Strictly Business Magazine April 2018

LINCOLN • APRIL 2018 TM

STRICTLY-BUSINESS.COM

ERIC BREASHEARS

PROPERTY MANAGER, CHATELAINE RESIDENCES

CHATELAINE RESIDENCES: The Finest 55+ Apartments in Lincoln • SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS • CELEBRATING GRADUATION • UNPLANNED LIFE CHANGES • STARTING A BUSINESS • SPRING LANDSCAPING CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS • TEXAS T-BONE STEAKHOUSE • ESSENTIALS

Brad Devall

Tammy Walter

Dustin Bauer

Jason Korn

Rick Blessen

Jeff Gaston

SP Group P.C.

48 Bowl, Inc.

NAI FMA Realty

Southeast Community College

West Gate Bank

Digital Sky

APRIL 2018 Strictly Business

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Z.A.A. Inc./Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397 Lincoln, NE 68505

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Z.A.A. Inc. LINCOLN, NE PERMIT 1328

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FOCUSING ON YOUR BRAND

PAIGE ZUTAVERN - President 402-730-0096 | Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

Great Brands That Compete On Value: “Find Ways To Let Their Voice Be Heard” If you read Strictly Business regularly, chances are you’ve noticed recently that I’m an avid reader of the Freeport Press blog and have been sharing my thoughts on how the topics presented relate to our local marketing landscape. I’ve found the discussion of digital in relationship to print particularly timely and relevant given the tendency to keep separation between the two platforms, even to the extreme of viewing them as mutually exclusive. In reality, their compatibility is such that it makes sense to include both in your marketing strategy, and for optimal results, in ways that the two are working harmoniously in support of one another.

Today, there’s no better way to maximize your reach and influence, putting the odds of getting in front of your target audience so you can effectively engage them strongly in your favor.

With that in mind, I present to you this month: Thanks, Digital Age, for Making Print Better

By David Pilcher Modern print owes a debt of gratitude to digital, according to Francis McMahon, SVP of the Business Imaging Solutions Group at Canon U.S.A. “With the ‘digital noise’ that clouds our everyday lives, businesses and individuals alike are being forced to find ways to let their voice be heard,” McMahon writes in Printing Impressions. “This can be seen in creative new print applications, especially in the marketing field, which has forced print professionals out of their comfort zones.”… …Print also can thank digital for the rise in content marketing, which has opened up entirely new channels to communicate directly with consumers.

Print holds a new role now; it’s not the breaker of news, but rather serves to expand the conversation in ways that digital can’t.

in-depth reporting and long-form storytelling they aren’t interested in consuming online.

Digital is not the enemy here, as we’ve said before. As publishers, designers and editors, we need to understand this new juxtaposition of print and use the printed page to its best advantage – with creative design, insightful content and an imaginative approach to each and every piece.

With firsthand experience producing two print publications serving as traditional and content marketing hybrid vehicles, and then integrating digital platforms to enhance our principal offering, I can assure you that this takeaway is on point.

“Print holds a new role now; it’s not the breaker of news, but rather serves to expand the conversation in ways that digital can’t.”

The internet has revolutionized Strictly Business in three ways.

First, a key objective of our marketing method is now to drive people to your website or social media. Second, Google bestows outstanding credibility upon our clients’ press posted on our website, giving them serious backlink power and first-page search engine results. Third, it has amplified the magnitude of what content marketing’s efficacy, making it even more powerful as we post our clients’ press online, appearing on our various platforms and available for our clients to share and post to theirs as well.

There’s no better way to set yourself apart, to get noticed and have your voice be heard, than to employ a “strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience – and ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.” That quoted statement is the definition of content marketing, our core competency at Strictly Business. Speaking as an authority on the subject, the potent combination of print and digital is the means to that end.

Let Strictly Business Magazine help you lock in your status as THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet and social media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

So what’s the takeaway for print? At the end of the day, consumers still reach for print as a companion to their digital consumption, finding

CONTENTS NEWS 4 Business 28 Personnel

36 Non-Profit 48 Health

SPOTLIGHTS

20 Star City Six 52 Client Spotlight: Essentials 80 Client Spotlight: Texas T-Bone Steakhouse

FEATURE STORIES 58 62 64 72 76 4

Summer Activities for Kids Celebrating Graduation Unplanned Life Changes Starting a Business Spring Landscaping Strictly Business APRIL 2018

ASK THE EXPERT 27 ComPro 47 gear80 54 Cornhusker Bank

COLUMNS 53 55 57 61

Lincoln Independent Business Association Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Downtown Lincoln Association Friends4Lunch

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

CHATELAINE RESIDENCES: The Finest 55+ Apartments in Lincoln

Welcome to Chatelaine Residences, the finest senior apartment community in Lincoln.

The elegant 55+ community offers a variety of distinctive one, two, and threebedroom apartment homes. Individual apartments feature high-end amenities such as cozy fireplaces, oversized closets, and elegant vaulted ceilings. Residents of Chatelaine can take advantage of our active community with a fully-equipped fitness center, a newly remodeled great room, and secure temperature controlled underground parking. Conveniently located next to the beautiful Holmes Lake Recreation Area, Chatelaine Residences is centrally located in the heart of Lincoln, providing easy access to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.

Eric Breashears, the property manager at Chatelaine Residences, is a lifelong Lincoln resident. Eric started his career with Krueger Development in July of 2010 in the maintenance department and moved to property manager at Chatelaine in August of 2014. He has known the Krueger family for most of his life, even working with Rick Krueger during the summers while in high school.

Eric is married to his wife Jeannette of 26 years, who he has known since grade school, and they have raised two sons; Eli, 21, who is currently attending The University of Nebraska at Lincoln and Isaac, 18, who is a senior in high school.

Just this March Eric turned 52, joking that he’s “still not old enough to move in.”

Though he won’t be moving in anytime soon, a joy of the job for Eric is helping with and partaking in the numerous communal activities of the residents. Many of the activities - bingo, bridge group, book club, genealogy discussion group and other various card and domino groups - are for the most part initiated and run by the tenants. Eric helps to coordinate a catered dinner for residents every other month or so and holds Friday morning gatherings with coffee and fresh doughnuts from Conroy’s Bakery. The Friday morning gathering is where Eric shares announcements for the upcoming week such as fire alarm tests, parking garage cleanings or when furnace filters and smoke detector batteries will need changing.

This is also a time when he

sometimes invites healthcare providers to share brief presentations of their services or local authorities to talk about potential dangers or scams currently targeting the residents’ age demographic.

More than anything, Eric values the rich life stories that he often hears from the residents. One of the more interesting tales he heard was from a WWII veteran who was on a destroyer in the Pacific. Toward the end of the war, his ship was contacted by the Japanese to pick up an American pilot who had been captured. The Japanese wanted to hand the pilot back to US forces, so the destroyer headed to the harbor where he could be picked up. Upon arrival to the island, the destroyer pulled into the harbor. The WWII veteran said they had the entire crew lining the deck of the ship and that the hills surrounding the harbor were filled with Japanese soldiers. Needless to say, things were a little tense while they waited for the American soldier to be loaded. To make things even worse, the captain of the destroyer asked the pilot if he was able to destroy his airplane, to keep the Japanese from examining our technology.

The pilot replied that he did not have a way to destroy his plane. With no hesitation, the captain gave him a grenade and ordered him to go back and blow up the airplane. With everyone watching, Americans and Japanese, the pilot took the grenade to his airplane, pulled the pin and threw it into the cockpit.

The airplane was destroyed. Once the pilot was back on board, the destroyer pulled out of the harbor and set out to sea…“at full speed.”

An absolutely wonderful community to be a part of, Eric and Krueger Development are proud to manage Chatelaine Residences.

For more information on leasing availability, contact Eric Breashears at 6201 Normal Boulevard, (402) 486-4165 or chatelaine@neb.rr.com.

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Celebrating 25 Years OF PROMOTING LOCAL EXPERTS! @sbmaglincoln

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BUSINESS NEWS The Woodlands at Hillcrest Now Open

KENL INN Celebrates 30th Anniversary

The wait is over for Lincoln’s newest senior community to open! The Woodlands (next to Hillcrest Country Club) is now accepting the first residents for their assisted living and memory care neighborhoods.

KENL INN, Lincoln’s premier pet boarding facility, is celebrating 30 years of business this month!

K E N L I N N i s p ro u d t o b e a progressive, nationally-recognized, state-of-the-art facility offering a wide variety of activities and enrichment for pets. Over the past three decades of serving the Lincoln area pet community, KENL INN has been a trusted resource that has set the standard in their industry. The support of KENL INN’s thousands of loyal clients over the years has allowed for continued growth, with the expansion of the facility, hours of operation, and services provided to accommodate their needs. As an employer, KENL INN is equally proud to have been able to provide opportunities for experience, growth, and career advancement to so many dedicated, caring and knowledgeable staff members. Everyone on the team is passionate about delivering the very best care and service to clients and their pets, one of the key reasons for the longevity of KENL INN and the reputation they’ve built in that time. Today, KENL INN is honored to serve many second generation families and their pets and to have several staff members who have been with the company for 20+ years.

KENL INN extends a very special thank you to the Lincoln community for their support over the past 30 years, and looks forward to what the future holds as they continue to serve as Lincoln’s go-to place for quality pet care! To learn more about KENL INN, visit www.kenl-inn.com or call (402) 488-8190.

With 12 floor plans to choose from, views of the beautiful surrounding area and the knowledge that residents are getting the best care with nurses around the clock, families can have peace of mind knowing their health, safety and security is of the utmost importance.

Residents will enjoy the chef-prepared meals, transportation, laundry, housekeeping, all utilities including phone, and activities including weekly outings. The fitness center, bistro, theater room, and salon will be some of the amenities that are being offered.

Life Care Services has developed special programming to keep residents intellectually stimulated; both the Embrace the World and Heartfelt Connections programs are unique to LCS communities. The Woodlands is fortunate to have the resources of LCS to call upon; being the 3rd largest senior housing developer in the U.S., managing over 140 communities, gives The Woodlands an added advantage in working with senior residents.

For a tour, complementary lunch, or for more information, call (402) 261-0261 or email tylerbarb@woodlandsathillcrest.com and/or visit the website at woodlandsathillcrest.com.

Screamers Makes a Grand Entrance

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The wait is over! Screamers Dining and Cabaret is now open, celebrating with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce on February 21. Located at 803 Q Street, this unique business brings something new to Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket. Screamers Dining and Cabaret, home to the SINGING SERVERS, is a full service, family-friendly restaurant, bar and cabaret.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, the Screamers concept boasts a mouthwatering, diverse menu coupled with live entertainment and exceptional customer service. His experience as a member of the UNL show choir, the Scarlet and Cream Singers (a.k.a. Screamers), is what led founder Kevin Witcher to develop this distinctive dining experience. Screamers celebrates a different decade daily over the lunch hour, beginning with transporting guests back to the 1950s on Monday and culminating in the 1990s on Fridays. Each evening, the staff delivers show-stopping hits, cabaret style, from all eras and genres.

Located just minutes from Pinnacle Bank Arena, Memorial Stadium and UNL’s main campus, there is something for everyone on the menu at Screamers, from traditional fare to vegetarian entrees and vegan deserts! Weekdays lunch begins at 11 a.m.; brunch service starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The fun never ends at Screamers, but the doors close at 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For menus and more information about Screamers, please visit www.screamersdining.com.

BUSINESS NEWS Murray Launches New Restoration Service This year, Murray Enterprises, LLC - the parent company of Murray Custom Homes, Murray Roofing, and Murray Construction - is launching a new service: Murray Restoration. Murray Enterprises has been serving the Lincoln and surrounding area for over a decade, building custom homes, remodeling, and roofing residential and commercial properties.

“The addition of the restoration service is a natural fit for us,” explains John Dillard, roofing and restoration expert for Murray. “With more than a decade in the construction industry, we’ve had so many remodeling customers contact us in need of restoration and remediation services that it made perfect sense for us to branch out. With this new service we can now offer a ‘one call does it all’ solution for water restoration, storm and hail damage repair, mold remediation and remodeling.”

In November of 2017, Dillard took the Water Damage Restoration Technician course through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) to get his certification for Water Damage Restoration.

This course gives residential and commercial maintenance personnel the background to understand the procedures necessary to deal with water losses, sewer backflows, and contamination such as mold. Dillard is also has his certification for Fire Damage Restoration.

The Murray family has been in the construction industry since 1947, proudly serving customers in the Lincoln community and surrounding areas. To get a quote or to learn more about Murray Enterprises and their new restoration services, contact them at (402) 802-7021 or visit www.murrayrestoration.com.

ALLO Communications Triples Internet Speeds at No Additional Cost ALLO Communications (www. a l l o c o m m u n i c a t i o n s. c o m ) announced all of its current residential customers’ 100 Mbps internet service has been increased to 300 Mbps. This applies to both download and upload speeds, effectively tripling internet speeds and bandwidth at no additional cost to customers.

Since 2003, ALLO has offered a competitive alternative to the legacy internet, video, and voice providers in Nebraska communities. ALLO has employed the latest technology and a modern, 100% fiber-to-the-home network to assure higher speed and bandwidth availability for customers across ALLO’s markets. The difference between fiber optic technology and legacy copper/wireline technology is highlighted by the readily available and ubiquitous bandwidth ALLO offers to its customers.

“ALLO’s all-fiber network gives us the flexibility to quickly meet increasing demand for better internet service,” said Tyler Pearson, director of product development at ALLO. “Families are using more devices and bandwidth at home for applications like streaming video, uploading pictures, and doing homework. ALLO is a customer service and customer experience driven company, so we are adjusting our internet products to meet the needs of our customers. We are offering more value, faster speeds, and more bandwidth.”

Pearson said, “As devices and applications change, consumers expect their internet provider to keep up with the growing need for more speed and bandwidth. As the only 100% fiber-to-the-home provider in our markets, we are best positioned to offer internet services that meet customers’ expectations now and in the future.”

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BUSINESS NEWS Decks Unlimited Celebrates First Year of Expanded Operations Decks Unlimited has reached an exciting “first” company milestone this month, celebrating one year since opening its official storefront at 117 Harwood Ct. Founded in 2013, Decks Unlimited began with operations conducted out of the company truck. Today, the company has become Lincoln’s premier deck builder and material retailer. Decks Unlimited takes great pride in its physical location, with office space and a showroom featuring several lines of decking on display. This space has allowed for a more personal and informative experience for the customer and has also helped greatly with storage and logistics.

Just in the past year since opening this location, Decks Unlimited has experienced significant growth. They went from being a twoman operation to now having three additional full-time employees, an office manager, an in-house sales specialist, a shop manager and a hot truck delivery guy. Having a solid team in place allows for better service and quality control along with faster turnaround time on projects and material delivery. Decks Unlimited remains dedicated to using the highest quality products, best methods of installation, and trained, knowledgeable and skilled carpenters.

Decks Unlimited will help you design the perfect outdoor space to take pride in and enjoy. Stop by and check out their showroom to see for yourself all of the possibilities for your next project. More information can be found on their website at DecksUnlimitedNE. com or by calling (402) 601-5091.

Piedmont Bistro Improves Acoustics, Guest Experience Piedmont Bistro by Venue is exc i t e d t o a n n o u n c e t h e completion of a recent project to further elevate the atmosphere of the neighborhood eatery.

Since renovating the space to open the new restaurant concept at the beginning of 2017, Piedmont Bistro has become a local favorite and received rave reviews, having just won a 2018 Lincoln’s Choice Award for Best New Restaurant.

The staff at Piedmont Bistro have always welcomed suggestions from their guests and been attentive to those comments and concerns.

Based on the feedback received, they identified the acoustics of the restaurant as something that could be improved for a better guest experience. As such, it was determined that installing sounddampening ceiling tiles would achieve that goal by muffling much of the extra noise. With that completed in early March, there’s been a noticeable difference, and guests have already been enjoying it immensely.

Piedmont Bistro by Venue, located in The Shoppes at Piedmont, is proud to be a neighborhood staple dedicated to serving fresh, made-from-scratch cuisine. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick, affordable lunch or for a few drinks during Happy Hour at the Bistro Bar or on the patio, you’ll experience a welcoming environment and a serious passion for hand-crafted fare and cocktails.

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Check out www.piedmontbistro.com or contact (402) 975-2816 / info@yourvenue.net to find out more about Piedmont Bistro by Venue.

BUSINESS NEWS Home Builders Association of Lincoln Promotes 2018 Tour of Remodeled Homes Each spring the Remodelers Council of Lincoln sponsors the annual Tour of Remodeled Homes.

For 29 years, the public has toured everything from basic updates to incredible transformations of some of Lincoln’s finest homes. This year it will be held April 28-29 from noon-5 p.m. Admission is $5 to all 19 homes (Children 12 and under are free). Tickets may be purchased at any Tour home. Guidebooks will be available at each home or online at www.

HBAL.org, where you can find a complete listing of homes on the Tour.

Herbs & More Announces New Ownership On April 1, Herbs & More (5740 Old Cheney Rd.) will continue to promote and support healthy living under the new ownership of Eric Smith and Georgia Mack. The couple plans to take natural healing to a new level.

Eric is a folk herbalist and he is very enthusiastic about keeping on the path of natural living. He is very skilled in the use of dried herbs and in the making of body butters, salves, lip balms, etc. Eric has been supplying the store with Squirly Salve lotions and lip balms for about a year already. With his knowledge, Herbs & More customers can expect exciting new classes to be offered. Eric is also a lover of plants, knowledgeable about vegetables, herbs, succulents and more.

Georgia has been a licensed massage therapist for 10 years, blessing people with her healing hands at Herbs & More for the past 2 years. She recently trained in Ashiatsu massage and is ready to start offering this new therapeutic technique in addition to deep tissue and Thai massage.

To find out more about Herbs & More’s collection of supplements, essential oils, and other great products to keep you happy and healthy, visit herbsandmorene.com or contact Eric at (402) 423-7733 / herbsandmorene@gmail.com.

