Strictly Business Lincoln December 2016

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FOCUSING ON YOUR BRAND Looking Ahead to 2017 As 2016 comes to a close, this month is a particularly valuable interval of time for business owners.

Many of us will reflect on the year that’s passed while also setting goals and projections for the one to come. In this process of mapping the trajectory of a business is where insight lends itself to successful planning, which entails a set of actionable goals charted across the pages of the 2017 calendar. As defined, there’s actually a good argument for a step all its own prior to planning: evidence-based brainstorming.

So, what were your successes last year? Your shortcomings? How will you use those along with the knowledge you’ve acquired and the lessons you’ve learned to better your business in the next year? In what areas can you improve or make the most impactful changes? By carefully examining these questions, you’ll arrive at answers that will be very telling, effectively guiding the entire process that lies ahead.

First off, if you haven’t set aside time strictly for business planning purposes, do it now. While oftentimes it can seem like we’re organically propelled in the right direction as an already well-oiled machine by design, it’s always beneficial to take a step back and examine each fundamental working part of the whole. As William Gibson so accurately poses, “We see in order to move; we move in order to see.”

Short-term, it’s easy to move towards each new day and the next goal, meeting, task, deal, sale—you get the idea—in a continuous loop, but right now presents the best “big picture” opportunity. You don’t need to compromise that momentum by any means, but rather, shoot for whatever will allow you to take a few steps back and focus, bringing clarity to the path ahead in the upcoming 365 days of progress.

Next, and you might have seen this coming from a mile away given my area of expertise, if branding and promotion aren’t a part of the discussion, but growth and development in the coming year are, there’s a critical disconnect that should be addressed immediately.

Given the impressive array of marketing tools available to today’s business owner, analysis prior to action is imperative. Formulating a distinct strategy that captures your target audience, enhances your

CONTENTS NEWS 4 Business 27 Personnel

35 Non-Profit 45 Health

FEATURE STORIES 55 58 64 72

Eco-Efficiency Winter Driving Senior Living Holiday Wrap-Up

SPOTLIGHTS 20 48 49 50 4

Star City Six Enhancing Your Team Culture Client Spotlight: Tranquility Salon & Spa Client Spotlight: Concordia University, Nebraska

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

PAIGE ZUTAVERN Lincoln/Omaha - President 402-730-0096 | Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com strengths, addresses your challenges, reinforces your identity in the marketplace, functions as an extension of your goals, and drives the desired results are all of the power players to be considered during your Q&A discovery process.

For those who are in the infancy stage of their marketing efforts, resolving to do as much as possible with what are likely limited resources will be critical to your growth in the coming year. Plan accordingly now so that you can put everything into motion succinctly, and since trial and error will be your guide, find the smartest investments per your budget, but also of your time and effort. And, any time the opportunity for free exposure presents itself or there are value-added perks offered in conjunction with paid promotion, take advantage!

If you’ve got a good thing going already, instead of considering your marketing plan a done deal as it stands, set your sights on what you can do to take it to the next level. I highly recommend scaffolding at the very least – add something new, yet complimentary to your primary efforts, into the media mix and see how it goes this year.

Ultimately, consider the following statistics: 47% of buyers viewed 3-5 pieces of content before engaging with a sales rep, and 96% of B2B buyers want content with more input from industry thought leaders. (Demand Gen Report, 2016) (Source: www.hubspot.com/ marketing-statistics) Also reflected in the research conducted by the marketing experts at HubSpot, when asked the question “What are your company’s top marketing priorities over the next 12 months?” the most respondents (74%) answered: Converting contacts to leads/customers.

This was directly followed by: Growing traffic to website (57%) and Increasing revenue derived from existing customers (46%). I find these to be the top goals for the vast majority of my clients too. Here, turn the answers into questions and ask how each piece of your marketing efforts are working towards these three objectives.

Whether you’re targeting the business-to-business (B2B) or business-toconsumer (B2C) audience with your marketing efforts (or both!), your goal for your content marketing efforts in the coming year should be much like the impetus for action in Field of Dreams: “Build it and they will come.”

To learn more about how Strictly Business can help you, contact me directly at (402) 466-3330 or visit strictly-business.com/connect. (You can also click on our Staff Letter tab online to view past articles.)

COLUMNS 18 26 51 53 52

Friends4Lunch Foster Care LIBA; LIBA New Members Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Downtown Lincoln Association

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Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505 P 402.466.3330 • F 402.466.3476 STRICTLY BUSINESS is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submission, including letters, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to our unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially or creatively, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. Nothing may be printed in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. The publication of any advertisement in STRICTLY BUSINESS is not an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised.

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ABOUT THE COVER

As the year comes to a close, we’ve taken the opportunity to look back on 2016 while also looking forward to what’s to come in 2017. Both are equally satisfying, as we’ve been blessed to work with so many wonderful businesses and organizations in the past year and if that’s any indication of the future, it is bright indeed. We also welcomed new faces to our own team and have taken on new projects internally, some of which include the launch of our online flipbook, the addition of brand new features in our publications, the debut of our client testimonial videos, and signature events like Friends4Lunch that have really taken off. As always, stay tuned for new things to come in the New Year!

Along with all of the exciting changes this year, there have been many accomplishments that we take great pride in, successes to celebrate, and challenges that we’ve overcome together. Not to mention that we’ve also seen plenty of exciting things happen in the Lincoln community. The important work behind the continued business growth that has allowed our city and those who

Paige Zutavern, President This year has been one for the books there are so many things that I’m thankful for! For starters, my son Schyler recently moved back home from NYC. Anyone who’s had a child move away knows the feeling of joy when they return. I am blessed to have incredible family and friends to support me, and I have the most amazing staff that has been such a positive force. Lastly, I appreciate all of our amazing clients and value the relationships and friendships that have grown over the years. It’s been a pleasure being a part of your journey, growth, and advertising ventures. Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for the year ahead!

Amanda Wilson, Editor So much to be thankful for this year! My family and friends are still the most awesome people around, not much has changed there. This summer my brother got married, so I gained a sister, and I’ll be an aunt to a little Wilson in 2017 - my heart is full.

I’m so very fortunate to work with such a great team at Strictly Business, and also to be able to do what I do thanks to our fantastic clients who are out there following their dreams and making it happen every day right along with me. Warm wishes for the happiest of holidays to you all, and may the year to come be equally as amazing as the one that’s coming to a close. XO

Jenna Hubl, Executive Assistant 2016 has been one extraordinary year! I was given a surprise of a lifetime in March when the love of my life, Eric asked me to marry him. From dress shopping to flowers, wedding planning has taken us by storm. Next summer will be here before we know it! I recently celebrated my 1-year anniversary with Strictly Business too! The transition from LA back to Nebraska has been a smooth one and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow with the company and also within the remarkable community we live in. I am so incredibly thankful for my amazing family and friends. They have made me who I am today and I cherish every moment with them. A special thank you to our amazing clients and readers - we wouldn’t be here without you. Cheers to 2017!

Tingleska Hallum, Art Director For myself, 2016 was a year full of progress and growth, both personally and professionally. From officially becoming a Lincolnite to the opportunity to take on more responsibility within the Strictly Business team, I am so grateful.

Words can’t express how thankful I am for every challenge we have met. Each obstacle is an opportunity for us to seek out knowledge, learn and grow tighter as a team and as professionals. Thank you to our readers, and thank you to our clients for the amazing insight each and every one of you provide into the passion behind the business community here in Lincoln. 2017 will be our year!

Holly Ryan, Graphic Designer 2016 has been a year of changes and excitement! I joined the Strictly Business team earlier this year and have loved every minute of it. I have gotten to know many of our awesome clients and I’m looking forward to meeting many more. I am extremely thankful for all of my amazing family and friends and all of their constant love and support! As this year comes to a close I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017!

STAY CONNECTED www.Strictly-Business.com

live here to thrive reaches across every industry. Our non-profits have worked tirelessly in service to our most vulnerable populations, identifying and meeting our most critical needs. Our local organizations have continued to keep us moving forward in the right direction. Prosperity is abundant, and for that we are so thankful!

A special thank you goes out to our readers who not only support us, but also our clients who advertise in the publication. It’s always heartwarming to hear “We saw it in Strictly Business,” so please continue to spread the word!

Speaking of being thankful and hopeful for what the future holds, we’ve all shared what we’re most grateful for and what we are looking forward to in the New Year.

From our family here at Strictly Business to you and yours, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas, the happiest of holidays, and much success in 2017!

TO SUBSCRIBE: Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com www.Strictly-Business.com/subscribe-strictly-business

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BUSINESS NEWS Thousands of Coats Donated to People’s City Haymarket Holiday Events Announced Mission From Raising Cane’s Coat Drive The Lincoln Haymarket Development Corporation will once again host With the help of the Lincoln community, Raising Cane’s donated over 1,900 new and gently-used coats to the People’s City Mission and Homeless Prevention Center during their 10th annual Raising Coats with Raising Cane’s coat drive.

Throughout the month of October, when a new or gently used coat was donated, the donor received a free meal with purchase offer. Through these efforts, Raising Cane’s gave over $8,500 in food to support the cause.

Since 2007, supporters have helped donate nearly 15,300 coats to the People’s City Mission. “The generosity of the Lincoln community continues to amaze me. Each year we have seen the number of donated coats in Lincoln increase” said Jennifer Jones, owner of the Lincoln Raising Cane’s franchise. “A sincere thank you to everyone who dropped off a coat this year or in years past—none of this would have been possible without the support of each and every one of you.”

Distribution to shelter residents was held on Tuesday, November 1 and made available to the public at the Homeless Prevention Center on November 2. Since 2006, the Lincoln franchise has given back over $1 million to the Lincoln community. To find out about other community initiatives, follow Raising Cane’s on Facebook (facebook. com/CanesNebraska) or Twitter (twitter.com/CanesLincoln).

UNICO Group a 2016 Governor’s Wellness Award Recipient UNICO Group has been included in the Gover nor’s We l l n e s s Award at the Sower level. UNICO is now a part of a prestigious group of more than 250 businesses statewide that have received the Governor’s Award designation since 2007. This year, a total of 44 Nebraska employers representing 28 communities are being honored for developing and implementing successful worksite wellness programs.

The Sower Award recognizes that the organization “plants the seed of wellness” by building a comprehensive program to empower the people.

By meeting the standards of this award, UNICO Group demonstrates leadership and vision to implement comprehensive worksite health promotion initiatives that positively affect the health, productivity, and bottom line of the organization. Most importantly, UNICO Group has provided the opportunity for employees and families to live a healthy life and improve the quality of life for Nebraskans.

The Governor’s Wellness Award was created nine years ago to recognize Nebraska employers who dedicate leadership, resources, and time to wellness efforts in the workplace. The Governor’s Wellness Award is a rigorous one. Each applicant must provide information in the areas of organizational support, data collection, intervention strategies, communication planning, policies supporting healthy behaviors, and outcomes and benefits.

UNICO Group is an insurance and financial provider that offers a consultative and relational approach to the insurance process. In 2014, UNICO merged with Midlands Financial Group. This merger formed a regional leader for insurance and financial growth. With clients ranging from Fortune 500 giants to local retail shops, UNICO’s risk advisors have extensive experience in custom strategies that generate long-term value.

For more information about business and personal insurance and financial needs, call (402) 434-7200 or visit the website at unicogroup.com.

6 Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 3. The event will be held from 8-11 a.m. in the Atrium of the Candy Factory, located between 7th & 8th Streets on P Street in the Historic Haymarket District.

The event will start with breakfast catered by Lazlo’s, coffee from The Mill and holiday music provided by pianist Dorothy Applebee. Children and their families will be able to have their picture taken with Santa and visit Santa’s Sleigh & Reindeer parked outside the Candy Factory. A few Elf friends from The Haymarket Theatre will be there to entertain, there will be toy trains to view and holiday movies will be playing on the TV screens.

Tickets are $6 for ages 4 years and up while admission is free for children 3 years and under. Advanced tickets purchases are encouraged and are available at the following locations: The Mill (Haymarket), From Nebraska Gift Shop, Burlington Antiques, The Haymarket Office, Buzzard Billy’s, and Downtown Lincoln Association.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door while they last.

Immediately following Breakfast with Santa, experience Haymarket Unwrapped from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Haymarket’s unique array of specialty shops are offering sales, shopping, culinary delights, live music and more! This FREE event will allow shoppers to enjoy special discounts, prizes, treats, live entertainment and special Pedi cab sleigh rides as you stroll through Downtown Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket District.

Also, don’t miss Holidays in the Haymarket on Friday nights; December 2nd, December 9th and December 16th with horse and carriage rides and entertainment from 6-9 p.m. Visit www.lincolnhaymarket.org or Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket District Facebook page for more details..

Lutz Establishes Office in Lincoln Lutz, an accounting and business solutions firm, recently announced their expansion to Lincoln.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce was held on October 11th to for mally welcome Lutz into the Lincoln business community and celebrate the official opening of the new office at 601 P Street, Suite 103 in the Haymarket.

Since opening their doors in Omaha in 1980, Lutz has steadily grown to become the largest locally owned firm in Nebraska. “We are excited about Lutz’s expansion into the Lincoln market and the potential it brings to our current and future clients as well as our talented employees,” said Mark Duren, Managing Shareholder.

“With our expanding Lincoln and Central Nebraska client base along with the opportunity for additional growth, opening a second location was a natural next step for our firm.”

Lutz started as an accounting firm, but has grown into a business solutions firm. Lutz provides accounting services such as tax, assurance, business consulting, and outsourced accounting. Additionally, Lutz has developed multiple divisions to help current and future clients thrive in all aspects of their businesses. These additional service lines include Lutz Financial, Lutz Tech, Lutz Talent and Lutz M&A. More information can be found online at www.lutz.us. To connect with the Lincoln office directly, please contact Scott Carrico at (402) 4968800 or scarrico@lutz.us.

BUSINESS NEWS Evol Empire Creative Honored for J-Tech Website

Yowie’s Lodge Partners With The Rabbit Hole Bakery

Evol Empire Creative was recently recognized at the n a t i o n a l l e ve l fo r their efforts on J-Tech Construction’s website: jtechconst.com.

During the month of October, Yowie’s Lodge teamed up with local Pastry Chef Amanda Fuchser of The Rabbit Hole Bakery to offer her out-of-thisworld desserts. For each game the Chicago Cubs won during the World Series, these delicious slices of heaven were available at 50% off the following day with any dine-in purchase.

Looking for a place to get the best of both worlds? Guests are encouraged to come enjoy 100% handmade desserts at The Rabbit Hole Bakery (therabbitholebakery.com) and have a handcrafted cocktail at Yowie’s Lodge.

Continuing the partnership between the two, during the month of December, guests who dine in at Yowie’s Lodge and spend $30 will receive a free piece of cake courtesy of The Rabbit Hole Bakery! Flavors available include Red Velvet, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Apple Spice, Carrot, and Gluten-Free Chocolate and Pumpkin cake.

Located in the Historic Haymarket, Yowie’s Lodge specializes in madefrom-scratch bar food favorites, but with a unique twist. The menu, true to the overall theme of the restaurant and bar, features wild game, including elk, bison, and venison. Come enjoy the coldest beer in town while you watch your favorite sports teams play on one of their 60+ HDTVs. For more information and weekly specials, visit www.yowieslodge.com or contact Kyle at (402) 417-8042 or KyleF@yowieslodge.com.

T h e l o c a l c r e a t i ve agency unanimously swept a national showcase competition designed to pit web design agencies against one another. The criteria for victory included elegant and user-focused design, ease of use, custom photos and video, storytelling, and calls to action. Evol Empire Creative took home the prize, bragging rights, and also warranted spotlight attention for J-Tech, a local construction company focusing on windows, doors, siding, roofing, and gutters which also has a solar division.

Evol Empire Creative is located at 151 North 8th Street, Suite 311 in Lincoln, Nebraska’s Historic Haymarket district and you can check them out at evolempirecreative.com.

ALLO Celebrates Grand Opening of Lincoln Retail Space You’ve probably heard the news by now about services provided by ALLO Communications becoming available here in Lincoln. No further introductions are needed, it’s finally here!

A grand opening celebration, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by officials from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, was held at ALLO’s new local retail space at 330 S. 21st Street on October 20th.

The staff at ALLO would like to thank those in attendance for their support, and is excited to bring fiber optics and gigabit connectivity to the city of Lincoln. Currently providing communications services to seven cities with more than 335,000 people, ALLO has developed a world-class network to expand business opportunities, create jobs, and improve quality of life.

ALLO Communications is a Nebraska-based and Nebraska-owned telecommunications company offering fiber telephone, long distance, broadband, internet and television to residents and businesses.

Since 2003, ALLO has provided its customers with the most modern network possible while employing a team of engineers, operators, and technical experts who constantly work with customers to develop creative ways to utilize ALLO’s fiber network. ALLO’s growth and success over the past decade are thanks in large part to the company’s reputation for winning customer service, technical capabilities, experienced and knowledgeable personnel, and superior products.

For more information, please contact the ALLO Business Sales Team at (402) 480-6500 or Kathy Carstenson, Business Sales Manager, directly at (402) 261-0932. You are also welcome to email inquiries to marketing@allophone.net or visit the website at www. allocommunications.com/for-business.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS The Rabbit Hole Bakery Now Open The Rabbit Hole Bakery is open for business, officially welcoming customers for the very first time on Saturday, September 17th. Coinciding with the Nebraska vs. Oregon home game, it was definitely a busy first day! To formally mark the opening and celebrate, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce was held on November 15th.

Nestled in the Henkle & Joyce Hardware Building (also known as the Tool House) on the corner of 8th & Q Streets, The Rabbit Hole Bakery carefully chose its location in hopes of sharing its gourmet baked goods and Nebraska story with all those who visit the area. Along with being one of the newest businesses to call the Historic Haymarket district home, The Rabbit Hole Bakery is also run by some of the youngest owners: Beau Ballard (22) and Amanda Fuscher (24), who is also the head pastry chef.

The Rabbit Hole Bakery’s niche is small-batch baking, providing topquality sweets with no shortcuts. Everything is baked from scratch every morning using the freshest and finest ingredients, with gluten-free and dairy-free options available.

As a perfect counterpart to the array of different pastry items and specialty cakes, The Rabbit Hole Bakery also has a curated selection of ports, champagnes, wines and liquors. Dessert cocktails are another signature offering, along with select pairings of elegant liqueurs and gourmet desserts. Combined with a charming atmosphere, The Rabbit Hole Bakery is a unique, contemporary concept that is a must-try.

Find out more online at www.therabbitholebakery.com.

Brookelyn’s Hair & Replacement Introduces New Product Line Brooke Ahlman with B ro o ke l y n’s H a i r & Replacement is pleased to announce a new product line that is now available to her clients: CES Cheveux Hair & Scalp Revitalizer.

CES Cheveux Hair & Scalp Revitalizer promotes the growth of healthy hair and may help in the prevention of hair loss. It adds luster and sheen, strength and elasticity, thickens hair and may help stop hair loss when taking chemotherapy treatments.

Brookelyn’s Hair & Replacement offers non-surgical hair loss replacement services along with regular haircuts, perms, colors and extensions. If you are in need of a hair system, a fresh haircut, a trim, a new color, or retexturing, Brookelyn’s will help you find the hairstyle that fits your personal style as well as your lifestyle.

For more information on Brookelyn’s Hair & Replacement, please visit www.brookelyns.com or contact owner Brooke Ahlman directly at (402) 649-0212 or via email at brookelynshair@gmail.com.

Proceeds From Golf Tournament Presented to SCC for Scholarships Southeast Community C o l l e g e ( w w w. southeast.edu) received checks worth more than $15,000 on November 15th, proceeds from the 25th annual Wells Fa r g o N eb ra s k a Open golf tournament held in September. Accepting checks from Gary Thompson (second from

right), a member of the NPPD Board of Directors, are

G a r y T h o m p s o n , SCC students Jon Snyder and Ashlin Bussell. Also pictured a member of the are Bev Cummins (far left), vice president for student Nebraska Public services/Lincoln Campus director; Bob Morgan (third right), dean of virtual learning/Beatrice Campus Power District Board of from director, and Ed Koster, vice president for technology/ Directors, presented Milford Campus director. three checks, each in the amount of $5,200, to SCC during the regular monthly meeting of SCC’s Board of Governors.

Accepting the checks on behalf of the College were Jon Snyder, an Academic Transfer student from Maywood and president-elect of the Beatrice Campus Student Senate; Ashlin Bussell, an Agriculture Business & Management Technology student from Imperial and Beatrice Student Senate vice president; Bob Morgan, dean of virtual learning/Beatrice Campus director; Bev Cummins, vice president for student services/ Lincoln Campus director; and Ed Koster, vice president for technology/ Milford Campus director. The money will go into the scholarship fund on each campus.

Thompson thanked Wells Fargo for its ongoing sponsorship of the tournament, the proceeds of which have surpassed $1.3 million in scholarship money for students attending five of Nebraska’s community colleges.

SCC has received more than $260,000 from the tournament since it began. A total of $78,000 was raised during this year’s tournament.

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Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

Endorsed and administered by the Nebraska Section of the PGA and the Nebraska Golf Association, the tournament is coordinated by the NPPD and has been held at the Elk’s Country Club in Columbus since 1992. More than 50 businesses sponsored this year’s event, with many participating in an 18-hole scramble with professional golfers.

BUSINESS NEWS

Mckinney’s Irish Pub Celebrates 3rd Anniversary M c k i n n ey ’s I r i s h P u b r e c e n t l y celebrated its 3rd anniversary! To celebrate and thank the Lincoln community, including all of their loyal patrons, for another successful year, a raffle was held with three awesome prizes given away: a Murphy’s Stout neon sign, a Sam Adams cooler, and a $100 gift card!

Now a household name on the Haymarket scene, Mckinney’s opened its doors in November of 2013 in the old Salvation Army building at 8th and P Streets and has since become a favorite spot for many Lincolnites.

Mckinney’s offers a large selection of craft beer, 20 of which are on tap and a rotation of many seasonal varieties, and 35 different Irish whiskeys. Open daily for lunch at 11 a.m., with kitchen hours from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Mckinney’s menu features specialty dishes based on traditional fare such as Shepard’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Bangers and Mash, and many more. Make sure to check out the live music, pint nights, all of your favorite sports games, “Flip Day” every Sunday, and plenty of other special events at Mckinney’s Irish Pub throughout the year too!

For more information, please call (402) 477-0021, visit www. mckinneyspublincoln.com, or stay connected on Facebook at www. facebook.com/mckinneyspublincoln.

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Fallbrook Family Dentistry Celebrates Grand Opening Fallbrook Family Dentistry recently hosted an open house on November 4th to officially celebrate the new practice joining the Fallbrook business community. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce kicked off the event.

Fallbrook Family Dentistry is a second location for the doctors at Milford Dental Clinic. Construction began in May and the first patients were seen on August 22nd. The expansion efforts for the new Lincoln location in the Fallbrook Town Center were geared towards being able to serve patients in northwest Lincoln, and across Lancaster County, but also to provide a more convenient location for patients in Seward County and the Malcolm, Raymond, and Valparaiso areas.

All three doctors – Dr. Alyssa Cattle, Dr. Janna Spahr, and Dr. Jeff Spahr – are currently accepting new patients of all ages. Services performed include all basic general dentistry treatment, such as hygiene visits and fillings, as well as CEREC same-day crowns, dental implants, orthodontic straightening, teeth whitening, dentures, root canals, and extractions. The doctors work with each individual patient to form a custom plan for optimal oral health.

For more information, please call (402) 467-0007, email office@ fallbrookfamilydentistry.com, or visit FallbrookFamilyDentistry.com.

Anyone interested in becoming a patient may also stop by during business hours, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, for an office tour and to learn more about the clinic.

Habitat to Host “Guys Night Out” Event Habitat is set to host its annual “Guys Night Out” event on Tuesday, December 6th from 4-8 p.m.

Year-round, Habitat offers a “wish list” gift registry ser vice whic h allows customers to keep a list on file at the store. When family and friends are buying gifts for special occasions, they can simply go to Habitat and select a gift from the list.

During the holidays, Habitat hosts a special “Guys Night Out” event featuring complimentary beer, brats, and gift wrapping for those who stop in to shop. All wish lists on file will be on hand too, making holiday gift shopping as convenient and enjoyable an experience as possible.

Make sure to “Like” Habitat’s Facebook page to see the store’s latest posts and to view the updated schedule of events.

Serving the Lincoln community since 1975, Habitat remains true to the concept reflected in its name—that a home is your habitat.

It’s a place where you should be comfortable, it should reflect your style, and you should enjoy spending time there. As such, at Habitat you can find a wealth of contemporary, unique, fun, and functional items from all across the world to help you create your own habitat. Habitat is located on the northeast corner of 70th & Pioneers.

For more information about Habitat, please call the store at (402) 466-1522 or visit the Facebook page (/habitatgift).

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BUSINESS NEWS

Windstream Launches Cloud-Based Hosted Communications Solution for SMBs Windstream, a leading provider of advanced network communications, announced the launch of Windstream Hosted Communications (WHC) for Small Business, a cloud-based phone solution offering enterpriselevel capabilities to small and medium-sized businesses.

Powered by Broadsoft, WHC gives small business owners access to a wide set of enterprise-grade features that allow them to operate with the efficiency and scale of a large business at a price that fits their business model.

The IP-based phone solution includes collaboration, mobility, and continuity features that ensure a small business is reachable anytime, anywhere. With WHC, SMB owners have access to a variety of services including: • Auto Attendant: Missed calls are now a thing of the past. Auto Attendant allows customers to set defined rules and instructions for calls to be properly routed to other locations if they’re out of the office.

• Desktop Sharing: Collaboration is now easier than ever with Desktop Sharing, which allows customers to securely share screens across devices and users to enhance collaboration and productivity.

• Office Anywhere: One business, one number. Office Anywhere allows business owners to be reached, no matter where they are, on a single number.

For more information on the solution and the variety of Windstream’s SMB offerings, check out smallbusiness.windstream.com.

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10

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

First State Bank Nebraska Celebrates Opening of New Location First State Bank Nebraska’s newest location is officially open for business. The second fullservice branch in Lincoln is located at 2701 Grainger Parkway, just north of 27th and Yankee Hill. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce on October 17th.

The 18,000-square-foot facility includes a full-service branch with greater emphasis on technology and customer experience, an operation center, home mortgage department and will have representatives from First State’s other entities, including First State Insurance and First State Financial.

Features of the new location include an open floor plan and customer service kiosks with cross-trained staff for a unique customer service experience. A community wall highlights all 16 communities that First State represents. Lenders are staffed full time to help consumers and businesses with their borrowing needs.

The lobby is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. The drive-thru is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.

First State Bank Nebraska is a $475 million bank with nearly 150 employees and locations in Beatrice, Cortland, DeWitt, Dorchester, Filley, Firth, Hallam, Hickman, Lincoln, Pickrell, Valley, Waverly, Western, Wilber and Yutan.

For more information, please visit www.1fsb.com. The new Lincoln branch can be contacted directly at (402) 858-1771.

BUSINESS NEWS

Herbs & More Adds Rollerball Blending Bar Herbs & More is excited to announce they now have a Rollerball Blending Bar available in the store!

The fun new concept allows guests to pick 1-5 essential oils and a carrier oil, which Herbs & More staff will mix for you. You’ll leave with your own personal blend in a container with a rollerball applicator.

A “blend suggestion” sheet will be available to help guests with creativity.

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This is a great way for you to try the oils in a sample size before investing in a larger amount. The cost is $6.99 for a 10ml custom rollerball. In addition to the Rollerball Blending Bar, Herbs & More has curated custom essential oil blends available for purchase, such as their immune boosting blend which will come in very handy this time of year.

Serving the Lincoln community for 20 years and counting, Herbs & More carries a wealth of products that support health and happiness as well as services from its in-house massage therapist and esthetician, which can be booked online or by calling the store.

For more information about Herbs & More, visit www.herbsandmorene. com, call (402) 423-7733, or stop by the store at 5740 Old Cheney Road, Suite 8.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis to Perform Two Lied Concerts

Three words our clients love to see.

Isn’t it time you start seeing them?

CALL TODAY. 402-817-3929 • ARSOLUTIONSINC.COM

Mannheim Steamroller will present the best the holiday has to offer this season in two performances at the Lied Center for Performing Arts on Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are limited.

