a wholesome perspective on your favorite neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot. Fresh. Simple. Elegant. Inviting. We put the emphasis on people, both patrons and staff. We focus on providing each of our guests the fresh food and friendly service that they have come to expect. Open daily 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. —lepeepomaha.com

STELLA’S - $

106 S. Galvin Road, Bellevue - 402.291.6088

Since 1936, we’ve been making our world-famous Stella’s hamburgers the same way. The family secrets have been handed down to each owner, ensuring that your burger is the same

T ED AND WALLY’S - $

1120 Jackson St. - 402.341.5827

Come experience the true taste of homemade ice cream in the Old Market. Since 1986, we’ve created gourmet ice cream flavors in small batches using rock salt and ice. We offer your favorites, plus unique flavors like margarita, green tea, Guinness, and French toast. Special orders available. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.- Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday. Noon-10 p.m. —tedandwallys.co m

VARSITY SPORTS CAFE - $$

Ralston - 9735 Q St. - 402.339.1944

Bellevue - 3504 Samson Way - 402.932.1944

Millard - 14529 F St. - 402.505.6660

Ralston, Bellevue and Millard. We are truly grateful to have been welcomed into each of these communities and welcome you in for good food, a cold drink and a comfy seat to enjoy the sport of your choosing! Determined to bring only the freshest ingredients, homemade dough and our specialty sauces to the table, we have worked hard to perfect our craft for you. Our goal is to bring the best food service to the area and show the best sports events that you want to see. Pick up and Delivery availalble. Please check website for hours of operation. —varsityromancoinpizza.com

ITALIAN

PASTA AMORE - $$

11027 Prairie Brook Rd. - 402.391.2585

Pastas are made fresh daily, including tortellini, fettuccine, and capellini. Daily specials and menu items include a variety of fresh seafood and regional Italian dishes, such as linguini amore and calamari steak, penne Florentine, gnocchi, spaghetti puttanesca, and osso buco. Filet mignon is also offered for those who appreciate nationally renowned Nebraska beef. To complement your dining experience, the restaurant offers a full bar and extensive wine list. Be sure to leave room for homemade desserts, like the tiramisu and cannoli. Monday-Thursday 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 p.m. Reservations recommended.

—pastaamore.co m

S PEZIA - $$$

3125 S. 72nd St. - 402.391.2950

Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you’ll find a casual elegance that’s perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion. Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary/Lovers’ Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and wood-fired grill. Open Monday-Sunday. Cocktail hour 4-6 p.m., when all cocktails, glasses of wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations recommended.

—speziarestaurant.com

Historical Facts

ROTELLA

Third Generation 1957

Eight year old Louis Rotella Jr. on 24th & Pierce Street in 1957, little did he know at this time that the building in the background would become the second home of Rotella’s Italian Bakery in 1964. At this location his father Louis Sr., and his son Louis Jr. would propel their family owned bakery into the nationwide marketplace in the 1980s. Louis Jr. has been guiding the bakery as Vice President and later as CEO since 1975. Their current modern La Vista facility sits on 44 acres and is now one of the largest custom bakeries in the United States.

Celebrating

Since

Louis Rotella Jr. 1957-Age 8

Reuben Sandwich

MEXICAN

FERNANDO’S - $

7555 Pacific St. - 402.339.8006.

380 N. 114th St. - 402.330.5707

Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also available.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m. —fernandosomaha.com

LA MESA - $$

158th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.557.6130

156th and Q streets - 402.763.2555

110th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.496.1101

Fort Crook Rd. and Hwy 370 - 402.733.8754

84th St. and Tara Plaza - 402.593.0983

Lake Manawa Exit - 712.256.2762

Enjoy awesome appetizers, excellent enchilada’s, fabulous fajitas, seafood specialties, mouthwatering margaritas and much more at La Mesa! Come see why La Mesa has been voted Best of Omaha’s 20 Years in a Row!

Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. lamesaomaha.co m

Omaha

DINING GUIDE

ROMEO’S MEXICAN FOOD AND PIZZA - $ 90th and Blondo streets

- 402.391.8870

146th St. and W. Center Rd.

- 402.330.4160

96th and L streets

- 402.331.5656

Galvin and Avery roads

- 402.292.2028

29th and Farnam steets

- 402.346.1110

Romeo’s is your friendly, family Mexican food and pizza restaurant. We take real pride in serving our guests generous portions of the freshest, most flavorful dishes made with the finest ingredients available. Zesty seasonings and the freshest ingredients combine to ensure the ultimate in flavor. Our savory taco meat is prepared every morning at each location. Make sure to try our chimichangas; they’re the best in town.