Take a Tour of Hudl’s New $25M Downtown Office With ATD Lincoln On Tuesday, May 15, the Lincoln c hapter of the Association for Talent Development (ATD Lincoln) is offering “A Morning with Hudl” from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Attendees will be taken on a guided tour of Hudl’s impressive new downtown office space. They’ll also have a chance to hear from Hudl’s talent team, learning more about how Hudl acquires, develops and retains their employees in today’s challenging and highly-competitive workforce conditions.

Hudl is located at 600 P St. in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket District.

Cost to attend is $10 for ATD Lincoln members and guests and $15 for non-members. The deadline to RSVP for this event is Friday, May 11th. Registration can be found online at www.atdlincoln.org.

ATD Lincoln offers professional development opportunities for training practitioners and those focused on developing talent, including educational events, workshops, a job bank, and more. For more information about this event or ATD Lincoln, contact Sara Paisley or Ali Nilsen at vpdevelopment@atdlincoln.org.

5th Annual Sip Nebraska Festival Now Featuring ALL Nebraska Beverages Sip Nebraska returns to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) May 1112, 2018. The festival highlights Nebraska-produced wines, craft beers and, NEW this year, distilled spirits!

Guests are invited to taste 100+ Nebraska wines, craft beers and distilled spirits, all from the beautiful scenery of Mahoney State Park.

The two days include local bands, shopping at 20+ artisan and food vendors, wine glass painting, salsa and line dancing lessons, educational sessions and yoga class … and all activities are included in the ticket price!

Featured musicians, food vendors, artists and more are posted on the Sip Nebraska Facebook at www.facebook.com/sipnebraska and on the event website at www.sipnebraska.com.

Tickets range from $25 - $70; the tasting and limited edition tickets include commemorative items as well as wine, hard cider, craft beer and distilled spirits tastings. A limited number of lodge rooms are still available at the park for guests of the festival.

Tickets and more information are available at www.sipnebraska. com. For lodging, call (402) 882-2448. Additional rooms can be found at Hampton Inn & Suites in La Vista (free shuttle to and from the festival) and Holiday Inn Gretna.

Volunteer and sponsor opportunities are still available. Call (402) 882-2448 or email stacy@blurparties.com at Blur Parties, Inc. for more information.

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BUSINESS NEWS Aqua Systems Launches Pure Water Brand Aqua Systems of Nebraska is proud to announce the launch of the Pure Water brand of distillers to their product line. “With the growing problem of contaminants in our drinking supply, it’s essential to have an ultra-dependable source of water purity,” said Jeff White, president of Aqua Systems of Nebraska. “And this scientific process of distillation provides the highest water purity available.”

The Pure Water brand is owned and manufactured by Pure and Secure, LLC, a longtime local Lincoln manufacturer that services residential, business, government, military, medical, and scientific water needs throughout the world.

“We’re also very proud to partner with Aqua Systems,” said Courtney Lawyer, vice president of client relations for Pure & Secure. “When considering there are now over 85,000 possible contaminants in our water supply, it’s essential to depend on experts like White and his staff - they have a wealth of knowledge and experience. And like us, they’re passionate about carrying Made in the USA products.”

Aqua Systems of Nebraska serves Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding areas, with complete home and business water needs. For more information, log onto iLoveMyWater.com or call (402) 466-6800.

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Sumner Place Celebrates Injury-Free Milestone Vetter Senior Living is deeply committed to the safety of their team members and residents. Sumner Place Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation has been recognized for going 200,000+ hours, over 365 days, absolutely injury free! With approximately 140 team members at Sumner Place, this is a very significant achievement. “This did not happen by chance; we do things with intention,” stated Larry Van Hunnik, administrator at Sumner Place.

On March 1st, Sumner Place team members enjoyed a delicious steak or chicken dinner hosted by Vetter Senior Living to celebrate this accomplishment. Around 15 Vetter Senior Living Home Office members from all disciplines, including Jack Vetter, CEO; Glenn Van Ekeren, president; and Ed Remm, safety coordinator joined in this celebration. Vetter Senior Living has set out world-class standards that each VSL facility is to achieve and being injury free is one of them. The Vetter Senior Living family is very proud of Sumner Place for their commitment to providing quality care for residents while focusing on safety for all.

For more information about Sumner Place Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, a proud member of the Vetter Senior Living family, please contact Megan Herter at (402) 475-6791, by email at mherter@vhsmail.com, or visit www.SumnerPlaceCare.com.

BUSINESS NEWS City Landfill Cardboard Ban Begins April 1 The City reminds Lincoln businesses that as of April 1, Lincoln’s landfill will no longer accept clean and dry corrugated cardboard. Managers, as well as families and apartment dwellers, are encouraged to “Take it to the Bin” and recycle cardboard.

Because public recycling drop-off sites in Lincoln are strictly for household use, businesses must subscribe to a collection service or take materials to a recycling processing facility. Visit recycle.lincoln.ne.gov for videos and resources that show how easy it is to “Take it to the Bin.” The City has several programs for organizations needing assistance such as: • Online recycling self-assessments and sector-specific recycling factsheets.

• Onsite advisory services including a free visit from a City Recycling Office representative who will provide guidance on improving and expanding recycling programs.

• A Waste Reduction and Recycling Assistance Program that offers up to $750 in rebates for new or expanded commercial recycling or composting programs. Find more info at recycle.lincoln.ne.gov/ wrrap.

• A Recycle Lincoln Leadership Recognition Program that gives businesses that are currently recycling citywide recognition for their efforts. “Gold Level” honorees include Arbor Day Foundation, Assurity Life Insurance, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, NeighborWorks Lincoln and Region V Systems.

Control Depot Introduces eGauge Systems Energy Monitoring Product Line Control Depot has partnered with eGauge Systems LLC to offer their entire line of energy monitoring systems. By combining an energy meter, data logger, and web server, the eGauge energy meters provide a high level of value when installed.

Control Depot chose to partner with eGauge because they produce technologically advanced energy monitoring systems at extremely affordable prices. eGauge Systems offers metering products for both residential and commercial applications that are now available through Control Depot.

Control Depot is a building automation and controls distributor serving Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. The locally owned and operated company sells and supports a wide selection of residential and commercial controls and components including everything from a simple thermostat to a complete web-based building automation system. Control Depot conducts all operations with the goal of building strong and lasting relationships with its client base of contractors and building owners by providing value and experience that is unparalleled in the industry.

To learn more about how Control Depot can help with your energy efficiency needs, visit www.controldepotinc.com or contact Jeff Killeen at (402) 934-0078 /sales@controldepotinc.com.

Access Point Now Offering High-End Collaboration Center for Businesses in Lincoln The owners of Concord Enterprises Inc. recently announced the renaming of their office building at 1701 Windhoek Drive to Access Point.

Access Point is now being featured as a collaboration center for business owners looking for higher-end office space, in a shared work environment with other local professionals. The building previously housed corporate office staff for several of Concord’s businesses and restaurant franchises.

Access Point is a beautiful two-story building, complete with over 9,000 square feet of quality office space. Dawn Rudd, a representative for Access Point, shared more on the vision of what this collaboration center offers: “Access Point is an opportunity for smaller business owners in Lincoln, in need of office space, to be housed under one roof in a quality environment. By sharing spaces that include reception areas, conference rooms, kitchenettes, and the mailroom, for example, a smaller business can feel they have a larger footprint and have more to offer their clients and customers.”

Concord Enterprises Inc. believes that Access Point is the perfect fit for Lincoln businesses that are just getting started, along with existing businesses that want to upgrade their office appearance.

The building is located in South Lincoln, off 16th & Old Cheney Rd., with convenient access to Highway 2 and Highway 77. To set up a time to visit the location, contact Dawn Rudd at (402) 570-1235 / DRudd@concordei.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Panology Tech Solutions Celebrates 6 Years Heartland Intl., Inc. Hosts 200 Contractors Panology Tec h From 19 States for Spring Roofing Seminar Solutions is proud to be celebrating six years in business, having begun providing IT and consulting services to businesses of all sizes in March of 2012.

Finding its niche was SMBs, more recently in September of 2016, Panology Tech Solutions made the decision to narrow its focus to working exclusively with those clients. As a result, the locally owned and operated business led by Darren Lichty has made technical support and cloud services easily accessible and affordable for fellow small business owners in the community. This has allowed these business owners to increase their efficiency by focusing on the goals of their business without having to worry about keeping the technology they rely on up and running.

Panology Tech Solutions has also established a technology growth plan for clients based on the need for integration of faster and more advanced technology as a business grows. This concise plan resolves technology deficiencies early in order to prevent “growing pains” when a business decides to expands its operations.

As a part of Panology’s small business initiative, they made great strides in getting involved in and giving back to the Lincoln community. Today they are active members of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA), Lincoln SCORE, the East Lincoln Business Association (ELBA), and the Lincoln Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP).

To learn more about how Panology Tech Solutions can assist your business, visit panologyinc.com or contact (402) 937-9137 / info@ panologyinc.com.

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Heartland International, Inc., a nationwide distributor of Conklin Commercial Roofing Systems, welcomed over 200 commercial roofing contractors from 19 states to their annual FAMILY21 SPRING ROOFING SEMINAR in Shipshewana, IN on March 7-9, 2018.

In addition to 21 PREFERRED CONTRACTORS who were recognized for their achievements in 2017, new contractors were trained in the application of the CONKLIN Roofing Systems, met with vendors and were addressed by CONKLIN’s Building Products Marketing Manager Beau McCoy. McCoy, a retired Nebraska state senator and roofing contractor from Omaha, Nebraska has led the Conklin Company to record sales in the commercial roofing market over the past 2 years. He reviewed the NEW Federal Tax Bill’s Section #179 which gives building owners the opportunity to write off up to $1,000,000 annually in building improvements including roof repair or replacement.

Heartland International, Inc. is based in Lincoln, NE and is responsible to screen and train contractors to install the Conklin Roofing Systems. For more information or to apply for one of the current openings, contact Dennis Nun at DennisLNun@gmail.com, call (402) 430-7727 or go to www.TheSecureRoof.com.

New Online Programs Offered by University of Nebraska Campuses The University of Nebraska’s campuses have expanded their online program offerings available on the University of Nebraska Online website. University of Nebraska Online, NU’s university-wide distance education initiative, shares information about these programs at online.nebraska.edu in addition to information on more than 125 online programs offered by the university’s four campuses. New programs include: • History, Bachelor of Arts (University of Nebraska at Kearney) • Government, Graduate Certificate (University of Nebraska at Omaha) • Management Information Systems, Bachelor of Science (University of Nebraska at Omaha) • Intelligence and National Security, Graduate Certificate (University of Nebraska at Omaha) • Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Cybersecurity (University of Nebraska at Omaha) • Tribal Management and Emergency Services, Undergraduate Certificate (University of Nebraska at Omaha) • Emergency Management, Bachelor of Science (University of Nebraska at Omaha) • Public Health, MPH (Health Services Administration & Policy) (University of Nebraska Medical Center) • Public Health, MPH (Health Promotion) (University of Nebraska Medical Center) • Public Health, MPH (Epidemiology) (University of Nebraska Medical Center) Online programs from the University of Nebraska focus on providing greater access for more students to the high-quality courses and programs offered by the four campuses of the university system. NU provides a depth of opportunity and choices to students regardless of proximity to campuses or work/life challenges that could prove a barrier to pursuing an education. For more information, visit www.online. nebraska.edu.

BUSINESS NEWS Career Academy Team Advances to Nationals Digital Sky Completes Drone Inspection for “Guac and Roll,” the team Hawkins Construction f ro m L i n c o l n’s C a r e e r Academy, took top honors at the 2018 Nebraska ProStart Competition held March 2 at Omaha’s Metropolitan Community College.

ProStart is a program of the Hospitality Education Foundation, the educational arm of the Nebraska Restaurant Association (www.nebraska-dining. org). The curriculum is designed to teach high school students the culinary and management skills that lead to careers as professionals in the hospitality and food service industry.

Accompanied by instructor Maybell Galusha, team members Francisco Chavira Gonzalez, Tessa Mariscal, Corbin Reinhardt, and Sagan Smith move on and will represent Nebraska at the National ProStart Student Invitational in Providence, Rhode Island April 27–30.

Lincoln Airport Extends TSA Checkpoint Hours The Lincoln Airport Authority is now opening TSA checkpoints 75 minutes prior to flight departures in an effort to provide passengers with the necessary time to accommodate TSA’s new Enhanced Accessibility Proper Screening (EAPS) program. This program took effect Monday, March 19.

EAPS is a new security checkpoint process that requires passengers to allow TSA attendants to screen cell phones and all electronic devices larger than a cell phone prior to boarding. TSA will also screen passengers’ carry-on items more thoroughly for food and organic items.

If suspected or found, a bag search may occur. For more information, visit tsa.gov/travel/security-screening.

Travelers can find the latest updates on flight schedules and information on parking and airport services at LincolnAirport.com.

Digital Sky is all about improving efficiency, whic h is accomplished through their aerial volumetric services.

Aerial volumetrics is the science of determining the volume of a feature.

This could be for a building, stockpile, or anything visible to the world.

Digital Sky commonly provides these services to companies that perform dirt work, road construction, and other similar types of work that require an inventory measurement of the stockpiles of material they are moving.

Traditionally, this type of work is done either by weighing trucks going in and out of a jobsite, or by assuming that each truck carries a certain amount of volume and then multiplying those numbers. These methods can be somewhat unreliable and increase human error. At Digital Sky, they simply fly their drones over a stockpile location and capture a large amount of georeferenced photographs. From these, their processing software generates precise three-dimensional locations for each pixel seen in the images. They can then reconstruct the stockpile in 3D, allowing them to provide the footprint it occupies on the ground and the ability to generate an accurate measurement of the stockpile volumes.

Most recently, Digital Sky performed this service for Hawkins Construction in Schuyler, NE. The goal was to obtain volumes for two stockpiles to establish a beginning inventory. As a result, Digital Sky was able to collect the data in two hours onsite and deliver the data in 48 hours.

To learn more about utilizing Digital Sky’s services for your next project, visit digitalsky.com or call (402) 413-1089.

Holthus Convention Center to Host 2nd Annual Crossroads Junk & Vintage Market The 2nd Annual Crossroads Junk & Vintage Market will be held Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 at the Holthus Convention Center in York, Nebraska. Vendors from across the region will be bringing a wide variety of vintage and antique items, repurposed furniture, wood and metal creations, architectural salvage and much more!

The Crossroads Junk & Vintage Market is all indoors—perfect for Nebraska’s unpredictable April weather—and with its prime location at the crossroads of I-80 and Hwy. 81, vendors and shoppers have quick and easy access from all directions. The first market was a huge success with 30 vendors and over 1,600 shoppers throughout the two-day event.

The Holthus Convention Center, built in 2014, is a beautiful state-ofthe-art facility with a 12,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom that can accommodate approximately 65 booths, with additional space in the hallway and lobby if needed.

The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 at the door. For more information or to become a vendor, call Terri Carlson at (402) 363-2675 or email info@holthusconventioncenter.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Star City BaconFest: A Bacon Lover’s Dream Star City BaconFest 2018 returns to the Capital City for the third year on April 22 at Lincoln’s Cor nhusker Marriott Hotel. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with bacon sampling continuing until 7 p.m. Admission is $25 Hundreds of bacon lovers enjoyed an evening for adults, with children of tempting bacon-based treats cooked up by some of Lincoln’s most creative chefs 12 and under free. Tickets during the 2017 Star City BaconFest. can be purchased online at starcitybaconfest.com or at the event.

Chefs from 21 popular area restaurants will offer up their creative bacon-inspired samples of everything from sweet to savory--and about everything in between. Participating vendors include: 9 South Char Grill, Ashland Golf Club, Billy’s Restaurant, Blue Blood Brewing Co, Brewsky’s, Cappy’s Hot Spot Bar and Grill, Coop’s Corner, John J’s Chow Hall at The Graduate, Hickory Road BBQ, HiWay Diner, HopCat, Leadbelly, McKinney’s, Moka’s Kitchen Gourmet Popcorn, The Normandy, Smoking Gun Jerky, That Place Steakhouse & Saloon, The Eatery, Screamers Dining & Caberet, Single Barrel, and Venue Restaurant & Lounge.

Entertainment throughout the evening will be provided by Screamers Dining and Caberet. Blue Blood Brewing Company will be providing beer samples, while Pepsi will be offering free soft drink samples.

Star City BaconFest is sponsored again this year by the Nebraska Restaurant Association (NRA) and the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA). Proceeds go toward scholarships for culinary students in Nebraska. Hormel Foods is providing products for the chefs to use during Star City BaconFest 2018.

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Ironhide Construction Announces Big Red Challenge Sponsorship Ironhide Construction is proud to have recently signed on as a major corporate sponsor of this year’s Big Red Challenge! Specifically, Ironhide Construction has teamed up with the event organizers to improve the course and obstacles, with a brand new race map to be introduced for the 2018 event!

The Big Red Challenge is a 5K and 10K obstacle course race series designed by the Marine Corps League – Cornhusker Detachment 370 and Ironhide Construction to push you to your limits and give you a feel for the challenges that members of the military encounter on a day-to-day basis. The 5th annual Big Red Challenge Obstacle Course Race will be held in the Railyard on June 9, 2018. Registration is now open to all community members; veterans and active duty military personnel can register for $10 until May 19!

Funds raised will support veterans transitioning to civilian life. Find out more about this event at bigredchallenge.com.

Transforming metal into modern, Ironhide Construction is an innovative general contracting and structural restoration company. Ironhide Construction delivers sophisticated, custom buildings that are both functional and stylish as well as developing phased maintenance plans for buildings, parking garages, and other structures. The team at Ironhide Construction approaches every project with transparency, accountability, and quality results from proposal to completion. For more information, visit www.ironhideconstruction.com or call (402) 420-4961.

BUSINESS NEWS Adorned Bridal Celebrates Grand Opening Adorned Bridal is officially open for business!