Check availability at LiedCenter.org, by phone at (402) 4724747, or at the Lied Center box office, 301 N. 12th St. Students can purchase tickets at a 50 percent discount with a valid NCard.

Partnership to Benefit Concordia University, Central Community College Students

This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the Christmas Tour and release of “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas,” an album that revolutionized the holiday season music category. Grammy Award®winner Chip Davis will direct and co-produce tour performances with MagicSpace Entertainment. The show features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics along with a selection of compositions from his groundbreaking “Fresh Aire” series which introduced the distinctive Mannheim sound to all of America, along with dazzling multimedia effects in an intimate setting. The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.

Graduates of CCC who have earned an associate degree and who choose to enroll full-time at Concordia will be awarded no less than $15,000 annually in institutional aid as they pursue their bachelor’s degree at Concordia. In addition, those students will receive a New Horizons Scholarship of $2,000 that stacks incrementally with all other Concordia grants and academic or performance scholarships.

Both the Partnership Guarantee and New Horizons Scholarship are renewable annually if students remain in good academic standing at Concordia with a 2.0 GPA or higher. The two institutions agree that students who satisfactorily complete an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree at Central will have completed all general education requirements at Concordia with the exception of religion and theology credits (nine credit hours).

In addition to being a holiday tradition for many families, the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Tour regularly attracts repeat attendance from multi-generational guests and is one of the longest running tours in the music industry. This year’s tour includes many of the performance sin a PBS special broadcast airing this year, “Mannheim Steamroller 30/40 Live” featuring the group’s legendary concert.

This performance is generously sponsored by Patron Friend Sponsors Drs. David and Marilyn Moore and Assurity Life Insurance Company.

Students will soon have the opportunity to benefit from a new partnership between Concordia University, Nebraska, and Central Community College. The presidents of the two institutions signed an official partnership to solidify financial and educational commitments of their new partnership, effective immediately.

Transfer students will be required to complete a minimum of 30 postassociate degree semester hours at Concordia University, Nebraska and will then be awarded a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University, Nebraska, upon meeting academic requirements. For further details, visit cune.edu/transfercredit.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business 11

BUSINESS NEWS

Butherus Maser & Love Donates Safety Lights to Lincoln Bike Kitchen

Huffman Engineering Named Kepware System Integrator

Butherus Maser & Love recently presented the Lincoln Bike Kitchen with 250 lights to be issued with each renovated bike placed with a new owner.

Huffman Engineering, Inc., a leader in control systems integration, recently announced that it has joined the Connected with Kepware System Integrator Program. Connected system integrators implement and optimize the portfolio of industrial connectivity software developed by Kepware. As a silver-level connected system integrator, Huffman Engineering has Kepware application experience, meets standard product training qualifications, and provides customers with post-sale assistance.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) requires technology that solves the interoperability challenges of device connectivity. Kepware’s KEPServerEX connectivity platform provides the device-to-cloud interoperability needed to bridge this gap between IT and operations.

Specializing in pharmaceutical, life science, food, and utility process control applications, Huffman Engineering has a 29-year history of delivering large-scale system integration projects for these highly regulated industries which require clients to meet stringent regulatory requirements. Whether meeting requirements for the FDA, EPA, or projects involving hazardous locations, Huffman Engineering builds robust reliable automation systems.

Huffman Engineering, Inc. is based in Lincoln, Neb., and has served the Midwest since 1987, specializing in pharmaceutical, life science, machine, and utility process control applications. For more information, visit huffmaneng.com or call (402) 464-6823.

Buther us Maser & Love is dedicated to helping with safety issues throughout the city, including raising motorist awareness of c yclists and pedestrians. The lights easily clip on so they may be used on bicycles, transferred onto backpacks and used by a child walking to school as well.

Located at 1635 S. 1st Street, Lincoln Bike Kitc hen (www. lincolnbikekitc hen.org) is a community-building organization that provides bicycles and related resources to all people. They advocate for utilitarian bicycling as a vital part of a healthy, equitable, and sustainable community.

Butherus Maser & Love has been a community partner since 1886 and serves the Lincoln and surrounding communities with their main funeral home at 4040 A Street and their satellite location in Hickman, NE. For more information about Butherus Maser & Love, please call (402) 488-0934 or visit www.bmlfh.com.

The vision of Better Business Bureau (BBB) is “an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.” In this spirit, BBB serving Nebraska, South Dakota, The Kansas Plains and Southwest Iowa is pleased to conduct an annual awards program to gain public recognition for organizations committed to ethical business practices.

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BBB Integrity Awards Shine a Light on Lincoln Businesses for Ethical Practices

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

“BBB’s Integrity Awards are designed to promote not only the importance of ethical business practices, but also the willingness and efforts made by outstanding organizations that demonstrate a solid commitment to marketplace trust,” stated BBB Lincoln Branch Manager Teresa Stitcher Fritz.

The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges representing both the business and academic communities of Lincoln.

The charity that received the award is Lincoln Children’s Zoo. The forprofit businesses that were presented with BBB Integrity Awards are: Auto Body Supply, Custom Cooling & Heating, Inc. and Epp Concrete.

Other Integrity Award candidates who demonstrated, through the application process, that they placed a high priority on honesty and integrity in the work place were recognized as “Ambassador of Integrity,” explained Fritz. The Ambassador of Integrity recipients are: GoodeGuy Construction, Roper & Sons Funeral Services and Nebraska Bank of Commerce.

BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty stated, “BBB is pleased honor these organizations. In today’s challenging economic climate and complex world, honesty and integrity are more important than ever.

Integrity Award Winners represent what is best about businesses in this area. These organizations have solid business practices, based on a commitment to serve their customers with the highest standard of ethics. They have built successful companies because of the trust that has been established, and these Awards recognize their leadership in their communities.”

BUSINESS NEWS

Frontier Bank Opens Second Location Frontier Bank has opened a second location at 70th & O Streets in Lincoln. The new branch allows Frontier Bank to serve its growing customer base by providing easy walk-in or drive-thru access at two convenient locations. The original location at 84th & GlynOaks Drive has been serving customers since 2010.

Recognized by the Independent Community Bankers of America as one of the most well-run financial institutions in the country, Frontier Bank operates from eight locations in eastern Nebraska with total assets in excess of $700 million. For more information on Frontier Bank, please visit frontbank.com or call (402) 434-2525.

CarePatrol Launches New Website

6400 Cornhusker Highway Suite 225 402-466-4669 www.twomenandatruck.com NPSC #M-14225

C a r e Pa t ro l i s excited to share the recent launch of the company’s newly redesigned website: www.carepatrol.com!

The new and updated website offers a fresh new look and is much easier to navigate. Additional information has also been added to the website, which allows visitors to learn more about CarePatrol, what they do, how they do it, and how they make it easier for the families they help. Along with those items, there are informative senior care articles available to read as well as testimonials.

As a member largest network of senior placement agencies in the nation, the local CarePatrol office is here to help with understanding all of the options and resources that are available to seniors and their families, all at no cost to the client. CarePatrol’s mission is to help find the safest and best community, matching individuals by their care needs, wants, location and finances. The local agency also regularly reviews amenities, staff credentials, and care violation history of all independent living, assisted living, and memory care facilities in the area as well as lining up and escorting clients on tours of their top choices.

For more information on CarePatrol, please visit www.carepatrol.com or contact Theron Ahlman directly at (402) 580-2116 or via email at therona@carepatrol.com.

Hampton Welcomes New Tenants Hampton Enterprises, Inc. is pleased to welcome the following new tenants: Empower Yourself Yoga studio, Yoga For Every Body, is now open at 946 N. 70th Street at Meadowlane Shopping Center. For more information please visit www.empoweryourselfyoga.com.

Crafthouse, modern fabric + yarn is located at 3520 Village Drive, Suite 600, at Williamsburg Village. Check out their products, classes, and events at www.crafthouselincoln.com.

American Classifieds has leased office space at 7441 O Street in Hampton’s Corporate Centre Office Park located at 74th & O Streets.

To learn more about American Classifieds or to contact them, visit www.lincolnamericanclassifieds.com Dan Augustyn, owner of Augustyn Law Office, P.C., LLO, relocated to 7121 A Street, Suite 103 in Hampton’s Lincolnshire Square Office Park. Contact Augustyn Law Office at www.alawoffice.com.

“Hampton Enterprises, Inc., along with Hampton Commercial Construction, helps business owners find their office or retail space, build it, and manage it. What makes Hampton different from other commercial real estate firms is we own, build, and manage all of our properties here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Meaning for a business owner: finding and leasing space is extremely easy and stress free.

Our team truly enjoys helping people find their office or retail space and developing relationships with them,” said Michelle Keogh, President of Real Estate. View all of Hampton’s commercial properties available at www.hampton1.com/realty/properties.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS HIP, OffiCenters Among 2016 CEDARS Tree Locations HIP, OffiCenters is proud to be a host location for a CEDARS Tree until December 12th. Open to the public, each ornament on the tree represents a child in need.

E ve r y c h i l d d e s e r ve s to be remembered and recognized on Christmas day. The CEDARS Home for Children Foundation is a wonderful organization that HIP, OffiCenters is proud to support this holiday season.

All are welcome to stop by the HIP, OffiCenters’ main office, located at 5000 Central Park Drive, Suite 204 in Lincoln, to pick up an ornament and help bring some Christmas magic to these children this year!

Any questions about the CEDARS Tree at HIP, OffiCenters Executive Office Suites can be directed to Lacey Torske at (402) 466-3932 or office@hiprealty.com.

HIP, OffiCenters is a full-service company offering the tools needed to help a business grow and be successful, beginning with an ideal office environment that’s a productive, inviting and professional space to conduct business. To find out more about HIP, OffiCenters Executive Office Suites in Lincoln, including space available, amenities included for tenants, and additional services offered, please call (402) 466-3932, email office@hiprealty.com, or visit www.HIPrealty.com.

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Legacy Residents Stand for a Cause During Active Aging Week, the Legacy Retirement Communities residents and employees set a goal to accumulate over 25,000 chair stands in one week.

Not only did they surpass their goal, they were able to donate $1,000 to the National Parkinson’s Foundation.

Active Aging Week is an international campaign to promote wellness activities for adults over the age of 50 in a safe and supportive environment. Chair stands, going from a seated to a standing position, are an excellent way to build overall strength, and aid in balance and fall prevention. This exercise is widely used in their fitness center programs and classes. The Legacy Retirement Communities have held various events within the past few years to promote Active Aging Week and continually strive to incorporate creative ways to for their residents to lead an active, healthy lifestyle.

Paint. Drink. Have Fun. Sign Up For A Party And Join The Fun! PinotsPalette.com/lincoln 14

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

This year, the Legacy Retirement Communities combined their quest to keep active with their commitment to one of the company’s values: Community. CEO Greg Joyce added an incentive to push everyone to reach the 25,000 chair stand goal. If they met their goal, the company would donate $1,000 to a charity that serves the aging population. By the end of Active Aging Week, Joyce was signing a check to the National Parkinson’s Foundation for $1000 for the 29,623 chair stands that were performed.

Legacy Retirement Communities are leaders in the Senior Living Industry and provide independent living, assisted living and memory care at the Legacy Arbors. For more information, please visit www. legacyretirement.com or call (402) 436-3000.

BUSINESS NEWS Roper & Sons Extends Open Invitation to 2016 Remembrance Service Please join Roper & S o n s fo r a Remembrance Service on Sunday, December 11th at 2 p.m. in the Chapel. This service will honor those who have passed during 2016 and is open to anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one, whether or not services were provided by Roper & Sons. Coffee and dessert will be served following the service, and each attendee will receive a small gift from Roper & Sons, memorializing their loved one. Reservations appreciated at (402) 476-1225.

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Lincoln SCORE Launches Next RECIPE FOR YOUR SUCCESS Workshop Are you thinking of star ting a business? Do you need a refresher on the basics of running a business? Lincoln’s SCORE Chapter is here to help with an information-packed workshop series, led by experts in topics relating to starting and managing a small business. Don’t miss this opportunity to create a mock business plan and experience the steps it takes to begin a successful business with the guidance of professionals!

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Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Workshop - The new 2017 SCORE workshop series breaks it down into five Thursday night interactive sessions from 6:30-9:30 p.m. will be starting again in January: Startup Basics (Jan. 12); Business Concepts (Jan. 26); Marketing Plan (Feb. 9); Financial Projections (Feb. 23); Funding Sources (Mar. 9).

OPEN UNTIL 8PM 7 DAYS A WEEK

In cooperation with Southeast Community College and the Small Business Administration, this workshop series will be supplemented with individual one-on-one mentoring to provide help bringing you the utmost benefit for your business idea. Course materials will be provided in class. Individual mentoring sessions will be scheduled at the end of each class so bring your calendar! Course fee = $120. It is NOT too early to reserve your space now!

MAKE YOUR

Registration: Southeast Community College at (402) 437-2700.

Workshop Location: SCC Jack J. Huck Continuing Education Center Room 406 - 301 S. 68th Street Place - Lincoln, NE.

Nebraska Retail Federation, GROW Nebraska Present: Shop 4 Nebraska Nebraska’s storefronts are the backbone of our economy, and GROW Nebraska and The Nebraska Retail Federation are working together to build a stronger future for them.

The purpose of the Shop 4 Nebraska campaign is to drive in-store shopping statewide, increase awareness of local retailers, and reward those who support our economy. The overall goal is to build a strong brick-and-mortar business presence by increasing shoppers.

With the holiday season in full swing, we need to stand together to support these businesses and encourage others to shop in-store and in-state. Join in and #Shop4Nebraska!

For more information about Shop 4 Nebraska, or how to get involved, please visit www.grownebraska.org/shop-4-nebraska or call (402) 742-3121.

HOLIDAYS

MERRY! 48TH & R | 28TH & CORNHUSKER 14TH & P | 58TH & OLD CHENEY

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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Investing in the future -

Growing with Lincoln

You’re invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of the Cornhusker Bank Center at 8310 O Street on Saturday, January 14, 2017 between 8:30 AM and Noon for an opportunity to win cash and gift cards as you “Crack the Vault”, enjoy refreshments, and get a look at Lincoln’s New Premier Banking Center. Cornhusker Bank will be offering special products and rates to show our appreciation.

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Helping Your Business Grow Cornhusker Bank is committed to helping businesses grow and succeed, offering the products, services and relationships to serve you now and in the future.

16

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

402-434-2265 | CornhuskerBank.com

BUSINESS NEWS

Sinclair Hille Architects Celebrates 35th Anniversary Sinclair Hille Architects is celebrating 35 years in the practice of architecture. The Lincoln based firm, founded in 1981 by Principals Emeriti John Sinclair and Jim Hille, continues the tradition of providing excellent client service and design under the leadership of Principals Dan Grasso, Liz Bavitz, John Kay, Michael Penn and David Quade.

Associate principals are Richard Toren, Jim Krieger and Loree Pospisil.

Current Lincoln projects include the new Cyber Center for Sandhills Publishing on their campus, the new Cornhusker Bank Corporate Headquarters at 84th & O Streets and Hudl Headquarters in the West Haymarket. Projects across the state include the new Ogallala Operations Center for Nebraska Public Power District, the expansion of the Brandeis Dining Hall at Creighton University and projects for Nebraska Department of Roads.

Poised to continue to serve the Lincoln community and clients statewide, the owners guide the operation of their company through core values of integrity, community responsibility, environmental stewardship, innovation and leadership. To learn more about the firm, please visit their website at www.sinclairhille.com or call (402) 476-7331.

Heartland Optical Celebrates 10 Years of Investment in North Lincoln In 2006 Heartland Optical co-owners Tom and Casey Conrad partnered with the city of Lincoln to participate in the North 27th Street redevelopment. They transformed a blighted lot on the corner of 27th and Apple Street into their new corporate headquarters after thirty-five years in the original Heartland Optical location at 650 North 27th Street. Heartland Optical is a family owned and family run wholesale optical laboratory specializing in prescription safety eyewear and customer service to Lincoln’s leading employers like TMCO, Kawasaki, Duncan Aviation, and Molex. The current location houses a state-of-art lens laboratory, advanced vision care, and a wide variety of eyeglasses, sunglasses, and safety glasses.

Heartland Optical began when Dr. Ron Conrad and several other Nebraska optometrists purchased a wholesale optical laboratory in the early 1980s. In 1994, current co-owner, Casey Conrad, joined Heartland Optical with Tom Conrad coming on board in 2004. Over the past ten years Heartland Optical has experienced impressive positive growth from nine FTEs and a part time Optometrist to twentyone FTEs and two full time Optometrists. In January 2016 Heartland Optical utilized its thriving business model and quality brand to open a second store in Grand Island, NE. Additional information: www. heartlandoptical.com.

Haymarket Theatre Presents: David Sedaris’ Santaland Diaries The Haymarket Theatre has announced the upcoming run of performances for its David Sedaris’ Santaland Diaries production.

Based on the true chronicles of David Sedaris’ experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display, this cult classic riffs on a few of Sedaris’ truly odd encounters with his fellow man during the height of the holiday crunch. Performed by Lincoln’s very own Andy Dillehay, this hilarious production will appeal to both lovers of Christmas as well as those of us who are jaded by the consumerism of the holiday season.

Performance dates/times are as follows: Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 9 at 9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10 at 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.

Cost is $15 for adults and $12 for students/seniors. Tickets may be purchase online at HaymarketTheatre.org or at the Haymarket Theatre Box Office, which opens one hour prior to performance.

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18

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

BUSINESS NEWS

Destination Lincoln: Tourism Numbers Reach All-Time High for Lancaster County County Lodging Tax collections for the month of July 2016 reached an all-time high of $408,034.29, breaking the previous best by more than 16%. The tax is collected each time a lodging facility room is rented for an overnight stay in Lancaster County. Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jeff Maul attributes the growth to a focused effort by the City and County to expand area attractions and create a national awareness of Lincoln as a destination for conventions, sporting events and leisure travel.

Some of the more notable events in July of 2016 include: USA Roller Sports Indoor National Championships, World Tenpin Bowling Youth Championships, Cornhusker State Games, HobbyTown USA Annual Convention, Jehovah’s Witnesses District Convention.

County lodging taxes have steadily grown over the past decade, indicating the overall tourism climate in Lincoln and Lancaster County are improving. Year-to-date numbers for the 2016 fiscal year show collections are up more than 14% when compared to 2015. For a complete breakdown of the tax collections contact County Administrator Kerry Eagan at keagan@lancaster.ne.gov or (402) 441-7447.

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UNICO Group Recognized as Best Practices Agency for 7th Consecutive Year U N I C O Group has again been selected to be part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) “Best Practices” Study Group.

More than 1,800 independent agencies throughout the U.S. were nominated to take part in the annual study, but only 254 agencies qualified for the honor. To be chosen, the agency had to be among the top-performing agencies in one of six revenue categories. The selected “Best Practices” agencies retain their status during the three-year cycle by submitting extensive financial and operational data for review each year.

UNICO Group is an insurance and financial provider that offers a consultative and relational approach to the insurance process. For more information about business and personal insurance and financial needs, call (402) 434-7200 or visit unicogroup.com.

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This release reflects a correction from the previous version printed in the November 2016 issue.

Vision Exhibits Takes Home Top Honors A consistent winner of awards for their innovative designs and leadgenerating trade show exhibit solutions, Vision Exhibits has added three more awards to their extensive list of professional achievements.

Vision has been awarded two prestigious gold MarCom awards for their work on behalf of Xcellience, a company that offers scientific solutions to pharmaceutical and biotech companies world-wide and Bartlett & West, an engineering and technology firm. They also garnered an honorable mention for a two-level display that featured a Legos® themed environment for Union College.

The Xcellience display featured an open environment, repurposed graphics including LED edge lights around the graphics, a six-seat conference room and work stations for maximum interaction. Bartlett & West, a Topeka-based firm that exhibits at more than 40 tradeshows annually, needed interchangeable messaging and imaging as well as a scalable design that could be modified for different shows.

The MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. To check out the all the award-winning work from Vision Exhibits, go to visionexhibits.com.

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SPGroupPC.com 402-420-7758 DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

19

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FRIENDS 4 LUNCH

Last Month: The Normandy With the belief that fine dining is an experience everyone deser ves to e n j o y, T h e Normandy prides itself on bringing a genuine taste of premiere French cuisine to the Lincoln community. Set within an elegant yet casual French bistro, guests are welcomed by seasoned and experienced staff members all charged with the sole purpose of providing guests with a comfortable and exquisite dining experience.

We had an exceptional lunch! The favorites of the afternoon were the Quiche du Jour, Crépé Compléte and Croque Madame.

Head chef and owner Lawrence De Villiers personally greeted our group and welcomed us to the restaurant along with bidding us a fond farewell and extending the invitation to visit again, which is a must!

If you missed our last Friends4Lunch, we challenge you to get your friends together to check out The Normandy and play your own similar activity or event, or we encourage you to come to ours next month!

New Owners,

Same Great Design!

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Next Month: Venue Venue Restaurant & Lounge, located at 70th and Pioneers, is a longstanding local fine-dining favorite. Being Gluten-Free certified along with their extraordinary chef-inspired culinary creations, Venue serves as the ultimate place to gather and dine for any occasion. Their exceptional mixologists and amazing team welcomes all guests with the promise of unique eats, superbly crafted cocktails, an affordable menu, and outstanding catering and events services, all driven by a passion to extend the utmost hospitality.

To join us for lunch at Venue on December 9th, please RSVP to Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com or give us a call at (402) 466-3330.

Sutter Place brings your vision to life!

Visit our showroom today!

5221 South 48th St., Lincoln, NE 68516 (402) 483-2521 | www.SutterPlaceInteriors.com 20

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

Friends4Lunch is one of our continued monthly networking events held at one of our favorite local restaurants. The tradition was established in the hopes of offering a casual way to make valuable connections with friends and strangers alike in the area over lunch while supporting our clients and enjoying their amazing cuisine.

ASK THE EXPERT: COMPRO 402-488-5100 www.comproins.com

by Chris McPike, Vice President ComPro Insurance

Small Businesses: Review Group Insurance Options

It’s time for small businesses to look at group insurance.

The Affordable Care Act does not require a small business to offer health insurance to its employees. In Nebraska, a small business is defined as less than 50 full-time equivalent employees. Many employers in this category offer group benefits because it is a critical factor in attracting and retaining quality employees; particularly when the economy is growing and unemployment is low. The competition for employees demands it. Businesses that offer entry level jobs with lower salaries may not offer group benefits because their employees can get better insurance benefits at a lower premium through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Those employees would lose access to the Marketplace if group benefits were offered. Other employers have elected to not provide group insurance, but offer wage increases as a method of contributing to the cost of an employee’s health insurance.

Traditionally, premiums for an individual policy have been lower than premiums for a group insurance policy with similar benefits. But that has changed in 2017. Group premiums are now less than individual, so it’s time for small businesses to take another look. It’s even possible to write a group insurance policy for a group of 1. There are guidelines that must be met, but it can be a great option for a self-employed individual.

Here are some examples: Individual Bronze HSA

Group Bronze HSA

Individual Silver CoPay

Group Silver CoPay

2 Realtors $2,008 with an LLC, both age 63

$1,530

$2,348

$1,756

Professional $2,007 Corporation with 4 members, ages 55, 46, 35, & 25

$1,530

$2,346

$1,764

Start Up with $1,104 3 employees ages 30, 28, & 26

$842

$1,290

$970

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NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 31

Purchase $100 in gift cards & get a $15 bonus card* lincoln@eatfitgo.com | www.EATFITGO.com 2901 S. 84th St., Suite 2, Lincoln, NE 68506 | 402.875.2728 *In-store only. Bonus card must be used in store in which gift card was purchased.

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Contact your health insurance agent to find out if this is a good time for your business to implement a group insurance policy. If you don’t have one, contact Brian McPike or Kayla Northup at ComPro: (402) 488-5100 - brianmcpike@comproins.com - knorthup@comproins.com.

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www.McGillRestoration.com DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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Keep More Of Your Money!

CALL TODAY! 402.483.1214

JENNIFER & MATT KIRKLAND

1205 High Street • www.realtyworksne.com

Roofs Are What We Do! • Honest Answers, Not High Pressure Sales • We work with Insurance Companies • Residential & Commercial Roofing, Including (but not limited to): Commercial - EPDM, Coatings, and Spray Residential - Asphalt, Metal, and Synthetic • Established roofing company, providing overhead protection for 38+ years!

Give Us A Call Today! 402.476.2646 | www.arooftech.com

22

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

STAR CITY SIX

DAN Dan Mickells

UNICO GROUP UNICO Group, Inc. is a full-service insurance and financial services agency. With four locations and more than 100 team members across seven states, UNICO Group is an industry leader in the Midwest. Dan Mickells is Risk Advisor in the Business Division at UNICO Group.

Tell us a little about your business. - The services we provide range from commercial insurance, workers’ comp, and employee benefits to personal insurance, financial planning, human resource solutions and wellness solutions. I work in both our Lincoln and Omaha market areas with all types of businesses, assisting with insurance solutions and managing business risk exposures.

How did you get started in the business? - I previously worked for a national carrier where I was involved in all areas of insurance including agency, operations and claims management. I was approached by UNICO Group and immediately knew it was a perfect fit as I could leverage all my strengths to complement their team.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Professionally, I pride myself on being a lifelong learner and have achieved several insurance designations, most notably the CPCU designation. I feel that learning is critical. It helps me refresh my point of view, have a new take on the old way of doing things, and approach each day positively. I hope that I’ve instilled this curiosity for lifelong learning in my kids.

Tell us a little about your family. - My wife Tiffany manages the executive and high potential development programs for a large insurance company. We’ve been married for 20 years and have been blessed with three children. Sydney is a freshman at UNL, Peyton is a sophomore at Lincoln East, and our son Cole is a 5th grader at Maxey.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

- My dad was an insurance agent for State Farm Insurance and at a young age I was able to see the profound impact of his work up close and personal. This profession allows us to help people in some of the most difficult situations and at the same time build deep relationships in the community. He is my mentor and role model and I’m proud to be in the same field as him.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I’m an avid golfer, so I love a good game of golf.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - When I was 12 years old, I was selected as a batboy for the College World Series.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I have been actively involved in TeamMates for over five years. I really enjoy the opportunity to be paired in a mentoring relationship with a student. I have found that they are eager for someone to regularly coach them and provide a different perspective. I am also actively involved in the Nebraska Human Resource Institute (NHRI). This organization matches college-aged student leaders with students in elementary, middle and high school based on their capacity to demonstrate servant leadership qualities. This organization, too, focuses on the future – our kids – and I can’t think of a better way to spend my time.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - My favorites in Omaha are Maria’s Mexican Restaurant in Ralston (they have the best tacos around) and La Casa Pizzeria. In Lincoln, we love to have a night out at Vincenzo’s Italian Ristorante.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 429-2048; Email: dmickells@unicogroup.com; Website: www.unicogroup.com.

STAR CITY SIX

TARA Dr. Tara Mohl

GREEN CHIROPRACTIC Located at 1161 N. Cotner Blvd., Green Chiropractic has been serving Lincoln for over 30 years. Dr. Tara Mohl is the practice’s newest chiropractor.

Tell us a little about your business. - We are dedicated to helping you and your family live a healthy, pain-free life. We strive to give each person an exceptional chiropractic experience. Better spine, better life.

How did you get started in the business? - I was first introduced to chiropractic while I was completing my undergraduate degree at Nebraska Wesleyan. I knew I wanted to do something in the health care field but wasn’t quite sure what, so I shadowed some chiropractic offices and fell in love. I attended Cleveland Chiropractic College in Overland Park, KS and after graduation, I practiced there until my heart took me back home to Nebraska. I joined the team at Green Chiropractic about a year ago and it was the best decision that I have ever made.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - I learned quickly that our society is so used to seeing the word ‘healthcare’ and relating it to drugs and surgery. But that isn’t healthcare - it’s sick care. Drugs and surgery are important in crisis situations but unfortunately that is when a lot of people make their health care decisions – when something major goes wrong. The approach chiropractic takes is a proactive one that makes sense if one is looking at life-long health success. The nervous system is the most important system in the body as it controls everything. If it isn’t functioning like it should, neither will anything else. That is why spinal health is so important! With all of the mixed messages in our everyday life from the media, shifting this typical viewpoint is my greatest challenge.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? I’m proud to be a certified practitioner of Chiropractic BioPhysics® or CBP®, the most advanced, most researched technique in chiropractic.