—romeosomaha.com

SPECIAL DINING

BARROCO WINE BAR AND CRAFT COCKTAILS - $$ 2935 South 108th St. - 402.885.8185

(Next to Christian Nobel Furs)

Barroco Wine Bar and Craft Cocktails is an upscale bar with an authentic European vibe. Choose from over 200 wines by the bottle, 40 wines by the glass, classic craft cocktails, beer, locally sourced pizza, charcuterie, and other light bites to compliment your beverage experience. —barrocowinebar.com

CRESCENT MOON ALE HOUSE - $ 3578 Farnam St. - 402.345.1708

Founded in 1996, we’ve grown into Beer Corner USA with the additions of The Huber Haus German Beer Hall, Max and Joe’s Belgian Beer Tavern, and Beertopia—Omaha’s Ultimate Beer Store. With more than 60 beers on tap and Omaha’s best Reuben sandwich, we are a Midtown beer-lover’s destination. Hours:

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Kitchen hours: MondayWednesday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.midnight. Closed Sunday. —beercornerusa.co m

GREEK ISLANDS - $ 3821 Center St. - 402.346.1528

Greek cuisine with specials every day at reasonable prices. We are well-known for our gyro sandwiches and salads. We cater and can accommodate a party for 65 guests. Carry-out and delivery available. Monday-Thursday

11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday

11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. —greekislandsomaha.co m

ZEN COFFEE COMPANY - $

West - 132nd and Center

Downtown - 25th and Farnam

One Pacific Place - Drive Thru Kiosk next to Trader Joes

Zen features over 50 popular drink options including Butter Beer, Honey Bee, Lavender Lady and Sunshine Daydream. Choose from hot or iced lattes, blenders, fruit smoothies and teas! Grab a flight or double cup to try the seasonal features! Delicious pastries and toasts made in house daily. —zencoffeecompany.com

DINING GUIDE Omaha

STEAKHOUSES

CASCIO’S - $$

1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313

C ascio’s is Omaha’s No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years. We feature steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people, and plenty of parking. —casciossteakhouse.co m

T HE DROVER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$

2121 S. 73rd St. - 402-391-7440

Famous for the original Whiskey Steak. Truly a one-of-a-kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service, and value. Rare...and very well done.

LUNCH: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., DINNER: Monday-Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m., LOUNGE: Monday-Friday Cocktails only 2 p.m.-5 p.m. —droverrestaurant.com

come and

explore. LET’S

PLAN A ROAD TRIP!

NEBRASKA

ERIN HANSON: COLOR ON THE VINE THROUGH November 5 at the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art in David City. Erin Hanson explored wine country landscapes across America for this collection emphasizing its pastoral beauty. Hanson’s Open Impressionism technique emphasizes the vibrant colors, textures, and rhythms of light and shadow found in the outdoors. Her oil paintings in this collection evoke the emotion one feels when standing outdoors, gazing over rows of vines, and sipping a glass of liquid sunshine. —bonecreek.org

CRAWFORD ROCK SWAP September 1—4 at Crawford City Park in Crawford. Rockhounds of all ages enjoy trading their finds with the many vendors who participate in the swap, and daily field trips allow new and experienced rockhounds to add to their collections. The event also includes an auction, hot dog feed, and the annual Fairborn Agate Collectors Gathering. 308.432.3006 —discovernwnebraska.com

WAUSA LABOR DAY September 1—3 in Wausa Wausa’s annual Labor Day celebration will feature something for everyone in the family. Notable events include a car show, volleyball, cornhole tournaments, and so much more over the course of this three-day festival. 402.586.2311

—wausane.com

PLATTSMOUTH HARVEST FESTIVAL September 7—10 on Historic Main Street in Plattsmouth Entering its 92nd year, the Plattsmouth Harvest Festival is the oldest continuous harvest festival in Nebraska. This family event features music and entertainment, parades, contests, a free community picnic, and so much more. —plattsmouthharvestfestival.com

Sept

RYANHOOD - BLUEGRASS DUO

SEPTEMBER 8—10 at Brownville Concert Hall in Brownville Acoustic-duo Ryanhood got their first break more than a decade ago as street performers at Boston’s Quincy Market. Their shows are driven by strong acoustic guitar performances that are, at times, energetic, hopeful, and quietly moving. 402.825.3331 —brownvilleconcertseries.com

MAKE LINCOLN 2023 September 9 at Turbine Flats Project in Lincoln Make Lincoln 2023 is a day filled with hands-on workshops, demonstrations and exhibits showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of the city. Guests cam explore exciting projects in fields like robotics, woodworking, electronics, textiles, 3D printing and more.