Introducing the new brand and showcasing the new location, a ribbon-cutting with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce was held on February 9, followed by a reception for guests in attendance.

Adorned Bridal offers current bridal, prom, and bridesmaid fashions along with a nice selection of accessories, from assorted headpieces and jewelry to custom-made veils. Located in The Shoppes at Piedmont, at 1265 S. Cotner Blvd., Suite 27, Adorned Bridal looks forward to helping clients bring their bridal or special event look from a dream to reality! Walk-ins are always welcome but appointments are gladly accepted. For more information about Adorned Bridal, please call (402) 937-7900, visit adornedbridalne.com, or find them on social media @ adornedbridalne.

EventLNK April Meeting at The Royal Grove to Focus on Live Music EventLNK brings together Lincoln’s event professionals by providing education and resources to enhance and support professional growth.

This month’s EventLNK meeting is all about the music! This fun meeting will focus on everything you need to know to add live music to your next event. EventLNK sponsor, Inspirmedia will cover basic stage, lighting and sound requirements as well as a budget range.

Members/attendees will meet Eli & Carrie Mardock of Astra Concerts and The Royal Grove, who will cover venue rental information, venue tours, corporate ticket sales and booking local and regional musicians.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 11 from 3:15–5 p.m. at The Royal Grove, 340 W. Cornhusker Hwy. To register, visit www.eventlnk.org/meetings. To find out more information about EventLNK, visit their website at www.eventlnk.org or email Jill Smith at info@eventlnk.org.

CarePatrol, Old Cheney Rehab Team Up to Offer Senior Education Series C a r e Pa t ro l o f Nebraska and Old Cheney Rehabilitation are excited to announce a brand new, free three-part senior education series that will begin this month. Hosted by Old Cheney Rehabilitation, located at 5431 S. 16th Street in Lincoln, CarePatrol of Nebraska senior advisors Wendy Tridle and Theron Ahlman will present on topics related to downsizing and preparing to make the transition to move to an independent living, assisted living, or skilled care residence.

There is no cost to attend and refreshments will be provided. The session dates and topics include: “Organize 101- Making the Move” on April 11, “Cleaning out the Closet” on June 13, and “Tackling Mail Piles” on August 8. For more information about any or all of these events, please contact CarePatrol of Nebraska at (402) 904-8296 or Old Cheney Rehabilitation at (531) 739-3200.

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BUSINESS NEWS Yield Champions Announces New Products

NAWIC Presents 2018 Spring Forum

Dennis Nun, president of Yield Champions, has announced the introduction of two new products for crop producers to utilize this growing season.

The National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC) Midwest Region will hold their annual Spring For um in Rapid C i t y, S D M ay 1 7 - 1 9 .

The conference, themed “Building Character to S u r v i ve, ” w i l l f e a t u r e keynote speaker Holly Hoffman, finalist from the reality show Survivor – Nicaragua Season 21.

Educational sessions will include: • Forming Alliances to Build Your Career - The Role of Mentors, Sponsors, and Coaches • Company Culture and You • The 3 Circles of Development - Learning How to Get Involved in Building the Construction Workforce • Confidently Speaking and Being Mentally Flexible • Using Your Leadership to SURVIVE! • Perception is NOT Realty - Panel Discussion • Rapid City Police Department - Active Shooter Presentation NAWIC is an international organization of women working in and around the construction industry. Its core purpose is to enhance the success of women in the industry through education, networking, and leadership opportunities. The Midwest Region has over 530 members. This conference is open to members and non-members looking to enhance their professional development. For more information, visit www.nawicomaha.com or contact Karli Meisinger at (402) 403-8851 / nawicomaha@gmail.com.

INTENSIFY®-PGR (Plant Growth Regulator) was developed for the U.S. market by threetime World Record Soybean grower Kip Cullers in Brazil where it has been used for several years. It combines two types of PGRs proven to increase early root development and plant growth and is three-times the concentration and half the cost of other PGRs available to growers.

A second product SYNTOSE-FA ® is an agricultural sugar used in-furrow and in foliar applications to stimulate soil microbial activity and enhance crop health and yields.

Nun says, “We continually research technologies to show growers how to lower production costs on a per acre and per bushel basis.

This remains the key to profitability for farmers. These are low cost, high return inputs to give growers an edge.”

Yield Champions exclusively markets the Conklin Company’s AgroVantage™ products for crop production used by more state and national NCGA corn yield champions than any other.

For more information on these products, contact Dennis Nun at (402) 430-7727 or go to www.IntensifyMyCrop.com or www.

YieldChampions.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS BNI® Launches New Online Training Program BNI® is proud to announce the recent launch of BNI® University, a new online training program.

The vision for BNI® University is to arm members with the tools and resources they need to be successful and to make training as convenient as possible. The curriculum for BNI® University was developed specifically for members to develop and improve their networking skills. Through BNI® University, members now have easy access to all of BNI®’s educational information and training content in one single platform. Completion of all training and available courses will count toward members’ chapter education units (CEUs).

BNI® is excited about the potential impact BNI® University will have on their membership. With the philosophy of “Givers Gain®,” BNI® offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts, networks and most importantly, business referrals. Being a member of BNI® is like having sales people working for you every day who promote your business.

Many organizations provide a service, but BNI® offers a strategy to get more referrals for your business and continued learning to help improve your networking skills. For more information on becoming a BNI® member and the educational opportunities offered through BNI® University, visit bniheartland.com or contact (402) 880-6311 / info@bniheartland.com.

Xcel Roofing Expands Into Siouxland Region Xcel Roofing is excited to announce its official expansion into the Siouxland region! The company recently established a new franchise, with territory covering the Sioux City metropolitan area encompassing Sioux City, IA and Sioux Falls, SD in addition to surrounding communities. It is owned and operated by Shon Thielen.

Xcel Roofing experienced significant growth in 2017, with aggressive expansion in Omaha and Lincoln and beyond into neighboring markets. In this instance, the company traveled to the Sioux City metro last year to help the community after they experienced a string of bad storms. As a result, the decision was made to move into this market, offering the company’s premium product lines and exceptional service on a permanent basis as well as creating new jobs there. Xcel Roofing is also proud to be partners with Habitat for Humanity, helping families build stronger foundations for the future in all of the communities the company serves including its new home in Sioux City.

Shon has 25 years in the insurance industry, having personally owned and operated three separate insurance agencies during that time.

His philosophy is to make sure claims are handled appropriately and expediently while also making sure the homeowners are satisfied during the process and with the result. Shon has a very hands-on approach to handling insurance claims while accessing and evaluating damage and working with the insurance claims adjuster. He believes that being an honest and ethical businessman and his hard-working nature, along with his values and business practices, set him apart from other roofing contractors and will be a perfect fit for helping families with the exterior work on their homes.

Shon can be contacted directly at (712) 560-8500 / Shon@ LoveOurRoof.com. For more information about Xcel Roofing, visit loveourroof.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS inMOTION Auto Care Team Attends VISION Hi-Tech Training in Kansas City

Raising Cane’s: Donate Unwanted Cell Phones to Help Local Military Heroes Stay Connected

For the 5th straight year, inMOTION Auto Care’s owners along with their entire team attended the VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo in Kansas City March 1-4. VISION is an annual four-day, power-packed event put on by ASA Midwest to provide the independent repair industry with repair, diagnostic, sales and management training. It is a renowned training event with nationally-acclaimed instructors and attendees coming from shops in the US, Canada, Mexico, South America and Africa. Record attendance of 3,500 technicians, service advisors and owners completed 25,000+ hours during the 4-day session.

The inMOTION team logged over 105 hours of training in 3 days.

Technicians concentrated on advanced vehicle diagnostic skills including vehicles equipped with Advance Driver Assist Systems (ADAS). Just a few examples of ADA Systems include: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Braking and Parking Systems. Other team members attended marketing, communication and business development courses. “Vehicle technology has changed faster in the last 5 years than it had in the previous 60 years. Shops owners committed to their business, staff and their customers must invest in their people.

Keeping team members up to date with the knowledge and equipment necessary to repair these sophisticated vehicles is the only way to ensure a secure future for everyone,” owner Sherri Stock said. inMOTION Auto Care is always looking for ways to increase value, protect their customer’s vehicle investment in the most affordable way, and improve the customer’s overall car care experience. For more information about inMOTION Auto Care, please call (402) 486-9880 or visit www.inmotionautocare.com.

The local Raising Cane’s franchise is collecting unwanted cell phones that will be recycled and exchanged for calling cards. The calling cards will be given to Nebraska Soldiers who are away on active duty. Through April 29, individuals will receive a free meal with purchase offer when a phone is donated in support of the cause. Additional support can also be given by adding any dollar amount to your ticket when ordering in the restaurants. The money raised will help support a fund for Veterans and their families to assist with bills, groceries, gas, or other immediate needs.

The Raising Cane’s franchise is partnering with Cell Phones for Soldiers for its 10th straight year. Since 2009, the Raising Cane’s franchise restaurants have raised over 713,000 minutes for Nebraska Troops and nearly $77,000 to support the needs of Nebraska Veterans and their families. Visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com to learn more.

“We feel like it’s our responsibility to give back to the community that has supported us, and particularly important to give back to those who are putting our country and others before themselves,” says Jennifer Jones, co-owner of the Raising Cane’s franchise. “We know that we can never repay them for what they’ve sacrificed, but hopefully through our efforts, we can provide them a lifeline through calling cards or financial assistance when they may need it most.”

Stay connected with Raising Cane’s on social media - facebook.com/ CanesNebraska or twitter.com/CanesLincoln – for updates on this community initiative and others throughout the year.

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BUSINESS NEWS Roper & Sons Announces April Events This month’s Topic Breakfast, being held at 7:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 19, features Realtors Russ Meyer and Becky Huebner, who will discuss “Real Estate in the Fast Lane, Lincoln’s Real Estate Market.” Topic Breakfast, held on the third Thursday each month, is free and open to the public. To reserve your seat for Topic Breakfast, please call (402) 476-1225 or email info@roperandsons.com.

The Grief Program meets weekly on Sundays from 2 – 3:30 p.m. in the Reception Facility. Roper & Sons Grief Programs are open to the public, regardless of whether services were facilitated by Roper & Sons. Please visit www.roperandsons.com to learn more.

Stop The Heist: Protect Your Identity The BBB Foundation and AARP Nebraska present: Eva Velasquez, President, Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC).

Older adults are invited to attend this FREE program about: ID Theft, Data Breaches and Cybersecurity/Privacy.

It’s not a matter of if your identity will be targeted by a scammer, but when. Be prepared!

This event will take place on Tuesday, April 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Cornhusker Bank, 8310 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510. Entrance and parking on the north side of the building. A “sweet treat” with Q&A is included.

There is no cost for this event, but RSVP is required by April 6. To make reservations call: (402) 898-8550.

ITRC (www.idtheftcenter.org) is a non-profit organization established to support victims of identity theft in resolving their cases, and to broaden public education and awareness of identity theft.

First National Bank Providing Military Free Tickets to Husker Spring Game In appreciation of those who have ser ved in America’s Armed Forces, First National Bank and Nebraska Athletics proudly par tnered together to provide 3,000 tickets to active military, veterans and their families to the 2018 Red-White Husker Spring Football Game on Saturday, April 21. First National Bank is the Official Bank of Husker Nation and the official Presenting Sponsor of the Red-White Husker Spring Game.

The tickets were available at select First National Bank locations across the region in February. Due to overwhelming interest in the 2018 Red-White Spring Game, all of the 3,000 tickets were handed out during this special promotion.

“It is an honor for First National Bank to be able to provide tickets to the Red-White Husker Spring Game to our active military service members and veterans,” said Market President Jack Weeks. “Excitement for this event and for Husker Football in general is at an all-time high, so our ticket allotment was gone literally in a matter of minutes.”

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BUSINESS NEWS

Join Celebration of Independence at Strategic West Gate Bank Partners With EVERFI for Air Command & Aerospace Museum Financial Literacy Education Initiative The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum is holding an event on April 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the United States Air Force (USAF) and 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom.

The event opens with a USAF “Rivet Joint” aircraft flying over the Museum at 10 a.m. Indoor activities begin immediately after the flyover and include presentations by Squadron Leader Adrian Pickup (RAF) and Major Noah Lazenby (USAF). Both speakers are instructor pilots on the 338th Combat Training Squadron at Offutt AFB. They will share personal accounts of their flight experiences while diving into an educational program on the strategic events in history that bring the USAF and RAF together.

The RAF will display the famous travels of Hugh the Flying Bear, who has flown in multiple RAF and USAF aircraft in honor of the RAF and USAF anniversaries. Additionally there will be a scavenger hunt and activities for youth, and an opportunity to travel back to WWII, a significant time in history when the United States and the United Kingdom straightened alliances. The WW2 Guys reenactment crew will surround the museum’s B-29 “Superfortress,” a WWII aircraft that helped win the war and there will be a film presentation entitled The Gentlemen Next Door: The JohnWilkinson Story. John Wilkinson was a RAF WWII fighter pilot with the 41 Squadron. He flew a Spitfire and achieved the status of a flying ace.

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West Gate Bank ® (westgate. bank) has announced a new initiative to bring financial literacy education to high school students across Lincoln, Neb. by providing them with access to the EVERFI™--Financial Literacy learning platform. This web-based program uses the latest in new media technology (simulations, avatars, gaming and adaptivepathing) to bring complex financial concepts to life for today’s digital generation. Through this platform, students will become certified in hundreds of topics in personal finance, allowing them to become more informed, responsible citizens. West Gate Bank has partnered with EVERFI, Inc. to bring the interactive financial management program to these high school students at no cost to the schools.

The 9-unit course offers approximately six hours of programming aimed at teaching, assessing and certifying students in a variety of relevant financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401k’s and other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards.

The platform uniquely tracks the progress and score of every student and provides students who successfully complete the course with Certification in Financial Literacy, a valuable mark of distinction on college applications and resumes. Find out more about EVERFI™ online at www.everfi.com.

BUSINESS NEWS

Spring Affair: Midwest’s Biggest Plant Sale & Garden Event Coming Soon The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is a proud sponsor of the 32nd annual Spring Affair taking place on April 28 at the Lancaster Event Center, 4100 N. 84th St. in Lincoln. Spring Affair offers the largest selection of plants in the Midwest, with more than 700 varieties of perennials, herbs, grasses, trees and shrubs selected for regional suitability, beauty, and demand. The event will also feature educational talks, special deals from garden-related vendors, concessions, and on-site plant experts.

Parking and admission for this event is FREE. Spring Affair will kick off the night before with the highly-acclaimed Preview Party on Friday, April 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the event center.

Tickets for the party are $32 for members and $42 for the general public. Attendees will enjoy a meal, live music, a cash bar, and first choice of plants. This annual event serves as an educational tool and fundraising event for the ongoing growth of the Arboretum’s programs and affiliate gardens. To learn more about the event, visit plantnebraska. org/connect/events/spring-affair or contact the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum at (402) 472-2971 / arboretum@unl.edu.

IABC Lincoln Presents Spring Workshop On Wednesday, May 16, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) of Lincoln will host, “Employees, Engagement and Enthusiasm,” a hands-on workshop with guest speaker, Mark Kretschmar, ABC, MA. Mark is an engineer-turned-communication expert and professor who focuses on increasing employee engagement.

During the workshop, attendees will learn the latest research on the state of employee engagement, primary levers that get employees to care, and communication strategies and tactics for driving engagement.

The event will be from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott in the Lincoln Downtown Haymarket, 808 R St. Register now at: lincoln. iabc.com/events. For more information, contact Janet Denison via email at janetd@visionexhibits.com.

WISB to Host Monthly Luncheon on April 11 The Women in Sales and Business (WISB) monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 11 at The Venue in the NE/Lancaster Room at 4111 Pioneer Woods Drive in Lincoln.

Speakers this month are representatives from I’ve Got A Name, Executive Director Paul Yates and Megan, street outreach director. According to Yates, “We are so blessed that she (Megan) has joined us in this critical work in our community. Megan will share her story and how she is helping girls/women vulnerable to or entangled in sex trafficking.” Megan’s story is one of an out-of-control lifestyle that included meth addiction and work as an escort, which she describes as the worst years of her life—dark, dysfunctional and disturbing. Through counseling, healing and faith, Megan’s life was transformed forever.

Today, 30 girls in Nebraska will be sold for sex. I’ve Got a Name exists to help prevent this from happening as well as to rescue these girls from a life of torture. No girl should be for sale!

Please take this opportunity to join, listen to this compelling presentation and get to know WISB’s membership! Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. with meeting following from 11:55 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cost is $18 which includes lunch ($10 for meeting only). Please register online at www.wisblincoln. org on the events page to RSVP. More information can also be found on the website or by contacting WISB via email at info@wisblincoln.org.

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STAR CITY SIX

BRAD

Brad Devall

SP GROUP P.C. SP Group P.C. is a growing entrepreneurial accounting firm that serves growth-oriented companies and talented individuals in the Midwest. Founded in 2003, the company is operated based upon a strong belief in real relationships, power of team, competitiveness, and balance of work and family life. Brad Devall is a team accountant at SP Group P.C. Tell us a little about your business. - SP Group P.C. provides tax planning, tax preparation, business startup services, estate and trust preparation, QuickBooks support and training, payroll setup and reporting, business entity selection, IRS representation, and assurance services.

How did you get started in the business? - I transitioned into accounting from the private business sector. A phone call from Darin Petersen, one of our partners, really got me thinking that this would be a great long-term career option. I am very thankful to work at a place with such a great “work” atmosphere and awesome co-workers.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Transitioning from business owner to the other side of the desk as the accountant. I think my experience in the private business sector has helped me a great deal with my business clients. I have experienced the same issues they are going through and hopefully can provide them with the proper advice.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Winning the “40 Under 40” award and being recognized by the Lincoln Business Journal.