These procedures are used to help you look, feel and move better.

In short, we correct postural distortions created by repeated or prolonged pressure on the spinal cord and nerves as a result of injury, repetitive work, stress, gravity, sports and the aging process.

We are able to move the spine back into as normal a position as possible and restore proper function.

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Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married to my husband Brian for 5 years. We have an amazing, spunky 2 year old son. Having my little guy really allowed me to learn more about women’s health, pregnancy and pediatrics in chiropractic.

I’ve received additional training and certifications in these areas through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. In our family, we love all things sports. We cheer on the KC Royals and of course, the Huskers!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - If you truly give 100% to your patients and give them good care and service, your business will prosper.

Which talent would you most like to have? - I wish I could sing well.

I love listening to music and I get goosebumps when I’m at an event (like a wedding) and the singer is amazing. I’ve attempted karaoke a few times, but let’s be honest, it’s hard on the ears.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Call Green Chiropractic at (402) 466-6454 or visit our website at www.drgreenchiro.com to request more information or make an appointment.

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DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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24

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

JEFF Jeff Killeen

ENGINEERED CONTROLS Engineered Controls Inc. is a locally owned and operated business specializing in building automation, access and security control solutions. Headquartered in Omaha, Engineered Controls also has full-service branch offices in Lincoln and Des Moines, IA, providing sales, consulting, construction and 24/7 services support. Jeff Killeen is the Business Development Manager for Engineered Controls Inc. Tell us a little about your business. - As a leading building control technology contractor, Engineered Controls’ goal is to provide customers with products and services to create efficient, safe and comfortable building environments. Engineered Controls offers complete turnkey building control solutions including system design, new construction and owner-direct retrofit sales, installation, repair service, and preventative maintenance work for smart buildings. We employ over 90 people throughout Nebraska and our employees collectively represent over 825 years of industry experience. When combined with our hands-on experience, this ensures that our clients receive the most cost-effective and professional service possible.

How did you get started in the business? - I just recently joined Engineered Controls within the past 6 months. Having my father in the business for 40+ years, I was always around it growing up so when an opportunity presented itself earlier this year, it felt like the right time to make a change to an industry I’ve been around all my life.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Developing a good understanding of local/regional economy and all of the different vertical markets that Engineered Controls is involved in. ECI can provide solutions for building automation systems including HVAC controls, security & access controls, lighting controls, gas detection systems, and parking management systems.

Tell us a little about your family. - I’ve been married to my beautiful wife, Jessica, for the past 9 years. We have two very busy children, Brynn (7) and Gavin (5), and a dog, Nala. Jessica works as a kindergarten teacher in the Elkhorn school district and both kids are active in swimming and gymnastics.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - I feel like I’ve had several, from playing college football, to getting married, to the births of my children. Probably the most recent major turning point was the decision to switch career paths and come to work for Engineered Controls.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Swimming or boating with my wife, kids, and friends.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I am also a registered pharmacist.

What are you the most proud of? - My kids. They make us laugh a lot and are growing up to be good friends and people.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Communication is the key.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Trustworthy.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Professional athlete. I’d love to get paid to play sports for a living.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - I recently read all of the Game of Thrones books and enjoyed them a lot.

What is your favorite movie? - I’m a big Indiana Jones fan!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Frank Sinatra.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Office: (402) 339-1300; Email: jkilleen@engineeredcontrols.com; Website: www.engineeredcontrols.com.

STAR CITY SIX

TAMERA Tamera Toof

REAL ESTATE AVENUES: THE BROKERAGE, LLC Real Estate Avenues: The Brokerage, LLC is a real estate firm specializing in residential properties in the Lincoln area. Located in the Haymarket Square Building, the locally owned and operated firm is best known for its tech-savvy approach to providing a simplified process for buyers and sellers. Tamera Toof is a Senior Partner at Real Estate Avenues: The Brokerage, LLC. How did you get started in the business? - I was working as a recruiter/ headhunter for companies, hiring salespeople. I was asked by a local real estate brokerage if I would join the team as a realtor and also assist with business development. I said yes!

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Balancing career and family. I consider it to be a work in progress every day.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Becoming a senior partner with Real Estate Avenues: The Brokerage, LLC. The system we have created to support the success of our real estate agents has allowed me to work smarter, not harder. It’s freed up my time to spend more of it with my family, allowing me to achieve that important family-career balance, which to me really defines success.

Tell us a little about your family. - I am married to Jim Toof, who is a lender here in town. We have 5 active children who are a blessing to our lives.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

- Marrying Jim. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - In the winter I like to go to movies. In the summer I love to sit by the pool or the lake.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I enjoy public speaking and sharing what has worked for me in sales and business so others can be challenged to grow and achieve their goals and dreams.

What are you the most proud of? - My husband and children.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. I truly, truly believe that.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Unforgettable by Frank Sinatra.

If you could be a superhero, which one would you be? - Wonder Woman!

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Public speaking. I am working towards doing more of this.

Which talent would you most like to have? - I embrace my God-given talents and am content with them.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Author and professional speaker.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Friendship Home, because they provide a much-needed safe place for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.

What is your favorite movie? - Overboard.

What is your favorite TV show? - The Voice.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Copal Progressive Mexican Cuisine at 48th & Pioneers.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Goldie Hawn.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Feel free to give me a call at (402) 450-8882, email me at tameratoof@reathebrokerage.com, or check out my webpage at www. reathebrokerage.com/tamera-toof.

Buying Or Selling A Business...

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DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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Alignment Matters

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GREEN CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Thomas L. Green Dr. Tara Mohl Schedule an appointment today!

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26

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

STAR CITY SIX

JORDAN Jordan Hamann-Heiser

SARTOR HAMANN JEWELERS Sartor Hamann Jewelers is a full-service, family-owned fine jeweler with deep roots in the Lincoln community dating back well over a century to when the company was founded here in 1905. Jordan Hamann-Heiser is Head Buyer at Sartor Hamann Jewelers.

Tell us a little about your business. - We pride ourselves in helping our customers find the perfect gifts for the most special times in their lives. This year marks our 111th anniversary of doing business here in Nebraska! We have 3 locations serving customers statewide and beyond, including a full-service jewelry manufacturing house in downtown Lincoln, a beautiful showroom at SouthPointe Pavilions, and another showroom in Grand Island, NE. How did you get started in the business? - I’m a 4th generation Hamann and have been around the stores and staff my entire life. My dad always had gemstone books lying around the house and I loved to flip through them. I started at Sartor Hamann at age 14, wrapping Christmas gifts and cleaning jewelry during the holidays, and continued working there part-time through high school and college. After I graduated from the University of Nebraska I moved to Carlsbad, CA and attended school at the Gemological Institute of America, receiving my degree in Graduate Gemology. Now I travel around the country buying and stocking our showrooms with beautiful pieces.

Tell us a little about your family. - I’ve been married to my husband Pat for 2 1/2 years and we are expecting our first child, a daughter, in March! My Sartor Hamann family is equally important, and being able to work with my grandfather and father every day, learning from them, is a treat.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love to be outside working in my yard and planting. This spring, I spent Thursday mornings with the volunteers and staff at the Sunken Gardens and Hamann Rose Garden planting and preparing them for the summer crowds.

My husband and I also love to travel; a few of our favorite spots are Arizona and Colorado.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Always be kind to everyone, no matter what. You never know what someone is going through in their life.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - If I wasn’t in the gemology/jewelry industry I would love to be in the farming industry! Particularly plant horticulture and flower farming. I love the reward you get from planting something and then watching it grow and evolve into something beautiful and sustaining. Being able to harvest and share with others would be the cherry on top.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Don Hamann, my grandfather, has always been passionate about the Lincoln community and we at Sartor Hamann love to give back to our amazing city. We are actively involved in numerous local non-profit groups, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the People’s City Mission. Don is a huge fan of supporting the arts in our community as well as our local parks, which includes organizations such as the Lied Center for Performing Arts and Lincoln Parks & Recreation.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. It’s a World War II novel about young sisters trying to survive and save the lives of others. So good!

What is your favorite local restaurant? - MōMō Pizzeria & Ristorante.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 476-8561; Email: jordan@sartorhamann.com; Website: www.sartorhamann.com.

STAR CITY SIX

ABBY Abby Bartholomew

ESCAPE LINCOLN Escape Lincoln is a local entertainment experience where you and your group spend up to an hour locked in a room trying to solve your way out. Abby Bartholomew is a co-owner of Escape Lincoln.

Tell us a little about your business. - Each room has a theme and a specific objective, and you have to work together to escape.

Our bookings are always for your private party, meaning you won’t be working with strangers on your mission. We also have great options for large groups looking to plan bigger outings.

We are located in the Historic Haymarket in the basement of The Apothecary building; the character of the area and our building in particular provide the perfect atmosphere.

How did you get started in the business? - Anh McClure, another Nebraska native, and I started Escape Lincoln because we saw a great opportunity to share an activity we loved with our community.

While on a business trip in Scotland, we only had one evening to see some sights and experience Edinburgh. We were looking for something to add that would be unique, and we stumbled upon a local escape room there. Having never heard of the concept before, we were immediately enthralled… a live game where we get to solve puzzles for an hour? Yes, please! We escaped with two minutes to spare and were hooked. Over the following months, we kept coming back to the idea of bringing one to Lincoln. We decided to go for it, and a couple months after that we were opening our doors!

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What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - I think small businesses like ours face new challenges every day, especially with a lean team. For me, it’s been continuing to seek work/life balance. I struggled with this in the corporate world, and owning a business has only upped the ante! Anh and I are both perfectionists and we care so much about Escape Lincoln and the experience customers have there that it can be difficult to make personal life a priority. There is always work to be done, but selfcare is an important piece of that puzzle. Having each other has really helped, because we can encourage (or occasionally force!) the other to take some time off, to remember how great we are doing, or to eat a brownie.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - When I was younger, I wanted to be a pediatrician. I think I could have worked hard and enjoyed the medical field, but I realized I was too emotional. I really respect that nurses and doctors are able to set aside or channel their emotions in order to focus on what needs to be done in order to help patients.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? Lincoln has so many wonderful nonprofits doing amazing work for our communities, but one of my favorites is Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters. We have had the opportunity to work with them closely on a few events, and on top of being a great organization they are truly amazing people. We are currently cooking up something for next year—stay tuned!

What is your favorite local restaurant? - I have so many! Currently, it’s Maggie’s Vegetarian Café (nut meat tacos) and Leadbelly (peanut butter burger or grilled cheese).

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If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Either through our website, www.escapelincoln.com, or via email at info@escapelincoln.com.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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FOSTER CARE

Declan felt that no one believed in him.

That’s what he told the CEDARS team when he came into their care. He was leaving a situation of instability and neglect. Though he was a sophomore in high school, he was behind his peers.

Instability at home preoccupied his mind, which left him unable to concentrate in class. He felt judged and looked down upon.

Who would believe in his potential?

For a teenager in the foster care system, Declan was experiencing a very understandable fear.

For many potential foster parents, the picture has been painted for them that they will be opening up their homes to babies and young children. In some cases, this is true, but the reality is there are many teenagers in need of the safety, stability and family relationships that a foster family can provide. CEDARS foster care works with all ages of children and youth in crisis.

“Foster care is the situation that these kids are in, but it doesn’t need to define who they are,” says Adrianne Poppe, CEDARS foster care recruiter. “They have been dealt a hard hand, but that shouldn’t define who they are. They have the same excitement, hope and pride that other children have. They really just want someone who’s going to open their home to them, take time to sit down with them, get to know a little bit about them and just be their support and give them love.”

Every day, CEDARS foster care team is working to ensure that over 200 foster children and youth flourish in out-of-home care.

Because foster parents are an integral part of the CEDARS professional team, they have access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, monthly support groups and quarterly gatherings for foster families, as well as regularly scheduled training opportunities.

Acknowledging Declan’s fears, and understanding how difficult such a transition can be, the CEDARS team thoughtfully placed him into Jim and Rhea’s loving foster home. By layering in mental health support for Declan and support for Jim and Rhea, all involved were confident that this was a good fit.

Jim and Rhea enjoyed having a teenager in the home. Declan could drive himself to and from school, and at the dinner table the three of them could discuss the news and difficult subjects with relative ease. Their patience and love allowed Declan to open up in the home.

Declan confided in CEDARS staff recently how much confidence he has because Jim and Rhea believe in him.

There is a huge need to care for hurting children in Nebraska.

Christian Heritage turns away children every week because we do not have enough foster parents to care for them.

If you would like to schedule a home visit to learn more about foster care please call Brian Berrier at (402) 421-5426.

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28

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

It is important to know that there is no typical CEDARS foster family. Our foster families include parents with children at home, single adults, couples hoping to adopt and empty nesters. To help, all you need is a stable home, an open heart, and a willingness to reach out to a child in need. CEDARS is committed to providing foster children and foster families the best experience possible, and thoroughly enjoy walking alongside families as they uncover the rich rewards of seeing a foster son or daughter begin to relax and grow in their home.

Foster parents play a special role in the life of a child. If you have ever considered fostering and would like more information, please contact Adrianne Poppe at (402) 8901410 or apoppe@cedars-kids.org.

PERSONNEL NEWS Jordan Nun Promoted to VP of Sales and Marketing for Yield Champions Dennis Nun, President of Yield Champions, has announced the appointment of Jordan Nun of Lincoln, NE as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jordan and his wife, Sarah, have been associated fulltime with the Conklin Company, Inc. and Yield Champions since 2011, where he has developed a group of crop production clients across Nebraska and northeast Kansas. He has also been recognized as a Sales Director and President’s Club Member by the Conklin Company. Jordan was selected as a member of the Nebraska LEAD Program for Class 35 in 2015, which will be traveling in January 2017 to Thailand, Laos and China on their LEAD Agricultural Study-Travel Seminar.

Dennis says, “I’ve been associated with the Conklin Company, Inc. since 1974, so my son Jordan really grew up with our business and has literally traveled the country as our business has expanded to all 50 states. We were excited to have him join our business in 2011 as an Independent Distributor and he has developed an impressive client base of his own while serving our entire organization as a trainer, videographer, webmaster and speaker at numerous local, state and national events.”

31333133 S. 7th • Suite D D S. Street 7th Street • Suite

For more information, please visit www.YieldChampions.com or contact Jordan via email or text, JordanDNun@gmail.com | (402) 540-1545.

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Scott Vyskocil of NAI FMA Realty Named 2016 CPM of the Year NAI FMA Realty is pleased to announce Scott Vyskocil, vice president, property management, has been named the 2016 “CPM of the Year” by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) Nebraska Chapter. The award was presented at the chapter’s annual past presidents and award luncheon held on October 20 in Omaha, NE. Vyskocil joined NAI FMA in 2003 and achieved his CPM designation from IREM in 2007. During his 30 years in the industry, he has attained a broad range of real estate property/asset management experience. He was previously awarded the CPM of the Year in 2008. Vyskocil is currently vice president, property management at NAI FMA Realty. He has managed office, medical office and retail properties throughout the U.S. including a 1.1 million-square-foot enclosed mall. He currently oversees and directs the property management division supporting institutional and private owners of real estate close to 4 million-square-feet.

He is a 2011 past president of the IREM Nebraska chapter and is a current board member and legislative committee chair. In the community, Vyskocil serves on the board of directors for the Capital Humane Society and past chair 2013-2014, serves on the local Better Business Bureau advisory board, 2010-11 past chair and Better Business Bureau corporate board of directors (serving Neb., S.D., Southwest Iowa and Kansas Plains), and also serves on the board for Nebraska Association of Commercial Property Owners. He is a Leadership Lincoln graduate and involved in the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.

NAI FMA Realty is a full-service commercial real estate firm and a member of NAI Global, the largest, most powerful global network of owner-operated commercial real estate brokerage firms. They provide client-focused solutions in the areas of brokerage, tenant representation, property management, facility maintenance, lease administration, research and project coordination. To learn more, visit www.naifmarealty. com or call (402) 441-5800.

402.483.7575 402.483.7575 info@pioneerprintinginc.com info@pioneerprintinginc.com

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DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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PERSONNEL NEWS HomeServices of Nebraska Welcomes Greg Wright as IT Network Analyst

MIT Images 360 Spreads the Word About Virtual Tours With Addition of Kelly Sundling

HomeServices of Nebraska has announced the recent hire of Greg Wright to the position of IT Network Analyst.

MIT Images 360 (mitimages360.com), a business that shoots Google Streetview virtual tours of business interiors in Omaha, Lincoln and beyond, has added another member to its team to help more businesses take advantage of the virtual tour opportunity.

Wright comes to HomeServices after a 15year career with The Gallup Organization.

In his new role, he will be an integral part of the technology department of HomeServices, from evaluating existing systems to offering application and hardware support.

Wright also spent eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an intelligence analyst during the end of the Cold War, when he was honorably discharged. Wright is engaged to his former junior high sweetheart with whom he reconnected after 32 years, and he has a 5-year-old son, Jack. In his spare time, he enjoys fitness, PC gaming and drumming with his son.

HomeServices of Nebraska is a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate. It includes the entities of HOME Real Estate, Woods Bros Realty, Nebraska Land Title and Abstract (NLTA), HomeServices Lending, HomeServices of Nebraska Insurance, Home Owners Plus and the Larabee School of Real Estate. For more information about HomeServices of Nebraska, please call (402) 434-3700.

Kelly Sundling, who has had extensive experience in retail management, has joined the team of professionals who provide Google Streetview virtual tours of business interiors. Other team members include Randy McGinnis of Bellevue and Lori Black of Lincoln.

MIT Images 360 shoots rich vivid 360-degree virtual walking tours of business interiors that are placed on Google business pages.

They are also available for business websites. For an affordable price, MIT Images 360 photographers will shoot the virtual tour along with traditional interior photos and place them on Google within one to two weeks. The tours boost a company’s presence on Google.

For more information, contact Black at (402) 807-3236.

LINCOLN’S ONLY

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10 2017

Information Session Concordia’s Lincoln Campus 12 to 1 p.m.

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CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA 570 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 203 Lincoln, NE 68521 Refreshments will be provided.

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30

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

PERSONNEL NEWS Union Bank & Trust Promotes Dinger, Gutschenritter and Sweigard Union Bank & Trust recently promoted Stephanie Dinger to Vice President of Small Business Banking, Stacy Gutschenritter to Assistant Vice President – Relationship and Education Manager, and Nicole Sweigard to Vice President - UNL. Dinger joined Union Bank in 2003 as a FullTime Teller and has held numerous positions, most recently as Vice President – Customer Service. In her new role as Vice President of Small Business Banking, she is responsible for creating a small business banking department at UBT to help serve business customers more efficiently. She will be responsible for all aspects of the Small Business Banking department including products, processes, and customer relationships. Dinger attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2003.

Gutschenritter joined Union Bank in 1993 and has held positions in Customer Service and Consumer Lending, most recently holding the position of Trust Officer & Education Manager within Retirement Plan Services.

In her role as Assistant Vice President – Relationship and Education Manager, Gutschenritter will be responsible for managing the Financial Education Consultant Team and serve as the relationship manager for company sponsored retirement plan customers. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1996 with a degree in Business Administration.

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Sweigard has been with Union Bank for Nicole Sweigard eight years and held the previous positions of Financial Wellness Educator in Retirement Plan Services and most recently as the Business Development Manager at UNL. In her expanded role at UNL, she will oversee all UBT activities with the University including the UNL branch, developing and implementing outreach strategies, growth plans and working with the faculty and staff on campus. Sweigard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bemidji State University.

Union Bank & Trust (www.ubt.com) is a privately owned, Nebraska bank that offers complete banking, lending, investment and trust services.

The bank has thirty-eight full service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. In addition to Lincoln and Omaha, branches are located in twenty-one Nebraska communities. It is the third-largest privately-owned bank in Nebraska with bank assets of $3.5 billion and trust assets of $15.5 billion as of June 30, 2016.

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know & Who Knows You! At Strictly Business Magazine, we strive to recognize local businessmen and women for their significant awards, promotions, ac hievements, and/or efforts in partnership with other organizations and the Lincoln community. If you know of someone who meets these criteria and wish to include their news in our publication, please call (402) 466-3330 or submit your news via our website at www.strictly-business.com.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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PERSONNEL NEWS

Steve Ferguson Joins Smoking Gun Jerky Lincoln-based Smoking Gun Jerky is pleased to announce the addition of Steve Ferguson to the expanding Smoking Gun Jerky team. Steve will be overseeing the Smoking Gun Distribution & Warehouse Operations. His duties will include shipping and receiving, freight handling and warehousing.

Steve recently retired from the City of Seward, Parks and Recreation Department where he spent the last 36 years as Parks & Recreation Director.

ServiceMaster PBM Announces Promotion of William Vaughn Ser viceMaster Professional Building Maintenance is excited to announce the recent promotion of William Vaughn to Director of Operations.

Vaughn, who joined the team in July of 2005, has worked diligently for 11 years to grow and develop professionally to get where he is today. He is very wellversed and educated on all aspects of the company and brings a wealth of experience and strong work ethic to his new leadership role.

Smoking Gun Jerky Marinades are rapidly gaining popularity all over the country, especially with outdoorsmen who are making their own jerky at home with wild game and Smoking Gun Jerky Marinade.

Smoking Gun Jerky Marinade can be found nationwide in all of the Scheels All-Sports stores.

ServiceMaster Professional Building Maintenance provides a wide variety of commercial cleaning services performed by a team of experts who are trained, screened and tested to ensure topquality, consistent results. It is currently the only cleaning company in Nebraska to be GS-42 certified by Green Seal and is dedicated to utilizing the latest equipment and technology coupled with the safest, most environmentally-friendly cleaning agents on the market.

ServiceMaster PBM is the clean you expect with the service you deserve.

For more information about Smoking Gun Jerky and their growing list of products and retailers, visit www.smokinggunjerky.com, call (402) 467-6315 or stop by the retail location at 43rd & R Streets, right next door to Raising Cane’s.

For more information on ServiceMaster Professional Building Maintenance, please contact Ashley Tobias at (402) 476-2194, via email at hr@smpbm.com, or visit the company’s website at smpbm.com.

Smoking Gun Jerky is Nebraska’s premiere jerky manufacturer, with products in local Hy-Vee stores, Schmick’s Market, A Street Market, Russ’s and Super Saver stores as well as other local retail merchants.

Nebraskans have a culture of integrity.

Your bank should share this culture and be committed to your best interests.

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westgatebank.com | 402-434-3456 | member FDIC 32

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

PERSONNEL NEWS

Mari Jo Mentzer to Lead Larabee School of Real Estate Mari Jo Mentzer has been named the Director of Education for the Larabee School of Real Estate.

A native of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Mentzer earned her degree in adult education from Bellevue University. She has more than 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, with three years specializing in real estate education. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking in Colorado and writing. Mentzer has three adult children and two adorable grandsons with whom she enjoys spending her free time.

The Larabee School of Real Estate is part of HomeServices of Nebraska, which is a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America. Larabee School offers pre-license and continuing education classes for real estate agents and brokers throughout Nebraska. For information on the Larabee School, visit www.

LarabeeSchool.com.

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Ohlmann and Wagoner to Lead Inpatient Therapy for Madonna’s Omaha Campus Michele Ohlmann, physical therapist (PT) and Cheryl Wagoner, speech language pathologist (MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CBIS) have been named the inpatient therapy directors for Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals— Omaha Campus. Ohlmann will oversee the acute rehabilitation taking place for both adults and children and Wagoner will direct the inpatient rehabilitation for the Rehabilitation Specialty Hospital.

Ohlmann is currently the inpatient therapy director for the Lincoln Campus. She oversees Michele Ohlmann the inpatient physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapies and therapy support services. Since joining Madonna’s therapy team in 1993, she’s been a member of several acute rehabilitation programs, including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, orthopedic and pediatrics.

She has served in a variety of leadership positions, including inpatient PT supervisor, clinical coordinator of clinical education, stroke program leader and is currently a stroke team mentor. Ohlmann attended the University of Cheryl Wagoner Nebraska-Kearney and holds a Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Wagoner is responsible for the management of the inpatient physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapies and therapy support service of both campuses’ Rehabilitation Specialty Hospital. She has 16 years of expertise as an SLP at the Lincoln Campus. Her varied leadership positions for the organization include being a mentor and a Passy-Muir® clinical consultant. Wagoner received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds a Master of Science degree in speech language pathology from UNL. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals (www.madonna.org) offers worldclass medical rehabilitation and research. Specializing in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, pulmonary conditions, stroke and neurological diseases for adults and children; Madonna takes the most medically complex cases. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital-Lincoln Campus is located at 5401 South Street; (402) 413-3000. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital-Omaha Campus is located at 17500 Burke Street; (402) 401-3100.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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2701 (48t

PERSONNEL NEWS Debbie Brown Named President/COO of The Barnes Group

Cornhusker Bank Announces Promotion of Crystal Wichita to COO

The Barnes Group is excited to announce that Debbie Brown has been promoted to President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the company. Brown has been with The Barnes group since 2003 and most recently served as Vice President of Operations.

Cornhusker Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Crystal Wichita to Chief Operating Officer.

Ms. Wichita joined Cornhusker Bank in 2009 has served as VP/ Information Technology and has most recently served as CIO, where she has been responsible building upon the bank’s great technology foundation, while driving new efficiencies in operations. “Crystal and her team will focus on enhancing the bank’s hub and spoke model from the new Cornhusker Bank Center at 84th and O Street, which will celebrate its Grand Opening in January 2017.”

As Chief Operating Officer Crystal will be integral in continuing a long heritage of innovation at Cornhusker Bank. Mr. Lockard noted, “As Cornhusker Bank continues to grow, our philosophy is to always enhance the customer experience, be it the personal or the electronic experiences.

As banking continues to grow across multiple channels, we are pleased to have Crystal leading this area of the bank and helping to create the next generation of Cornhusker Bank’s 360 experience.”

Cornhusker Bank remains Lincoln’s oldest locally owned bank, demonstrating stability, soundness, and continued commitment to the success of its valued customers and associates. For more information, please visit CornhuskerBank.com.

In her new role, Brown will be responsible for all aspects of corporate operations, which include the company’s 375 employees in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota.

The Barnes Group recently opened its 45th location, a Supercuts at 3535 Holdrege Street, Suite 120 in Lincoln, NE, and plans to continue to expand in the Midwest.

The Barnes Group is comprised of Cost Cutters and Supercuts concepts with 45 salons in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. Cost Cutters and Supercuts salons are dedicated to providing families with convenient hair care services including haircutting, hair color and more at an affordable price. Whether you need a simple cut or a complete new look, their team of highly trained professional stylists can help you find the style you are searching for. The salons also carry a complete line of professional products to meet all of your hair care needs.

To learn more about The Barnes Group, locate a salon or for career opportunities, visit www.barnesgroupne.com or follow them on Facebook.

Do the Health Care Reform requirements and the 1094/1095 reporting requirments leave you dizzy?

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Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

PERSONNEL NEWS Community Crops Hires New Executive Director Ben McShane-Jewell

STOP SEARCHING FOR TALENT. START FINDING IT.

Community Crops has hired Ben McShaneJewell as their new Executive Director. Ben brings a passion for local food and great leadership skills to the position.

With unmatched know-how, perfected processes and access to qualified candidates, we can find the talented people you need faster.

Ben has been the Community and Youth Gardens Program Manager for three years.

Before Ben came to Crops, he focused his work and academics around food access for communities across the country. For ten years, he has worked across the country to create programs that increase food access through various means, including urban agriculture.

1631 Pine Lake Road Lincoln 402.484.5511

Ben earned a Master’s degree at Colorado State University, where his research focused on food culture and food insecurity on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. His subsequent PhD research at Arizona State University (ASU) has focused on urban poverty, food insecurity and urban agriculture in Detroit.

Ben is a voting member of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Food Policy Council, Community Garden Task Force, and a member of the Board of Directors of NeighborWorks Lincoln.

Community Crops is a Lincoln-based non-profit organization that helps people grow healthy food through a network of 12 community gardens, the Growing Farmers Training Program, school gardens, CSA (vegetable subscription) and educational classes. For more information, visit www.communitycrops.org or call (402) 474-9802.