—Lincoln.org/event/make-lincoln-2023

NATIONAL AVOCADO LAUNCHING CHAMPIONSHIP September 9 at Wild West Arena in North Platte Teams of three will compete to score the most points by launching avocados at targets using slingshots, water balloon launchers, resistance bands, bulging muscles- basically, any launcher that is human powered. Top four finishers will earn prize money. 308.532.4729

—avocadolaunching.com

LAST BLAST TRIATHLON September 10 at Branched Oak Lake in Raymond

There are two opportunities to get active and participate in the Last Blast Triathlon. The Adult Long Distance Race consists of a 1.5 K swim, 26.5 mile bike and a 10 K run. Alternatively, there is the Adult and Junior Sprint Race consisting of a 0.75K swim, 15 mile bike ride and 5 K run.

—runsignup.com/Race/NE/Raymond

DAYTRIPS IN NEBRASKA, IOWA, KANSAS, AND MISSOURI

COMPILED BY Lizzie Diamond

12TH ANNUAL CAR SHOW September 10 in Downtown Historic Fairbury Square in Fairbury The Fairbury City Museum sponsors an annual car show in September each year. Guests can see dozens of classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles and enjoy food, games for the kids, drawings for prizes, and trophies awarded for the top car of each class. 402.300.0906 —fairburychamber.org

DISNEY ON ICE: INTO THE MAGIC September 15—17 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln Into the Magic takes families on a high-sea adventure as Moana sets sail on a life-changing quest to save her island with help from the demigod Maui. With the ice floor transformed into a vast oceanic scape, Disney On Ice allows Moana’s strength and determination to take center stage. 402.904.4444 —pinnaclebankarena.com

APPLEJACK FESTIVAL 2023 September 15—24 in Nebraska City This festival is the mother of all fruit-based and fall festivities. Nebraska City’s historic AppleJack Festival annually draws between 60,000 and 80,000 people to Nebraska City to celebrate the harvest with a full lineup of family-friendly events. 402.873.6654 —nebraskacity.com

Sept 15-24

UNL FOOTBALL VS. NORTH -

ERN ILLINOIS September 16 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln September 16 marks the first home game of the season for the Nebraska Cornhusker. The 2023 season marks the 100th anniversary of the university’s iconic Memorial Stadium. —huskers.com

Sept 15-17

GREELEY IRISH FESTIVAL 2023 September 16 in Greeley The familyfriendly festival is alive with the sounds and sights of Ireland and entertainment and activities for all ages to enjoy and explore. Guests can see local Irish pride and hear the most unique lineup of Irish music in the world. 308.428.5595 —greeleyirishfestival.com

OKTOBERFEST September 22—23 at Norfolk Area Chamber in Norfolk Nebraska residents celebrate the state’s German heritage and the fall harvest with this twoday family festival. Octoberfest grows yearly offering live music, German food, a beer garden, and family entertainment. 402.371.4862 —norfolkareachamber.com

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS September 22—October 1 at Lincoln Community Playhouse in Lincoln Based on the cult-classic film, Little Shop of Horrors is a rock and roll musical comedy about a man-eating plant that manipulates a hopeless florist-shop clerk in its attempt to take over the world. 402.489.7429 —lincolnplayhouse.com

NORTH PLATTE CANTEEN FESTIVAL September 23—29 Historical Downtown Canteen District — Fox Theater in North Platte This is a celebration honoring the North Platte World War II Canteen, which served over six million soldiers passing through. The festival will have a patriotic music production in the afternoons and a theater production in the evenings. —visitnorthplatte.com

THE ODD COUPLE September 28— October 1 at The World Theatre in Kearney This classic comedy takes the stage at Kearney’s historic World Theatre. Good friends Oscar and Felix move in together despite having nothing in common. Hilarity ensures as these two very polar-opposite friends have to figure out how to reconcile their differences. 308.627.5796 —cranerivertheater.org

NO DRAMA LLAMA

How much fun can you pack into a trip to Lincoln? A relaxing and stress-free vacation is waiting for you. Trek around town at your leisure and discover a surprise around every corner.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo

LINCOLN.ORG/ OMAHAMAG

IN LINCOLN, NEBRASK A

IOWA

DIRECT FROM SWEDEN: THE MUSIC OF ABBA September 2 at water Works Bark in Des Moines The Des Moines Symphony, complete with a full rock band, performs and evening of ABBA’s greatest hits at the Lauridsen Amphitheater . Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, snacks, and their dancing shoes for this free, family-friendly evening of music in the park. 515.280.4000 —dmsymphony.org

ARTSPLASH 2023 September

2—3 at Sioux City Art Center Campus in Sioux City A celebration of the visual and performing arts, the twoday event provides the tri-state area with a family-centered arts adventure of exceptional quality. This event is free to the public. ArtSplash welcomes all because the arts are for everyone. 712.279.6272 —siouxcityartcenter.org

OKOBOJI ANTIQUE & FLEA MARKET

September 2—4 at Treasure Village in Milford The Annual Antique & Flea Market at Treasure Village in Okoboji is a favorite of treasure hunters from miles around. Over 50 vendors will be displaying everything from antiques and collectables to beef jerky and local wine. Visitors never know what they’ll find at Treasure Village.712.337.3730 —treasurevillage.org

DEE’S BEE AND BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL September 8 at Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji Dickinson County Conservation’s largest annual event celebrates pollinators with butterfly tagging, crafts, activities, entertainment, and more. This is a family favorite for kids of all ages to learn about pollinators while having fun. 712.336.6352 —dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com

CHECKER’S STONE SOUL PICNIC

2023 September 10 at Overman Park in Cedar Falls The 12th annual edition of this end of summer event features six live, local bands from a variety on genres performing at the park band shell. Admission is free, and food from Blue Barn BBQ and desserts from Karma Cafe will be available for purchase. 319.230.6732 —traveliowa.com

WILD WOMEN OF THE WOODS September 15—16 at Hickory Grove Park in Ames This is a two-day event designed to give women the opportunity to explore the outdoors, learn or improve skills, and connect with women with similar interests. They can try their hands at archery, paddle boarding, sketching and even more. 515.38237200 —storycountyiowa.gov

Sept

KANSAS

2023 KANSAS STATE FAIR September 8—17 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson

Sept. 8-17

FOOD TRUCK FIGHT September 16 at Riverside Park in Muscatine Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, Muscatine’s historic downtown district is the perfect backdrop for food truck fanatics to eat, listen to live music, and enjoy time with family and friends. Visitors can vote for their favorite food truck to be crowned Food Truck Fight Champion. —foodtruckfight.com

It’s a place where all the iconic features of Kansas life come together. The fair is still the place to see the famous butter sculpture, giant pumpkins, grandstand entertainment, the legendary Ye Old Mill, and the Governor’s Cookie Jar. Visitors from Kansas and beyond come out annually to have some fair fun. 620.669.3600 —kansasstatefair.com

LENEXA SPINACH FESTIVAL September 9 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa Hailed as the Spinach Capital of the World in the 1930s, Lenexa celebrates its history with a free, family-friendly event packed with food, music, entertainment, contests, children’s activities, recipes, and dozens of fine-craft vendors throughout the park. 913.477.7100 —lenexa.com

Photo by Travel South Dakota

MUDDY RIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL Sep -

tember 9 at Lewis and Clark Riverfront Pavilion in Atchison This festival features four local and regional musicians on Atchison’s riverfront. The 2023 lineup includes Soca Jukebox, Lazy Wayne Band, Tigirlily, and Michael Ray. Food vendors will be on sight, and guests are advised to bring their own lawn chairs. 913.367.2427 —visitatchison.com

MISSOURI

Come From Away August 29—September 3 at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City This New York Times

Critic’s Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable, true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. 816.363.7827 —kcstarlight.com

BIG RIVER STEAMPUNK FESTI -

VAL September 1—3 in Historic Downtown Hannibal Visitors can don their goggles and celebrate the Victorian inventions, industry, and architecture of Hannibal’s Gilded Age. Cosplay, costume contests, illusionists, live music, vaudeville shows, high and low tea, and more will be offered at this unique festival full of fun and fantasy. 573.221.2477 —visithannibal.com

INDEPENDENCE UNCORKED WINE

Festival September 9 at the Historic Bingham Waggoner Estate in Independence Independence Uncorked will be one of the largest Missouri wine festivals in the state featuring 20 Missouri wineries sampling several of their wines, a guest spirits distiller, and more than 2500 attendees. The day will also feature art, music, beer, food booths, and wine classes. 816.461.3491 —independenceuncorked.com