Tell us a little about your family. - I am married to one of the hardest working people I know, Stephanie. We have two children; Ashlynn (20) is a sophomore at UNL and Alec (17) is a junior at Lincoln Southwest. We truly enjoy watching our children grow into adults.

What do you see as the biggest turning points in your life? Accepting a walk-on opportunity to play football for Nebraska from Tom Osborne, then attending UNL and meeting my wife during that time. My life is filled with people who I met during that time frame and I am very thankful for them.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spend time with my family doing almost anything and attending anything Cornhuskerrelated.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I love to go kayak fishing with my son.

What are you the most proud of? - My family! My wife and children are my rock. I couldn’t be more proud of the type of people they are (not perfect by any means but none of us are).

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Each day learn something, be nice to people, and have fun!

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

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I help coach football at Lincoln Southwest. I really enjoy the interaction with young people and helping them improve their football skills.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Vincenzo’s and Lazlo’s.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - I would love to have dinner one more time with my Grandma and Grandpa Devall.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Phone: (402) 420-7758; Email: bdevall@spgrouppc.com; Website: spgrouppc.com.

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STAR CITY SIX

TAMMY

Tammy Walter

NAI FMA REALTY NAI FMA Realty is a full-service commercial real estate firm that offers sales, leasing and management services for commercial properties. Tammy Walter is a property manager for NAI FMA Realty.

How did you get started in the business? - By accident really. I was hired as an administrative assistant at first and then I was given the opportunity to grow into the position I am in now. It is one of the reasons I have stayed with the firm so long. They take good care of their staff and take a genuine interest in giving us the opportunities to grow if we want them.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - In this line of work, every day is a challenge. The biggest challenge is trying to stay ahead of it and making the right decisions for your company and your clients.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Obtaining my Real Estate License. It was a very difficult test to study for and pass.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married for 27 years and have 2 children, a son who is 24 and a daughter who is 18.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - Watching a dear friend fight and lose his battle with cancer. It made me look at life completely different. I rearranged my priorities so that the important things came first, like family.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I am a huge mountain biker. I love to take my bike out on the park dirt trails and just fly. Just me, my bike, and my dog. Down-hilling in the Colorado mountains is my absolute favorite!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 10 years.

What are you the most proud of? - My children. They amaze me every day with the incredible people they are and continue to grow to be.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Passionate. (It gets me in trouble sometimes, though.)

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Dream On by Aerosmith.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Physical Therapy. I would love to be able to help people walk again. That would be amazing.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - For the last 10 years I have participated in and raised money for the Strong Kids Campaign for the YMCA. It supports local families by helping them pay for things like camps, daycare, swim lessons, etc. when they can’t afford a membership or program costs. Every kid should have the opportunity to be a kid and just play!

What is your favorite movie? - The Princess Bride!

What is your favorite TV show? - It’s a toss-up between This is Us and The Big Bang Theory.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - The Parthenon. Love domathes!

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

- Phone: (402) 441-5800; Email: twalter@naifma.com; Website: www.naifmarealty.com.

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STAR CITY SIX

DUSTIN

Dustin Bauer

WEST GATE BANK Celebrating 50 years in 2018, West Gate Bank is a locally owned and operated, fullservice community bank with seven Lincoln locations. Dustin Bauer is a commercial lender at West Gate Bank.

Tell us a little about your role at West Gate Bank. - I work mainly with financing commercial real estate and commercial business loans. I’ve been in banking for 14 years and with West Gate Bank for the past 8 years. West Gate Bank is a relationship-driven bank with a strong focus on trust and customer needs. We’re committed to the success of our clients and invested in their financial wellbeing.

How did you get started in the business? - I interned at D.A. Davidson my last two years of college and started in banking when I graduated from UNL in 2004.

Tell us a little about your family. - My wife Kiley and I have been married for almost two years. We have two great kids, Lilly (5) and Lucas (8 mos.). Right now we are building a new house that we will be moving into in the summer of 2018.

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

- Three important dates come to mind in the order they happened.

All three were life-changing events that helped get me to where I am today, both in my personal life and in my career. 1. 6/24/10 – The day I started working at West Gate Bank. 2. 8/9/14 – The day I met my wife. 3. 6/29/17 – The day my son Lucas was born.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Golfing, working out, and spending time with my family and two dogs, Romey and Lucy.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I got to sing with Kid Rock and have a margarita with Jim Rome both in the same night.

What are you the most proud of? - My family, my friends, working for West Gate Bank and being from Lincoln, NE. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Tough times don’t last, tough people do.

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

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Professional golfer.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I serve on the board of directors for the Capital Humane Society. I have always been a dog owner and enjoyed being around animals my whole life.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? Trump: The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump and Tony Schwartz.

What is your favorite movie? - The Wolf of Wall Street.

What is your favorite TV show? - Anything on the Golf Channel or Fox News and I also enjoy WWE. What is your favorite local restaurant? - Valentino’s.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - My direct line at West Gate Bank is (402) 323-8971 or I can be contacted via email at dbauer@westgate.bank. My office is located in the West Gate Bank Center at 60th & Old Cheney Road. Our website is westgate.bank.

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STAR CITY SIX

JASON

Jason Korn

48 BOWL, INC.

48 Bowl, Inc. has two Lincoln locations, Hollywood Bowl and Parkway Lanes, where you can go for bowling, arcade gaming, music, company meetings, food and fun. Jason Korn is the general manager of 48 Bowl, Inc. How did you get started in the business? - I originally started in the bowling business at the age of 18. I’ve bowled since the age of four in leagues and fell in love with the sport so it seemed like a natural fit. I managed the bowling center in North Platte, NE. I also ran the pro shop before moving to Lincoln.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Being the leader that I want to be. Which is to come from a caring and compassionate place rather than an authoritarian place, while at the same time doing what is best for the business.

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

- Hiring my Reflection Coach, Tim Matacio. He challenges me in ways that have not only helped broaden my perspective on life but also in ways that have helped me grow as a person in all aspects of my life.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Honestly? Bowl.

Of course with the amount of time that I spend in each of our centers, I also have to balance my days off by spending time with my family and that usually involves a movie, game, or mini-golf.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - E + R = O. Which means (an) EVENT + (your) RESPONSE = (the) OUTCOME. And the only thing you can directly control in that equation is your response.

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

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - To have endless energy. I’m so grateful to be in a career that I am absolutely passionate about. There is so much to do in running two bowling centers and I want to do it all. Unfortunately, there’s that necessary element called sleep that gets in the way.

Which talent would you most like to have? - Music. Or at least the ability to play an instrument. I’ve had a passion for listening to music all my life. However, I am not skilled in the art.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - That’s easy. I’d choose to be a professional bowler.

I’ve wanted to do that since I was 12 years old.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - I read a lot of books. I can’t pick a favorite so I will pick a recent book that has changed my perspective on work/life and that would be Quiet Leadership by David Rock. I’d encourage anyone who is a leader or strives to be a leader to read it. It is leadership advice backed by neuroscience and it’s fascinating.

What is your favorite movie? - Rocky. I can’t pick just one. The entire series is great!

What is your favorite TV show? - My all-time favorite TV show has to be Airwolf. The 80’s kids will know what that is. Still to this day I think the main character had the coolest name, Stringfellow Hawke.

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

- I can be reached at either Hollywood Bowl at (402) 466-1911 or Parkway Lanes at (402) 483-7763, via our website, www.48Bowl. com, or via email at JasonKorn@48bowl.com.

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STAR CITY SIX

RICK

Rick Blessen

SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE Southeast Community College operates within its 15-county service area of southeast Nebraska and has full-service campuses in Beatrice, Lincoln and Milford. Within the last two years SCC also has established learning centers in Falls City, Hebron, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Wahoo and York. Rick Blessen is the first director of advancement in the history of the College.

Tell us a little about your role. - I am working to develop relationships and secure funding for program and capital projects through our SCC Educational Foundation.

How did you get started in the business? - I started my work in nonprofit development with the Nebraska Public Radio Network 25 years ago, then subsequently the Nebraska Humanities Council and Doane University.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- While at Doane I reconnected with an alumnus who left Doane to finish his engineering degree elsewhere. Unfortunately, changes in his path led to him not receiving his Doane diploma. Though he’d been a sporadic $25 donor, over the course of our relationship he established an endowed scholarship that’s likely to become Doane’s largest, and he’s made several major gifts toward capital projects. A few years ago I was able to maneuver around some outdated graduation policies and made it possible for him to realize his dream and receive his Doane diploma and walk at commencement with his children watching.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have an amazing family living in a 131-year-old house in Crete. My wife Jennifer Robison is a senior writer and editor at Gallup. She writes about everybody from hotel maids to Nobel Prize winners. Our two sons and daughter range in age from 16 to 9 and are all enrolled in the excellent Crete Public School system. I’m already recruiting them for SCC. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

- The arrival of my children. The world you wake up to the morning after a baby is born is different than any day that came before it, and changes you for the rest of your life.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spending time working on a project or hanging out by the water at Duncan Lakes, where my family has a property.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I received a Carnegie Medal for Heroism.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - My grandfather always told me “Accept the blame, share the credit.”

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Guy Clark’s The Cape.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Flying. Do you know how expensive it is to get a family of five on a plane?

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I have always loved discovering new music and actually was involved in the early days of the Americana Music Association.

So if I had to work someplace other than SCC, it would involve music production and management.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - This used to be a tough question, but then we opened Course at SCC’s new Great Plains Culinary Institute. It is simply amazing.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Email: rblessen@southeast.edu; Website: www.southeast.edu.

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STAR CITY SIX

JEFF

Jeff Gaston

DIGITAL SKY Locally owned and operated, Digital Sky is the premier marketing leader in video production, branding development, and commercial UAV. Jeff Gaston is the co-owner of Digital Sky. Tell us a little about your business. - Digital Sky has been around for 4 years now. We have two divisions: Creative, which handles video production and marketing, and Inspection, which encompasses 3D modeling, mapping, and inspection through the use of fixed wing and propeller drones.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Work/ Life balance. I’ve worked nonstop since I was young, so that’s literally all I have ever known. It is very hard for me to not work 7 days a week.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? - At age 15 I started my own DJ company, All Around Sound of Nebraska.

I had employees and did events all over Nebraska/Kansas for 10 years. I sold it to a company in Colorado at age 25. The amount of leadership, ambition, and talent that I had in business at that age was too often overlooked.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - A few years ago I had it made. Six-figure job, big house, big toys, married, you name it. I came home to my wife having an affair. I got divorced, but didn’t care because I still had my best friend by my side, a yellow lab named Bean. A few months after the divorce, Bean Dog got liver cancer and died. He was all I had. At that point I realized that I could get the house, the truck, the toys any day for the rest of my life but I’d never get him back. I found out money meant nothing the day he died.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Simple equation: Grill + Craft Beer + Cigar + Music = Relax.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I have holes in both of my eyes. I was born with glaucoma and from a multitude of surgeries I have permanent holes in my eyes. I’m currently blind in my left eye.

What are you the most proud of? - My first podcast, Leff2Deff. I started it 2 years ago and had an audience of listeners spanning 41 countries.

I’ve since ended it, but by popular demand, I’m releasing a business podcast/web series this year.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Anything can be learned” from Steve Harms, MetalQuest Unlimited.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) by Garth Brooks.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Plastic surgeon. Something about the combination of extreme precision in surgery and being able to help people feel good about themselves has always intrigued me.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - My alltime favorite is American Desperado by Jon Roberts and Evan Wright.

What is your favorite TV show? - The Office.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Vincenzo’s.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Bill Moos. I’m not interested in the football aspect, but the business side of his life. I study body language and how the mind works a lot and the way he handles himself during press conferences is incredible.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 840-0997; Email: Jeff@DigitalSky.com; Website: www.

DigitalSky.com.

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

by Chris McPike, Vice President ComPro Insurance

Client Advocacy I’ve spent many days in the last month at the bedside of my gravely ill mother-inlaw. I had the opportunity to help her, but I was also there as her medical power of attorney to advocate for her care, ask questions and have a voice in the medical decisions that were being made. It was her time to leave this life and we have said our goodbyes. We all get our turns to experience the circle of life, don’t we?

The role of advocating for our clients is a responsibility that we are passionate about. It’s easy for the individual who doesn’t use healthcare services very often. It can be quite complicated when there is a serious medical situation. Do you know all of the details about your health insurance policy? Even if you read the entire document, you may not understand all of the insurance lingo. Your professional insurance agent is the trusted resource that you need to guide you, whether it’s just a question about your benefits or when you need help with a major issue. This might include: • How to find out whether a doctor or hospital is in the network for your plan. Categories such as behavioral health specialists or medical equipment providers can be more difficult to find.

• Determining if a medication that your doctor is recommending is on the formulary for your health plan and how much it will cost.

• Guiding employers through compliance issues.

• How to access health care when you are traveling.

• What happens if you have a medical issue in a foreign country?

• Assisting with claims.

• What about air ambulance charges?

• Submitting an appeal when a recommended procedure has been declined for coverage or a medication is not on the formulary.

• Finding a resolution when the insurance company or healthcare. gov has made an error.

The real difference that a health insurance agent provides is not about selling a policy; it’s about finding the RIGHT coverage for you and continuing to advocate for you and your employees.

COMPRO….helping you connect the dots.

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PERSONNEL NEWS

Wendi Peterson-Stott of Benefit Professionals Elected to OAHU Board Leadership Benefit Professionals, Inc. is pleased to announce that Wendi Peterson-Stott has been appointed to serve as secretary and treasurer for the Omaha Association of Health Underwriters (OAHU) Board of Directors.

The Omaha Chapter of the Nebraska Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) represents licensed health insurance agents, brokers, consultants and benefit professionals who serve the health insurance needs of employers and individuals seeking health insurance coverage. She has now served as a member of the Board for 3 years, having been reelected for consecutive terms.

Peterson has nearly 30 years of benefits experience, and joined Benefit Professionals, Inc. as a vice president in February 2014. She is responsible for providing account management, client relations and new business growth.

Established in 1989, Benefit Professionals, Inc., a Bearence Management Group Company, is a group benefits brokerage firm.

The professionals at Benefit Professionals, Inc. work with clients in Nebraska and Iowa, finding solutions to meet the individual needs of each when it comes to employee benefits. For more information about Benefit Professionals, Inc., please call (402) 592-7777 or visit www.benefitprofessionals.net.

Derek J Kats Recognized by Keller Williams International as #1 REALTOR in Midwest Congratulations is in order for Derek J Kats, REALTOR and co-owner of Keller Williams Lincoln (www.kellerwilliamslincoln.com), who was recently named by Keller Williams Realty International as the #1 ranked REALTOR of all Keller Williams franchises in the Midwest region.

With over 120+ transactions sold (closed) in 2017, Derek helped place Keller Williams Lincoln as one of the top newlylaunched Market Centers (Brokerages) at the Keller Williams International Family Reunion Conference and Awards Banquet in Anaheim, California.

Derek started his career in early 2010 and by 2011 had already become the #1 Buyer’s Agent Realtor in Lincoln. Throughout the years, Derek has ranked in the Top-10 Realtors overall for sales in Lincoln, while recently achieving the honor of being named as Lincoln’s #1 Residential Realtor in 2016 for Sales Transactions Closed. Derek was also named in the Wall Street Journal as a TOP-100 REALTOR in the USA! Derek attributes much of his success to the growth of Lincoln’s economy and the booming real estate market. To take advantage of the current hot market by either buying or selling a home, Derek is ready for your call and can be contacted directly at (402) HOMES-4-U, (402) 466-3748, or by email at DerekJKats@kw.com.

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Located at Keller Williams Plaza, 301 S. 70th Street, Suite 200, the local Keller Williams Lincoln real estate brokerage is part of the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, sales volume closed, and sales transactions closed. Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated. Keller Williams Lincoln is an equal opportunity housing company.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Cornhusker Bank Promotes Tammi Gusler Cornhusker Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Tammi Gusler to assistant vice president-loan servicing supervisor.

Tammi has been with Cornhusker Bank since 2014 working in the Loan Servicing area.

Her skills and ability to communicate with staff led her to being named assistant vice president. According to President/ CEO Barry Lockard, “Tammi’s exhibition of leadership enforces our core values: Own it, Care deeply, Deliver the ‘Wow’ experience, Build positive relationships, and Do life together. She displays the ability to influence others positively, providing staff with knowledge, guidance, and the ability to carry out their tasks with a commitment to excellence.”

Tammi is a past board member of International Association of Administrative Professionals-Cornhusker Chapter. She is currently associated with the North Star High School Booster Club and assists both of her sons’ sport teams either by coaching or helping with their fundraising. Tammi was awarded the bank’s Golden Apple Award of Excellence for 2016.

Cornhusker Bank remains the oldest locally owned bank, demonstrating stability, soundness, and investing in the future growth of the community, valued customers and associates. For more information, please visit www.CornhuskerBank.com.

Three Join Nebraska Hospital Association Three new professionals recently joined the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA; www.NebraskaHospitals.org) at their offices located in Lincoln.

Brian Noonan joined in March in the new role of senior director of communications and education. Brian will be responsible for developing and managing all communications strategies, publications and editorial functions. In addition, he will oversee the design and development of all educational programming. Brian brings 25+ years of marketing, communications and public relations experience to the NHA. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a B.S. in Journalism.

David Slattery was named the director of advocacy for the Nebraska Hospital Association in January. Prior to working for the NHA, David served as the legislative aide to State Senators Mark Kolterman and Colby Coash. He worked on the Mike Johanns for U.S. Senate campaign and spent time as a bill clerk for the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. He graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in both Sociology and Political Science.

Lorrie Acree joined the NHA in January as an accounting clerk. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Southeast Community College and brings over 20 years of accounting experience.

Before joining the NHA, Lorrie performed accounting duties at Cliffs Notes, the Seward County Independent and KLKN-TV, Channel 8 in Lincoln.