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Stan and Vicky Smith Recognized as Sales Directors by Conklin Company, Inc. Dennis Nun, President of Yield Champions, has announced the appointment and recognition of Stan and Vicky Smith of Lincoln, NE as Sales Directors. They began their association with the Conklin Company, Inc. as Independent Wholesale Distributors in 2001 after m o v i n g t o L i n c o l n f ro m Imperial, NE. They were appointed Sales Managers in February of 2011, District Managers in October of 2011, and qualified for President’s Club in 2015. Since then they have developed an ever-growing business serving farming operations in southwest Nebraska, eastern Nebraska and eastern Iowa.

Dennis adds, “Stan and Vicky are an amazing couple and have become great friends. It has been a pleasure to work with them for the past 15 years and see them develop a network of field managers and clients across Nebraska and Iowa. In addition to providing sales and service to his own network of customers, Stan serves at the manager for our Conklin Business Center here in Lincoln that serves as a local warehouse and training center for Yield Champions. We couldn’t serve the Lincoln area without this guy. We are proud of their accomplishments.”

For more information, please visit www.YieldChampions.com or contact directly via email at Dennis@300Bushelcorn.info or text to (402) 430-7727.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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PERSONNEL NEWS Chris McPike Awarded Health Underwriter of the Year The Lincoln Association of Health Underwriters (LAHU) recently awarded its distinguished Health Underwriter of the Year Award to Christine McPike.

“What Chris has done and continues to do for our industry is priceless,” said LAHU president elect Cortney Ray. “She epitomizes what it means to be a broker for the people, going above and beyond for her clients, as well as the health insurance industry.”

Chris has been active in NAHU for 6 years, currently serving as the President Elect for the Nebraska Chapter. She is the Vice President of Compensation Programs, Inc., a family owned agency since 1990.

Prior to ComPro, Chris was the business manager for KOLN/KGIN TV for 14 years.

“The past few years have been a tumultuous time for our industry,” said Anissa Schroeder, LAHU public service chair. “From working with law makers, to serving on boards, to patiently focusing on the health care needs of each of her clients, Chris serves tirelessly, with a passion that inspires others.”

The National Association of Health Underwriters (www.nahu.org) represents 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans.

West Gate Bank Mortgage Lenders Receive Recognition

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Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

We s t G a t e B a n k Mortgage is proud to announce four of their m o r t ga ge l e n d i n g officers were named to the Nebraska Mortgage Association “Champions Circle” at the NMA 2016 Annual Fall Conference on September 22, 2016.

The four lenders that received recognition were: Wayne Kreikemeier, senior vice president, residential mortgage manager; Marla Stahl, assistant vice president, mortgage division; Denise Spencer, mortgage loan officer; and Anna Lyman, mortgage loan officer.

To qualify, Lincoln-based lenders needed to exceed 100 loans or 12 million dollars in loan volume in the twelve-month period from August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016. “We’re pleased to have so many of our lending team qualify for this recognition,” said Mark Hansen, president of West Gate Bank Mortgage. “West Gate Bank Mortgage continues to grow because of the efforts of these individuals. In addition to the local decision-making, processing and loan servicing we offer our mortgage clients, the excellent service that our lenders provide positions us to continue that growth.”

West Gate Bank is a full-service community bank focused on Lincoln. Stop by any of our seven branches to experience the local community bank difference and see how Lincoln’s Bank can serve you. Free checking, free gifts and a buyback program for your unused checks and debit cards. Visit www.westgatebank.com for more information.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Child Advocacy Center Seeking Community Partners to Host Snack Drives Is your business or organization looking for a simple way to make a difference this holiday season? Consider hosting a snack drive for the Child Advocacy Center.

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Children who come to the CAC are facing difficult issues, including alleged sexual assault, serious physical abuse and neglect. The center provides a child-friendly space where children can tell their story in their own words to experts trained to handle trauma.

The CAC also offers medical evaluations and ongoing advocacy for children and their families.

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During this time in a child’s life, CAC staff puts special care into making the environment at the center as comfortable and inviting as possible. One way we do this is by offering snacks and juice boxes for each child. Items we need include: juice boxes, individually packaged snack foods (peanut-free) and coffee K-cups for the caregivers. If you are interested in supporting the mission of the Child Advocacy Center through hosting a snack drive, call Carole Tanner at (402) 476-3200 or email carole@smallvoices.org. To make a monetary donation online or for more information, visit the CAC website at www.smallvoices.org.

Together we can make a difference and put more power behind small voices.

Gifts to The Gathering Place Matched in December Thanks to a generous donor, all donations received for The Gathering Place through December 31st will be matched 1:1.

The Gathering Place is a soup kitchen based in Lincoln, just two blocks south of the Nebraska State Capitol Building, that serves hot evening meals Monday through Friday to those struggling with hunger. Last year, The Gathering Place served over 25,000 meals. Of these meals, 30% were served between the months of October and December, demonstrating an increased need for meals during the holiday months.

“Food insecurity is especially prevalent this time of year,” said Vi See, Executive Director of Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties, the organization that oversees operations at The Gathering Place. “Thank you to our match sponsor and to the Lincoln community for considering a gift to The Gathering Place to ensure that the most vulnerable people in Lincoln have access to a hot meal this holiday season.”

You can bring joy and nourishment to Gathering Place guests this holiday season!

Donations can be sent to Community Action, Attn: Gathering Place, 210 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68508 or made online at www. communityactionatwork.org.

Thank you for your consideration! If you have questions, please contact Heather Loughman at (402) 875-9339 or hloughman@ communityactionatwork.org.

A Butler Builder® can bring your vision to life.

While Butler® building systems are pre-engineered, their final design is not predetermined. Using Butler’s advanced engineering capabilities, we can help you design a building from the ground up. Even special design elements like skylights, fascias, and entrance systems can be incorporated to produce not just any building, but your building.

For systems that meet your building needs, choose Butler. For the experience and expertise to get the job done, choose us, your local Butler Builder®.

Contact us at 402-475-5030 or visit us on the web www.tcwconstruction.com

2013 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America.

©

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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NON-PROFIT NEWS “Pat Clinch Peace Project” Supporters Donate $13,625 to Mourning Hope

HBAL Santa Cops Project Volunteers Build Homemade Gifts for Children in Need

When life-altering events occur, our perspective is forever changed.

That is what occurred when Pat Clinch was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2015 a month before the birth of his second child. The community rallied to support Pat and his family as they struggled with rising medical bills and accepting the reality of an aggressive cancer. It was during a fundraiser on behalf of the Pleskac-Clinch family that Pat made it known that his wish was to dedicate his life to serving others, living fully by giving back.

Ultimately, the cancer took his physical life. But the spirit of his intention, to return the love and generosity that his family received, remained alive. Greg Joyce, longtime friend, kept this intention alive by initiating the Pat Clinch Peace Project.

The 2016 HBAL Santa Cops Project was held on November 5th and was yet another huge success! Approximately 90 members of the Home Builder’s Association of Lincoln (HBAL) and their families gathered together to build wooden toys, which will be gifted to local children this Christmas season.

The Pat Clinch Peace Project (PCPP) formed as a conduit to “give back” by connecting community and creating a positive impact in the lives of others. At a recent fundraiser the PCPP raised $13,625 for the Mourning Hope Grief Center (www.mourninghope.org).

The Pat Clinch Peace Project would like to recognize the following event sponsors: Eagle Printing & Design, Chez Hay, Legacy Retirement Communities, Good Life Provisions, Red Rebel Media, Rivers Metal Products, Scrap Central Inc., Maggie’s Vegetarian Cafe, KZUM, Screen Ink, On The Go Convenience Store, Ceresco Bank, Sysco, Cornhusker Bank, and Business Computer Consultants. Also, special thanks are extended to the countless volunteers, raffle and food donors that made the event possible.

Please watch for future Pat Clinch Peace Project flash fundraising events, and visit www.patclinchpeaceproject.com for more information.

Pictured are (from left) Michaela

In total, 72 wooden LEGO Harrison, Justin Johnson, Mark Aksamit, Dan Walker and Duane Mundt. tables were constructed by the adult volunteers and will be distributed through the Center for People in Need’s Toyland for Kids program. This year’s project for the children who volunteered was little wooden robots, which will be delivered by HBAL’s Young Building Professionals group to Lancaster Rehabilitation Center.

It was a great feeling to see so many people willing to give time and effort to this project which helps Lincoln’s neediest families have a holiday to remember. Since the HBAL Santa Cops Project began in 1988, 1,982 wooden toys have been built and delivered to local children who might not otherwise receive a special gift. These have ranged from rocking horses and easels to trains and building blocks.

It was especially wonderful to see children learning the joy of making something to give to others in need.

Additional photos from the event can be viewed online at www.hbal. org/members/photo-gallery/santa-cop-project.

To register: www.southeast.edu/continuing

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Lean Manufacturing Training

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Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

Production System revolution. Training will include seven wastes and techniques to eliminate wastes, stop to fix problems, mistake proofing, KANBAN, five S techniques, Kaizen, and value stream mapping.

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 14-16

(Offered with or without certification) Both workshops will be held at the Jack J. Huck Continuing Education Center, 301 S. 68th St. Place, Lincoln.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Matt Talbot Expands Services to Help Defeat Homelessness

Allstate Foundation Helps Improve the Future for Victims of Domestic Violence

Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach received a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to place chronically homeless individuals and families in permanent supportive housing. The project is called First HOPE and will use the Housing First model, an evidenced based best practice for housing the homeless. The grant will allow individuals and families to live in one and two-bedroom units.

All clients must be chronically homeless which is defined very specifically as one family member having a disability.

At last count, there were 110 permanent housing beds available in Lincoln, but 143 individuals remain chronically homeless. “By providing scattered site rental assistance through First HOPE, at least 18 more safe and warm beds will be made available to the chronically homeless” said Susanne Blue, Matt Talbot’s executive director. “Once those individuals are stably housed with support services in place, we expect to be on our way to making a significant contribution to defeating chronic homelessness in Lincoln!”

A position of Housing Locator has also been created to work with landlords and property managers to provide housing to the homeless who may not meet some of the current rental agreement criteria. The Housing Locator ensures tenants and property managers get support and assistance throughout the rental agreement. This new project is called the Landlord Liaison Project.

Learn more about Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach at www. mtkserves.org.

With continued suppor t from the Allstate Foundation (www.allstatefoundation.org), Friendship Home is able to continue the important work of empowering victims to take charge of their financial futures. Using the Allstate Foundation’s curriculum, Moving Ahead Through Financial Management, and thanks to the generous funding of a part-time specialist, Friendship Home has the means and the resources to assist survivors in their quest to build a solid economic foundation for their family.

This is accomplished through one-on-one education and advocacy as well in the organization’s focused Self-Economic Empowerment Drawing on our Strengths (SEEDS) group. Allstate has helped countless victims to discover the tools and the education needed to achieve self-sufficiency as they work to rebuild their lives, free from violence.

Friendship Home provides safe shelter, support and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and their children. To access shelter and services, call (402) 437-9302. To learn more about Friendship Home, visit www.friendshiphome.org.

Save the Date: SCIP Hosts Hop, SCIP, Jump and Run Event Sc hool Community Intervention & Prevention (SCIP) is planning its fourth annual fundraiser, “Hop, SCIP, Jump and RUN,” set to take place on May 13, 2017 at Lincoln Southwest High School. Proceeds will benefit SCIP, a program of Lincoln Medical Education Partnership.

At the event, children and adults of all ages will participate in a 1-mile Fun Run or 5K Race. After the race, participants will have the opportunity to visit sponsor booths to become eligible for prizes.

SCIP is currently seeking sponsors and volunteers for the event.

Sponsorships will help SCIP provide needed resources to schools and families throughout the state of Nebraska.

SCIP is a program designed to bring together families, schools and the community to support student behavioral and emotional health.

SCIP’s mission is to provide an effective prevention and early intervention process for youth with behavioral health concerns, so they may achieve healthy, productive lives. SCIP works with schools by providing tools and resources to address behavioral and emotional health issues that impact children, adolescents and their families.

Through this event, we hope to encourage lifelong health and wellness, physically and mentally, of youth and beyond.

For more information, contact Michaela Emmons at memmons@lmep. com or (402) 327-6843, or visit www.scipnebraska.com.

Tamera Toof, Realtor

402.450.8882 TameraToof@REAtheBrokerage.com www.REAtheBrokerage.com

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Bridges to Hope Offers Several Options for Giving This Holiday Season During the holiday season, a time for giving, many people look for a cause that is dear to their heart to support.

Prison ministry is a very challenging, yet important cause that is deserving of your consideration. At Bridges to Hope, they do not just give hope, they give respect, dignity, love and forgiveness to men and women who have been incarcerated. This is all done by giving them a second chance as they transition back into the community by allowing them to shop, free of charge, for clothing, furniture and household items necessary to start a new home. This year, to make it easier for you, Bridges to Hope has several options for giving: Now through December 12th you can shop Pampered Chef online and at least 20% of total sales will be given to Bridges to Hope. Visit www. pamperedchef.com/go/bridgestohope.

On Wednesday, December 7th from 4-9 p.m. you can take a break from shopping and dine at Don & Millie’s in Lincoln, NE. Tell them you are dining for Bridges to Hope and they will donate 20% of the total sales to Bridges to Hope.

All year long, shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your total sale to Bridges to Hope!

Please visit www.bridgestohopne.org for further details. You can also help spread the word by liking their Facebook page, following them on Twitter and simply passing the word along. Thanks to those in the community for your continued support!

ENJOY OUR LOWEST PRICE Merrymakers Celebrates 30th Anniversary

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2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the Merrymakers Association. lbs ON The Merrymakers Association’s MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 major annual fundraiser was LOWEST PRICES On Affo held Thursday, November 10, Physician-Approved Pr 2016 at the La Vista Embassy Suites. It was the 26th anniversary of this event, which traditionally Buy 5 boxes o includes a roast of a prominent Omaha figure. Instead, the 2016 event Buy 10 boxes was a “toast” to the Creighton Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Greg 50% OFF all B McDermott. fore ONE DAY ONLY! MONDAY Greg McDermott is the 16thBehead coach in Creighton men’s basketball history and has proven to be a top-notch recruiter and a sound tactician.

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PRICES! • Fat burning & appetite The event started with a suppressing social supplements hour at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner program and live auction conducted by auctioneer Scott Moore. Emcee was Mary Maxwell. Toasting Greg McDermott was Pat Garvin, Steve Powell and Creighton Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen.

Corporate chair Have the body you want SALE LOWEST PRICES ON LASER AS forONE the eventDAY was Daniel O’Neill -and Toast Committee Chair was Sandy Parker.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Local Rotary Clubs Participate in Nationwide Dictionary Project Lincoln South Rotary Club members, along with the other Rotary Clubs in Lincoln, distributed over 3,600 dictionaries to 4th graders in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Since 2006, the Lincoln Rotary Clubs have sponsored the dictionary project, which is a nationwide initiative focused on providing dictionaries to students across the country. The dictionary project is just one way that Rotary promotes literacy in the world.

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In addition to providing the dictionaries, presentations were given educating students about Noah Webster, Rotary, Polio Eradication (the signature project of Rotary international) and explaining the importance of community service overall.

Lincoln South Rotary is a service organization that supports a variety of activities. Recently the club and its members provided support to Windsong Equitherapy, Mourning Hope, and the Child Guidance Center.

Want to be a part of this type of service to our community? Visit www.lincolnsouthrotary.org and contact the Lincoln South Rotary Club for more information.

Over $175,000 Raised to Support LFS Children Services Programs Over 450 people attended Fandango ® and Wicker & Wine ® on November 4 to support the Children Services programs provided

by Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. The sportst h e m e d e ve n t , w h i c h took place at the Hilton Omaha, raised more than $175,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, auction item sales and donations.

The event featured Mrs. Nebraska USA Universal Amanda Reinert as master of ceremonies and guest speaker. During the event, Reinert shared her own personal story as a two-time survivor of child sexual abuse and highlighted how LFS programs were making a profound difference in the lives of children who have been traumatized. The highlight of the evening occurred when William Jones, age 16, a member of the Saint John Lutheran Church youth group in Council Bluffs, auctioned off a hug to two individuals for $500 each, raising $1,000. The honorary chair couples were Lawrence “Chip” James II and Erin James of Omaha, John and Tracy Jerkovich of Council Bluffs, and Dan and Martha Peterson of Neola, IA. Quinn Texmo served as event chair.

LFS Children Services serves families across Nebraska and in Iowa through the Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families®. Funds raised support children receiving treatment for child sexual abuse, early intervention/prevention parenting programs, foster care and adoption programs.

This event is made possible through generous support from LFS sponsors including the Fandango® and Wicker & Wine® “All Stars” sponsor Lockwood Development. Pictures and event videos can be viewed online at www.lfsneb.org.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

41

NON-PROFIT NEWS

Helping Good People Buy Good Businesses!

Alzheimer’s Association Calls for Volunteers The Alzheimer’s Association is l o o k i n g fo r volunteers interested in joining its team with a single united goal - to help end Alzheimer’s disease and find Nebraska’s first survivor. Your support will help to ensure the organization is doing the most for men and women throughout the state facing this disease.

Transworld adds two brokers!

Darin and Laurie Weber

The Nebraska Chapter has a number of different leadership volunteer roles available within the following fundraising events: Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Blondes vs. Brunettes, and The Longest Day. Volunteers are also needed to help with care and support: Community Presenters, Support Group Facilitators, and Public Policy Advocates.

The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to providing a meaningful experience for volunteers through empowerment, engagement and elevation. To sign up or to learn more, please visit alz.org/nebraska and complete a volunteer application.

Call MJ at 402-413-1095

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Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease will rapidly escalate, increasing well beyond today’s more than 5 million Americans to as many as 16 million by 2050. In Nebraska, the 33,000 people living with the disease are cared for by more than 81,000 unpaid caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association’s vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease. Visit alz. org® or call (800) 272-3900 for more information.

Lincoln Women Show Their Power at Fundraiser for CEDARS On Thursday, November 3, CEDARS (www. cedarskids.org) celebrated its 13th annual Power of the Purse—the agency’s signature event that brings together women from across the city to raise money for children who have been the victims of abuse, neglect or who are homeless.

Guests of the event entered into a world of unique, one-of-a-kind and designer handbags, hosted at the Cornhusker Marriot in downtown Lincoln. The evening featured purses from many local boutiques and businesses as well as international designers in both a silent and live auction. In addition to vying for top bid on enviable purses via an engaging mobile bidding system, guests heard directly from CEDARS staff during a video presentation and had the opportunity to become monthly donors.

The event has been a sell-out each of its thirteen years with over 300 women attending annually, prepared to open their hearts and their purses to positively impact the lives of children in need. This year the event raised over $95,000 for the children of CEDARS. In total, CEDARS Power of the Purse has raised over $1 million in cash and in-kind gifts in its thirteen year history.

Corporate sponsors of this year’s event include: Ameritas; Firespring; Talent+; Assurity Life Insurance Company; Baylor Evnen; Benefit Professionals, Inc; Bryan Health; Capitol Heating & Air Conditioning; D.A. Davidson & Co.; Dillard’s; Dittrich-Myhre Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC; Farmers Mutual of Nebraska; Good Life Fitness; Lincoln Journal Star; Olsson Associates; Pinnacle Bank; Rabbit Hole Bakery; Rachel’s Boutique; RDO Truck Centers; Scooter’s Coffee; Sutton Ryan Dermatology & Aesthetic Center; Wells Fargo; and Woods Bros Realty.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Save the Date: Lincoln G.O.L.D to Host 2nd Annual Scholarship Gala Lincoln G.O.L.D.’s 2nd annual Scholarship Gala will take place on March 18th, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at The Cor nhusker Hotel.

The purpose of the Gala is to raise funds for scholarships for Lincoln area high school seniors who plan to attend an in-state college. Students selected for the Lincoln G.O.L.D. scholarship exhibit strong leadership skills and community service. The Gala is also an opportunity to celebrate the Lincoln G.O.L.D. mentorship program.

G.O.L.D. stands for Girls Organization for Leadership and Development. The mission of Lincoln G.O.L.D. is to engage in educational instruction through community involvement; to build character, confidence, courage, and effective communication skills in young women as they prepare for post-secondary education or other vocational endeavors. The board members of Lincoln G.O.L.D. strive to develop young women and keep leaders in Nebraska.

In 2015, thanks to sponsors and funds raised at the Scholarship Gala, Lincoln G.O.L.D. mentored 31 young women and awarded 20 $2,000 scholarships to students attending Nebraska colleges.

Through generous donations, Lincoln G.O.L.D. hopes to grow and provide more scholarships to high school seniors in our community. This year, 32 girls have worked endlessly making the Lincoln community a better place to live! Visit Lincoln G.O.L.D.’s Facebook page and website, LincolnGold.org, to see everything they’ve done this year.

For more information, contact Robin Netz at (402) 499-7698 or RobinNetz@yahoo.com.

Child Guidance Center Needs Your Support Today Specializing in mental health treatment services, Child Guidance Center offers hope to 1,800 – 2,000 Lincoln area families on an annual basis. Child Guidance Center is the largest provider of children’s mental health services in Lincoln and also the premier leader in evidence-based trauma therapy for children and families. Their team includes 41 licensed, clinical staff who make up almost 50% of the Center’s workforce.

Child Guidance Center is asking for your heart-felt gift of any size to help ensure that they are able to serve all children and families who need their support TODAY and throughout the year.

• $40 will provide two weeks of food for George and Teddy, on-site therapy dogs who provide much love and comfort.

• $75 will purchase gas to provide transportation for children participating in the Extended Day Treatment program five days a week.

• $111 will provide one hour of Outpatient treatment for a child or family who doesn’t have the ability to pay for services.

• $200 will provide clothing and personal care items for the boys in the Therapeutic Group Home.

Gifts can be mailed to Child Guidance Center at 2444 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510 or given online at www.child-guidance.org. For more information, please contact Jenny Cardwell at jcardwell@childguidance.org or call (402) 475-7666. Thank you!

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DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

43

NON-PROFIT NEWS

“Dreams at Work”: Hundreds Travel to McCook for Community-Building Event

Leadership Lincoln Introduces New Executive Series

More than 400 volunteer community leaders and guests attended Nebraska Community Foundation’s expo and banquet following all-day peer learning training sessions on Thursday, November 10 in McCook.

This year’s theme, “Dreams at Work,” reflects the active role philanthropy is playing in helping communities achieve their vision for the future.

Lincoln has an interesting mix of businesses, from the locally-owned mature brand to the regional office of a large company to the just beginning to grow start-up.

Exactly what is it that makes the business scene in and around Lincoln “tick?”

As each year passes, the audience for the evening’s expo and banquet appears to be getting younger, as more and more young adults are stepping into leadership roles in their communities. NCF President and CEO Jeff Yost reminded the audience that with today’s technology, “People can choose to live just about anywhere. Our job is to help them choose ‘here.’”

Training topics focused on ways philanthropic investments can help attract returners, stayers and newcomers. Volunteers with affiliated funds of Nebraska Community Foundation have stressed that the best way to learn about what works when it comes to raising and investing charitable dollars is to learn from one’s peers. Participants were energized by one another as they explored the new realities happening in rural Nebraska.

More than half of Nebraska’s counties are experiencing net increases in adults in their 30s and 40s.

Nebraska Community Foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, serves more than 250 communities across the state. Visit NebraskaHometown.org.

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Members of the Leadership Lincoln Executive Series learned that it’s an infrastructure of highways, railroads and air service to help with the exchange of manufactured items. It’s the ever-growing infrastructure of the Internet to help connect with and manage markets around the world. It’s the availability of capital to finance a new addition to an existing business or to finance the launch of a new business. But most of all, it’s a pool of incredibly educated, talented, and dedicated workers.

The Leadership Lincoln Executive Series introduces new executives to our city and long-time residents who are new to the challenges of an executive position to how things happen in what we often call “The Lincoln Way.” In addition to the Lincoln business scene, the LL Executive Series includes programs about our government, the non-profit scene ...it’s a good look at what makes Lincoln a strong and vibrant community.

For more information please visit www.leadershiplincoln.org/ programs/exec-series.html.

NON-PROFIT NEWS

Aiding Angels Thanks 2016 Donors The Aiding Angels Foundation would like to extend a huge thank you to all those who donated financially throughout the year as well as those who donated their time, talent and energy for the 9th Annual Golfing For A Reason Tournament, which was a huge success. The event raised close to $14,000, which will enable Aiding Angels to provide services to many in the community during a very difficult season of their lives.

As the end of the year approaches, if you want to make a charitable gift contribution before the end of the year, please consider Aiding Angels. Aiding Angels is a local, 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing free, professional housecleaning to the cancer heroes (men , women and children) in our community during one of the most stressful times of their lives. A clean home and environment contributes to the welfare and recovery of patients. Please visit the website at www. aidingangels.com to learn more and make a contribution. For more information, please contact Brenda at (402) 434-2472 or by email at brenda@maid-to-please.com.

Family Service Concludes 125th Anniversary It’s been an exciting 125th year for Family Service of Lincoln (www.familyservicelincoln.org) and the agency culminated the anniversary with three final events: Book Drive/Fundraiser at Barnes & Noble in SouthPointe Pavilions to benefit families in need; Mayor’s Proclamation with Lincoln City Council naming November 14, 2016 as “Family Service Lincoln 125th Anniversary Celebration Day”; and Governor’s Proclamation declaring November 9, 2016 as “Family Service Day.” The partnership with Barnes & Noble and SouthPointe Pavilions is a result of Family Service’s goal to distribute at least 125 board games in conjunction with National Family Week during the week of Thanksgiving. A portion of all purchases on Nov. 5th was donated to the cause in addition to games purchased off of the “125 Wish List” guide. Games were distributed through Family Service’s four programs; Behavioral Health, Youth Development, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Child Care Food Program (CCFP).

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Make Your Roof Last Longer Before

23rd Annual Okto Beerfest a Success, Proceeds to Support Stroke Awareness The 23rd Annual Okto Beerfest, with proceeds to again benefit Nebraska State Stroke Association, was well attended and held on for the first time on a Friday, October 14th, at the Lancaster Event Center.

At this popular fundraising event, attendees were able to sample over 200 kinds of beer, different varieties of wine, and a wonderful selection of food. The evening included a live auction and silent auction featuring a fantastic selection of donated items and musical entertainment featuring bagpipes, traditional garments and more. On behalf of the Sertoma Clubs of Lincoln, Nebraska State Stroke Association, the Boosters and Darlene Berks, Auction/Co-Chairperson, a huge thank you is extended all of the vendors, breweries, distributors, volunteers and those in attendance for coming out to this year’s 23rd Annual Okto Beerfest in support of the important word being done by the Nebraska State Stroke Association! Prost!

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Spreading Joy to Residents of Friendship Home the Focus of WISB Holiday Luncheon

Heartland Cancer Foundation to Host 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Casino Night

The Women in Sales and Business (WISB) monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 14th at the Hillcrest Country Club, located at 9401 O Street in Lincoln, NE.

The Heartland Cancer Foundation is hosting its 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Casino Night! This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Hillcrest Country Club from 6-9 p.m.

This will be a night full of food, drinks, casino games, a silent auction and live entertainment. Last year’s event raised over $75,000 with the proceeds going to help cancer patients in need.

Please help the foundation make this event a success once again.

The mission of the Heartland Cancer Foundation is to connect local patients to care and reduce the financial stress that often accompanies cancer treatment.

Heartland Cancer Foundation assists cancer patients with prescription cancer and supportive medications, and the gas money needed to go to and from cancer-related appointments.

For more information contact the Heartland Cancer Foundation via the website at www.heartlandcancerfoundation.org or by phone at (402) 261-9974.

F r i e n d s h i p H o m e ( w w w. friendshiphome.org) exists to support, shelter, and advocate for victims of domestic violence and their children in Lincoln and surrounding areas. At the WISB December meeting, attendees will be making holiday cards for the current residents of the Friendship Home to send to their loved ones. For those wishing to give to the organization, WISB will also be taking a cash or check donation so that the residents may purchase gifts for their children. Please plan to join and bless the families staying at the Friendship Home this holiday season.

The meeting starts with lunch at 11:30 a.m., with the meeting following from 11:55 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cost is $18, which includes lunch. Please register online at www.wisblincoln.org or email wisblincoln@gmail.com to RSVP. More information can also be found on the website or by contacting WISB via email.

Nebraska Community Blood Bank: Partnerships Help Raise Awareness On a hot day in July, high school seniors Alex and Mason saw an ad for free Rita’s Italian I c e a t a N eb ra s k a Community Blood Bank blood drive just blocks from their homes. They hadn’t had a chance to visit the recently-opened restaurant but they had an open afternoon and a craving for a cool treat.