LIBERTY FALL FEST September 22—24 in Historic Liberty Square in Liberty The festival has over 200 artists and vendors and two stages packed with entertainment from regional and local artists. Kids of all ages can play in the carnival. There will be plenty of opportunities to pick up handmade gifts or delicious food from a wide variety of vendors. 816.781.5200 —libertyfallfest.com

EVENT TIMES AND DETAILS MAY CHANGE. Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

(Especially smart kids and ridiculous fake cowboys)

The Lincoln County Historical Museum offers tons of educational fun for curious people of all ages. The history of America flows through North Platte from western expansion to the intercontinental railroad and the famous North Platte World War II Canteen. You’ll find original settlers’ houses, agricultural equipment, and even a caboose to explore. If you’re looking for a unique slice of American history, you’ll find it at the Lincoln County Historical Museum.

That’s why Lincoln County Historical Museum gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval.

WHEN IN ROME

learned a great life lesson in Rome. Giving isn’t always “charity.”

Not Rome, Iowa, that little hamlet on the Skunk River West of Mt. Pleasant. I am referring to Rome, Italy, on the Tiber. Rome, the Eternal City.

The center of the greatest empire ever seen…that is literally true. In the old, ruined Julian Forum you can actually see the exact mid-point of everything… the “Urbis Umbilicus,” the belly button of the world where all roads lead. The navel of the city, like many things in that ancient metroplex, is clearly labeled with an engraved stone tablet and is easy to find if you paid attention in Latin class.

Latin, as it turns out, is more useful than algebra. Though, it should be noted that the inverse is true if you are visiting the Giza plateau in Egypt.

Certainly, it goes without saying that when “in Rome,” you should act as the Romans do, though it must also be said that there are a few exceptions to this maxim.

First: Don’t dress like the Romans do. For one thing, Roman shoes are very stylish, expensive, and ill-suited to walking miles and miles over ancient cobblestone pavements, and only experienced supermodels or Roman women should even consider wearing spiky high heels while hurrying past the Pantheon, or operating speeding Vespas across crowded piazzas. Sensible footwear is recommended.

Second: Don’t cross the street like a Roman. They are professionals and know how to carry themselves. They know how to act like they belong in the swirling current of tiny cars, motor scooters, taxis, and minivans full of sun-dried tomatoes, vestments, and recycled relics. They survive the crossing. You will not.

Third: Don’t vote like Romans vote. They have a propensity to elect extremely stupid, extremely rich, and extremely misogynistic, ego-driven, media-centric guys who run the country into one mess or another based on whatever impulse they wake up with.

But, other than those exceptions… When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

For instance, if you see a long line, be a Roman…just walk on by. I followed that principle one day walking by the entrance to the Vatican Museum. Sure, seeing the amazing items that are there and the Sistine Chapel, which I have heard is decorated by some pretty fair art work, might be worthwhile, but there was a line and I needed coffee— real Italian coffee.

I went on by and proceeded up Valle Vaticano to a little caffe, ordered a latte macchiato, and as I sipped I spied a young woman getting out of a van at the curb outside the shop. As I watched she unfurled a long, black cape and wrapped it around her shoulders. She then raised a hood over her beautiful raven hair flecked with silvered ends and transformed herself. She slowly shrunk in height becoming an old crone of under 5 feet right in front of my eyes. Her right leg and foot twisted beneath her, so that when she walked the side of that foot was flattened on the pavement. She took a silver tray from the van driver and began limping her way back towards the museum entrance.

I had to follow. I watched her approach the folks waiting for admission and marveled as she offered them her tray, which I could now see was covered with Holy Cards. The young woman had become a beggar. She proceeded to exchange those cards for Euros as people, seeing her obvious age and affliction gave her their alms. It was a very Christian thing to do, in one of the most Christian places on Earth. Her performance was flawless. Her face mostly hidden by the black hood, her tall body shrunken under the cape; her arm, hand, leg, and foot twisted as she worked the crowd.

She came to me.

I never hesitated as I reached into my wallet.

Charity or applause?

Giving…

Because… When in Rome.

Otis Twelve hosts the radio program Morning Classics with Otis Twelve on 90.7 KVNO, weekday mornings from 6-10 a.m. Visit kvno.org for more information.

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