Brian Noonan

David Slattery

Lorrie Acree

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PERSONNEL NEWS

9Round Brings on New Team Leader, Invites Lincolnites to “Spring Into Shape” 9Round Fitness Northeast Lincoln (2800 N. 83rd St.) is excited to welcome Demetrius Alexander as a new team leader.

Demetrius was born and raised with a passion for fitness. His athletic background ranges from being selected for all-star football games to engaging in combative training with fellow soldiers in his unit.

Demetrius joined the military as a 17-yearold still in high school and the vigorous training he has undergone has molded him to a highly-motivated individual with a drive for success. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he majored in nutrition and exercise science and obtained experience in the strength and conditioning field.

In addition, 9Round is currently offering a special “Spring Into Shape” promotion with a record low enrollment rate of $25. Don’t miss out!

This promotion will be offered throughout the month of April. For those who haven’t already experienced 9Round’s fast, efficient totalbody circuit workout, the first time is always free. So head on over and see what this kickboxing themed fitness program is all about.

There are no class times—just show up and get thrown into the “best 30-minute workout of your life!”

To learn more about 9Round and their fitness philosophy, visit www.9round.com or contact Todd Vettel at (402) 817-7349 / todd. vettel@9round.com.

NAI FMA Realty’s Chris Vasek Achieves SIOR Designation

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NAI FMA Realty (www.naifmarealty.com) is pleased to announce that Chris Vasek, senior associate broker, has achieved the SIOR designation awarded by the Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS®.

Vasek joins a select group of 3,000 commercial real estate professionals worldwide to hold the SIOR title and is one of only 15 in the state of Nebraska to hold this prestigious designation. Candidates for the designation must have completed at least five years of creditable experience in the highly specialized field of office or industrial real estate, completed challenging sales prerequisites, met stringent education requirements, and demonstrated professional ability, competency, ethical conduct and personal integrity.

Vasek joined NAI FMA Realty in 2007 and was recently promoted to senior associate broker. His specialties are sales and leasing of industrial, office, and investment properties. Over the past 11 years, he has executed 220+ transactions totaling over one million square feet and nearly $100 million. He serves as acting Board President for Houses of Hope, is an active board member of the Habitat for Humanity Restore, an American Outlaws charter member, an AO Impact board member, a Zeta Psi Fraternity Advisor, and a Leadership Lincoln and Youth Leadership Lincoln alumni.

Among his more significant transactions, Vasek executed a long-term lease with Black Hills Energy for a 38,000-square-foot office/industrial building with a subsequent sale to an investment buyer for $3.3 million.

Currently, he serves as the asset manager/broker for The Center on N Class A office building in Downtown Lincoln. He is leading a team to revitalize, upgrade, and sell the 228,000-square-foot project and has recently achieved over 90% occupancy.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Craig Willeke Named Member of Million Dollar Round Table Craig Willeke, an agent for New York Life in Nebraska, has earned membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) for 2018. Achieving membership in MDRT is a distinguishing life insurance career milestone, attained only by those who have demonstrated superior professional knowledge, experience and client service. Membership represents the top life insurance and financial service professionals worldwide.

Mr. Willeke has been a New York Life agent since 2003, and is associated with New York Life’s Nebraska General Office in Omaha. Willeke Financial Group, LLC is located at 1221 N St. Suite 800 in Lincoln and can be contacted at (402) 483-6656 / Craig@ WillekeFinancialGroup.com. Please visit www.willekefinancialgroup.com or New York Life’s website at www.newyorklife.com for more information.

Austin Peters Joins Levrack as Sales Associate Levrack is excited to welcome Austin Peters, who recently joined the team in the role of sales associate. Austin brings to this position extensive experience in all aspects of business management and operations, including sales and customer service. Through his experience with small business ownership, he discovered his talent and appreciation for business development. Austin is excited to pursue that in his new position as he helps Levrack continue to grow while helping people meet the challenge of staying organized, maximizing their usage of space while minimizing clutter.

Locally owned and operated, Levrack offers an innovative storage solution created to solve a common problem – garage clutter. Whether it’s for your home, shop, or business needs, Levrack’s exclusive system effectively triples your storage space by combining the best of pallet racking and mobile-aisle shelving. The patent-pending design is tougher, more efficient, and less expensive than other forms of high-density storage currently on the market. By utilizing Levrack, you’ll end up with a clean, organized, useful space to enjoy. Check out the website at www.levrack.com or contact Austin at (402) 875-9466 to learn more!

Heartland Cancer Foundation Welcomes New Program Director Rochelle Essay The Heartland Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce the hiring of Rochelle Essay to the position of program director.

Rochelle has an MPA from the University of Nebraska and previously worked as staff accountant for Strain Slattery Barkley & Co., CPAs, P.C. She will be managing HCF’s grant program, financial records, gifts, and corporate donations.

Heartland Cancer Foundation provides compassionate assistance to local cancer patients who struggle to make ends meet. Their focus is helping to reduce the financial stress that accompanies cancer treatment for patients living in and around Lincoln, so they can focus on recovery.

They provide aid through gas cards, prescriptions, housing and car payments, medical supplies, and some medical expenses that are noninsurance covered benefits. For more information about their program, please contact (402) 261-9974 / HeartlandCancerFoundation@ gmail.com or visit www.HeartlandCancerFoundation.org.

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PERSONNEL NEWS

Star City Heating & Cooling Welcomes Charles Shelly Doty Joins Talent Plus® as Chief Patterson Growth Officer Star City Heating & Cooling is excited to announce that Charles Patterson has accepted the position of customer service representative with the company.

Charles brings an exceptionally positive attitude, customer-centered mindset and a wide range of skills and experience related to business development and operations that will be a great asset to Star City.

Actively involved in various community service projects, he is also the founder of the non-profit organization, Positive Impact, which helps develop leadership skills in Lincoln youth through sports.

As a customer service representative, his role will entail handling all customer inquiries, booking and scheduling jobs, creating an exceptional customer experience and following up with customers after a job is completed. As with all small businesses, Charles will have multiple hats to wear as he becomes more familiar with Star City and their customers.

There are a lot of heating and cooling companies to choose from and knowing who to trust can be a hurdle. Star City Heating & Cooling’s mission is to stand out from the crowd by going above and beyond to give their customers high-quality products and services that they can rely on and enjoy. Find the best solution for your heating and cooling needs by calling Star City Heating & Cooling at (402) 4647827 or visit their website at www.starcityair.com to learn more.

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Talent Plus, Inc.® is pleased to announce the selection of Shelly Doty as chief growth officer.

With the rapid advancement of Talent Plus, Doty joins a vibrant organization poised to continue its global growth as the Leading Talent Assessment PartnerSM in the industry.

With over 20 years of experience in the Talent Management space, Talent Plus anticipates a smooth transition as Doty takes on her duties as chief growth officer. She will oversee a team of business developers, client leads and client relationship managers, collaborating with over 400 world-class, quality-growth clients and prospects.

Doty graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications. Having begun her career with Hilton Hotels Worldwide as a convention services manager and later a human resources manager, she is well-versed in sales and human resources management. Prior to joining Talent Plus, she served as regional vice president of business development at Right Management where she led development, growth and performance of talent management and career development solutions for her region, as well as the individual and team development of the business development and account management teams.

Talent Plus, Inc. is the Leading Talent Assessment Partner® in the industry and an internationally recognized management consulting firm with over 400 clients in 20 countries delivering interviews in more than 20 languages. For more information, please visit www.talentplus.com.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Nicki Burnham Joins Integrity Merchant Solutions Integrity Merchant Solutions is pleased to announce that Nicki Burnham has joined the company as a senior business consultant.

Nicki brings to her new position experience in customized payment processing solutions, most recently with Heartland Payment Systems. For the past 8 years she has had the pleasure of serving business owners in the Lincoln and Omaha Metro communities and surrounding areas. Establishing long-term relationships and having the opportunity to be a part of the success of local businesses is what she credits as being the most rewarding part of her career. As a client, you can expect to be a priority and work with someone local who is a fellow business owner.

Integrity Merchant Solutions (IntegrityMerchantSolutions.com) has a payment processing solution to suit every business. During an initial review, Nicki utilizes an analysis model that leads with finding the hidden fees, surcharges, and reducing a business’s controllable costs. She will not write your business if you’re in a good deal, but will give you guidance on what to watch out for regarding the platform you’re using.

By providing value to clients every day through the company’s products, services, pricing and expertise, business is earned and not obligatory – there are no long-term contracts, hidden or early termination fees, price increases, with everything disclosed, clearly and concisely, up front and in each monthly statement.

To schedule a complimentary review, contact Nicki directly at (402) 450-4476 / nburnham@integritymerchantsolutions.com.

East Lincoln Business Association Announces 2018 Board of Directors Karla Wilson was recently elected president of the East Lincoln Business Association (ELBA). ELBA exists to support and strengthen businesses located in East Lincoln by providing networking, promotion, and representation. Karla states, “I believe we have an extraordinary group of successful, vibrant, and exciting people who each offer talents to our group, and community at large. It’s amazing how everyone in the membership continually want to contribute to the community in positive ways.”

Karla is a benefits advisor for UNICO Group on the employee benefits team; she serves individuals, employers, and specializes in Medicare. Her specialty includes working with clients and employers who have staff transitioning at retirement age in facilitating cost analysis and education on the best plan of action to take with regards to Medicare and retirement. UNICO Group, a 2016 “Top Performing Agency” national award recipient, headquartered in Lincoln, NE, is dedicated to getting you the best insurance products and services available today, to protect you, your family, and your business.

2018 board members include: Laurie Fraser, vice president; Jacquie Hirschman-Eller, treasurer; Darren Lichty, treasurer; Doug Florer, secretary; Andrew Hartley, secretary; Sara Boardman, website; Cory Hoagstrom, membership; Tim Kirkpatrick, speaker line-up; Jen Wolf-Wubbels, social media; Daine Patten, ELBA-U. ELBA hosts a luncheon at Firethorn 11 a.m. on the 3rd Thursday of each month and prospective members are invited to attend any upcoming luncheon to learn more about the group. For more information, visit elbalincoln.com.

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PERSONNEL NEWS Stacy Martin Appointed President & CEO of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska The board of directors of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS; www.lfsneb. org) has selected Stacy L. Martin as the next president and chief executive officer. She joins LFS effective April 3.

Martin, who will leave her position as executive vice president of programs at Lutheran Services Florida in Tampa, will succeed current President & CEO Ruth Henrichs. Last summer, Henrichs announced her plan to retire after 42 years of dedicated service to LFS. “I’m eager to return to my Midwestern roots and to join an organization that so proudly and compassionately serves its neighbors with a vision of safety, hope and wellbeing for all,” Martin stated.

Martin comes from Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), one of the largest social service organizations in Florida, with more than 1,500 employees and a budget of $220 million. At LSF, Martin oversees a team of 600 and a budget of $50 million delivering programs that include child welfare, guardianship, immigration and refugee services, housing, youth shelters, sexual abuse treatment and behavioral health services. Prior to this position, she served as their chief communications and development officer. Before joining the executive team at Lutheran Services Florida, Martin was a vice president at Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service and the director of Policy and Advocacy for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Washington D.C. She was born in Omaha and raised in Kansas.

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Union Bank & Trust Welcomes Mike Fosdick Union Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Fosdick as vice president of residential mortgage.

Fosdick comes to Union Bank with 45 years of lending experience in the Lincoln and Omaha markets, most recently as a senior vice president – Mortgage Lending Division head at a large regional bank. In his new role, he serves as a relationship manager, responsible for providing clients with residential mortgage loan options. Fosdick will office in Union Bank’s location at 177th & West Center in Omaha, but will serve both the Lincoln and Omaha markets.

Fosdick graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and went on to complete the Graduate School of Banking from the University of Colorado. He was an adjunct instructor for Real Estate Finance and Real Estate Investment classes at Southeast Community College in Lincoln from 1985 – 1995.

Fosdick is involved in many community projects through the Suburban Rotary Club in Omaha, and is a member of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn.

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. It is the third-largest privately-owned bank in Nebraska with bank assets of $3.8 billion and trust assets of $22.4 billion as of December 31, 2017.

PERSONNEL NEWS Board of Directors Named at INSPRO INSPRO Insurance is proud to announce the following changes to its board of directors: Randy Eikmeier has been elected as c hair man of the board/chief executive officer.

Eikmeier began his career at INSPRO in 1991.

H e h a s s e r ve d on the board of directors since 1996, serving as p r e s i d e n t f ro m December 2014 to January 2018.

Eikmeier also manages INSPRO’s Fremont location.

Sam Gifford has been named president of INSPRO. Gifford joined INSPRO in 1996 and was elected to the Board of Directors in December 2014. Gifford is also serving as a location manager of the Lincoln office.

Randy Eikmeier

Sam Gifford

Rohn Loyd

Jeff Jorgensen

Mike Chvatal

Jeff Greenwald

Rohn Loyd has been named chief financial officer. Loyd has been with INSPRO since 1988 and has held various leadership roles over his thirty year career at INSPRO. Loyd has served on the board since November 2002.

Jeff Jorgensen who serves as INSPRO’s Omaha location manager has been appointed the title of chief operations officer. Jorgensen joined INSPRO in 2006 and was elected to the board of directors in December 2016.

Mike Chvatal continues his role as executive vice president and has also been appointed secretary of the board. Chvatal is the location manager for INSPRO’s Wahoo office. He has served on the board since September 1999 and has been a part of the INSPRO organization since 1982.

Jeff Greenwald has been appointed the title of chairman emeritus.

Although Greenwald will no longer serve on the board of directors, his leadership and presence still remains at INSPRO. Greenwald served as INSPRO’s president from 1996 to 2007. He was CEO/ president from 2007 to 2014 and chairman/CEO from 2014 to 2017. Greenwald started his career with INSPRO in 1980.

INSPRO, Inc. is a leading independent risk management and benefits agency with locations in Lincoln, Omaha, Fremont, Wahoo and West Point, Nebraska as well as Des Moines, Iowa.

Find out more online at www.insproins.com.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Spring Game Tailgate to Benefit CASA On Saturday, April 21 from 7 a.m. to kickoff time, a very special “Tailgate with a Purpose” event will be held in the Haymarket at 151 N. 8th St. All proceeds benefit CASA for Lancaster County, a local nonprofit that advocates for children who are in the court system due to abuse or neglect.

The $50 ticket includes entry into a drawing for two tickets to the soldout game, unlimited food and drinks, prime Haymarket location, a rare opportunity to get your picture taken with three National Championship rings, and the chance to mingle with former Huskers–all while doing good in your community.

Donations are a primary funding source for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. CASA volunteers work within the foster care system to be a voice for children who are going through some of the most difficult situations imaginable. Like many states, Nebraska has had significant issues over the past decade in how we care for Nebraska’s kids. There are over 4,000 kids in the foster care system who need your help.

CEDARS Brings Attention to National Child Abuse Prevention Month When a c hild is a victim of abuse or neglect, CEDARS is there to help.

The agency’s compassionate team of professionals works to bring safety into each child’s situation. Because the CEDARS team understands how the realities of these traumatic events can affect a child’s development, focus is placed on helping children rebuild trust with caring adults, such as foster parents and therapists who are part of the CEDARS support network.

Throughout its 70-year history, CEDARS has likewise worked to bring safety to children who may be at risk of abuse or neglect. Many parents think it couldn’t happen in their home, but CEDARS sees examples of neglect or abuse in every neighborhood of the community. Neglect or abuse can occur as the result of a lack of resources or an overly stressed or strained parent.

By supporting families at times of greatest stress or when resources are most lacking, CEDARS may be able to prevent a circumstance where a child is not safe.

Tickets are limited, so order yours today at: www.casa4lancaster. networkforgood.com/events/5607-tailgate-with-a-purpose. Entry is free for children under 12.

During the month of April, Dino’s Eastside Grille has designated CEDARS as their Good Cause Community Partner. A proportion of sales from special menu items will be donated to CEDARS, helping to support the work of helping kids in crisis and building strong families.

For more information, contact Kristen Anderson at (402) 474-5161/ kanderson@CASA4Lancaster.org.

To learn how you can play a part in the prevention of child abuse, visit cedarskids.org or call (402) 434-5437.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Shampooches Fundraiser Returns on April 22 Nebraska No Kill Canine Rescue is hosting one of its most popular events again this year on Sunday, April 22 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Lincoln and area dog owners are invited to bring their friendly fidos to visit one of the participating groomers during Shampooches to support a very worthy cause. Participating locations include: Bailey’s Deluxe Pet Care near 22nd Street & Hwy. 2, Canine Design near 56th & Holdrege, and The Groom Room in The Shoppes at Piedmont. Staff from each of three grooming locations, along with Nebraska No Kill volunteers, will be giving baths for $15 and nail trims for $5. Walk-ins are welcome. Funds raised will be used to pay for the medical and behavioral rehabilitation needed by many of the dogs in the organization’s adoption program.

Nebraska No Kill is also seeking foster and adoptive homes. Anyone interested in more information can complete the online application at www.NebraskaNoKill.org or send an email to info@NebraskaNoKill.org.

Stuff the Bus for Friendship Home April 7-8 Friendship Home has once again partnered with StarTran, Alpha Media radio stations, Walmart and Sam’s Club stores for the 19th annual Stuff the Bus event. Stuff the Bus asks the Lincoln community to help stuff four StarTran buses full of new items needed by the families staying at Friendship Home.

The items donated will stock shelter shelves for the coming year.

Friendship Home volunteers will be at all Lincoln Walmart and Sam’s Club stores on April 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. handing out needs lists to shoppers. Anyone is welcome to pick up a list, choose some items to purchase and help “stuff the bus” parked outside the store. Cash donations are also accepted. To learn more about this event, please visit www.friendshiphome.org.

Friendship Home is Lincoln’s only safe, confidential emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. To access safe shelter and services, call (402) 437-9302.

The Hope Venture Sends Team to India On March 22, The Hope Venture sent a team of six college students to India. This is the 6th trip to India for the 22-year-old team leader, but it was the first time for the rest of these ambitious young adults who choose to spend their spring break making a difference.