They made the short bike ride to the blood drive and not only claimed their frozen prize, but also became first-time blood donors.

The duo left not only with a satisfied sweet tooth, but with a feeling of pride because they had taken the opportunity to help save lives by donating blood.

Lincoln businesses - are you looking for ways to broaden your community presence? By partnering with Nebraska Community Blood Bank, organizations are able to support a great cause and help get more blood products directly to the people who need it most.

Each week Nebraska Community Blood Bank needs approximately 1,000 blood donors to meet the needs of local hospital partners.

Their donated blood is used for trauma patients, struggling newborns, people undergoing surgery or battling cancer.

Corporate sponsorship increases awareness of your own company but also increases awareness for organizations you care about.

Your sponsorship can include blood drives, giveaways of products, advertising, financial contributions, featured content in company media, event support or volunteerism. If you are interested in learning how you can support the mission of Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB.org), please contact Jessica Sodeke, Communications Coordinator, at (402) 486-9413 or jsodeke@ncbb.org.

46 Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

TeamMates Community Partnerships Help Transform Lives Nelnet helps support TeamMates in many ways. The organization e n c o u ra ge s employees to become mentors, offers several mentor recruiting events throughout the year, and provides financial support. Recently, Nelnet offered TeamMates the opportunity to participate in its Propelr program as an additional funding source for TeamMates.

Propelr is a free, reloadable, prepaid Visa card that raises money for participating organizations. When a Propelr card is used, participating merchants donate a percentage of the purchase cost to TeamMates or the other organizations of the holder’s choosing. The card is usable anywhere that accepts Visa, and there are currently more than 120 merchants participating in the give back program including grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and even Amazon.com. The donations are given automatically by those merchants when the card is used at their stores and their donations range from two to twenty percent.

Propelr costs nothing to its users, but can help TeamMates a great deal.

By using a Propelr card for groceries, gas and eating out a couple of times a month, one cardholder can raise almost $200 a year. One can sign up for a card at www.PropelrCard.com/TeamMates.

For participating merchants in the Propelr program, Propelr is able to drive new customers and increased loyalty to its merchants because cardholders with a close connection to their organization are more likely to patronize businesses that support what they care about. Additional information on the program and a list of participating merchants and their donation amounts are also available on the site. For more information, please call 844-565-7145.

For more about how TeamMates helps transforms lives, visit lincolnteammates.org.

HEALTH NEWS

Bryan College of Health Sciences Ranked Among Best Ultrasound Schools in Nation Bryan College of Health Sciences has been named one of the best ultrasound technician schools in the nation by College Choice, the leading authority in college and university rankings and resources.

Bryan College of Health Sciences offers a specialized sonography program that emphasizes strong clinical instruction to give students the skills, experience and confidence to succeed. Individuals can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in sonography by choosing from two different programs, Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Cardiovascular Sonography. At Bryan College of Health Sciences, students receive up to 2,000 hours of training in specially designed skill labs and patient care settings to perfect their craft.

Bryan College of Health Sciences is part of Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and specialized accrediting agencies in health care education. The college offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. To learn more about the college, visit bryanhealthcollege.edu.

Pediatric Experts to Provide Medical Services at Madonna’s Omaha Campus A newly-signed physician coverage agreement aims to improve patient care and strengthen the longstanding relationship between Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. Children’s—home to the vast majority of Nebraska’s pediatric specialists—will now provide specialty physician medical services for Madonna’s pediatric unit in Omaha.

In the past decade, Children’s has consistently referred its patients in need of rehabilitation to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals’ Alexis Verzal Children’s Unit in Lincoln, and is projected to be one of the key referrers to the pediatric unit in Omaha as well. Once at Madonna, patients often still need access to the medical expertise offered by Children’s team of pediatric hospitalists and specialists. The new physician agreement aims to improve the quality and coordination of care, as well as the overall experience for children and families.

The physician services agreement aligns with the mission and vision of both institutions and Children’s plans for growth. Children’s and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals will continue to explore additional strategic initiatives and opportunities which could benefit pediatric patients and families.

Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals - Omaha Campus is located at 17500 Burke Street. For more information, please call (402) 413-3000 or visit www.madonna.org.

College’s Lincoln Division Designated U.S. Army ROTC Nursing Center of Excellence The Army ROTC program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has designated the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Lincoln Division as a U.S. Army Nursing Center of Excellence, one of only 47 programs to be recognized.

Brandon Lake, enrollment and scholarship officer at UNL Army ROTC, said the college was selected for the quality of its curriculum, students, faculty and staff at the college and its relationship with UNL Army ROTC. Students who participate in UNL Army ROTC while earning a nursing degree at UNMC are given priority for ROTC nursing incentives to include scholarships, mentorship, and career guidance. Beginning in August and for each academic year, the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division will offer Army ROTC cadets three guaranteed seats into the bachelor’s degree in nursing program. Currently there are two guaranteed seats.

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eyesonlincoln.com DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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HEALTH NEWS Nebraska Hematology Oncology’s Breast Cancer Research Findings Published The physicians and staff at Nebraska Hematology Oncology P.C. are pleased to announce that their breast cancer research findings have been published in the October issue of Anticancer Research.

The research evaluates how accurately the techniques of physical examination and imaging predict an individual’s tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with primary consideration of the individual’s specific breast cancer subtype.

Waldrep A, Avery E, Rose F, Midathada M, Tilford J, Kolberg HC, Hutchins M. Breast Cancer Subtype Influences the Accuracy of Predicting Pathologic Response by Imaging and Clinical Breast Exam After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Anticancer Res. 2016; 36(10):53895395. http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/36/10/5389.abstract.

It is the hope of the professionals at Nebraska Hematology Oncology P.C. that these hypothesis-generating findings will inspire additional prospective research that could confirm which methods of clinical evaluation provide the most accuracy and value for each breast cancer patient receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

At Nebraska Hematology Oncology P.C., their mission is to guide and support patients and their families through the challenges of cancer and blood disorders. All doctors, nurses, and staff focus on providing comprehensive, compassionate care. Nebraska Hematology Oncology P.C. is located at 4004 Pioneer Woods Dr. in Lincoln. For more information, please call (402) 484-4900, toll-free at (877) 436-3662, or visit www.yourcancercare.com.

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Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

NET Honored for Concussion Website NET and the Nebraska Concussion Coalition took top honors for the website “Concussion Recognition and Management” in the regional CINDY (Cinema in Industry) competition.

The website modules were created for Nebraska licensed health care professionals as a comprehensive overview and guide for best practices in concussion recognition and management to help ensure that every child sustaining a concussion in Nebraska is managed according to current best practices. Visit dhhs.ne.gov/ concussionmanage to learn more.

The website was produced by NET for the Nebraska Concussion Coalition. The coalition, which is comprised of representatives from key government agencies, healthcare providers, club sport programs, educators and non-profit agencies, is taking the lead in implementing action-oriented steps to improve concussion awareness and change the culture of concussion management at play, school and home. NET professionals who worked on the project include Chet Kincaid, Jenni Johnson, Alex Epperson, Patrick Bate, David Barry, Steve Exon, John Beck, Jim Lenertz, Werner Althaus and Laura Williams.

The first-place award was given in recognition of the new website’s impact in the medical and professional audience category for region seven (North Central U.S.) CINDY competitions.

NET operates the statewide public service network which includes NET Television, NET Radio, NET Learning Services and NET Technology Services. For more information about NET, Nebraska’s PBS and NPR stations, visit netNebraska.org.

HEALTH NEWS Nebraska Hearing Center Encourages Hearing Evaluation in Time for the Holidays Now is the time when families and friends are gathering to enjoy each other and the holiday season. It can be a challenging time for those who have difficulty hearing.

Nebraska Hearing Center offers these signs to look for if you think someone might need a hearing evaluation.

• Do they ask people to repeat themselves?

• Do they have trouble hearing on the phone?

• Do they have a hard time hearing in crowded places?

• Are men’s voices easier to understand than women’s?

Encourage your loved one to make hearing a priority and to schedule a hearing evaluation to at least set a baseline.

At Nebraska Hearing Center these hearing evaluations are complimentary. Call (402) 486-3737 today to schedule an appointment; or check out Nebraska Hearing Center online at nebrakahearingcenter.com.

FirstScan™ Introduces First and Only Clinic Dedicated to MRI Prostate Cancer Screening

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Reduced flat-rate plans available for small businesses!

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In June of this year, ScanMed® CEO Dr. Randall Jones (PhD, MBA) introduced the public to his newly released medical device, the Prostate/Pelvic Coil, a revolutionary MRI antenna (coil) that accurately, non-invasively, and comfortably facilitates prostate cancer screening. He promised Omaha’s Morning Blend TV hosts that this technology would soon be available to the local market—and now, it is.

New Omaha-based company FirstScan™ (www.firstscanomaha. com) offers affordable, non-invasive MRI prostate cancer screening.

This is important because early detection does save lives from this typically slow growing cancer. One in seven men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, so there is no reason to wait for a quality screening if you are over 40 years old.

Using state-of-the-art MRI equipment, techniques, and trained radiologists, the predictive value of detecting a cancer are now above 90%, and it’s proven to eliminate the need for approximately 50% of biopsies. The screening service is simple, comfortable, non-invasive (no needles, no probes in the rectum), fast, and most importantly accurate and affordable – $595 to the client, including the radiologist report to their doctor within 3 business days – costing less than the typical out-of-pocket co-pay for insurance paid MRI. Dr. Jones, Chief Technology Officer, and an executive team of physicians and radiology service specialists spearhead the new company, employing the very latest MRI techniques combined with top-tier MRI systems and ScanMed’s new Prostate MRI antennas. Dr. Brian Loggie, Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Creighton University serves as Medical Director, with several board certified radiologists interpreting and reporting the MRI. The clinic opened November 16th at a convenient location just off I80 (for those traveling) at 9840 S. 140th Street, Suite 5 in Omaha, NE with office hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. To make an appointment, please call (402) 934-1999.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

With fall swiftly coming and going, and another deadline passed, there’s excitement all around the office during the holidays and so much to look forward to this month. With the flurry of activities involving shopping, family, friends and work events ahead, the Strictly Business team decided to get together before everything got too crazy for our monthly staff outing!

Escape Lincoln: 140 N 8th St | (402) 477-7801 | escapelincoln.com Our first stop for the evening was an activity that’s relatively new to Lincoln, but also new in the fact that there’s the several options to choose from that change every few months. With a different experience in store for you every time you visit, the escape room experience provided by Escape Lincoln never gets old or goes out of style! Our group of 9 people was a mixture of first-timers and repeat visitors. We split into 2 rooms, each with a unique storyline and completely different set-up.

Each room gives your team a one hour adrenaline rush to complete. We couldn’t have done it without any one person as each person contributed to solving a huge piece of the puzzle, making it a fantastic team building exercise as well as a fun challenge for all.

We l o v e d their location in the Historic Haymar ket w h i c h wa s within walking distance t o n e a r by restaurants, activities, and h o t e l s. T h e staff was extremely friendly and very thorough with their explanations and instructions. The room was very well thought out and really challenged you to think outside of the box. We were blown away by the thought of how they come up with new storylines, which would take a lot of creativity! All in all, there was great energy, it was a really nice space with a fun atmosphere, and we will definitely go back for another try at escaping! By the way, we escaped with time to spare!

Yowie’s Lodge: 800 Q St | (402) 417-8042 | yowieslodge.com After all of the action at Escape Lincoln, we were ready to wind down over appetizers and cocktails. For those who are in the downtown or the Haymarket area, Yowie’s Lodge is a great place to stop for dinner and drinks! Our group ordered an assortment of appetizers to share which included the mozzarella cheese bites, venison chili nachos, and buffalo wings. We were very impressed with the portion sizes, and all were equally delicious. For our group of 10, it was more than enough food to savor over. For drinks, we sampled the Pina Colada and Moscow Mule to quench our thirst. The cozy lodge feeling really makes you feel at home.

The staff at Yowie’s Lodge was friendly and very attentive to our needs. A huge thank you to our waiter Alejandro who went above and beyond to provide us exceptional service! Yowie’s Lodge offers unique setting, a nice variety of signature food and beverage offerings, impressive customer service, and is definitely a recommended stop for just about any occasion!

For a full line-up from any of our staff outings, go to our Facebook page to see more! As for those who are considering planning a similar team-building activity or event, these are our recommendations of local businesses that can help you maximize your time while you treat your staff to a change of scenery and a chance to have some fun together outside of the office - whether it is just for a few hours or for the whole day. You’d be amazed at how much you will benefit personally and professionally from spending a little time together in a different environment! For more information on how to be featured please contact us at (402) 466-3330 or Office@ StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT t Gift Of Pampering & Relaxa c e f r e P e h G i v e TLocated in the Wilderness Hills Shopping Center, Tranquility Salon & Spa t i o n ! is south Lincoln’s premier full-service hair salon and day spa.

Tell us a little about your offerings at Tranquility Salon & Spa. Our service line-up includes hair services, pedicures and manicures, facials, massages, body treatments, waxing, makeup artistry and more! On the retail side, we carry many fantastic product lines. With our move in January of 2016 to a new, expanded location, we added many exciting new features including a spa boutique, blowdry bar, makeup bar, relaxation room, double massage room and more. Online gift cards can now be conveniently purchased directly from the website too!

a larger salon and spa with more offerings under one roof relative to other salons, we can accommodate large parties and offer a wide arrange of services to our guests.

What has been your most important achievement as a business?

This year, it’s been opening our new salon. We’ve almost doubled our space, and with that we’ve added more spa professionals and salon stylists so we’ve created more jobs in the community. Just being able to offer all the different amenities with our new space was a goal I was always trying to achieve. That was a huge accomplishment for us!

How long have you been in Lincoln?

We opened our doors for business at our original location What is the most unique or interesting thing about your on Pine Lake in 1999. business that most people don’t know?

Who are the owners/important executives?

We’re the only spa in Lincoln that offers the Aveda waterless Tasha Schmeichel and her husband, Steve, are the owners pedicure system! It’s a one-of-a-kind, and very relaxing, true pedicure experience. We still do all aspects of the and Rachel Heser is the spa manager. standard pedicure, but this service is performed with hot steam towels. We were nervous to introduce it to the market Do you have a business philosophy or mission statement?

Our goal at Tranquility Salon & Spa is to work together as as it was a huge risk, but we took the chance and even got a team to provide each guest an experience that is both rid of all our traditional pedicure chairs! The risk was worth relaxing and rejuvenating. We want everyone to leave the reward as we’ve had really great feedback so far. looking and feeling like the very best and most beautiful What changes have you seen in the industry and your version of themselves. company in the past few years?

The most noticeable has been all of the new technology What do you like about doing business in Lincoln?

Lincoln is such a great city! There’s a real sense of community available to help us reach our clients, especially with social and local feel. Our clients often tell us they truly appreciate media. We are able to post and share what we are doing what we have to offer, which is comparable to salons and and interact with our clients in other ways too. Particularly spas in larger cities but with the service and relationship in our industry, people are looking towards our online that we enjoy here in a smaller, more tight-knit community. presence for inspiration more than ever.

We’ve always felt that our clients are more like family.

There’s a loyalty in that relationship that keeps us looking What can we expect from Tranquility Salon & Spa in the for new and exciting things to bring here to Lincoln for them coming year? and in turn, keeps them coming back for regular visits and We’ll continue to provide top-notch services to our clients as well as seeking out more unique and fun services to add referring their friends and family. into the mix. Our goal is to provide a true spa experience, What kind of community organizations/groups are you and in pursuit of that we’ve found over the years that there’s always something new and exciting on the horizon! involved with?

We donate to an assortment of local nonprofits in the Happy Holidays from entire staff at community, participate in local fundraisers, and make an effort to support our local community however we can.

Tranquility Salon & Spa! Visit the website – What do you think makes you different from other salons similar to yours?

We are an actual full-service salon and day spa, especially now that we have expanded to our new location. Having

tranquilitydayspaandsalon.com – to check out all of the holiday specials going on this month!

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DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Achieves its Highest Rank in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges Concordia University, Nebraska continues its climb up the “Best Regional Universities— Midwest” category of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. In the 2017 edition, Concordia Nebraska is ranked in the top 40 of 163 universities listed in its category, an increase of 14 spots in the last four years. Concordia Nebraska has been ranked in the top tier of the annual report for 14 consecutive years.

For the first time, Concordia University, Nebraska appeared on the Great Schools, Great Prices list compiled by U.S. News & World Report. This list evaluates which schools offer the best value, comparing academic quality to the cost of attendance. Concordia ranked 14 in the Midwest region. In addition, Concordia once again earned a place on the list of A+ Schools for B Students.

“Concordia strives to provide an excellent, Christ-centered education that families can afford,” said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, President of Concordia University, Nebraska. “It is an honor to be recognized nationally for both the quality and overall value of our academic programs, students, faculty, staff and alumni that contribute to the Concordia experience here and in life beyond graduation. We celebrate the university’s highest ranking to date and appreciate all who have served diligently to make our top tier ranking a reality.”

Criteria evaluated in the U.S. News rankings include academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, faculty resources, student selectivity and alumni support.

An institution classified as a regional university provides a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs. Concordia Nebraska offers more than 75 undergraduate majors and

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programs, as well as master’s degrees in multiple areas, including education, public health, human services and business administration. Concordia’s incoming class has 385 undergraduate students registered as of Sept. 7, 2016, leading to a full-time undergraduate enrollment of 1,194 students on the Seward campus. In addition, the university’s College of Graduate Studies and Adult Education has reached 1,020 full-time and part-time adult learners registered for classes as of Aug. 30, 2016.

Concordia Nebraska is the highest ranked higher education institution in the Concordia University System, which comprises nine colleges and universities affiliated with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It is also the highest ranked school in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Finally, the university has the highest alumni giving rate, 21 percent, among the top 50 schools in its U.S. News category.

The Great Schools, Great Prices list takes into account “a school’s academic quality, as indicated by its 2017 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, and the 2015-2016 net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.” U.S. News ranked only schools in or near the top half of their categories, considering “the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically.” Concordia University, Nebraska ranked number 14 for the Midwest region.

The A+ Schools for B Students list identifies schools that “admit a meaningful proportion of applicants whose test scores and class standing put them in non-A territory,” according to U.S. News & World Report. The publication says the schools on the list give non-A students

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

a “shot at being accepted and thriving” and encourages students looking at these schools to display their individuality and seriousness of purpose as they apply.

“Honors like the U.S. News & World Report ranking demonstrate that what many students and parents are looking for in a college can easily be found right here at Concordia,” said Aaron Roberts, director of admission at Concordia Nebraska. “Our commitment to providing financial aid to 100 percent of students combined with the quality academic programs and enriching, Christ-centered support that Concordia provides ensures our students get the best value possible from their college experience.”

Complete rankings from U.S. News & World Report are available online at usnews.com/ colleges. The print edition of the “Best Colleges 2017” guidebook is now available through retail outlets as well.

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Nebraska, that currently serves more than 2,600 students.

Concordia offers more than 75 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world.

For more information, visit cune.edu.

LINCOLN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

LIBA NEW MEMBERS

by Coby Mach, President & CEO

Joseph Easley: UNICO Group

402-466-3419 • www.liba.org

2017 Legislative Priorities At the Lincoln Independent Business Association, we have been busy working on our legislative priorities for the 2017 session. There will be many big issues that get attention, including the recent vote to keep the death penalty.

LIBA plans to ask senators to focus on a few of the following ideas: Eliminate the Personal Property Tax on Nebraska Businesses. In 2014, Nebraska businesses paid more than $217 million in personal property taxes. The personal property tax not only costs businesses financially, but it is also costly in terms of the time and effort necessary to complete and file the appropriate tax returns, which are filed individually in each county in which a business owns personal property. Many of Nebraska’s nearby states do not impose any tax on personal property, including Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Indeed, experts report that there has been a national trend to shift away from personal property taxes, including states like Ohio and Michigan that have phased their personal property tax out.

Prevent the Issuance of Public Debt Without a Vote of the People.

There seems to be a trend among local government entities in the Lincoln area where elected leaders are willing to pursue the issuance of bonds – and in turn incur public debt obligations – without a vote of the people. Since 2001, the City of Lincoln has issued more than $40 million of certificates of participation bonds without approval of the public under a special provision in statute that allows them to do this.

More recently, the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners signaled its intent to pursue a fundamental change in state law that would allow them to issue bonds to construct bridges without a vote of the people.

LIBA firmly believes that public debt should not be incurred except by vote of the people who will be on the hook for making future payments.

Reduce Nebraska’s Cell Phone Tax. At just under 25%, Nebraska ranks second highest in the country in terms of the tax rate we pay on use of our cellular telephones. This means that 25% of your family or business’s cell phone bill is tax! That amount is unreasonably high. This high tax has direct negative impacts on families and businesses.

Require Disclosure of the Bond Repayment Period and the Estimated Interest for All Bond Issues. When voters go to the polls to approve a bond issue, they are not given sufficient information to make an informed decision. For example, the $369 million Southeast Community College bond issue that appeared on Lincoln and Lancaster County ballots in November only listed the principal amount of the bond to be approved.

No information about the expected interest or the length of repayment was provided to voters at the polls. The interest, however, was $154 million on top of the principal – bringing the total tax obligation to more than half a billion dollars. When individuals and businesses borrow money, law requires a truth-in-lending statement to be provided that outlines the repayment period, the interest rates, and the expected amount of interest to be paid. LIBA believes municipalities should be required to do the same. Information about the interest and anticipated length of repayment should be required in every advertisement when the bond issue is proposed and promoted and it should appear on the ballot.

Reduce Nebraska’s Income Tax. Nebraska income taxes on individuals and businesses are among the highest in the nation. High income tax rates have a detrimental impact on our economy by reducing the amount of money our businesses have to pay workers and reducing the amount of money we have to spend locally. The first step in improving our economy in Nebraska should be to reduce income tax rates to a level that would make us more competitive nationally.

LIBA will present our complete list of priorities at our December 20th membership luncheon. We will have around a dozen senators in attendance, and our speaker will be Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert. If you are interested in becoming a LIBA member, or attending this luncheon, please call me.

LIBA studies and promotes these types of issues that are important to businesses and our community. If you have an interest in joining LIBA, please call me at (402) 466-3419. LIBA membership is not restricted to just businesses. We also have “individual” memberships for those who want to help influence our local government decisions.

Joseph Easley is a group benefits insurance advisor for UNICO Group. UNICO Group is a full-service insurance and financial services agency serving business owners and families in Nebraska for more than 25 years. Services at UNICO Group range from commercial insurance, workers’ comp and employee benefits to personal insurance, financial planning, human resource solutions and wellness solutions. UNICO is built on the principles of providing superior customer service and quality insurance solutions. With four locations and more than 100 team members across seven states, UNICO is an industry leader in the Midwest. They also have a strong commitment to the communities they live in and organizations that help make Nebraska a great place to live.

For more information on UNICO Group please contact Joseph Easley at (402) 434-7200 or jeasley@unicogroup.com.

D4, LLC D4 is a leading provider of managed data and discovery services to law firms and corporations.

D4 offers full-service capabilities with local infrastructure to support litigation, investigations, compliance and other legal matters. The company’s state-of-the-art data centers and global operations are complemented by electronic discovery, computer forensics and document review offices throughout the US, China and the UK. Depth of staff, experience and innovative technology allow the company to provide first-class performance worldwide.

D4 was one of the first providers to offer an eDiscovery Managed Services solution, and continues to lead the field in innovation. D4 became part of Special Counsel and the Adecco Group in 2016, enhancing D4’s offerings with Managed Review and streamlined access to legal staffing.

D4 has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the US, and is a six-time Inc. 500/5000 honoree.

Contact Taber Randolph for more information: (402) 476-7007 or trandolph@d4discovery.com.

Hire-A-Maid Hire-A-Maid, Inc., a locally owned and operated company offering the full spectrum of customized residential and commercial cleaning services, was recently purchased by Dale Nissen. The company’s office is now headquartered at 4444 O Street, Suite 8 in Lincoln. A leading provider of professional cleaning services, Hire-AMaid, Inc. has been serving clients in the Lincoln community since 1990 and maintains an A+ Honor Roll rating with the Better Business Bureau and an Excellent rating on Angie’s List. All services are tailored to fit the specific needs of each client, with no task too small or large for Hire-A-Maid’s trained, experienced and insured team of professionals.

To find out more about Hire-A-Maid, or to request a free estimate, please visit the company’s website at www.hireamaidnow.com. Dale Nissen can be reached directly at (402) 560-1904 or via email at info@HireAMaidNow.com with any inquiries.

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business 53

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CompanyCam Flourishes Thanks to Insight From Roots in Local Business

Luke Hansen is no stranger to running a successful business.

Hansen’s family owns and founded Lincoln’s White Castle Roofing, a longtime local business staple. Hansen said he grew up working for his dad and has worked in the construction and roofing industry for nearly his whole life.

Hansen, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate, now owns CompanyCam, a software service that allows contractors to easily share pictures and keep track of renovation progress with coworkers. Hansen said the software is unique in its capabilities and is the number one app in the roofing industry.

The company is currently headquartered in the Haymarket, where Hansen and his seven employees work.

Hansen sat down with Downtown Lincoln to discuss his origins of his business and why he chose to get started downtown.

Downtown Lincoln: How long has CompanyCam been operating?

Luke Hansen: So we officially became a business last March; we’d been working on it for maybe about six months before that as something for White Castle to use. It’s really an app or software for contractors.

DLA: Did you start with your family?

Hansen: I got put in charge of our siding and gutter division at White Castle Roofing. I didn’t know as much about that as I did about roofing, which I had been doing forever. I wanted to know more about the jobs, and to keep better track of things. Essentially I wanted to be able to look over our projects and talk to our guys before we went out to do the work.

But we didn’t have any good ways of keeping track of our photos. Guys would go out, take a couple pictures and hand me their memory card from a phone or e-mail me and it was just a hassle. I kept thinking there’s got to be some better way to do this, but I just could not find anything made for a company like ours. And so I came to the conclusion that we need this [software] and even if we just make it and use it ourselves, that’s something, but I’m pretty sure other people need this too. So we started working on it just for White Castle and then last March we hired Chad, who was working at Hudl, to be the CTO. And that’s when we really got serious. Then we released it last July. So we’ve been in business since then.

DLA: How’s the response been?

Hansen: Really good. You wish things would go faster, and then things sound easier than it’s going to be in actuality, but we’ve signed up a lot of companies. We feel really good about it right now. We’re the fastest growing app in the roofing industry.

DLA: Has it always been known as CompanyCam? How did you come up with the name?

Hansen: I came up with some truly terrible names. CompanyCam is at least explanatory for some degree. I’ve found it’s always better to be clear than clever.

DLA: Is it an app that you use with a website or how does that work?

Hansen: The category would be software as a service, meaning you subscribe and we store all these photos for you. It’s kind of like Facebook in that you can log in on the computer, see all the photos, photos reports but the idea is to use the app on the phone to take photos. A business would pay for their account and then they would add employees as needed to the account.

DLA: Is CompanyCam only available for businesses or can people use it for personal use?

Hansen: Almost everyone who uses it is associated with a business. That being said, my designer/web developer has been using it to chronicle the renovations for his house. Our average customer size is about eight to 10 users per company. You can use it for personal use; it’s just not very practical.

We do stuff like give a project feed so back at the office they can see the recent updates, almost like a Facebook feed for all of the projects going on.

Founded in 1967, the Downtown Lincoln Association provides services and champions initiatives for maintaining and enhancing our vibrant downtown. Our vision is to create an energetic downtown environment where we live, learn, work, invest and play. DLA has evolved into a multifaceted organization supporting a wide range of programs and activities including maintenance, economic development and advocacy. For a complete listing of downtown businesses, events and residences visit downtownlincoln.org. ‘Like’ us on Facebook at facebook.com/downtownlincoln.

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Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

by Wendy Birdsall, President

402-436-2350 • www.lcoc.org

Shop Small, Shop Local, Shop Lincoln This Holiday Season

On behalf of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and all of our 1,700 members, I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season. I encourage you to spend time with those closest to you and thank them for the contributions they have made to your life.

Personally, I’m thankful for the opportunity we’ve had at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce to make Lincoln a better place to live, start a business and find new opportunities unique to our community. The goal at the Lincoln Chamber has always been to create new opportunities for existing Lincoln businesses and to recruit new businesses that want to call Lincoln home. We believe the hard work is paying off with a vibrant economy.