The Hope Venture exists to bring help and hope to people around the world. Through trusted partnerships, The Hope Venture engages primarily in compassion-based projects emphasizing better education, health, clothing and shelter for children, orphans and the needy poor, for the honor of Christ.While in India, the team followed up on several of The Hope Venture’s projects.

Highlights from this 10-day trip include backpack distributions, playing with children at HV feeding centers, vocational training graduations, capturing moments through video and photos, and encouraging the workers and partners of The Hope Venture who are stationed there.

To learn more, visit www.thehopeventure.org or contact Jackie Hinrichsen at (402) 430-1228 / jackie@thehopeventure.org.

Registration Underway for Launch Leadership’s 2018 Summer Workshop Lincoln-based nonprofit Launch Leadership has opened online registration for their highly anticipated, five-day Summer Leadership Workshop. The 57-year running flagship leadership experience is powered entirely by volunteer staff members and hosted on Wayne State College’s campus. The program draws more than 700 students, entering grades 6-12, from all over the Cornhusker state and beyond.

2018 Workshop dates are June 19-23 or July 17-21 and cost $350/ student for the five-day experience. Scholarships are available to ensure any student can attend. In 2017, Workshop sold out in less than five weeks, leaving nearly 200 students on the waiting list.

Parents are encouraged to register their children early to ensure a spot in this year’s Workshop. July’s 2018 Workshop is sold out with a few remaining spots available in June.

The mission of Launch Leadership is to empower young leaders to transform their communities and change our world. Summer Leadership Workshop provides more than 70 hours of leadership training in a power-packed, fun-filled and experience-based small group learning environment. Launch Leadership also provides One Day Workshops, Retreats and after school leadership training to students throughout the year.

For more information about Launch Leadership, to register for Workshop, or for more information on available scholarships, visit launchleadership.org/registerhere or call (402) 437-0011.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Lincoln Community Foundation Awards $158K to Support 18 Local Nonprofits

Camp Summergold Summer Session Encourages Girls to “Dream It, Be It”

The Lincoln Community Fo u n d a t i o n ( w w w. lcf.org) distributed $158,000 in community grants to local nonprofit organizations.

These grants are made possible by contributions from the Lincoln Forever Fund and from a number of LCF donor endowment funds.

Organizations that received funding include: Bright Lights - $10,000 (Scholarship support for students in Title I Schools), Child Guidance Center - $10,000 (Infrastructure upgrades and capital improvements), Clinic With a Heart - $10,000 (General operating support), El Centro de las Americas - $9,000 (General operating support), Junior Achievement of Lincoln - $5,000 (Expansion of “It’s My Business” middle school curriculum), Legal Aid of Nebraska - $10,000 (Capital improvements), Lincoln Literacy - $10,000 (English Language and Literacy Academy), Lincoln Medical Education Partnership - $10,000 (School Community Intervention & Prevention program), Lincoln Orchestra Association -$5,000 (Social Impact Program and Family Literacy Partnership), Live Well. Go Fish $10,000 (Outdoor experience for seniors, youth, veterans and people with disabilities), Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital - $19,000 (Community Medical Transportation program), Men with Dreams - $5,000 (Program support to reduce juvenile recidivism rate), Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law - $10,000 (Increase SNAP Employment & Training Program access), Nebraska Children and Families Foundation - $10,000 (Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential program), Old Cheney Farmers’ Market $5,000 (SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks program support), Released and Restored - $10,000 (General operating support), Salvation Army - $5,000 (Shield Fine Arts Academy), Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center - $5,000 (Haines Branch Prairie Corridor).

Camp Summergold is celebrating gir l power through their relationships with Soroptimists International of Lincoln, Kiwanis International and Days for Girls by adding the “Dream It, Be It” curriculum to their 2018 programming. This will offer career support for girls, helping them grow up to be strong, successful, happy adults. “Dream It, Be It” targets girls ages 11-17 who face obstacles to their future success.

It provides them access to professional role models, career education and the resources to live their dreams. Working in small groups and a larger group setting, girls will be provided with the information and resources they want and need to be successful. Topics covered include career opportunities, setting and achieving goals, overcoming obstacles to success and how to move forward after setbacks or failures.

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Camp Summergold invites young women to spend a week together tackling serious issues while also having an all-around wonderful time enjoying a variety of activities and trying new things. There will be cookouts, swimming, singing and dancing, exploring, investigating, creating, and performing. Campers will learn from special guests and each other, making new friends and hanging out with awesome counselors and mentors. There will only be one session this year, taking place June 3-10. Find programming, tuition details, and more information about Camp Summergold online at at www. campsummergold.com or contact Judy at (402) 474-2206.

NON-PROFIT NEWS

Enjoy Fresh Squeezed, Support Fresh Start Who doesn’t love ice cream? Ivanna Cone supports Fresh Start through Community Cone Cares. Right now they’re busy making batches of Fresh Squeezed, a butter cream lemon ice cream with sugar cookies and sprinkles – and when you purchase Fresh Squeezed at Ivanna Cone during the month of April 2018, a portion of the sales goes to Fresh Start. On Tuesday, April 24 from 5-9 p.m., 10% of all sales will be donated to Fresh Start!

Fresh Start is a transitional shelter that empowers homeless women to change their lives by recognizing and utilizing their strengths to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. Fresh Start is more than a shelter; it’s a goal-oriented program designed to support women who are working diligently to improve their lives. Call Audrey at Fresh Start at (402) 475-7777 for more information, visit www.

FreshStartHome.org or connect on social media: Facebook.com/ FreshStartHomeLincoln.

Vision Maker Film Festival Begins April 20 “We Are All Related” is the theme of the 7th biennial Vision Maker Film Festival. The theme is a conceptual translation from the Lakota language—Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ—a commonly used expression indicating the Lakota’s relationships to each other and in the world.

Opening night is Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m., at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center at the University of NebraskaLincoln, featuring the film RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World, which explores how the Native American influence is an integral part of music history, despite attempts to ban, censor and erase Indian culture in the United States.

In total, more than 30 new films by diverse filmmakers from across the country will be showcased–stories of social justice, hope and overcoming adversity. Filmmakers will present and encourage dialogue to provide educational opportunities that benefit teachers, students and the public. For more information, visit visionmakermedia. org/festival.

TeamMates: Eat a Runza®, Make a Difference Runza ® Restaurants and TeamMates have teamed up to serve our community. On Tuesday, April 10, stop by one of Lincoln’s 16 Runza® Restaurants to participate in Runza® Day! Runza will be donating 10% of all their proceeds to the TeamMates Mentoring Program. The benefit is part of a larger partnership between TeamMates and Runza that will be taking place that day across Nebraska and Iowa. Funds raised by Lincoln’s 16 locations will go toward supporting Lincoln’s 1,200+ volunteer TeamMates mentors in our community’s elementary, middle and high schools.

TeamMates encourages individuals to bring their family and friends to Runza® Restaurants that day to support a great cause while enjoying a great meal. Also, businesses and organizations can place group orders to help support Lincoln’s TeamMates on Runza Day. To learn more about participating go to www.

LincolnTeamMates.org/SB or call (402) 436-1990.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS JA Seeking Spring Classroom Volunteers Junior Achievement (JA) needs volunteers this spring! There are nearly 200 teachers requesting JA assistance in the months of April and May who are still in need of a classroom volunteer.

As a JA volunteer, you will teach five 30-45 minute lessons in the classroom. Volunteers will be provided with all of the materials needed to teach the JA lessons, and a step-by-step guidebook that will walk them through exactly what to say and do in the classroom.

Volunteers and teachers work together to mutually arrange the required number of sessions, taking into account the classroom schedule and volunteer’s work schedule.

Junior Achievement volunteers go into K-12 classrooms and not only teach the JA lessons, but share their real-world experiences to create impactful learning experiences for the students. For more information, visit www.jalincoln.org or contact Alison Gottsch-Walton at (402) 467-1741 /alison.walton@jalincoln.org.

Habitat Restore Lincoln to Host Scrub Day Habitat ReStore Lincoln will host its 2nd annual citywide Scrub Day event, a spring cleaning donation drive on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. It’s never been easier, or more fun, to spring clean by donating unwanted household or building material items. Just schedule an appointment and a truck will come to your house and pick up accepted items for free on this day. If a scheduled pick-up doesn’t work, there will be two convenient drop-off locations: Lowe’s (6101 Apple’s Way) and the Habitat Restore (47th & Y St.). All donated items are 100% tax deductible. Profits from ReStore will help fund the mission of Habitat for Humanity Lincoln, which provides decent and affordable housing for families in need of shelter in Lancaster County.

Domesti-PUPS Pet Therapy Certification Course Slated for April Domesti-PUPS has announced its upcoming Pet Therapy Certification Course will begin April 24 in Lincoln, and April 27 in Omaha.

Pet therapy is a broad term that includes animal-assisted therapy and other animal-assisted activities.

Animal-assisted therapy is a growing field that uses dogs or other animals to help people recover from or better cope with health problems, such as heart disease, cancer and mental health disorders. Animal-assisted activities, on the other hand, have a more general purpose, such as providing comfort and enjoyment for nursing home residents.

Great therapy dogs: • Adore all people and want to be with people more than anything else; • Are able to handle loud noises, commotion, and various people, places and things; • Are mentally sound, not overly sensitive, nor reactive to other dogs; • Have a solid level of obedience.

The prerequisite for the Domesti-PUPS Pet Therapy Certification Course is the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen designation. If your dog has passed this test, then you most likely will be ready to begin the pet therapy certification course.

If you feel your dog would be a good candidate, email info@domestipups.org today to sign up! For more information please visit www. domesti-pups.org.

Call (402) 464-0010 today to schedule your appointment. Visit lincolnhabitat.org/restore to see what items the ReStore accepts and to learn more about Scrub Day.

Scheels, Graduate Sponsor Matt Talbot’s Volunteer Appreciation Lunch For 25 years and counting, hundreds of compassionate volunteers have come to Matt Talbot’s community kitchen to provide, prepare and serve hot nutritious meals to the working poor and homeless.

These volunteers, some who have been around for all 25 years, are tireless in their efforts to provide nourishment for the body and spirit. Today, volunteers remain the heart and soul of Matt Talbot with over 900 volunteers helping each month with hunger relief and outreach activities. In 2017 volunteers provided 33,794 hours of service and $224,442 worth of in-kind food donations.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and to celebrate Matt Talbot is hosting a special volunteer appreciation luncheon on Thursday, April 19. The keynote speaker will be Randy Hawthorne, executive director and publisher for the Nonprofit Hub and executive director of VolunteerLinc. Special thanks to the Graduate Hotel and Scheels for sponsoring the event. Learn more at mtko.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Ivanna Cone Donates Portion of Ice Cream Sales to The Gathering Place

Radio Talking Book Service Receives Donation From Metro Omaha Medical Society

Wonderful things happen when organizations come together to achieve shared goals. During the month of March, Ivanna Cone made batches of “Gather ‘Round” ice cream, inspired by the work of The Gathering Place. Throughout the month, a portion of sales from this flavor—which was a delicious combination of peanut butter ice cream with caramelized apples and Snickers—were donated to The Gathering Place. Adding to their generosity, Ivanna Cone donated 10% of all sales from 5-9 p.m. on March 27 to The Gathering Place.

This isn’t the first time Ivanna Cone has shown their support of The Gathering Place. Every month, their self-described “Coneheads” have served ice cream to guests, and even created holiday decorations for The Gathering Place to lift the spirits of those visiting.

The Gathering Place is a program of Community Action that serves over 27,000 hot evening meals annually to those struggling with hunger in Lincoln. Evening meals are served Monday through Friday from 5-6 p.m. This important work is made possible through the hard work and dedication of over 1,600 volunteers annually, and contributions from the community.

For more information about The Gathering Place, including how to help, visit www.communityactionatwork.org or call (402) 476-7398.

Radio Talking Book Service (RTBS) was honored to receive donations and matc hing funds of $10,065 from the Metro Omaha Medical Society Foundation at their annual dinner in January. The funds will be used to purchase RRS1100 radio receivers (and other associated equipment) that will be placed with eligible individuals in their homes as well as in care facilities around the metro Omaha area—connecting thousands of people to their community.

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Radio Talking Book Service serves the state of Nebraska with a mission to provide human-voiced information choices to individuals who have disabilities that prevent them from reading. Key programs are the Radio Talking Book Network, a statewide radio reading service and Listening Link, an educational reading program.

Founded in 1974, RTBS is Nebraska’s only radio reading service.

Volunteers read print media aloud, either live or as a recording, and their diverse voices are broadcast statewide over the radio and internet to blind, visually impaired, or print disabled listeners. Current scheduled readings include regional and national newspapers, grocery and department store ads, information from over 70 magazines, live interviews on the Community Conversation program, a Veterans Hour, and more. To arrange a tour of the studio, or for more information, please visit www.RTBS.org or call (402) 572-3003.

NON-PROFIT NEWS CBMC Lincoln Announces Upcoming Events It’s been an exciting year so far for CBMC Lincoln! A Business Connection lunch featuring Tim Bohlke, Harbor Ministries, was held in February. There were nearly 40 people attending to hear Tim talk about “Busyness or Balance: Finding your Rhythm in Life.”

The next Business Connection lunch is April 26, featuring Michael Krause of Plan A Wealth Management. The topic will be “Connecting Life and Work with your Purpose.” Registration information can be found on the website listed below.

CBMC Lincoln continues to promote the movie I CAN ONLY IMAGINE to local businesses to considering providing blocks of tickets for employees and family. The movie was released March 16. Contact Marcus Theatres for information on group purchases.

Also, save the date for the 17th Annual CBMC Lincoln Golf Classic on July 31 at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club. This event features a great day of golf at one of the premier Lincoln courses, raffle prizes, silent auction and lots of fun with others from the Lincoln community. The luncheon speaker for the event is Dave Rowe, former NFL Super Bowl champion with the Oakland Raiders and college football TV analyst for many years. Not a golfer? The luncheon is open for anyone to attend, so mark your calendars now.

For more information on CBMC Lincoln or any of these events, contact the organization at Lincoln.cbmc.com, rlee@cbmc.com or (402) 204-1997.

Be sure to follow CBMC Lincoln on Facebook!

Tabitha Gathers Community Givers Tabitha, Nebraska’s industryleading Senior Care provider, recently recognized a select group of donors and volunteers who give extraordinarily in the pursuit of outstanding, compassionate care for Nebraska seniors.

Organizations and individuals were honored during Tabitha’s Pictured (L-R): Tabitha President annual Into the Blue luncheon and CEO Christie Hinrichs, Tabitha on March 7 at the Embassy Hospice Volunteer and Cultivate Suites in Lincoln.

Award Winner Kayleen Riley, Tabitha Foundation Board Chair John Miles.

Tabitha honored a notable local organization, church, corporate supporter and two volunteers who have dedicated time, talent and treasure to Tabitha’s mission of delivering innovative Senior Care services that promote the dignity, independence and well-being of older adults. The Commit Award, honoring an organization that devotes its time, talent and treasure, was presented to Knights of Columbus. Eastridge Presbyterian Church earned the Care Award for their dedication and compassion for Tabitha Meals on Wheels. The Connect Award, honoring a volunteer who builds relationships rooted in love, was presented to Betty Peppmuller, an activities assistant volunteer for Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln. Kayleen Riley earned the Cultivate Award for nurturing an environment of innovation and growth. The Courage Award was presented to Pinnacle Bank and its employees for their longstanding support of Tabitha in many ways.

The Tabitha Foundation relies on the friendship and generosity of donors to help extend the continuum of Senior Care services to older adults in Nebraska. At Tabitha there are a multitude of ways to support seniors in your community and make a difference in their lives, including sponsoring special events, providing planned contributions, gift annuities and so much more. Contact the Tabitha Foundation at (402) 486-8509 or visit Tabitha.org today for more information.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Child Guidance Center to Recognize Whitmer Nebraska Recycling Council to Host Earth Family at Gourmet Comfort Classic Day Collection Event The Child Guidance Center will recognize Mae Whitmer, her daughter, Dr. Lori Wennstedt, and son, Jo h n W h i t m e r, w i t h t h e 2018 Leader in Children’s Mental Health Award for their ongoing support of the organization’s mission of inspiring healthy futures for children and families through comprehensive behavioral and mental health services. This award will be presented on Friday, May 4 at the 10th Annual Gourmet Comfort Classic to be held at the Nebraska Club from 6 – 9 p.m. Individual tickets are $75 each.

The Gourmet Comfort Classic event is a chef ’s competition featuring the area’s top chefs who donate food and their time as they compete to create the finest gourmet version of a classic comfort food. This year’s ‘Back to Mac’ theme recognizes the first event which featured gourmet macaroni and cheese.

The evening includes an inspiring program, silent auction, live music and much more. For information on participating chefs and sponsors, and to purchase tickets, go to childguidance.ticket. qtego.net or contact Jenny Cardwell, development director, at jcardwell@child-guidance.org or (402) 475-7666. Find out more about Child Guidance Center online at www.child-guidance.org.

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Nebraska Recycling Council (NRC) is hosting a “Collection Event for Hard to Recycle Materials” (CHaRM) at Nebraska Innovation Campus on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon in cooperation with Lincoln Earth Day. Electronics, document shredding, batteries, and clothing will be collected for a $10 donation per vehicle to raise funds for NRC. Volunteers will be on hand to unload cars, and The Mill Coffee & Bistro will provide wooden nickels for free coffee.

Nebraska Recycles will collect electronics (no CRT monitors or TVs), Interstate All Battery Center will collect rechargeable batteries (only), Shredding Solutions will provide document shredding (limit 10 boxes), and Goodwill will collect clothing. Information on where to take prescription drugs, household hazardous waste, CRT monitors and more will be provided.

Vehicles will enter Nebraska Innovation Campus from Salt Creek Roadway at the far east entrance (near the 27th Street overpass).

Nebraska Innovation Campus and The Mill Coffee & Bistro are sponsors of the CHaRM event.

Nebraska Recycling Council is a statewide, member-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. NRC’s mission is to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of resource recovery in Nebraska. NRC’s goal is to re-energize recycling in Nebraska through innovation, education, training, and the power of collaboration. Visit www.nrcne.org for more information.

NON-PROFIT NEWS

Summer Enrollment Begins at Bright Lights Theatre Arts for Kids Opens Registration Summer registration has officially for Summer Programs begun at Bright Lights and there are still classes available! To see what they are, simply go to BrightLights.org and click on the registration link. You can filter the class results by grade so you can see the list of half-day classes/fullday camps your student can choose from. (Remember to register for classes based on the grade your student is in on March 24, 2018!). The program weeks for Summer 2018 are June 4-8; June 11-15; June 18-22; June 25-29; and July 9-13.

Interested in making it a full day of fun? Then follow this simple formula: a half-day morning class + lunch care + a half-day afternoon class = a whole day of fun! Your student will have a full day of learning and hanging out with new friends, and you won’t have to pick them up until 4 p.m.! In addition, supervised Before Care is available beginning at 7:30 a.m. To add on Lunch Care or Before Care, simply choose it during the online registration process at BrightLights.org.

Race Day Volunteers Needed to Support Nebraska Community Blood Bank Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) blood donors keep the people in your life running by providing area hospitals with life-saving blood. Because of its work in the community, NCBB has received the honor of being the Born and Raced in Nebraska (BRIN) Charity of Choice the past three years. As Charity of Choice, NCBB provides race day volunteers who help keep the event safe, organized and fun for the BRIN athletes. The partnership earns nearly $3,000 for NCBB and welcomes 60 new volunteers each year.

NCBB is currently looking for groups to volunteer for the Cornfield Cornfield race on Saturday morning, June 16 at Werner Park in Papillion and for the Harvest Moon Hustle race on the evening of September 14 in Elmwood. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Erica at ebusta@ncbb.org or register at NCBB.ORG/volunteer. Running in the race but still want to support NCBB? Donate financially during your online registration.

Again this year, Theatre Arts for Kids (TAFK) is proud to present a variety of performing arts education opportunities throughout the summer! They have worked to create experiences for a broad range of age groups and ability levels. TAFK’s upcoming summer programs include: • Total Theater Experience (ages 8-12): June 4-8 • Director’s Training (ages 12-18): May 29-June 1 & June 4-8 • Rising Stars (ages 3-8): Nursery Rhyme Time, June 11-15; A Musical Castle, June 18-22; Animal Fair, June 25-29 • Playwriting Workshop (ages 10+): June 25-29 • Musical Theatre Training (ages 8+): Voice, June 11-15; Dance, June 18-22; Acting, June 25-29 • Around the World in Song (ages 7-15): July 9-13 And don’t forget to check out the Little Shop of Horrors show that they put on for all ages—adults too! Auditions for this show will be May 5 with rehearsals on Monday and Thursday evenings. Performance dates are set for July 27 and 28.

All classes and workshops are located at 4325 Sumner St. (Christ Lutheran Church) except for Total Theatre Experience, which will be held at Kloefkorn Elementary. The TAFK theatre is located in CLC’s North Ministry. For full program details or to register, visit www.TAFK. org or contact the TAFK staff at (402) 202-1087 / info@tafk.org.

Registration Open for “Spike Out Pediatric Cancer” Sand Volleyball Tournament On May 12, Pediatric Cancer Action Network (PCAN) is hosting their 4th annual “Spike Out Pediatric Cancer” sand volleyball tournament at Spike’s Beach Bar & Grille, 2300 Judson St. in Lincoln. This event raises money for Nebraska families who are struggling with the burdens of having a child with cancer.

PCAN is a Nebraska-based, non-profit helping local families pay bills during their child’s cancer treatment and they advocate for a cure through awareness, education and action. They are 100% volunteer-run, ensuring donations go right where they are needed most.

To register a team for the tournament, go to the Pediatric Cancer Action Network’s Facebook event page. Sign up early to secure a spot! Cost to participate is $120 for teams of six and $80 for teams of four. The winning team in each category will win their team’s registration money back. There will be a split the pot raffle and donations will be accepted on site. For more information, visit www.pcanaction.org or contact Erika Shelton at (402) 525-7422 / e.shelton@hotmail.com.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation Provides $150K Grant for Childhood Cancer Research Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation recently gave $150,000, its largest grant to date, to the Pediatric Cancer Data Commons project with hopes of finding a cure to childhood cancer.

Sammy’s Superheroes pledged $400,000 over four years to the University of Chicago Medicine’s project. This project will develop a cloud-based database that stores and standardizes research from doctors all over the world. After the information is standardized, it’s then made available to researchers everywhere.

The project will make it possible for researchers to analyze multiple samples from kids anywhere and allow more researchers to study the information in order to find patterns that will lead to new treatments.

This project is not specific to one type of childhood cancer, giving even the rarest forms an increased chance for new treatments.

“We are very excited about supporting this project,” said Jeremy Stanislav, the Foundation’s executive director. “It has so much potential to help any kid battling cancer and could make an impact quickly.”

Due to a generous amount of support in 2017, Sammy’s Superheroes was able to give its third installment towards their $400,000 pledge. So far, the organization has paid $250,000 towards its $400,000 pledge.

Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to raise awareness of all types of childhood cancer and fund lifesaving research. The organization was founded in 2013. For more information, visit www.SammysSuperheroes.org.

Nebraska Community Foundation Newspaper Collaborations Spreading Good News

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2 0 1 7 wa s a y e a r of exciting media opportunities for Nebraska Community F o u n d a t i o n ( w w w. nebcommfound.org). The Lincoln-based non-profit kicked off two collaborations aimed at telling community development success stories from across Greater Nebraska. NCF’s collaboration with Omaha World-Herald, titled “The Better Half,” featured columnists Sarah Baker Hansen and Matthew Hansen’s travels exploring the little-known people, unexpected places and memorable foods across the state. As part of the series, NCF submitted complementary articles about the extraordinary accomplishments of 20 of the 250 Greater Nebraska communities it serves.

In addition to “The Better Half,” NCF also partnered with Norfolk Daily News to tell similar stories with a focus on central and northeast Nebraska. After a very successful 10-part, five-month-long series, NCF and NDN will again collaborate in 2018 to bring readers another series of articles, this time featuring young people who have returned to Greater Nebraska communities to live, work and raise their families.

NCF’s collaborations with Omaha World-Herald and Norfolk Daily News have resulted in millions of online, print and social media impressions across the country and around the world. Importantly, they are raising awareness about a growing number of Nebraska hometowns that are taking control of their futures by leveraging the local assets available in their place.

The Norfolk Daily News “young returners” series will launch this summer and will conclude in November in conjunction with Nebraska Community Foundation’s Annual Celebration which will be held November 8 in Norfolk.

ASK THE EXPERT: GEAR80 402-202-2820 www.gear80.co

by John Fulwider, Founder gear80

Getting What You Want Out of Your Business

A roofing company owner asked me, “What do you know about our industry?”

“Nothing. On purpose,” I replied.

As I told this prospective client, I’m an expert at helping entrepreneurial leadership teams get everything they want from their businesses.

I’ve mastered a proven, complete system with a set of simple, practical tools that help any

business get: • Vision: All your people on the same page with where you’re going, and how to get there.

• Traction: Your people execute on the vision with discipline and accountability.

• Healthy: Your people work really well together, and actually like each other.

What do I know about my client EyeCare Specialties’ work: Providing the best eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses available in Lincoln?

Not much. I wear glasses, but I’m neither a doctor of optometry, nor a trained optician. I’m a doctor of Traction, if you will, and a trained facilitator, teacher, and coach.

The EyeCare Specialties leadership team has the industry expertise to answer all their own questions—trust me. (I can’t believe I get to work with such smart, passionate people!) As a facilitator, I know the answer’s in the room, all the time. My job’s just to get it out of people’s heads and into the plan, so they can go execute.

Professional EOS® Implementers like me have worked with more than 4,500 companies in every conceivable industry. Right now I’m working with the following industries besides optical …

• Law: Berry Law Firm • Advertising/Marketing: Bulu Box • Health Insurance: ComPro • Fiber Internet and Managed Services: Bluestem Fiber • Aerospace Materials Virtual Testing (!): MultiMechanics I don’t know much about any of those industries. (Especially that last one. Holy buckets!)

I stay away on purpose from industry expertise and only focus every day on Entrepreneurial Operating System® mastery. I’m not an answer man, a guru, or a strategist; if you’re looking for those, I’m not the guy for you. But if you’re looking for someone who’s devoted his life to helping entrepreneurs, I’m your guy.

Ready? I’ve got two slots available in April; grab one at gear80.co/ get-started.

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HEALTH NEWS Hannah Huston Joins Lincoln Heart Walk

Registration Set to Open for EYE RUN

More than 2,000 Lincoln area residents are expected to raise their heart rates and more than $140,000 on Saturday, May 19 for the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

The Association’s 19th annual Lincoln Healthy For Good™ Heart Walk begins at 9 a.m. with the walk kicking off at 10:30 a.m. at Haymarket Park. Individuals, teams and companies can sign up in advance at LincolnHeartWalk.com for the non-competitive, 3-mile walk.

New to the team is this year’s Lincoln Heart Walk Chair, The Voice’s Hannah Huston. Huston will be kicking off the event by singing the National Anthem and will also lead the walk.

“We are so pleased to have Hannah Huston on board this year,” said Jodi Renee Giron, development director for the American Heart Association – Lincoln. “Her fantastic energy along with her enthusiasm for our community’s health and wellness made her the perfect fit for our heartwalking campaign!”

“I am thrilled to be on board. The Healthy For Good Heart Walk is a fun way to invest in your health and that of future generations, while honoring those who have been impacted by heart disease, stroke and congenital heart defects,” said Huston.

To sign up to walk or to form a team, visit LincolnHeartWalk.com.

Sponsors for the Lincoln Healthy For Good Heart Walk include Nelnet, Nebraska Pork Producers, NRC Health, Farmer’s Mutual, Molex, Speedway, and B&R Stores.

Christian Record Services, Inc. is excited to announce registration for the 6th annual EYE RUN will open online Tuesday, May 1.

The EYE RUN is an eye health awareness event and fundraiser, scheduled for Sunday, October 7 at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln and many other locations through virtual runners and walkers. It offers three events: 1-Mile Run/Walk, 5K Run/ Walk, and 10K Run. In addition to the run/walk, the EYE RUN hosts the Healthy Lifestyle Expo, with booths from sponsors and area agencies that offer supportive services to people who are blind.

James and Dean (L-R) triumphantly cross the finish Early bird registration is only $15 line at the 2017 Eye Run. per person. Registration is open through event day. Visit www.EYERUN.info to learn more. Businesses are encouraged to use the EYE RUN to enhance corporate wellness programs, with group pricing for teams of 10 or more available by request. For corporate sponsorship or team opportunities, call (402) 488-0981, Option 3.

Proceeds from the EYE RUN provide reading services and confidencebuilding camping experiences for people who are blind through Christian Record and National Camps for Blind Children. Christian Record Services, Inc. is an international ministry of compassion to people who are blind headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. To learn more, visit ChristianRecord. org, call (402) 488-0981, or connect on Facebook or Twitter.

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HEALTH NEWS Immanuel’s The Landing Receives Perfect Survey Score From State of Nebraska Immanuel’s The Landing at Williamsburg Village in Lincoln is pleased to announce a deficiency-free survey report from the State of Nebraska.

Conducted yearly, the state surveys all assisted living and memory support communities on how well they meet requirements for state licensing. Achieving a deficiencyfree report means all areas and departments of The Landing, from health care support to dining to housekeeping are at top operational standards and are focused on maintaining the health and wellbeing of senior residents.

Across the state, deficiency-free survey results note the best of the best in retirement living options for seniors. To learn more about Immanuel’s The Landing at Williamsburg Village or Immanuel’s other outstanding retirement living options in Lincoln and Omaha, visit Immanuel.com.

Pre-Diabetes Programs Recognized by CDC Diabetes Education Center of the Midlands (DECM) is excited to announce their Pre-Diabetes program has received the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Full Recognition. DECM is the first organization in Omaha to achieve this level of recognition!

The Pre-Diabetes program is a lifestyle change program that has reduced the rate of developing type 2 diabetes in past participants by at least 58%! The facilitator of this course is a Certified Lifestyle Coach.

The course lasts one year. The first four months individuals meet weekly for one hour. After the first four months the class meets once a month.

The class will be held at DECM’s facility, conveniently located at the Frederick Square Shopping Center off of South 84th Street.

DECM is also offering a distance learning option for those who are unable to make it to weekly meetings at the Center.

For more information about the program or to register for the next class, contact DECM at (402) 399-0777. To find out more about the Diabetes Education Center of the Midlands, visit diabetes-education.com.

Frame Event at Lincoln Vision Center to Feature Oakley Brand On Tuesday, April 10 from 12-7 p.m., Lincoln Vision Center will host a special frame event featuring Oakley’s notoriously high-quality line of glasses (prescription and non-prescription). They’ll have a large selection of Oakley frames and sunglasses on-hand for all types of sports and active lifestyles. There will also be special discounts offered and prize drawings held during the event.

Lincoln Vision Center provides personalized, professional optometry services for all ages, from infants to senior citizens. Utilizing the latest in eye care technology, services include eye examinations, treatment of eye diseases such as glaucoma, monitoring and observation of eye disorders, and care of injuries. Lincoln Vision Center also carries a large selection of fashion-forward frames, with the highest quality of lenses available, and they fit contact lenses for all ages and prescriptions, including multi-focal and specialty lenses.

Lincoln Vision Center is located at 651 N. 66th Street. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www. lincolnvisioncenter.com or contact their office at (402) 466-0165.

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HEALTH NEWS JDRF to Host 3rd Annual Derby for a Cure Dust off your biggest hat and don your best seersucker suit for JDRF’s 3rd Annual Derby for a Cure on Saturday, May 5 from 3–7 p.m. This one-of-a-kind Kentucky Derby viewing party will take place at the Railyard in downtown Lincoln. Attendees will celebrate the two most exciting minutes in sports while enjoying mint juleps, bourbon, and hot browns, all while raising funds for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

Tickets are $50 and include admission, drink tickets, food and access to the fun-filled Derby Day activities. All proceeds benefit JDRF in their mission to create a world without T1D! JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

For information on ticket sales or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jayne Ullstrom at (402) 484-8300 or jullstrom@jdrf.org.

Tickets can be reserved online at derbyforacurelincoln.eventbrite.com.

Stroke Camp Fundraiser Coincides With Stroke Awareness Month May is Stroke Awareness Month! The Nebraska State Stroke Association (NSSA) invites everyone to support the 2018 Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp to be held in September by eating at Chipotle Mexican Grill, located at 6005 O St. in Lincoln, on Monday, May 7 between 5-9 p.m. Let the cashier know you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Lincoln Stroke Partnership. The Lincoln Stroke Partnership includes the Nebraska State Stroke Association, CHI Health St. Elizabeth, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, and Bryan Health.

Last year’s stroke camp provided a weekend of social interaction and support, educational activities, recreation and leisure activities, relaxation and music for 30 stroke survivors and caregivers. If you can’t make the fundraiser, you can support stroke awareness and stroke survivors by donating to NSSA, 6900 L St., Lincoln, NE 68510. Learn more at www.

NebraskaStroke.org or contact Linda Stephen at (402) 484-8131 / linda@nebraskastroke.org.

Nebraska Hearing Center Delivers New Options for Rechargeable Devices Is it time for you to recharge?

Nebraska Hearing Center is excited to announce new rechargeable hearing aid options from Audibel!

Hearing aids from Audibel have always delivered q u a l i t y, c u s t o m i z a b l e, amazing sound. You are now able to add rechargeable to that list! Rechargeable hearing aids have been the number one, toprequested item from Nebraska Hearing Center’s patients for years. No more changing batteries every week; simply place them on the charger each night. They are easy to use, cost effective, and environmentally sound. Audibel’s line of rechargeable hearing aids are the smallest and smartest on the market. They are perfect for streaming, meeting the power demands of daily use, and have a 20% longer life than others available today! The new A4 iQ rechargeable aid offers best-in-class features including: 30 hours of use with streaming; Designed to stream TV, music, and phone calls with minimal battery drain; Fast, full day charging in less than 3 hours; All-in-one charger holds enough charge to provide portable charging without plugging into the wall.

Visit Nebraska Hearing Center at any location - Lincoln, Beatrice, or Seward - for your free hearing evaluation. It’s also a great opportunity to see a demonstration of the new technology and discuss how these outstanding new products can help you to hear your very best. Call (402) 486-3737 today for an appointment.

Promoting Healthy Choices Focus of Next Community Awareness Series Event “Promoting Healthy Choices” will be the topic of the April 26 Community Awareness series presentation sponsored

by School Community Intervention and Prevention (SCIP), Lincoln Public Schools, Lancaster Prevention Coalition and Bryan Independence Center. The presentation, which will be held at Lincoln North Star High School beginning at 6:30 p.m., will feature MADD’s Power of Parents program.

In addition, Abbe Edgecombe, SCIP school coordinator for Lincoln/ Lancaster County, will share information on emerging youth drug trends to raise awareness of specific substances of abuse and recognition of drug paraphernalia. Community members, parents and school personnel are encouraged to attend. *Please note that due to the nature of the presentation topic, it may not be appropriate for youth to attend.

SCIP is a program designed to bring together families, schools and the community to support student behavioral and emotional health. For more information on School Community Intervention & Prevention, visit www. scipnebraska.com or call (402) 327-6843.