The holiday season is also a time of giving and many of you will spend the next few weeks trying to find that perfect gift. As you shop, I encourage you to support your local economy and buy Lincoln first. The money you spend at retailers here in Lincoln helps boost our local sales tax base and helps our community grow. When local sales tax collections increase, it helps off-set the reliance on property tax revenues to fund all of the things a growing city needs to be successful.

A shift in just a few of your purchases will lead to additional revenue for our community and promote job growth.

In addition to helping your community grow, when you buy local you also support the foundation on which all good economies are built, small business. According to the Small Business Association, small businesses have generated 64 percent of the net new jobs over the past 15 years. That’s why the Lincoln Chamber joined forces with American Express to promote Small Business Saturday. This effort is aimed at reminding shoppers to consider smaller, Lincoln-based businesses as a source of holiday giving. For example: instead of ordering a new drum set from a catalog, consider stopping by a local music store. Instead of heading to Omaha to shop at a large national retailer, stop by a local store and see if you can make your purchase there. There are countless other examples I could point to as ways to make more of your purchases locally this holiday season, but the theme is the same. Your money and how you spend it can make the difference in somebody else’s business.

I hope you have a happy and safe holiday season and cheers to making 2017 another successful year for business and job growth in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Eco-Efficiency Linking environmental and economic performance, eco-efficiency is a key part of the successful management of a modern business/organization.

A key sustainability concept, eco-efficiency takes into consideration all of the integral parts of your business—the actual day-to-day functions— and how those components can be further optimized for the preservation of the environment while also positively impacting the business’s bottom line. Furthermore, when we use the term “environment,” it actually has a two-fold meaning: on a small scale, the environment that you do business in itself, and on the largest scale, our global environment.

“Today more than ever, building owners want their facilities to be environmentally responsible and healthy places to live and work,” emphasizes Pat Killeen, owner of Engineered Controls. “They also want to optimize the energy usage, without compromising comfort. Together a tall order to accomplish, but at Engineered Controls that technology is available today. Furthermore, we benefit greatly from our partnership with Honeywell, a major energy products company that is spending sizable research Pat Killeen and development funds on new products that Engineered Controls will improve our lives and reduce energy.

Engineered Controls can play a very big part in assisting new and existing building owners with controlling their buildings’ energy costs.

Considering the fact that a building’s lighting and HVAC loads account for nearly 80% of a building’s energy usage, there are plenty of energy strategies that a Building Automation System can provide maximizing the energy strategy options available to building owners. Essentially, Engineered Controls can assist in total building control and help provide a healthier and more energy-efficient environment for occupants.

To help our customers in identifying efficiency areas in their buildings, Engineered Controls, in conjunction with Honeywell Inc., developed an Energy & Environmental Optimization or EEO program. It is designed to leverage a broad portfolio of energy efficiency products and solutions, as well as offer a high level of energy expertise to commercial buildings in the hands of our skilled, knowledgeable and certified EEO professionals. Our EEO team can help building owners and managers obtain real-world data to help them make fact-based decisions about how to optimize their buildings for occupants’ comfort while saving energy at the same time.

Engineered Controls also offers our customers Planned Service Agreements (or simply PSA’s) to assist them in the daily operation of their facilities. The PSA that has two elements: 1. Preventative Care & Routine Maintenance; and 2. System-Wide Energy Analysis.

The first element focuses on the building hardware and is a standardized preventative maintenance program on a building environmental controls system to maximize the system’s reliability and to minimize the operational costs. In other words, our PSA program offers comprehensive system-wide checkups and testing to ensure that the control system is always operating at peak performance levels. Building systems that

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This also promotes longevity of equipment, protection of employees and equipment due to proper security measures, and energy efficiency which will result in minimizing operating costs and future unplanned capital expenditures.

For the second element, our staff of trained experts will assist a building owner in identifying areas where they can reduce cost, identify simple potential energy savings payback opportunities, and provide training.

When our customers are interested a more aggressive approach to energy reduction, then we move them into our EEO program that was previously mentioned.

Moving away from the building equipment perspective and focusing more on the building occupants, indoor air quality (IAQ) is of great importance. This can be a major concern to building managers, employees and tenants because it can impact the health, comfort, wellbeing, and productivity of the building occupants. Having suitable indoor air quality in commercial buildings is an important component to the overall health of its occupants. Quality indoor air contributes to a favorable and productive environment for building occupants, giving them a sense of comfort, health, and well-being. Significant increases in worker productivity have also been demonstrated when the air quality was adequate.

Today in commercial buildings, automation systems exist that will monitor and control a buildings environment to look for possible contaminates.

The building automation system can also monitor human exposure to pollutants (e.g. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds and more) that can have adverse effects on your workers’ health. For example, high levels of carbon dioxide can cause drowsiness and create an inefficient work environment for building occupants, whereas other toxic gases like carbon monoxide are hazardous and potentially fatal for workers if not treated quickly. To combat all of the indoor air problems that are present, Engineered Controls offers a Demand Control Ventilation software program that will automatically adjust HVAC systems to introduce higher levels of outdoor air only when occupancy levels of building contaminants are at a high level. Equally important is that these features only induce more outdoor air when required, thus allowing building owners to maintain optimum levels of IAQ and at the same time obtain substantial energy cost savings while increasing the comfort and productivity of occupants.”

John Henry (Jack) Zohner, owner of John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning highlights another possibility that will positively impact the health and wellness of your employees, tenants, clients, and any other visitors.

Jack Zohner “The Air Scrubber Plus is an incredible new product that can reduce up to 99% of the John Henry’s Plumbing, harmful contaminants in your home or office. Heating & Air Conditioning DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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Every surface you touch is cleaner as it attacks things like influenza virus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, E. Coli, and another dozen or so things that can affect our health. The Air Scrubber Plus would be a great device to have in all offices to reduce absenteeism due to illness, and it’s a great investment at $865 including installation. It makes sense to have the Air Scrubber Plus in all facilities, but especially at daycares, schools, doctor’s offices, and the list goes on.

He, too, addresses building controls, and more specifically, the thermostat, which has come a long way in terms of the current technology that’s available. “Smart programmable thermostats are a great way to save energy and maintain maximum comfort. Why not adjust the temperatures and run times to match the hours a building or home is occupied? There are many options to pick from and payback is fairly quick. I like the Lennox iComfort and the Trane Nexia thermostats that are controllable from an iPhone. It’s comforting to know you can make any necessary adjustments while you are away. Some smart thermostats have options for security, timing of lights, and the list goes on. Smart thermostats do so much more today than control the heating and cooling!”

Zohner further advises, “It’s hard to put into words what we will be facing soon as our environment rapidly declines. The Arctic will likely be free of sea ice by mid-century and global warming will increase ever faster.

We are on a collision course with nature and the deck is stacked against us. We need to take a proactive approach immediately and reduce our carbon footprint in every possible area. All heating and cooling equipment needs to be replaced if it is not high efficiency. It needs to be maintained by a qualified technician twice a year that follows specific details covered in a good service maintenance agreement.

Humidifiers are another very important part of a heating system. Our cold Nebraska winters tend to dry out our homes and offices. Dry air increases the risks of bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold, mites, respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma. It also dries out our skin and increases wrinkles. The optimum range for relative humidity is best for your health.

The Honeywell TruEase is a very good humidifier that has a bypass damper to keep air from going through it when the system is not calling

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for heat and also automatic water shut off valves to shut off the water.

These two features save energy and improve comfort. The right humidity also increases comfort and allows the temperature to be a few degrees lower, which of course saves energy too.”

It’s not only important to regularly evaluate and invest in equipment and systems that promote eco-efficiency, but also to work with service providers whose environmentally-friendly business practices align with your needs and goals. A prime example for businesses is your commercial cleaning company, as the products used do indeed matter.

“We recently submitted our company’s best practices for green cleaning to an independent non-profit organization called Green Seal, a respected U.S. environmental leadership ecolabel,” explains Angela Paolini, President of ServiceMaster Professional Business Maintenance. “Working closely with Green Seal we did attain the coveted GS-42 certification by completing a rigorous certification and audit of our cleaning services.

This means that now we can say that our cleaning service and ServiceMaster Clean’s Angela Paolini patented Capture and Removal Cleaning® ServiceMaster PBM system meets the criteria of the Green Seal™ Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services for reduced toxicity, waste and exposure.

Based on her experience, she also offers the following advice, “If you are interested in ‘Going Green’ you should understand what ecolabels are and who to listen to as a reliable source of information. Since the 1990s the number of third party ecolabels has grown. The number of reliable and truly independent standards and ecolabels remains low. Green Seal standards are singled out as science-based and exceptionally credible. Since 2000, nearly 1,500 cleaning products have become certified under GS-37 and more than 100 companies offer products certified under GS-37 including 3M, Ecolab, PortionPac and Staples.

ServiceMaster Clean Green For™ cleaning products and ServiceMaster Clean’s patented Capture and Removal Cleaning® system are certified

by Green Seal under GS-42.

That being said, I believe more important than what to use in an effort to “Go Green” is making sure that whatever equipment, process or practice you incorporate has been certified by a reputable third party ecolabel such as Green Seal.

According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, eco-efficiency is progressively reducing environmental impacts of goods and resource intensity throughout the entire life-cycle to a level at least in line with the Earth’s estimated carrying capacity. It is important to remember that even by just reducing your environmental impact in your operations, equipment use and practices you are working towards to a more environmentally efficient practice and creating sustainability for your department or company. Do not give up. It is a big job to protect our environment and it doesn’t happen overnight in one large move by one large company but in many seemingly insignificant decisions and choices by many people.”

So far we’ve just skimmed the surface of everything out there that serves to improve energy efficiency. You could even choose to take energy efficiency a step further and employ a strategic approach that not only incorporates energy usage but also energy production.

Renewable energy—energy that comes from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale—is more affordable than ever, making it accessible to a much wider segment of the population.

“Photo voltaic system (PV) also known as solar power is definitely a great optimizer for environmental efficiency,” emphasizes Jason Olberding, owner of J-Tech Solar. “Solar provides energy that could potently power your workplace, lighten its carbon footprint and increase environmental efficiency. PV also has a great economic outcome for all business owners who decide to give it a chance.

Federal government allows businesses to have a 1-year accelerated depreciation on solar power if necessary. This can make the return Jason Olberding on investment absolutely incredible.

J-Tech Solar When most people think of solar power, the first thing that comes to mind is their roof and they often eliminate themselves due to shade, space or maybe cost constraints. Please rejoice!

Solar panels can be placed almost anywhere and J-Tech Solar actually has a community solar project in the works. This would allow a business or individual to purchase a solar system and have it on land designated for the use of solar power generation. The purchase includes 24-hour WiFi monitoring system that tracks the power production live minute to minute.

Solar is relatively new to our area, this often makes people hesitant to look at the possibilities. J-Tech Solar provides the best equipment, OSHA compliance and PV certified installers. The solar business is just like most things in life in that you pay for what you get. We’re always more than happy to provide information to anyone who is interested in learning more about the possibilities that exist.”

Speaking of the power of the sun, another item that can make a big difference in terms of environmental efficiency are window films, which have evolved to offer a host of impressive functions and benefits.

“3M Solar Control Window Films are the perfect retrofit for any building if you’re looking to decrease solar heat, glare, and UV rays while increasing the efficiency of the heating and cooling units, all without replacing the original windows,” advises Keith May, owner of The Tint Shop. “3M Window Films have significant advantages all year long, but since winter is here, I’ll use that as an example. The heating system in a building is being used to keep most of the employees comfortably warm.

In the meantime, the employees in front of or close to large windows are sweating because they are getting hit with heat from the building heating system AND the sun’s heat blasting in through the windows. 3M Window Films even out this heat in balance, keeping it more comfortable for all in winter as well as the warmer months.

With energy costs rising, and climate change becoming a factor, you want

to find the most cost effective solution for energy consumption possible.

Something as small as using lower wattage bulbs can lower the energy consumption in a large building. But when it comes to climate control in a building or home, the solutions are generally costly. With new energyefficient windows, heat pumps, new high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, there are many options to dealing with energy efficiency that are expensive but worthwhile investments.

However, retrofitting 3M Window Films into ANY building is one of the most cost-effective improvements available that produces immediate results. There’s no construction, closing down sections of the building, or permits required for the installation, making it one of the least intrusive options as well. With an average ROI of 3 years, you will notice a drop in energy costs immediately along with much-improved temperature regulation.

Among the solutions window films provide, many are actually quite creative in terms of function. Some 3M Fasara Decorative Films can even brighten up a dark room or workspace by reflecting the ambient light in the room off of the “white” decorative finish and back into the room amplified. So now that conference room that always seemed a little dark and gloomy can be brightened up without resorting to expensive fixtures or brighter, higher energy bulbs. Alternatively, 3M Daylight Directing Films are literally like tiny “prisms” working to redirect the light entering a window up towards the ceiling, and away from employees, desks, screens, etc. Both the desired look and function can be achieved, as much of the new films have little to no darkness or ‘tint,’ or in industry terms, high visible light transmittance (VLT).

3M Window Films have been recognized by the American Skin Cancer Society and are Energy Star Rated. There are films that address just about any issue you’re experiencing or objective you’re seeking to meet, and when installed by The Tint Shop, you know you are getting the right film for your situation and having it applied by professionals with over 18 years of experience. If your property is more than three floors we can also do an Energy Audit, which provides an ROI time frame.

Please feel free to call The Tint Shop at (402) 466-1355 or email us at tintshop1355@gmail.com with any questions. You can also check out our website at tintshoplincoln.com for more information, which includes features for requesting an estimate, paying an invoice, and other convenient options.”

Now that you have a taste of what’s out there currently, take a step back to look at the whole picture of your operations (and ecological footprint). You’ll find that there are many useful applications, and in all aspects of business, where eco-efficiency principles, tools, and processes can be applied. Whether it’s a small improvement or a large-scale solution, the outcomes are well worth at least looking into what you can do to improve your eco-efficiency. If you’re not sure where exactly to start, give one of our local professionals a call and go from there!

DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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Winter

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“Winter driving presents a number of challenges to you and your car,” advises Sherri Stock of inMOTION Auto Care.

“Cold weather can be hard on your car and winter weather can test your abilities as a driver. Therefore, it pays to be prepared. Here are our tips to get ready for snow and sleet-covered roads, and freezing temperatures. We hope you find them useful.

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Winter driving, particularly given the fluctuating and often treacherous nature of the weather conditions we experience here in Nebraska, is not to be taken lightly. In fact, there are a number of safety measures to be taken in order to ensure that you and your family can safely travel from Point A to Point B whenever it’s necessary to do so. While much of this might seem to be common sense for many of you who are reading this, it’s well worth revisiting this time of year just to make sure that all necessary precautions have been taken. Consider this a prime example where we can all get behind the Boy Scouts motto: Be Prepared!

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

Sherri Stock inMOTION Auto Care

Breaking down is never convenient, but it’s worse in the winter than any other time of year. Since bad hoses, belts, water pumps and spark plug wires can leave you stranded, it’s better to take care of them before cold weather really hits. It’s a far better option than spending the same amount of money after you’ve been sitting in your car waiting for roadside assistance.

Here’s one service item that’s often forgotten: tire pressure. Ask your mechanic to check it, or do it as soon as winter arrives. Why? Because tire pressure drops by about one pound for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. So, when it’s 20 degrees and the last time you checked your tire pressure was back during that heat wave in July, your tires will be dangerously low and will jeopardize your car’s handling.

Many newer vehicles have tire pressure monitors, which alert you to dangerous changes in tire pressure. As of 2008, tire pressure monitors are required on all new vehicles. But older cars don’t have them, and the pressure needs to be checked manually.

2. Make sure your battery and charging system are up to snuff.

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Your mechanic should check the battery, charging system, and belts. Your battery can leave you stranded simply because it’s old and lousy. Or it could leave you stranded because your charging system isn’t working well, and the battery isn’t getting charged properly. It’s a good idea to have a trusted technician test the battery and charging system.

If you find that you need a new battery, get the biggest, meanest, ugliest battery that will fit in your car. Two things to remember about batteries: First, the battery that started your car easily in the summer may not have enough oomph to do it in winter. In winter, the engine is harder to start, because the oil isn’t as “fluid” as it was last July. And secondly, batteries lose power as the temperature drops (you remember your high school chemistry, right?). So not only do you need MORE power to start the engine in winter, you also get LESS power from the same battery.

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3. Check the cooling system.

Make certain the antifreeze will protect your car at the winter temperatures we experience in Nebraska. Around here that means a 50-50 mix of coolant to water, which is good to -34 degrees. If you’re taking a winter trip someplace insanely cold like Northern Minnesota, you can up the ratio to 70 percent coolant and 30 percent water, but by no means use more than 70 percent antifreeze.

But that’s still only half the story. The other primary function of antifreeze is to keep your cooling system from rusting. The rust inhibitors in antifreeze break down over time and need to be renewed. So, at a minimum, change your engine’s coolant every 5 years. Besides, a good coolant exchange (flush) service also removes dirt and rust particles that can clog up the cooling system and cause problems, regardless of the season.

4. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape.

You should replace your windshield wipers at minimum once a year. At inMOTION we recommend changing them every 6 months.

It’s a simple and inexpensive way to ensure that you have good visibility year-round.

When using your wipers in the winter, remember to turn them off BEFORE shutting off the engine. Why? If your blades freeze to the windshield, when you go to start your car, the wiper motor may burn out trying to get them back to the “rest” position.

5. Keep your gas tank at least half full.

If you do get stuck or stranded in the winter, you’ll want to be able to keep the heater running. You can run the engine indefinitely at idle to stay warm-or as long as you have gas. No harm will be done to the engine.

clear. For that reason, it’s also a good idea to keep some extra fluid in the trunk in case you run out. FYI - There is a difference between washer solvent used in the winter verses what is used in the summer. The chemical additive package is adjusted in winter to alter the freeze point of the washer solvent.

7. Know your car.

Every car has different handling characteristics. You should know what both you and your vehicle are capable of in the snow. (Hint: It can’t do any of the things it was doing on the TV commercial that made you buy it.) It’s not a bad idea to do a little driving in an empty parking lot on a snowy day, just so you know what to expect from your car when you drive on snowy roads.

8. The single biggest safety feature you can buy for the winter.

Nothing will make a bigger difference to your ability to drive safely in the winter than good tires. They increase your traction when you’re starting out, braking and turning.

9. Make sure you have some basic supplies in your car in case you do get stuck.

If you have an older vehicle, we suggest you crack open the window a bit if you are going to be idling the engine. Older cars are more likely to suffer from exhaust leaks and rust holes. If you’re sitting for a long time while carbon monoxide is slowly leaking into the passenger compartment and if you are pulled over and stopped in the midst of a humungous snowstorm, be sure to get out periodically and remove snow from behind the tailpipe to keep it unobstructed.

Invest in a substantial snowbrush and an ice scraper. It’s good to have a shovel and a bag of sand to help with traction, and the aforementioned extra windshield washer fluid. A blanket is a good idea and some yummy snacks—just in case. If you have any winter clothes you don’t wear anymore, especially an old pair of boots, hat, and gloves throw them in the trunk, too.

6. Make sure your windshield washer reservoir is full.

Once snow or ice does arrive, take some extra time to make sure your car is clean and your visibility is good.

On a snowy or messy day, you can easily go through half a gallon or more of windshield washer fluid trying to keep your windshield

Clear off the entire car, not just a little peephole in the windshield.

10. Clean off your car - entirely!

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You need just as much, if not more, visibility in poor conditions because you have to keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians, and every other knucklehead on the road. Make sure every glass surface is clear and transparent by using a snowbrush and/or ice scraper. Your side-view mirrors, and all lights should be brushed and cleared as well.

Now, if you haven’t been smart enough to do so already, clean the snow off the rest of the car. Why? Because the rest of the snow will either: (A) Slide off the roof and cover your windshield as you’re slowing down; or (B) Fly off onto someone else’s windshield causing him or her to smash into you.

11. Clean your headlights. Even if you think they don’t need it.

If your headlights are covered with snow and ice, your visibility will be greatly reduced and other drivers are going to have a hard time seeing you. Salt, sand and other wintry crud can dramatically impair the effectiveness of your car’s headlights, even long after the last snowstorm. Whether you’re planning on driving at night or not, take a moment before every winter trip to clean off your headlights.

12. When driving in the snow, go slow.

Even with good coolant, good tires, stability control, all-wheel drive, and the bag of Doritos in the trunk, keep in mind that driving in snow, sleet, and ice is very treacherous. And even if you maintain control of your car, not everyone else will. So don’t ever get lulled into a false sense of security. Do everything slowly and gently.

Remember, in the snow, the tires are always just barely grabbing the road. Accelerate slowly and gently, turn slowly and gently, and brake slowly and gently. To do this, you have to anticipate turns and stops. Go slowly and leave plenty of distance between yourself and other vehicles. Rapid movements lead to skids and loss of control.

Going back to #8, as the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, your tires are a key component responsible for ensuring the safety of occupants while travelling treacherous roads. When we think of preparing our vehicle for winter conditions, tires usually come to mind first because that’s a widely accepted fact.

Much research and development has gone into engineering tires to handle inclement conditions specific to our unique geography here in North America; they definitely exist, but it’s not the ones you might think would be best based on how they are labeled and commonly promoted. This has become a classic case of buyer beware, so going straight to a trusted source for information and guidance is wise.

“I always caution folks to not be fooled by the ‘All-Season’ tire designation, especially this time of year,” advises Nick Vuko, owner of Walker Tire and Quick Nick’s Service Centers. “With a name like that it’s easy to have a false sense of security that it means you’ll be safe in all conditions, but that’s not the case. AllSeason tires are not designed for ice, snow and slush. Instead, we highly recommend All-Weather tires such as those made by Nokian, a company that is well-known Nick Vuko worldwide for engineering tires that are Walker Tire & Quick the safest in inclement weather. There are Nick’s Service Centers still a lot of people who have a preset idea and are sold on the concept and hesitant to change their position on it. However, I urge you to stop in and ask us questions before you absolutely make up your mind.

The major safety issue with All-Season tires is that stopping and turning are both a problem. With All-Weather Nokian Tyres, you can go wherever you want and do whatever you need to do no matter what Mother Nature throws your way. Stop into any of our stores and we’ll show you exactly what we’re talking about – tires

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from the Nokian line truly are the safest application of any tire we’ve ever sold in our 60+ years in business.”

Another feature that promotes safety (refer back to #10) as well as convenience during the winter months is a remote starter, backup camera, or back-up sensors.

“Visibility is a crucial part of safe driving, particularly once the winter weather arrives,” advises Rober t Peinado of GP Customs. “It’s all-too-common to see people driving down the road with only a small area scraped off because they didn’t have time to wait for the windshield to defrost completely. This is not only dangerous for the driver and any passengers but for everyone else on the road too. Remote car starters solve this problem and more.

Robert Peinado

There continues to be advancements in GP Customs technology offered in remote car starters, which is already pretty impressive to date. These systems can be started remotely from long distances; you don’t even have to be in the same city! So if you’re on a plane headed back home to snow on the ground here in Nebraska, you can have your vehicle defrosted and ready to drive when you touch down. Furthermore, if you’re upgrading a vehicle that didn’t originally come with remote start capabilities, you’ll still be able use your factory key fob by simply pressing a sequence of buttons. Remote car starters are perfect for those who have to walk a distance from work, especially in the inclement weather we are very familiar with here in Nebraska, and you can also unlock your vehicle remotely if someone else needs entry. With the advances in phone apps, you can even use your phone to do all of this, and track your vehicle’s location!

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Finally, since factory integration plays a major role in design and installation, especially for newer vehicles, I always caution against buying the kits you find in the stores to install your own remote start system. Instead, by purchasing a system that’s recommended specifically for the make and model of your vehicle by experienced professionals, and installed by them too, it’s covered under warranty and you’ll avoid any issues that would end up costing you more in the long run.

Back-up cameras and sensors can also be life savers in the winter months. With the harsh weather conditions causing impaired vision out of the rear window, an obstruction detection system like a back-up camera or a set of back-up sensors can safely notify you if there are any objects in front or behind you when backing out of your packing spot. The accessories can be added aftermarket, and made to look like factory without alteration or damage to your vehicle. A couple accessories like this can drastically update the technology in your car without having to purchase a new vehicle, and help your resale value too! Feel free to contact GP Customs at (402) 421-0888 with any inquiries.”

Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and at an accelerated rate during the winter when inclement weather conditions are far more likely to be present. As such, you’ll want to be adequately prepared in the event that you’re involved in one. There are precautionary safety measures you can take, such as ensuring your tires have the proper amount of tread and avoiding being out on the roads if possible when the weather is bad, but there are other things to keep in mind once the damage is done.

As the owner of a vehicle, it’s important to be aware that you have the right to have it repaired by your professional of choice.

So many times insurance companies and their adjusters will try to direct you to a place that may not necessarily have your best interests in mind. However, if you know ahead of time where you would have your car repaired in the event of an accident, it makes

it that much easier to be firm with your decision when discussing the specifics as opposed to getting swayed into taking your car to a place you are unfamiliar with. It also makes it easy to contact your collision center to set up the initial estimate and repair so that you are back on the road as soon as possible.

Vehicles are much more complex now then even how they were made even five years ago, and there are many new techniques, materials, equipment, and so on for repairing them. For this exact reason, you’ll want to work with a professional that stays up-todate on industry specifics and training. Moreover, with so many details that go into the repair of a vehicle, and many of them not necessarily visible to the untrained eye, you really have to trust that the work is being done properly and there’s unfortunately no way to know unless it’s done poorly and problems arise after the fact. When choosing your collision repair professional, it’s a must to make sure that they are well-equipped to do the work on the specific make and model of your vehicle. You can find this out simply by asking if the shop has undergone any recent industry training or has experience working with similar vehicles, or you could also do your research by checking out their website and social media posts along with any consumer reviews that are available.

In the automotive industry, word of mouth speaks volumes. Ask around to see who others you trust have used for collision repair in the past and then see whose name comes up more than once. If you have a mechanic who exclusively works on your vehicle, that would be a great person to ask for a referral as well. But above all, do your research and don’t just take an isolated recommendation at face value or the first recommendation that comes your way.

Average truly doesn’t cut it anymore when it comes to vehicle repair; you’ll want to work with a business that is focused on being the absolute best at what they do. Knowing who you are working with will make all the difference.

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an accident, you’ll be prepared to act accordingly. Make sure that all of the drivers in your family know the basics regarding what they should do in the event of an accident so that everyone is on the same page. Talk about it together, establish a family plan, and type up a sheet of important details and contact information to keep in the glove box of each vehicle. This could potentially include your insurance agent, collision repair center, towing company, AAA membership information, emergency contact information, and even any existing medical conditions for responders. After an accident it’s very common to be a little bit rattled so the more information you have available for those who are first on the scene, the better.

There are great forms available online that you can download, fill out, and keep in your vehicle in case of an accident.

“Don’t be afraid to call the police and file and accident report,” advises David Duff of Farm Bureau Financial Services. “That will protect you in any given situation. The rule of thumb used to be if it was under a couple thousand dollars in estimated damage it wasn’t necessary, but that is now the cost of a bumper!”

He also offers a few other helpful pieces of advice, stating, “Review your current policy and coverage with your agent, David Duff revising it as needed. Make sure you know your deductible and have roadside Farm Bureau assistance is included. Also of importance, Financial Services make sure you have adequate liability limits. The bottom state requirements won’t even cover you if you total out a new van, let alone the injuries if that van is full of people.

As previously addressed at length, take your car in to have it checked over to make sure it is winter ready. Having bald tires on ice is not the fun sleigh ride anyone is looking for in the winter.

Pack a winter kit that would include some granola bars, coats, blankets, extra gloves for use in emergency situations.

Lastly, if you have to question driving in winter weather, it might not be worth it. Especially if you are putting little ones are risk in a vehicle during snow and icy conditions!”

Matt Moorhead of Shelter Insurance adds, “The State of Nebraska only requires you to carry $25,000 dollars per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, but to be honest there are many cases where this is just not enough coverage. Higher limits can be purchased and I suggest at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for any driver. They are really a number of things that will or won’t be covered in an accident depending on the Matt Moorhead coverages you choose to have. This is a Shelter Insurance prime example of why having a good relationship with your agent is beneficial.

Many times people are looking for the best deal, forgetting the fact that it may not include all of the coverages that would be important in the event of an accident. For example one optional area of coverage is rental reimbursement. It is very affordable, but many people do not need it because they have access to more than one car. However, for some, that’s not the case at all.

Let’s say you’re a single parent with kids that need to be to school and back on a daily basis along with being present at your job.

This would be a very important coverage to carry since your vehicle could take 3-10 days in a body shop, and without rental reimbursement, you could be stuck without a car for the duration or paying for a rental out-of-pocket.

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Being prepared is always a good idea, but with potentially dangerous winter weather conditions likely headed our way, this becomes more of a necessity as it can be a lifesaver. As previously mentioned, having an emergency kit with you in your vehicle at all times is a must. In closing, we have compiled a list of suggested items that could be kept in a small duffle bag or backpack and tucked in your trunk just in case. This of course isn’t an exhaustive list, but it covers the bases pretty well.

First Aid Kit • Jumper Cables • Fire Extinguisher • Roadside Flares • Bright Flashlight/Extra Batteries (if you’re travelling with kids, more than one is a good idea in case you’re stuck for a while) • Portable Cell Phone Power Bank • Handi-Wipes • Ice Scraper • Small Shovel • Pen and Paper • Disposable Camera for Accident Photos • Extra Fuses • Candles & Lighter/Matches • Kitty Litter/ Sand • Leatherman Multi-Purpose Tool • Small Roll of Duct Tape (this stuff has been proven to temporarily fix many things, just ask MacGyver!) • Blankets and Towels • Extra Gloves and Wool Cap (60% of your body heat leaves through your head) • NonPerishable Snack Items (nuts, candy bars, and/or energy bars)

While the weather has been unseasonably mild this year, you can bet we’re in for some classic Nebraska winter storms before all is said and done.

Be prepared, stay safe, and we encourage you to utilize the expertise of our local professionals!

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The winter months are tough for a lot of us, but can be especially difficult for those among the senior population. This time of year, the Strictly Business team makes it a point to consult with our local professionals in order to offer guidance for seniors and their loved ones and report on all of the area resources that are available. From what do to when you’re gathering together for the holidays and notice signs that a family member’s health has declined or taking that opportunity to discuss plans for the future, to exploring options for respite care and companionship; from things to do in our community geared specifically towards fellowship and staying active/involved to the powerful impact that volunteering can make on the lives of others over the course of the next few months – our local experts have made sure to cover all of the important bases.

This month in particular, most of us are blessed to gather together with all of our family and friends. We share meals, play games, honor traditions, catch up and simply enjoy the company. We travel if necessary, going to great lengths to make it “home” for the holidays. With so much going on throughout the year, it’s indeed a challenge for such a feat to happen any other time. As such, it’s important to take full advantage, and that extends to certain things to keep in mind with respect to our senior loved ones.

“As you gather with family over the holiday season it can be a good time to evaluate how your loved ones are living,” recommends Michaela Williams of Care Consultants for the Aging.

“Nutrition, hygiene and safety issues are areas that should always be looked at.

Are your loved ones able to make meals on their own? Can they dress and bathe themselves? Are you concerned about their balance or a fall risk? If you have concerns then it is wise to look at what options are Michaela Williams available. Care Consultants produces Care Consultants an ElderCare Resource Handbook that for the Aging provides a complete listing of senior services in the Lincoln and Omaha Metro areas respectively.

These are available in print and can also be viewed online at www.careconsultants.com.

Today, a move to a senior living community will be among the options, but not the only one to be considered. Finding a caregiver to check in on your loved one is a great way to ensure a senior’s 66

Strictly Business DECEMBER 2016

needs are being met and also helps avoid isolation. Caregivers can help keep seniors active and engaged in the activities they enjoy. Care Consultants can find caregivers to help with medical and non-medical needs and they can work from one to twentyfour hours a day.”

Theron Ahlman of CarePatrol further advises, “During the holidays, many will travel to visit parents or siblings that they haven’t seen often, or at all, over the course of the past year. If any of those people are seniors, you could notice a lot of changes from the last time you saw them. As a result, you might realize they are having more issues than they have let on during the year, which can be alarming. CarePatrol is here to help those who come across any issues that need to Theron Ahlman be addressed. If necessary, we can assist CarePatrol the family in finding a better and safer living situation. Our services are always 100% free to the family or senior we are helping, and we know the area and local senior living communities. This can save a lot of time and energy, especially for those who live in different cities.

We also help connect our clients with other resources that will play a part in the process, such as a realtor, mover or attorney.

When visiting your loved one there are a lot of different things to look for that are telling of health and wellbeing. This might include spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away, unexplained bruising, trouble getting up from a seated position, forgetfulness, unpleasant body odor, dirty house, and poor diet. Those signs all point to possible issues and can signal the need for additional support, despite the person telling you that he/she is doing good and doesn’t need any help. As the largest senior placement company in the country, CarePatrol offers free educational cards for families and one of these covers 20 signs that your loved one may need more help, which is helpful to have on-hand when visiting. Everything we do is geared towards finding seniors the safest and best community and/or care services, and that can be accomplished within a day or two, which can fit into a holiday visit if needed.”

When visits with loved ones are limited to one or two times per year, the physical and cognitive signs of decline in overall health may be more apparent than to those who visit

routinely,” agrees Amy Fish of Lancaster Rehabilitation Center. “You may notice hygiene concerns, or medications that appear to be mismanaged. There may be a lack of fresh food available, or a withdrawal in conversation on topics that used to interest them. If you notice these sorts of concerns there are a variety of senior services available in the community that can step in to help. Services ranging from chore duty assistance, all the way across the spectrum to care in a skilled Amy Fish nursing center, are all available to seniors Lancaster Rehabilitation in our community. Family members just Center need to determine the most appropriate support for their current situation, focusing on what works best for their current and future needs.

As the largest skilled nursing facility in the state of Nebraska, we’re able to provide for all skilled healthcare services under one roof including: traditional long-term care, short term rehabilitation, memory care and behavioral support. Call us anytime. We’re here to help!”

Specifically regarding the challenges and dangers for seniors during the winter, Fish says, “Getting out and about in the winter months can be treacherous for anyone, let alone for those who have physical limitations or safety concerns. Therefore, before deciding to make that trip to the store or medical appointment, seniors need to be sure the route will be free of obstacles like snow banks or icy sidewalks. Volunteering to clean the drive or sidewalk for a senior is a kind gesture and may allow them to make even simple trips to the mailbox worry free. Another kind gesture would be offering to assist them with their travel needs, or just stopping by to pass the time. The cold and dangers of winter can isolate seniors, making simple tasks more difficult. It is important to lean on the many resources our community offers to seniors every day, including things like Meals on Wheels and home health care services. At Lancaster Rehabilitation Center, we also offer short-term respite stays, where seniors can take up temporary residence until spring arrives. That way, they enjoy all the comforts of home, plus the opportunity for interaction and engagement in our activity program. Things like delicious homecooked meals already prepared and ready to enjoy alone or with company can make all the difference!

During the holidays each year, the Lancaster Rehabilitation team creates a calendar packed full of carolers, cookies and Claus!

We offer a variety of events and socials to keep the holidays merry and bright. For seniors in our community, taking a simple Sunday evening drive around town to see the holiday lights is a fun, stress-free activity. In addition, there is a variety of holiday musical performances and religious offerings to keep seniors active and involved throughout the holidays.”

While it’s common for the patriarch and/or matriarch of the family to host the holiday gathering, other locations are just as prevalent. In these instances, planning to accommodate senior loved ones is important too.

Christy Merritt The Waterford Communities

“Many of us are accustomed to a fastpaced environment and our holiday plans are no exception,” says Christy Merritt, Executive Director of The Waterford Communities. “If you have a senior who is going to be joining you for the holidays, be aware that they may need a little extra time to get to your event.

They may also need assistance if the weather is unfavorable. Offer to provide transportation if it’s snowy or icy outside and even consider amending your plans DECEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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to make things safer and less stressful. Above all, be patient and just enjoy the time you have with them.

such as grandkids or women. Why struggle with hearing loss if you don’t have to?

While many people look forward to the holidays, the one thing I have realized is that the holidays can be a very depressing time for seniors. Take time to visit them and take them on outings when possible. As previously mentioned, sometimes even taking them to do something as simple as looking at Christmas lights can brighten their mood. Watching movies, playing games, and sharing meals are all simple yet great ways to spend time together, during the holidays and on throughout the remainder of the winter months.”

Common signs to look for regarding hearing loss are:

“It is not uncommon for seniors, in particular, to become a little sad around the holidays and throughout the winter months,” agrees Connie Chisholm of Immanuel. “They may be missing loved ones or longing for the outside activities they enjoy in the warmer season. It is critical for emotional, mental and physical wellbeing to continue normal activities as much as possible. All of the Immanuel communities have a pretty full activity, event and wellness calendar each month. During the holiday season this calendar is expanded to include more special entertainment and intergenerational activities and holiday gatherings.”

Seniors may also find that preparing for holiday gatherings is more difficult or daunting than it has been in year’s past. Chisholm suggests, “Many times our senior loved ones are resistant to accepting offers of help with every day activities like house cleaning and maintenance or food preparation. However, with the hustle and bustle of the holidays it is a great time to offer assistance with meal and party planning, home winterization and gift shopping to help take the stress off the senior while providing the much needed help.”

Seniors look forward to family gatherings; being able to hear is yet another important part of fully enjoying the festivities.

Oftentimes, a senior has problems hearing higher-pitched voices

• Overuse of the word “What?”

• The TV volume is too loud for others.

• Ringing in the ears.

• Your loved one appears to be able to hear loud noises, but doesn’t seem to follow conversations.

• Your loved one has trouble understanding a conversation in a noisy environment, like a restaurant.

Those with a hearing loss sometimes don’t even realize it. They tend to slowly withdrawal from social activities. It is easier than keeping up with conversations.

Thus, they become isolated. “This is why we offer complimentary hearing evaluations,” states Leslie Frank MS, CCC-A of Nebraska Hearing Center. “I recommend that your hearing be tested annually. This way we can monitor any hearing loss. It is easy to do since the evaluation is free.”

Leslie Frank

As others have pointed out, winter can Nebraska Hearing Center get long and lonely. “Nebraska Hearing Center is a very social office,” states Leslie. “Our parking is right outside our door and we are happy to offer assistance. We encourage you to stop by and have a cup of coffee and a cookie.”

You might be among those who feel apprehensive about upcoming holiday gatherings for any number of reasons, whether you’re

You’ve had plenty of awkward conversations.

What’s one more?

The mother-daughter bond is a close one; you two can talk about anything. Don’t let discussing retirement living put an end to that. We’ll provide information and advice to make the conversation a little bit easier. See where the conversation goes. You might just find a place uniquely your own.

Give us a call at 402-420-9355 or visit Immanuel.com.

Affiliated with the Nebraska Synod, ELCA

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a senior yourself or an adult child with aging parents. When we all come together during the holidays, this also presents the opportunity to discuss, in person, our plans for the future as a family unit. Although it might seem like an odd juxtaposition to a time of happiness and celebration, this is incredibly beneficial because it gets everyone on the same page and provides a clear understanding of important matters to come. Despite the fact that it’s natural to be scared of the things we can’t control, life is going to happen, and it goes on regardless. Being proactive will help to alleviate much of the fear associated with change.

“First and foremost, we need to remove the stigma from having some tough conversations,” encourages Beth Friesen of Oasis Senior Advisors. “We don’t like these conversations and they make us uncomfortable, but we need to have them. And we need to have them BEFORE we need them. Is your loved one safe?

Are they lonely? Is accessing medical care or safely taking medications a concern?

Has estate planning been done? Are there arrangements made for power of Beth Friesen attorney? What are your loved one’s Oasis Senior Advisors end-of-life wishes when that becomes a reality? And do you have a ‘Plan B’ in place? In other words, what if they develop dementia or are no longer able to live safely on their own? Develop that ‘Plan B’ by contacting a senior living advisor to help you put a plan in place for when or if it is needed. Perhaps one of the most critical things to know is that if total assets are dipping below 200K or already have, that ‘Plan B’ becomes even more critical for ensuring choice for senior living options. A senior living advisor can meet with you and/or your loved ones and make the complexities of senior housing much easier to understand, working with you every step of the way.

Friesen also touches on seasonal obstacles. “Winter months are particularly difficult for seniors. The shorter and colder days can lead to increased isolation and depression. Slips and falls on ice and snow are particularly dangerous and can result in significant injury and a permanent change in health status. It’s important to realize that while home is often the most desired place to be, it is NOT always the safest place to be. Living in a community with social activities abound, where delicious and balanced meals are available, transportation to medical appointments is provided, and even amenities such as salon services, and banking are available brings peace of mind and an increase in the quality of life.

Also, it’s so important to check on the seniors in your life regularly during the winter months. Make sure they have adequate supplies before impending storms and that their furnaces are in safe working order. Similarly, if something seems amiss with the neighbor across the street, do not hesitate to stop over and check in on them.”

Jodi Freeman of Roper & Sons echoes the importance of planning for the future in the immediate present, offering the following advice: “Planning early and maintaining your estate plan and/or will, financial affairs, healthcare wishes, and end of life plans are essential. As we age and our lives change, so do our priorities. Plans made in prior years may change for a number of reasons, therefore keeping them up-toJodi Freeman date is key. It is also essential to plan for these things when our mental capacity is Roper & Sons strong, because once we begin to decline, both mentally and physically, proper planning can become a

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challenge. Besides being challenging, questions about mental or physical capacity can draw criticism and concerns about the validity of your plans, potentially leading to arguments and disregard of the plans, and even legal implications.

One of the best things you can do to avoid missteps or miscommunication is to plan early. I know it is very difficult to think about long-term illness and death when we feel like we are in our prime, but that is the best time to plan. You have a clear mind and clear objectives, and you are able to express your wishes without confusion or being questioned by your loved ones. If your children are mature enough, have them join the discussion, or at least fill them in on the reasons you are making the decisions, so that they are able to have a clear picture of why you planned the way you did.

It is very important that loved ones know the details of your estate and funeral plans, including where those plans are located, who your attorney is, what your healthcare wishes are, including how critical illness and the end of life should be managed, and which funeral home you wish to use and all of the plans you have in place regarding a funeral or memorial service. Your estate plan, your healthcare, and your end of life choices are yours, but we do encourage you to seek input from your loved ones when it is appropriate.

One mistake we commonly see at Roper & Sons is not planning for one’s own end-of-life decisions, with the assumption that family is willing and able to take care of any final arrangements. Life is unpredictable – we always tend to think ‘Oh, I have plenty of time,’ until one day, we don’t. It is very difficult to think about our end-of-life decisions, without a doubt. However, it is even more difficult for families in the midst of the greatest loss. We strongly encourage everyone to make their final wishes known, through pre-planning at a funeral home. Planning truly is one of the best ways you can give your loved ones the gift of peace of mind.

Having discussions about end of life plans can be difficult and awkward at any time, however, they are critical. Oftentimes holidays are the only time families are together, therefore becoming the most logical time to have a discussion that allows everyone to have their wishes heard. It may seem a little awkward to have these discussions over Thanksgiving dinner, or Christmas cookies, but when the holidays are the only time families are together, it may be the only time to have critical discussions. We don’t recommend jumping right in with ‘death talk,’ but there are some great tools for starting discussions, including ‘Talk of a Lifetime’ (you can request a brochure from Roper & Sons, either by calling or through our website). This program is a great tool for having conversations about memories and the ways you would like to be remembered, which often naturally leads into discussions about final health and funeral or memorial wishes.

In closing, please take care of your loved ones! Grief is very real throughout the year – the holidays tend to enhance it, especially when a spouse, partner, child, or grandchild has passed away during the year. Check on your elderly neighbors, your friends, and make this a true season of care!”

All things considered, “Communication is key,” emphasizes Rick Carney of Butherus, Maser & Love. “It is always nice when we have additional family members involved in the pre-planning process. That way we are sure everyone has the same understanding of how the service will go.

Additionally, the children will then know where the funeral plans were made and not mistakenly make duplicate, and costly, arrangements with a second funeral home.

During the holidays is a good time to start this conversation. A recent study showed

Rick Carney Butherus, Maser & Love

that seniors were better able to deal with these discussions than their baby boomer children. Children often think it will be too hard on their parents, when in fact they may well be the ones struggling with the process. It is important to have this talk, to know where important papers are kept and what people will need to be contacted right away. So often families are mentally and physically exhausted when the death of a loved one occurs. That is not the time to be scrambling for biographical information, looking for paperwork, or arguing with siblings about the way things should occur. This is a time when families should be supporting each other through their grief.

Currently there seems to be an increase in the number of Medicaid ‘spend-downs’ we are assisting families with, so that’s a trend worth noting. Your funeral plan can be a part of that spend-down and can easily be made ‘irrevocable’ so it won’t impact Medicaid calculations or be counted as part of the allowable assets. Preplanning your funeral is a great way to avoid the inflationary impact on funeral costs and relieve your family of the doubts they may have about whether they did what you would have wanted.”

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Along with all of the other resources that help guide seniors and their loved ones as they navigate life’s many changes, your attorney will also be a key figure in the management of important affairs.

Tanya Godwin of Vanderford Law, PC, LLO provides the following insight and tips on items that all will merit thoughtful consideration: “Most of us understand the importance of planning for the future. We save for retirement. We buy life insurance. We create college savings accounts for our children. Unfortunately, we fall short of the mark when it comes to caring for an aging or ailing loved one. Most of us wait Tanya Godwin until there is a problem before we think of planning. It’s not for lack of caring Vanderford Law on the family’s part. It’s simply because thinking of such changes in the lives of those we love is downright dispiriting.

What should the family do to better plan for the future? Seniors and their loved ones need to prepare a caregiving plan (including their estate plan), and regularly reevaluate these plans. No one looks forward to implementing their caregiving plan, however when a crisis occurs, it is much easier to take action with both blueprints in place. The hardest part of preparing such plans: Having the opening conversation with your loved one to start the ball rolling.

What should be avoided during this planning process? Missteps that people commonly take while planning for the future tend to be at the hands of the caregivers. They are innocent missteps, as the caregivers’ intentions for their loved ones are nothing but the best. However, it is important the caregiving plan be based solely on the wishes of the person who will be receiving the care, and not on those of the caregiver. Even with the best of intentions, a caregiver should never intervene in the lives of their loved ones, or create a caregiving plan, without the direct knowledge and express consent of the individual who will be receiving the care.

This is not only for the protection of the interests and needs of the person being cared for; it is also for the legal protection of the caregiver. The courts, various elder care services, and financial institutions are quite vigilant when it comes to elder neglect, abuse, and fraud. A well-intended caregiver could find themselves in legal trouble if they are acting on behalf of the person being cared for without the legal authority to do so. Official papers as simple as the execution of Power of Attorney documents, to the more complex process of guardianship (if necessary), are intended to assist and support the loved one needing care, while

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granting legal authority to the caregiver to best provide for their loved one’s needs.

takes place over a period of time, which is why it is never too early to start talking!

Now is the time to start discussing a caregiving and estate plan with your loved ones. Any member of the family can start that conversation, and participate in the creation of an estate plan and caregiving plan based on the wishes and needs of the individual who will receive the care. In truth, most healthy, independent adults would rather not talk about the “what if’s” life may have in store for them. No adult child of aging parents wants to admit their fiercely independent, stronghold-in-the-storm mother and/or father might need substantial help someday. Yet, the conversation must take place, and both a caregiving and estate plan must be created. So, where do you start?

If you have not already begun, it is time to start thinking about what you will need from Medicare and Medicaid along with the other items I’ve detailed. It is not a matter of ‘if’ you will need it; it’s more a matter of ‘when’ you will need it. Consider meeting with your estate planning attorney as well as your financial advisor, to discuss the best plan for your long-term needs, and protection of your assets.”

Select the best person to start this conversation, and determine the most significant priorities and concerns for your loved one. There are numerous ways to conduct this type of planning conference with your loved one, while including all family members who wish to participate. You may wish to take advantage of the holiday season and host a family meeting while everyone is gathered together. For families with members spread out across the miles, a family conference call may best meet the needs of all involved.

Another option may be to have a series of email conversations, which will not only assist in preparation of the written summary of the caregiving plan and expectations for estate planning, but will keep everyone informed of any changes that occur. The end goal is both a caregiving and estate plan that ensures all the wishes and needs of your loved one will be represented and respected.

Finally, be realistic about the process for creating a caregiver plan. A good estate planning attorney should make the estate plan process fairly smooth and painless. However, the caregiving conversation will likely require more than one conversation with your loved one and family members. It tends to be a process that

Along with looking ahead, looking back and reminiscing can also be a double-edged sword of sorts. The feelings associated with loss are unfortunately magnified during the holidays, a time when we tend to relive fond memories of the past. While this certainly doesn’t follow any age requirements, seniors do constitute the majority of this particular group for the simple fact that the longer we live, the higher the chance that a loved one has passed before us.

Jolie Vega of HoriSun Hospice offers advice for anyone dealing with loss this holiday season: “The idea that holidays are spent with loved ones was imprinted on our psyche at a young age. Generally, we celebrate and give meaning to these days with those who we call family. However, when a family member or loved one is missing, the holidays aren’t always a time of cheer and joy. Holidays, birthdays, and other Jolie Vega milestone days can seem to magnify the pain of the loss we have experienced. We HoriSun Hospice may feel sadder, lonelier, and may feel a need for more support. These feelings may feel significantly overwhelming especially during the first year following a loss.

You may be wondering things like “will this (insert holiday or special day) ever be the same without my loved one?” or “how am I going to be able to celebrate without my loved one here?”

You may also be experiencing anxiety or fear about how you may feel on those particular days. Will it be a day of remembering your loved one fondly, or will it be a day remembering the pain of their loss?

Although it may seem appealing to skip the holidays, birthdays, and other milestone days all together after the death of a loved one, there are coping strategies available that will allow you to lean into your grief and promote healing while being able to incorporate your loved one into these special days if you choose.”

Her suggestions for coping strategies are as follows: • The first year is usually the hardest. Because we don’t know what to expect, the first year’s holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and other milestones can seem overwhelming as they approach for the first time.

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• Plan ahead. Often times the anticipation of the approaching holiday can feel worse than going through the actual day itself.

To ease this discomfort, try planning ahead by using a Plan A/ Plan B approach. Plan A might involve spending these significant days with family and friends, while Plan B might mean having a simple celebration or dinner at home.

• Arrange a family meeting to discuss holiday plans. Let everyone in your family have a say - even the children. Be prepared to allow compromising.

• Consider traditions old and new.

• Allow yourself, and others, to grieve. It is important to recognize that every family member has his/her own unique grief experience and may have different needs related to

celebrating the holidays. No one way is right or wrong.

• Take charge of your social life. Although you may want to decline all invitations for social gatherings, consider attending a limited amount of them where you would feel comfortable and supported.

• Scale back. Grief can be exhausting-mentally, physically, and emotionally. Consider scaling back where you can. Perhaps you can cut back on holiday tasks such as sending cards, baking, or decorating.

• Honor your loved one’s memory. There are many ways to honor your loved ones. Go around the table and share a story, light a candle in remembrance, look at photo albums together, or make a donation in his/her name.

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• Consider attending a support group.

• Support the grieving children involved.

• Be gentle with yourself. Accept that feelings of anguish are difficult to avoid during the holiday season. Do not expect too much of yourself, and recognize that you are doing the best you can.

• Draw comfort from doing for others.

Holiday Volunteering Spotlight: There’s truly no better feeling than giving back, during the holidays or any other time of the year. There are many fantastic causes to support with your time and talents, and those that benefit seniors in our community who are in need are on that list.

“The winter months can seem long and volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and remain active when it is cold outside. Many organizations rely on volunteers and are always looking for people that are interested. Realizing what tasks you enjoy doing and finding a volunteering opportunity that matches those should help in making volunteering a habit. The ElderCare Resource Handbook offers a listing of local volunteer opportunities and can be viewed at www.careconsultants.com.”

– Michaela Williams, Care Consultants for the Aging “Volunteer options are endless and probably closer than you realize. Think for a moment of the seniors in your life. Perhaps they are your relatives. But they can also be your neighbors, people you used to work with, they may attend (or used to attend) your church or place of worship. I would encourage you to reach out to them and see how you can get involved. Perhaps they need snow removal during the winter or transportation to church or medical appointments. Perhaps they would just like a visitor to share a cup of coffee with on a cold winter morning. If each person can touch one other person in some way, we can all make a big impact collectively.” – Beth Friesen, Oasis Senior Advisors “Volunteers provide companionship and love for seniors throughout the year and especially during the holidays. They are able to be a friend in need to many of our residents here at Lancaster Rehabilitation Center. Around the holiday season, there are a number of volunteer groups that provide music entertainment and religious services to residents. Volunteers also come in to assist with activities, provide personal visits, and simply share their love. The first step for a prospective volunteer is to Kallin Niemeyer contact Lancaster Rehabilitation Center Lancaster Rehabilitation and fill out a volunteer application. Once Center the application is processed, one of the Life Enrichment staff members will contact the applicant. A member of our team will work with you to find the best fit for an assignment and get you started on one of the

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The Lancaster Rehabilitation family is thankful for the many community volunteers who give of their time, talents, and monetary donations to ensure our residents have gifts to open Christmas day. Together we continue to make memorable moments happen on our campus.” – Kallin Niemeyer, Lancaster Rehabilitation Center “Volunteers deliver meals, run errands and provide companionship during cold winter months when the weather prohibits seniors from getting out. At the Waterford Communities we love to have volunteers help us out with activities and entertainment. To volunteer you just need to call any of our campuses and ask for the Activities Director. The best advice, once you determine if your talent would be well-received by this generation, is to have dates and times that you would be available as well as any items that you would need us to provide.” – Christy Merritt, The Waterford Communities

The holidays are a time of celebration for all to enjoy, but for the seniors in our community, it’s often a case of taking the good with the bad. As is evident based on the wide variety of information provided by our local professionals, there’s a lot to think about and be aware of during an already busy time of year when it’s easy to get caught up in our own stuff of life. We encourage everyone to take a step back and be thoughtful of those who may easily get overlooked during all of the hustle and bustle while also looking to the future and planning accordingly for what’s to come. But above all, your thoughtfulness, generosity, assistance--even just your presence--means the world to our elders.

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Well, this is it - we’re officially in the midst of the holiday season!

Another plentiful Thanksgiving feast is in the books and next up: holiday decorating, shopping, parties, exchanging gifts, and most importantly, continuing to spend time with all of the wonderful people in our lives.

Likely more of what we’ve already been doing in the past few weeks is in store, and it will continue on through January too. Brace yourselves, because right about now there’s no end to the merriment in sight!

The “Need-It-Nows”: Last-Minute Gift Shopping While a lot of us have planned accordingly, already beating the rush to find most of our gifts, even the most savvy holiday shoppers still likely have a few people yet to check off this year’s list. We can all relate to the struggle of finding the perfect holiday gift, and you don’t have to settle for any less than that just yet. Or how about those of us out there who just plan to wing it? If you can relate more to that approach at this point, no problem there either.

Here’s some final holiday gifting inspiration courtesy of our fantastic local businesses here in Lincoln, Nebraska: For those on your list who enjoy grilling out, or who considers jerky to be a delicacy that is welcome anytime, Smoking Gun Jerky has what you need.

“We offer a variety of products that make great gifts, including many that are perfect for the hard-to-buy-for,” says Kris Hall-Ferguson of Smoking Gun Jerky. “Our jerky is nutritious PLUS it is a favorite snack food for many.

Especially at this time of year, snacks that aren’t full of sugar or high in fat are very much appreciated. Stuffing stockings, grab bag gifts, or gifting for that Secret Santa can be a challenge sometimes, but jerky is a surefire hit with almost everyone! During the month of December we offer special-sized packages Kris Hall-Ferguson that we sell in a 2-pack for $10. This is a great Smoking Gun Jerky gift idea that is reasonably priced, handy and ready to go. We have done this for the past several years and it is a big hit! There is a limited supply of these but we do our best to keep them available as supply and demand permits.

We also offer gift cards if you are unsure of what flavor might appeal to the recipient. Baskets are always the go-to last-minute gift, especially when you can select your own products, which allows you to choose your gift AND your price range. We can put these together for you while you wait or you can order ahead and pick up later. Or how about corporate gift bags? Companies can place an order and the personalized gifts are then delivered directly to the specified location. Personalization with company name can be added to jerky or other gift baskets for no charge with quantity orders too!

In the final stretch of the holidays, my advice is to make time for yourself.

Gift baskets reduce wrapping time as do gift cards. We also offer many salsa and dip options that make entertaining quick and easy. While Pinterest is a great resource and full of wonderful ideas, Christmas is not

the time to take on many of these projects. I have tried some myself, and often they are not as easy as they look. No need to add disappointment to your gift-giving experience. In addition to our specialty, jerky, we offer a selection of Nebraska-made gifts that are well-receive by anyone who appreciate artisan- and locally-made gifts. Stick with a tried and true gift from a local company, satisfaction guaranteed!”

Speaking of Nebraska-made items making great gifts, From Nebraska Gift Shop and James Arthur Vineyards also have these aplenty, as you might suspect judging by the name of the first.

“We’re a one-stop shop for fantastic gifts, offering an impressive selection of products that are all from right here in Nebraska,” says Barb Ballard of From Nebraska Gift Shop and James Arthur Vineyards. “This includes anything grown or made in Nebraska--food items, clothing, art, award-winning wine, and more; the store has something for everyone.

Our pre-made gift baskets are curated by our staff who have done these for years, so the presentation and combination of items are both really nice. As another option, we Barb Ballard can customize gift baskets to fit any need or From Nebraska Gift Shop budget. If the gift needs to be shipped, we & James Arthur Vineyards can take care of that as well.

When it comes to our offerings at James Arthur Vineyards, wine always makes a great gift for family, friends or co-workers. Whether it’s a gift for a host or wine for that special holiday dinner, we can help find the perfect match.

As far as entertainment goes, if you’re looking for a little inspiration, a fun last-minute idea for a party or gathering I recommend giving a try is testing everyone’s palette with a blind wine tasting. Buy a number of wines, including those from JAV, and put them in brown bags. Have guests make notes while they enjoy trying a number of different styles of wine. Or, the winery makes a great place for an impromptu gathering, especially if family is in town. It’s a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy each other’s company while sipping on wine and enjoying some Nebraskamade food items.

Whether the items you’re seeking are for gifts or gatherings, we really try to encourage people to let us help take care of all the details. Our goal is to make things as easy as possible for the customer, simplifying the process however we can. At minimum, all we need is your budget and an idea of what you want and we’ll handle the rest. And, what better way to reduce stress than sampling some wine while you shop? For those out and about tying all of the loose ends together towards the end of the month, we will have our ‘Twilight Hours’ again this year at the winery when we stay open until 8 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. to accommodate our last-minute shoppers.”

Many local businesses even offer a handy “wish list” service, which makes shopping much less of a guessing game. “Anyone can stop in and make up a wish list in advance,” says Jana Clark of Habitat. “We’ll keep it on file at the store. That wish list can then be used for Christmas, Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. throughout the year. What we have learned from the three years of doing this is that women love it and their partners and kids REALLY love getting items that they know are on the wish list. On Guys Jana Clark Night Out we pull the wish lists and help find Habitat the items. Shoppers also enjoy brats and beer while we do the wrapping! Have your loved ones make a wish list at Habitat and use it all year long, for any occasion. Our staff are excellent at putting gifts together; in fact, it’s one of their favorite things to do. Need office gifts? Girlfriend gifts? Sister gifts? Here are just a few ideas to consider. One of our specialty jams and a spreader tied with a bow is cute and easy. We have a new line of chocolates from a Belgian-Canadian chocolatier that is beautifully packaged. There are coloring books for adults, funny and light-spirited

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gift books, and bread mixes paired with a holiday spatula. And towels?

We have hundreds. We have loads of items for stocking the bar, like wine charms, glasses, wine bottle openers, gourmet olives, stir sticks, aerators, vodka infused cherries, and even a cocktail smoking kit! Complete your table with dishes and platters, napkins, placemats, beautiful holiday decorative table top trees, reindeer and lots of glitter.”

Greta’s Gourmet is another local gem where great gifts can be found, or of course, the place to grab the essentials for your holiday meals and parties.

“Although we’re no longer a walk-in and takeout retail deli and butcher shop, we still offer a full concierge butcher menu that’s available on our website, www.gretasgourmetfood.com,” says Kevin Mandigo of Greta’s Gourmet.

“You can either place the order over the phone or online for pick-up within 24-48 hours. This means you’re still able to enjoy anything on our traditional menu as well as our seasonal holiday menu, including everything from cured and smoked turkeys, double-smoked ham, Kevin Mandigo and smoked prime rib to a wide variety of Greta’s Gourmet gourmet sides and desserts. So a gift card gives the recipient the freedom to enjoy their favorites from Greta’s Gourmet! Our signature line of seasonings also make fantastic gifts, particularly stocking stuffers or as an addition to gift baskets. Or, with the ability to choose the amount of your gift card, why not give the unexpected gift of a catered meal?

As for planning your own holiday meals, relying on local businesses to help you out can end up taking a lot off your shoulders. Realize that you’re a busy person and you don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to go all out cooking an 8-course dinner, just do the things you actually like doing and then let us take care of the rest! Our cured and smoked turkey is consistently reviewed by our customers as the best they’ve ever had in their lives, which is a very high compliment but also

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means it’s a safe bet if you’re worried about putting your culinary skills to the test in the kitchen or just want to try something new this year. Pick it up already cooked (on Christmas Eve until 5 p.m.), pop it in the oven to reheat, and it turns out fantastic every time. To ensure optimal results, we provide complete step-by-step instructions for reheating anything you order off the holiday menu.”

Lincoln has become quite the wonderland for foodies, and since just about everyone enjoys being treated to a nice meal at their favorite restaurant, you really can’t go wrong with a gift card for an experience.

You can also get creative with the help of our local restaurants too!

“The best, easiest thing you can do that still means a lot is giving the gift of a night out in an iconic local restaurant,” says Kelli Pilkington of Venue Restaurant & Lounge.

“Our guests love coming in to get holiday gift cards for their friends, families and clients. It’s heartwarming when you pick the restaurant and it’s always a treat when it’s Venue.

In these last days leading up to the holidays, this is my mantra: keep it simple and enjoy!

Kelli Pilkington Treat yourself around the holidays and make Venue Restaurant things as simple as possible. If you have a busy & Lounge night of shopping and gift wrapping, simply use our new online system to order a homemade meal from Venue for your whole family that you can pick up after work. You’ll have a delicious meal on the table and still be able to get those last minute holiday to-do’s complete with enough time for a glass of wine before bed!

We also love hosting in-home holiday parties. Our team will set up a gorgeous display, handle all of the food and service, tend bar if you’d like, and leave everything spotless at the end. So if you’re wanting to host a holiday party in your home this year but are worried about the cooking and clean up, we’ll take care of everything! On that same note, with our 4 gorgeous private dining rooms, there’s still time yet this year to wow your guests by treating them to an amazing holiday event filled with crafted cocktails, a variety of wine, and local chef-inspired cuisine at Venue.

As yet another option, we have some amazing new holiday trays that will truly enhance your holiday parties this year. Simply order your trays on our website, pick them up before your party, and have a chef-crafted spread for your guests to enjoy. Everything from our signature Venue dip and bacon-wrapped scallops to our beautiful antipasto spread and bruschetta bar--you’ll love bringing freshly-made cuisine to your holiday event.

No matter what you might need, we are truly here to make your holiday events a unique experience that your guests will never forget.”

Further expanding on the fantastic idea of giving the gift of food, Natasha Plooster of Eat Fit Go suggests, “Who wouldn’t love the gift of a personal chef for one meal or a week’s worth of meals? Not to mention the best part, there won’t even be a mess in the kitchen! An Eat Fit Go gift card is just that; the gift of freedom from shopping, cooking and cleaning, even if just for a meal. After all the holiday celebration, I can guarantee that this Natasha Plooster will be the one of the most appreciated gifts!

Eat Fit Go The holidays are such a fun and busy, but sometimes stressful, time of the year. Between finding the perfect gifts and hosting or attending holiday parties, maintaining a balanced diet becomes extremely difficult. At Eat Fit Go, we strive to lighten your load by providing freshly prepared and nutritionally balanced meals for you to enjoy at your convenience.

This holiday season, we celebrate YOU! When you purchase $100 gift card at Eat Fit Go, you will get a $15 bonus card to use at your discretion – treat yourself or re-gift (we won’t mind!).”

Joe Armstrong of Cowboy Chicken also offers some gift and gathering ideas that can be found at his local restaurant, which specializes in delicious wood fired rotisserie chicken – and during the holidays, turkeys cooked the same way too!

“One way we here at Cowboy Chicken can assist you with those last minute gift ideas is through our gift card program. It’s a great way to show your employees, friends and family you care. This holiday season we are offering a great deal on our gift cards. When Joe Armstrong you buy $50 worth of gift cards, you get an Cowboy Chicken extra $10 gift card free to use anytime. You can buy our gift cards online at www.cowboychicken.com, drop by the restaurant at 2801 Pine Lake Road or call us at 402.420.0153 and we will deliver your gift cards to you anywhere in Lincoln. We take the hassle out of holiday shopping. Giving a gift card from Cowboy Chicken allows the recipient the opportunity to use their gift towards a turkey package for the holidays, a family meal package when life is a little too hectic or a lunch out with friends just to enjoy the holiday season together.

We are also offering our holiday Wood Fire Rotisserie Turkey packages through the end of the year. What a great way to have a stress-free holiday! Let us here at Cowboy Chicken do all the cooking for you. Trying to plan a holiday party for work or home? We will bring all of our wood fire goodies right to you. Is waiting until after the holidays to get your teams or family together more appealing? No problem! We have you covered even after the holidays have come and gone.”

As previously noted, which many of us are already aware, wine pairs incredibly well with holiday fare and is also a great gift. Also, sometimes it’s nice to escape for a little bit and enjoy a few glasses of wine in the company of friends. A holiday trifecta indeed, and barVino is the place to go for all three.

“A wine club membership is a fantastic gift idea that the recipient will be able to enjoy throughout the coming year,” says Jen AmenTomka of barVino. “There are a number of great perks, including featured wines and an exclusive wine tasting on the 1st Friday of each month.

Our monthly wine tasting event that is open to anyone who wants to join on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Cost for this tasting is $15 for guests, but it’s another free Jen Amen-Tomka perk for our wine club members. barVino On the retail side, all of the wines at barVino are available for purchase by the bottle off-sale. We also have a nice, and growing, selection of wine-related merchandise. Gift certificates are available and we can also put together a custom, personalized wine basket. This means you can stop by for a glass of wine and leave with gifts!”

Celebrations are also a common occurrence at barVino, as it’s a cozy, welcoming place to gather and of course, again, there’s wine. “We are happy to host impromptu gatherings, but always take reservations too. For groups of 8 or more, simply give us a call ahead if you can and we’ll have everything ready when you arrive. For those who are looking to host a party yet this year, or even in January, and are open to considering a Sunday or Monday date, we are closed on those days and don’t charge any additional fees for events at our venue.”

With a variety of different gift card promotions going on throughout the holidays, right now is the time for smart shoppers to take advantage of additional savings. Who doesn’t love the most familiar “one for you, and one for me” deals? Also, gift cards to restaurants and bars aren’t just convenient gifts; you can also purchase them strategically to save on your holiday parties and gatherings!

Kyle Fessler of Yowie’s Lodge explains, “Our current holiday gift card promotion is as follows:

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These gift cards can be used for anything— dining, carry-out, drinks, catering, or a combination of these. In light of this, they make excellent gifts for your personal giftgiving, corporate gift-giving, and are a savvy purchase for those hosting parties and gatherings. For example, a business could purchase the $1,000/+$200 option and use it in the future for event catering, to host clients, to treat employees—there are plenty

of possibilities!”

Whether it’s coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, a catered meal, cocktails, even a cooking class – a gift card is pretty great and just about everywhere you go is prepared with plenty on-hand for the holiday rush.

You can definitely count on those in the hospitality and retail businesses to be well prepared!

Speaking of the gift of an experience, we’re not done yet by a longshot!

There are so many things to see, do, and enjoy around Lincoln, and luckily enough, just about all of them have gift options available!

The escape room craze hit Lincoln this year full force, and our favorite spot nestled in the Haymarket is in the perfect location for a doubletreat of a night out to dinner with the challenge of a mystery to be solved before or after.

“We offer gift certificates in various amounts that are great for gifting,” says Abby Bartholomew of Escape Lincoln. “This allows people to give a unique, special experience while still leaving it up to the recipient on when they want to try an escape, how many people they want to bring, etc. Gift certificates can be purchased online on our website and either emailed or printed to be gifted, which means you’re covered for any last-minute needs!

We will also be offering special deals and promotions throughout the holiday season, so make sure to watch for those to pop up! The best way to find out about these is to sign up for our newsletter at www.escapelincoln.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and/ or Twitter.”

Or, staying within the realm of entertainment, you could choose to go with a classic American pastime and treat your loved ones to a fun afternoon or evening of bowling.

Abby Bartholomew “As we all head into the final stretch of the Escape Lincoln holidays, we at Hollywood Bowl and Parkway Lanes turn our focus to kids, families and friends,” says Jennifer Davis-Korn of 48 Bowl. “We think it’s pretty likely your focus has turned there, too. If you are anything like us, you have extra loved ones in town, if not in your house, and you want to be able to plan some fun and affordable activities to do together. Might we suggest bowling? There are a couple of fantastic specials that we run during winter break that make bringing the whole group in an easy choice.

Our most popular offering is the School’s Out Special. Everyone (including adults) can get two games and shoe rental for just $8 per person. This special is available at both centers, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., on December 23, 26-30 and January 2-3. We love it when old friends meet up or generations of the same family come in to bowl together, but there may be times when lanes are not available at one of the centers due to leagues or bookings. Therefore, we always recommend that you call in advance to inquire about the center schedule for that day.

Another special holiday offering to consider is our New Year’s Eve parties. We offer four different parties across two locations. Packages range from $55 per lane to $150 per lane and all include at least two hours of bowling and shoe rental for up to 6 people. Some packages include more amenities like food, beverages and party favors. We also

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have packages designed especially for families with small children who want to celebrate their countdown earlier. All packages and details can be found by visiting www.48bowl.com.

If you have any questions about any of our specials, parties, or help making last minute arrangements, please call us. We’d love to see how we can help you. For Parkway Lanes (2555 S 48th St.) call 402.483.7763 and for Hollywood Bowl (920 N 48th St.) call 402.466.1911.

Joining in the common theme when it comes to finding last-minute gifts, Jen Miseno of Sun Valley Lanes also notes, “If you are running out of time or just don’t know what to get someone, you can’t go wrong with gift cards.

They are quick and easy to purchase, and the recipient is guaranteed to like the gift or experience they pick out themselves. From now until Dec. 23rd we are offering $5 in arcade credit for each $25 gift card purchased, so you get even more bang for your buck!”

Pampering is a fantastic way to treat those Jen Miseno special people in your life during the holidays Sun Valley Lanes too! Salon and spa services make great gifts, and since personal preference varies here, a gift card definitely makes sense. While you’re at it, don’t forget to take the time to “Treat Yo Self.” (Any Parks and Recreation fans out there know that the actual day has passed, but still, you get the point.)

“The holidays can be really stressful!” says Ashley Pavlish of Body Nouveaux Spa. “We provide the opportunity for our clients to come in and unwind while also knocking out some holiday shopping to extend the gift of pampering and relaxation to their loved ones.

There are plenty of holiday specials running throughout the month of December, and we pride ourselves in being able to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules with day, evening, and weekend appointments. Gift certificates are the perfect way to allow the recipients to Ashley Pavlish choose whatever services they may want or Body Nouveaux Spa need, and they can even pick up their favorite Image Skincare products or Feya Candles while they’re at it. Or, instead of a dollar amount, these also can be purchased for specific services or packages. You can stop by and grab them or purchase them online at www.bodynouveauxspa.com, which is easy and very convenient as it saves you the trip. You can print them off at your home or office and away you go!”

There really are a lot of options to explore in this particular area, which is nice if you’re looking for something different but that is sure to be a big hit. “We have everything from travel-sized products that are perfect for stocking stuffers to full size luxury hair, skin and body products that are always a treat to receive!” says Tasha Schmeichel of Tranquility Salon & Spa. “Gift cards are also available, which can be purchased in any dollar amount to be used towards services and/or products! We know how busy Tasha Schmeichel everyone gets with the holidays so if a guest Tranquility Salon & Spa is not able to make it in to purchase a gift card we will happily take payment over the phone and mail it to you or directly to the recipient. As we get closer to Christmas we also offer specials such as giveaways, discounts, and plenty of treats at our holiday open house.

With so many different things going on, I highly recommend taking time for yourself during the holiday season as it can get rather stressful. Even if you can spare 30 minutes for a relaxing back, neck and shoulder massage or our rejuvenating express facial, you’ll leave feeling refreshed and ready to take on more holiday action. A hand and foot massage is always so relaxing and these even come with manicure and

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CELEBRATE WITH FOOD, FUN, & BOWLING!

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pedicure services. If you have a special event to attend or even if you’re just going out to dinner, take advantage of our blowdry bar, makeup bar, manicure and pedicure experience, or a combination of salon and spa services from our extensive menu - we’ve got everything you need to look and feel your best during the holidays. Whatever it may be we are here to pamper you and relax your mind and body!”

Along the same lines of looking and feeling your best, you may even book yourself a salon/spa day and then get as much mileage out of it as possible once you’re all glammed up. After all, during the holidays it’s all about using our time in the most efficient way possible to get everything accomplished in such a short window of time. One suggestion for the ladies out there looking for a one-of-a-kind gift to present to your significant is boudoir photos. “Boudoir photographs are a unique, and likely unexpected, sentimental yet sexy gift for your guy,” says Jaime Incontro of Purple Sky Productions. “Boudoir photographs are tasteful studio pictures taken in your lingerie. This might seem completely out of the realm of possibility for many women, but I strive to make my clients feel comfortable with both myself and their surroundings. I’ve found that women not only love giving the images to their guy, but they walk away from the experience feeling empowered and sexy. It is a great confidence boost as well as a special gift, no matter the occasion!”

Aside from finding unique gifts for family, friends, bosses, co-workers, clients – you get the idea – keep in mind that it’s also proper etiquette to bring a gift for the hosts of the holiday parties you’ll be attending.

Instead of waiting until the last minute, consider purchasing a few generic gifts that most anyone would enjoy getting or be able to use.

Rachel’s Boutique, located at 7121 Pioneers Blvd, has a fantastic selection of gift items that will fit the bill perfectly. “Our store is full this time of year with gift items like small clocks and frames for host gifts,” says Cherie Travis of Rachel’s Boutique. “We also have lots of jewelry, scarves and small grab-and-go items.

Gift wrap is always free! Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all the holiday specials going on at Rachel’s Boutique.”

Of course, jewelry is always makes a fantastic gift item. Just in time for the holidays, plenty Cherie Travis of new merchandise has arrived at Sartor Rachel’s Boutique Hamann Jewelers, in addition to an already amazing selection of pieces that can be found at both Lincoln locations.

The “After-Parties”: Holiday Celebrations in 2017 A trend that has caught on with many is “saving the best for last” and hosting a holiday party after the holiday season, and everything going on during that time, has passed. Check out what our local experts have to say about everything from planning and options to why they’ve found it to be such a beneficial approach: (Spoiler Alert: There is definitely a common theme!)

“The best part about hosting parties after the holidays is scheduling freedom! Very few of us have time within the few weeks of the holidays to do everything, so we are relegated to making tough choices about what makes the cut. If your party is an ‘annual’ party as opposed to a ‘holiday’ party, people still get the point and there’s more of a leisurely and fun feel to it. People can actually get excited about it once the holiday madness is behind them. Right now, we’re all just trying to get ready for the holidays ourselves, and spending those few extra minutes doing personal things. Not only will you have more options for scheduling, but since the various professionals you’ll be working with aren’t likely to be spread as thin as during the holidays when they’re in high demand, you’ll have more attention devoted directly to your event. Of course, you’ll be able to focus more of your time and attention on it too. It’s a win for everyone!” – Kevin Mandigo, Greta’s Gourmet “Want to try something new for your holiday soiree? Culinary Underground recently debuted its new private event space and we’re currently taking reservations for events in 2017. The event room is also located in the heart of the Historic Haymarket, but in a separate location just down the street from the restaurant at 728 Q Street Suite B. Amenities include a full bar and bartender service, fireplace, televisions, stage and

window seating, private sectioned seating, and of course, catering provided by Culinary Underground. The chic-yet-comfortable atmosphere makes for a great setting to host holiday parties. You can check out the space online at www.CUnderground.com or contact me at (402) 817-6510 to make a reservation or schedule a tour of our new private event space.” – Doug DeBoer, Culinary Underground “Everyone seems to have more free time AFTER the holidays and sometimes a get together can help diffuse those post-holiday Doug DeBoer doldrums!

With time more available, there is Culinary Underground less stress throwing a get-together then. Even holiday traditions can be created after the holidays. It’s a particularly great time for parties with friends or co-workers who you truly enjoy spending time with because there’s more of it and you can be fully present.” – Kris Hall-Ferguson, Smoking Gun Jerky “One big advantage when trying to book a holiday party after the holidays is that schedules become more freed up and flexible for coworkers and anywhere you might choose to host your party. We hosted some holiday parties in late January/early February last year, and it also seemed like people were really able to focus on enjoying the time together since it wasn’t just another event to add to the stress of the season.” – Abby Bartholomew, Escape Lincoln For those who want to host their holiday party after the actual holidays have passed, give us a call and we’d be happy to provide you with plenty of options. We absolutely love spa parties and will make it a special experience for you and your guests. Whatever it may be we are here to pamper you and relax your mind and body!” – Tasha Schmeichel, Tranquility Salon & Spa “The main benefit of waiting until after the holidays are over to host your party is that you’re not competing with all the hustle and bustle of holiday prep. Holidays can be a taxing time, particularly if you are hosting a gathering or need to travel. When you have your event during an off-peak time, people tend to be more relaxed and are able to really enjoy themselves without worrying about their own gatherings.”

– Jen Miseno, Sun Valley Lanes “Probably the biggest advantage that we see with those who host their holiday parties after the actual holidays have passed is that everyone is a little more relaxed and not so hurried when they wait and have their party after the first of the year. In fact, that is a trend that we’re seeing more every year, especially with businesses that are very customer service oriented. That’s exactly why we usually have our Christmas party here at JAV sometime in January. We can all take a deep breath and have fun knowing we’ve just made it through another holiday season!”

– Barb Ballard, From Nebraska Gift Shop and James Arthur Vineyards “Harris Academy of the Arts has your entertainment covered for parties in 2017!

With such a talented team of professional musicians available to book for live performances, there are many different options ensembles as well as the abilities to customize your music selection. This includes solos, duets, trios, quartets and small ensembles, with styles of classical, Broadway, easy listening, jazz, pop and more. At no cost, our special events consultant will meet with you one-on-one to best understand your performance needs.

Vicki Harris With a high level of service and attention to detail, our consultant recommends ideal Harris Academy of the Arts solutions and coordinates all of the details accordingly to ensure a smooth, stress-free, professional performance. Live music is always a highlight of any event, creating a great atmosphere and leaving a lasting impression on guests.”

–Vicki Harris, Harris Academy of the Arts The “Final Frenzy”: Effectively Managing Holiday Stress Finally, during the holidays, experiencing stress for a variety of reasons

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CALL TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR DATE! 402-476-8132 seems to be par for the course. There is just so much to pack into a month that even thinking about it is enough to make you feel a little crazy… and induce panic. Serving as a good reminder for all of us to slow down and enjoy, according to an article sourced on Health.com, here are some great tips on easy ways to make sure you feel your best and enjoy the holiday season.

Sunlight Works Wonders For Your Overall Mood – Sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, which not only makes your feel good but also helps to relieve seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a condition that affects millions of Americans every year. To ease SAD symptoms, spend time outdoors or near a window on sunny days. You can also ask your doctor about phototherapy, which is a treatment using a box that emits full-spectrum light, or visit a tanning salon in moderation.

Get Your Daily Dose of Citrus – Researchers studying depression have found that certain citrus fragrances boost feelings of wellbeing and alleviate stress by increasing levels of norepinephrine, another hormone that affects mood. For an all-day pick-me-up, dab a little lemon or orange essential oil on a handkerchief to tuck in your pocket. Herbs & More is a fantastic local source to purchase essential oils and you can even take a class to learn the benefits and how to use them properly. Or, just infuse your water with citrus fruits or pack an orange in your lunch!

Get Enough Sleep – While visions of sugarplums may not be dancing in your head, your brain activity is likely to be amped up enough so that sleeping well becomes incredibly difficult. This in turn affects just about every aspect of your life and mood during the day you spend awake. Try your best to get enough sleep, no matter how impossible this may seem.

Just Say “NO” – Oftentimes during the holidays we set ourselves up with insane schedules full of anything and everything, accepting all invitations that have been extended. Instead, consider what is most important to you during the holidays and try to say no to a few things that are not at the top of your list of priorities. After all, there are only 24 days in December before Christmas, and a limited number of hours in those days.

It makes sense to do what matters the most and politely decline the rest.

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Stick With Your Daily Routine – Again with the prioritizing. It is jarring to have a whole month where we disregard ourselves completely. Make sure to still get in your workouts, monthly engagements and activities, etc. Don’t try to squeeze more into your schedule than you can handle, but also don’t stray too far from your regular schedule. Exercise is an especially important one, as it may be the last thing you feel like doing when you are stressed out but it will actually help you feel much better and can boost your mood for up to 12 hours! At a time where there is food, drinks, and treats aplenty, keep in mind that proper nutrition will go a long way—everything in moderation.

“Proper nutrition is the best stress buster too!” advises Natasha Plooster of Eat Fit Go. “Eat well and take care of yourself amidst all the holiday frenzy. Slow down and enjoy the season and your loved ones. This is the time of the year to indulge - do so without guilt by maintaining an 80/20 rule. Eat clean 80% of the time and indulge the other 20%. New Year’s resolutions will come much easier if you maintain this mentality through the holidays.”

Take Advantage of Those Who Make You Smile – The holidays include being around many people, so take advantage of this by staying close to those who crack you up. Laughing really is the best medicine. It reduces stress hormones, which in turn helps your immune system function better among other things such as lifting your mood.

Throw Perfection Right Out The Window – Stop obsessing over doing it all. The world is not going to end if your house is a little cluttered, if you don’t personally cook a meal or ten, or if you use a gift bag instead of a wrapped package resembling a work of art. In the spirit of the holiday season, it is the special people in our lives who matter the most, so try to focus your energy on enjoying all of the wonderful people in your life.

Set Aside Time to Go “Tech-Free” – Of course this is easier said than done, but it does have distinct benefits. Constant cell phone and email alerts truly keep us in a perpetual fight-or-flight mode due to bursts of adrenaline. Not only is this exhausting, but it contributes to mounting stress levels, especially in women. Take some time to turn off your gadgets during dinner with the family, a holiday get-together, or while running a few errands to pick up gifts. Also, children are little sponges and it will go a long way to set an example as to what is most important.

Give the Gift of Massage (To Yourself and Your Loved Ones!) – Massages feel great are an undeniable way to relax for a little bit of time in between all of the hustle and bustle.

Turn Up The Tunes – Listen to your favorite music whenever you get the chance. Whether attending a concert during the holidays, enjoying Christmas music, or blasting the latest jams while you work out or in the car on the way to a meeting, it’s cathartic. Hearing music you love can relax blood vessels and increase blood flow, which not only calms you down but is good for your heart also.

Think Happy Thoughts – Last but not least, make an effort to think positive.

If the election didn’t already, the holidays may drive you to your breaking point, but try your best not to focus on the bad. Negative thinking can trigger your body’s stress response just as much as a real threat would.

Again, remember that the holidays are a time to celebrate with your family and friends…even if they stress you out too! An optimistic outlook will help you cope with all of the challenges that come your way, and will positively affect everyone and everything that goes on around you.

In the true spirit of the season, may the holidays bring out the best in all of us this year. We encourage everyone to come together and make an effort to support our local businesses and the economy here in Lincoln, to volunteer and donate to worthy causes in our community, and simply to focus more on being blessed than being stressed. Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays to you and yours from all of us here at Strictly Business!

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