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT 54

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LINCOLN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

by Coby Mach, President & CEO

402-466-3419 • www.liba.org

Lincoln City Council Should Maintain Control of ESCOs During March, the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) spoke on an issue at the Lincoln City Council. Our concern was about a resolution to start using Energy Saving Companies (ESCOs) to make our city more sustainable. LIBA is not opposed to our current or future Mayor working toward an energy efficient city. In fact, we should consider every opportunity to be good stewards of our resources. While we encourage the exploration of new ideas, we have the following issues with this ordinance:

LIBA NEW MEMBERS

1. It allows a current or future Mayor to spend reserved funds without a vote of the people.

Heartland of Nebraska Windows

2. It appears to allow a current or future Mayor to spend funds without any further votes of the City Council.

3. The City Council is abdicating its authority on almost anything related to energy efficiency.

LIBA had two other concerns we would like to raise with the ESCO resolution. It appears that the city will only get paid back if the selected ESCO is in business 15 years from now. Therefore the city should seek Surety Bonding from the contractor in order to protect the taxpayer. Our research shows the contractor should be posting both a performance bond (for the amount of service) and a guaranteed savings bond. An even better option would be to have the ESCOs get their own financing and let the bank take the risk, not the taxpayers of Lincoln. The Federal Government requires ESCOs to finance the up-front costs according to a 2015 Government Accounting Office (GAO) report. (https://www.gao. gov/assets/680/670851.pdf) LIBA also asked the city to establish a rigid ESCO “Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC).” The assumption that the city taxpayers will be paid back with “savings” is risky. If we use a 5,000-square-foot office space as an example, the ESCO can claim that the city changed the use of the office space during the 15-year payback period, thus negating any savings. Many changes can take place in an office space over 15 years such as adding staff or adding new heat-generating technology. Even the Federal Government has struggled to verify savings. The Federal Government has used ESPCs to finance improvements. However, a 2005 GAO report said they had uncertainties about whether savings are appropriately covering costs. And their 2015 report said that a few ESCO contractors were blaming the government for not properly maintaining equipment thus reducing the amount of measurable savings. Other departments had savings that “ranged from negligible” to around half of what was projected.

Finally, ESCOs are an easy way to exceed government spending lids and can also be used as a way to circumvent a vote of the people for projects that normally might have a public bond vote.

Therefore, we believe the City Council should maintain a strong oversight position regarding the use of ESCOs.

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.

Heartland of Nebraska Windows is a family-owned, local business based in Hallam, NE. With a team of professionals that have over 20 years of experience in the window industry, customers can be confident they’ll receive the very best service and window care. The company exclusively uses product lines from Heartland Windows, a manufacturer located in Aplington, Iowa. Working with a close manufacturer has allowed Heartland of Nebraska Windows to provide their customers with the highest quality windows available at a highly competitive price.

Whether it’s a clean-looking Double Hung, an easy to operate Casement, a simple to open Slider, a beautiful Bay or Bow window, or that Patio Door you’ve always wanted, Heartland of Nebraska Windows is the place to call. For details on their products or to check out before & after pictures from their previous projects, go to heartlandofnebraskawindows.com, or call (402) 430-3852 to talk with one of their experts.

Decks Unlimited Decks Unlimited understands that construction can be a worrisome time.

Knowing who to pick, what products to use, or how much to spend can be difficult. Their goal is to ensure that they are open and honest with every customer, no matter what.

When deciding to purchase materials or contract out a project with Decks Unlimited, customers can rest assured they will be well taken care of throughout every step of the process. Decks Unlimited prides themselves on making sure their customers are happy and making it a positive experience. Decks Unlimited is also proud to support the United States Armed Forces. To show their appreciation, they offer anyone with an active military I.D. a 5% discount on all material purchases. More information about the company can be found on their website at decksunlimitedne. com or by calling (402) 601-5091. Everyone is also welcome to stop by their showroom located at 117 Harwood Ct., where one of their team members can help you get started on your next project!

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ASK THE EXPERT: CORNHUSKER BANK 402-434-2265 www.CornhuskerBank.com

by Mike Barrett Cornhusker Bank

The Cornhusker Bank Advantage Most banks have similar products, interest rates, costs and underwriting standards.

We believe that Cornhusker Bank has an advantage over most lenders. Cornhusker Bank is more than just a financial institution.

We’re your neighbor. As a member of the Lincoln area community for more than 100 years, Cornhusker Bank understands Lincoln and how important trusted relationships are here. No matter what your needs, our mortgage team is here to react and deliver quality solutions you can count on. Committed to your success is not just a goal, it’s how we live.

The expertise of our seasoned loan team allows us to offer a variety of loans beyond the typical 30-year or 15-year fixed rate secondary market loans to best fit your needs. We are able to assist you with jumbo, construction, bridge, home improvement and investment property loans.

There are challenges in the current housing market which our loan officers are able to help you navigate, enabling you to purchase or build your dream home. In a market where there is a limited inventory of houses for sale along with rising interest rates, we can provide solutions that will get you into the home of your dreams and assist you in managing your interest rate risk. Buyers need to be pre-qualified and act fast in order to get the home they want. Our best advice to be successful in purchasing the home you want would be to speak with one of our loan officers prior to going shopping. We may be able to suggest financing options such as bridge loans that could give you an advantage in having your offer accepted over another. We can also offer you an extended rate lock for up to 9 months to protect you from rising interest rates.

It is extremely important to have a prequalification letter in hand when you are out shopping for a new home. The prequalification process benefits the potential home buyer in multiple ways and can be completed online in as little as 15 minutes. Applicants can start the process by visiting cornhuskerbank.com/mortgage. Once the application is completed, either online or in person, one of our lenders will educate the applicant on the different mortgage products available through Cornhusker Bank.

We also introduce potential grants and loan programs that may be available for down payment assistance. For individuals building a new home, we’ll discuss extended rate lock options. Cornhusker Bank’s lenders assist in matching with the right type of mortgage. Home buyers will find the amount of house payment they can afford and the price range in which they should be looking. We inform the home buyer of any potential setbacks which could take place during the process. This helps ensure no surprises come up at the last minute. The entire process can move seamlessly when the buyer has all the necessary information up front.

Cornhusker Bank’s team of loan officers have an average of 15 years’ experience in the industry. We pride ourselves on providing top notch customer service and advising you through every step of the process.

Even after a loan closes, lenders are still there to assist you. Cornhusker Bank offers local loan servicing to those who qualify. What does local servicing mean for you? Decisions about your mortgage loan are made locally by people who are committed to your success. If you have a question, you can speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff right here in Lincoln. This aspect sets us apart from the competition, giving each customer peace of mind.

In addition, when you choose Cornhusker Bank, you know you’ll be working with a local bank with a proven record of service, strength, and stability. We pride ourselves on being an integral part of this community, where our employees are your friends and neighbors – so you can count on us to do what’s right. If you’ve been thinking about building, buying a new home or refinancing your current one, please give us a call at (402) 434-2265. You’ll learn how our local service and competitive rates can benefit you.

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LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

by Wendy Birdsall, President

402-436-2350 • www.lcoc.org

South Beltway Receives Federal Grant The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce places infrastructure funding as a top priority.

Completing the Lincoln South Beltway has been an area of particular focus for the Chamber’s advocacy efforts. This project will not only create jobs and continue our strong economic growth...but it will also increase safety on Highway 2 by taking a large share of heavy truck traffic off the road and diverting it to the beltway.

This is why we are thrilled that the Lincoln South Beltway project will receive a $25 million federal grant to assist in the funding of the project. The grant is being awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.

The proposed South Beltway project would construct a new 11-mile east-west freeway south of the City of Lincoln, located between U.S. Highway 77 on the west and Nebraska Highway 2 on the east, and generally located 0.5 miles south of Saltillo Road. The purpose of the Lincoln South Beltway is to improve east-west connectivity for regional and interstate travel through Nebraska and to improve safety and reduce conflicts between local and through traffic, including heavy truck traffic, in Lincoln.

The Lincoln South Beltway is one of the largest transportation undertakings for the State of Nebraska at an estimated cost of $300 million. The Chamber worked with state officials to secure funds from the Build Nebraska Act, with contributions from the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County.

When we received the call from Nebraska Department of Transportation asking us to lead the effort to gather backing from Lincoln business groups we knew how important it was to show substantial business community support. It was gratifying to witness such a strong response. Even so, we knew competition for the TIGER grant was going to be very steep. Receiving the $25 million grant confirms the quality and economic potential of the South Beltway - a point the Lincoln Chamber has consistently made.

Infrastructure investment and job growth go hand-in-hand. More investment means more room for our economy to grow.

The Chamber’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together. For more information, please contact Jaime Henning at jaimehenning@lcoc.com.

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DOWNTOWN LINCOLN ASSOCIATION

by Terry Uland, President

402-434-6900 • www.downtownlincoln.org

Downtown Still Home to Concorde Management & Development, Inc.

For decades, Concorde Management & Development, Inc. has been a staple in the downtown Lincoln business community. Formerly located in the Centre Terrace building, the company recently moved to the Lincoln Flats building.

Downtown Lincoln spoke with Dana Schmidt to learn more about the company’s move and why remaining in downtown was important.

Tell us a bit about the history of your company.

Established in 1985, Concorde Management & Development, Inc. provides a complete spectrum of services to property owners, investors, and their tenants and offers solid solutions to clients’ real estate needs.

Lincolnites David M. Schmidt, Thomas C. Smith, and the late Thomas D. Hayes originally formed the company to manage and develop their own and partner-invested real estate properties. Since then, Concorde has maintained a philosophy of slow and steady growth and now oversees an increasingly diversified list of properties for numerous satisfied clients and tenants.

An expanded staff of carefully chosen employees adheres to the concepts of integrity and teamwork. This highly proficient team offers expertise in all aspects of the comprehensive services we offer: Development, Investment Advisory, Commercial Brokerage, Construction Management, Property/Asset Management and Maintenance.

Concorde Management & Development’s strategy for success continues to work-both for our company and our clients. We partner with you to mesh our goals with yours for timely and efficient service.

Why did your company decide to move into a new space?

A number of reasons. Outgrowing the old space being one, but also timing with leasing a large portion of the building we were in to the State of Nebraska and having another tenant move out of the Lincoln Flats building we moved into working out just right.

Why was it important for your company to remain downtown?

As a civic-minded company, we feel it is important for any growing city to have a vibrant downtown. To continue our downtown relationship we felt we could help out in that way however small it may be. In addition, many of the properties we manage and lease are located downtown.

Downtown is also centrally located for our clients, customers, investors, tenants, etc. to meet as well as for our employees to get out to properties and job sites around town or in outlying communities easily.

What is the culture of your company like?

Very tight-knit and collaborative. Many of our employees have been with the company for over 15 years and some for more than 20.

How many people does your company employ?

Full time: 8 in the downtown office, 3 construction and maintenance, 6 on-site property personnel.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Although we do miss being in the Centre Terrace building, we are very excited to be in our new space in Lincoln Flats at 1314 O Street, Suite 101 and invite anyone to stop by who is interested in looking at commercial space for lease/sale, looking up apartment availability in the area or just to take a look at the office and say hello.

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 multi-faceted 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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Summer Activities for Kids Summer break is quickly approaching, and by the end of May, kids of all ages will be enjoying their few sweet, sweet months of freedom from the classroom and rigorous school-year schedules. While the summertime is generally a laid back, relaxing and magical time to just be a kid, there’s a wide array of options that offer an experience meeting that criteria but also incorporating learning, exploration, exposure to new things, socialization, creating, and more at the same time.

It’s important for parents/guardians to encourage involvement in activities during this downtime for a variety of reasons. Above all, kids benefit greatly from maintaining some form of structure in their lives. Also, since we live in a time when it’s all too common for kids to have a screen in front of their faces, summer presents an opportune time to unplug and experience a life of fun and adventure, and exposure to new things.

Then there’s the now well-documented phenomenon called the “summer slide,” or the learning loss that occurs over the summer months. Research from Johns Hopkins National Center for Summer Learning has shown that children can lose two months of gradelevel equivalency in reading and over two and a half months in math. Moreover, according to the National Summer Learning Association, educators typically spend four to six weeks in the fall getting students back to where they were at the end of the previous academic year.

With no shortage of excellent options, selecting something that fits well with a child’s individual interests and needs while also coordinating well within a family’s busy schedule is entirely possible.

Jennifer Davis-Korn with 48 Bowl, Inc. offers a few suggestions that involve, you guessed it, bowling!

“Summer is the perfect time to introduce the young person in your life to the sport of bowling. At 48 Bowl, Inc. (Parkway Lanes and Hollywood Bowl) we offer an easy, affordable way for you to do that with our Kids Bowl Free program.

When you register your child between the ages of 5 and 15 to one of our centers via kidsbowlfree.com, your child will receive two FREE games per day from May 1 - August 10, 2018. If parents, grandparents, sitters or other siblings want to join in on the fun, you can add a Family Pass to your registration for a small fee.

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If you don’t know how to bowl, don’t worry, we have some handouts in our centers designed to help adults teach kids the basics of bowling and learn to keep the ball on the lanes. It’s important to remind new bowlers that everyone gutters sometimes, even the pros, so don’t be afraid of that happening and don’t worry about your score. Learn to enjoy the challenge and celebrate your victories, even the small ones.

We do have lightweight bowling balls, small shoes, and bumpers available for our younger guests under 50” tall.

If you want to give your young person a solid foundation of beginning bowling skills, 48 Bowl will be offering some clinics this summer in conjunction with the YMCA. These clinics are designed to teach kids from K-8th grade a set of basic skills and give them an appreciation for this lifelong game. More information and registration details about these clinics will be available shortly!

If you are looking to spend some more focused time with a young person in your life, Parkway Lanes offers a Monday night Adult/ Youth league with teams consisting of one adult and one youth, each. Teams will bowl three games each week in a relaxed recreational competition setting. At the end of this short season, teams will celebrate with an awards and pizza party night. You don’t have to have prior league experience and we can help you get started.

Hollywood Bowl will also be offering a Saltdogs Adult/Youth league on Wednesday evenings in the same format. At the end of this ten-week season, all teams will receive two lower-level reserved seats to a Saltdogs game, complete with Dog Dollars to spend on concessions.

Both of these leagues are perfect for both adult and youth beginners. It’s a great way to spend consistent time with your young person; communicating, being active and having fun together for a couple of hours each week. Registration and more information on both leagues can be found at www.48bowl.com.

Click on Leagues & Tournaments, then Upcoming Leagues.”

Over summer break, kids not only benefit from regular activity but from continued interaction with friends and others their age.

Diane Hesson Play It Again Sports

“There are a lot of opportunities out there for kids to stay active and continue some type of routine,” says Diane Hesson with Play It Again Sports. “No matter what it may be, make sure to get them involved in something. Sports, in particular, can be so important for kids’ overall health, providing them with physical challenges and helping with mental acuity, all while they’re developing positive social skills. Here in Lincoln, there are many opportunities for youth to get involved in sports.

At Play It Again Sports, we offer everything you should need to keep your kids active this summer. Whether it’s for baseball, softball, football, soccer, golf, or another sport or fitness-related activity, we’ve got a great selection of items.

We have knowledgeable staff who truly enjoy applying their knowledge to help our customers find the right items and the right fit. For me, it is so rewarding to watch these kids transition from one sport to another throughout the year and to watch them grow. I love getting to be involved in that process. To outfit them with their first pair of cleats or bat and then help keep them in equipment as they grow and mature on the court or in the field, that’s a neat thing to be involved in and that is what the Play It Again Sports model is all about.”

Regular activity keeps those brains working and bodies moving, but there are also other things kids can do in the summertime that

are enjoyable and mentally stimulating at the same time.

“Our sc hool-age summer program incorporates fun and educational activities throughout the entire summer,” advises Dawn Robinson with World of Knowlege. “Maintaining some sort of routine and keeping kids learning throughout the summer is important. There are so many wonderful things for kids to take part in throughout the summer here in Lincoln. Help your child continue or gain the love of books/reading by visiting the library weekly. The Lincoln libraries have excellent programs for children of all ages to get them involved with the love of books. Perhaps have your child keep a journal throughout the summer, as putting their thoughts on paper will help with building language skills and organizational skills. For younger children, they can draw pictures and dictate what their picture is all about while having someone write down what they are saying.

Also important, help your child become or stay independent by giving them chores to do around the house. This, in turn, will help with routine, especially when it comes time to transition back to school.”

There’s still time to get registered for many of the summer activities for kids of all ages that are being offered this year all over Lincoln, and adventures well beyond, but do bear in mind that availability is somewhat limited at this point. Put it on your list of parental priorities this month, because it’s an experience that is truly such an important part of childhood. You’ll also be thankful you did when you’re enjoying a little of that precious adult time!

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FRIENDS4LUNCH Last Month: Screamers Dining & Cabaret Screamers Dining & Cabaret is now open at 803 Q Street in the Historic Haymarket!

Screamers is inspired by the former UNL show choir, The Scarlet & Cream Singers (a.k.a.

Screamers). With a sultry jazz/cabaret/nightclub feel combined with high-energy live performances, guests are whisked back to a bygone era. Screamers Dining & Cabaret is a full-service, familyfriendly restaurant and bar with live entertainment performed daily by the staff. Lunch will feature the most popular music of a different decade daily, there will be a piano bar happy hour each weekday afternoon, and nightly, the servers will be singing a variety of music from all genres and time periods.

Thank you to all of our friends who joined us this month!

This Month: Piedmont Bistro Piedmont Bistro by Venue is a chic, locally owned and operated eatery serving house-crafted dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients and amazing presentations you can’t get anywhere else. Here you’ll find everything from a hearty breakfast menu and delicious Sunday brunch to a full bistro lunch spread and a masterpiece dinner menu, all a part of their scratchbased culinary program. Nestled in The Shoppes at Piedmont, it’s a great atmosphere to enjoy craft cocktails on the gorgeous patio or grab a decadent cinnamon roll to start your day. Piedmont Bistro is your neighborhood spot, delivering a true local experience.

On behalf of our entire Strictly Business team, we would like to invite you to our next Friends4Lunch networking event at Piedmont Bistro on Friday, April 13th at 11:30 a.m. (Lunch prices range approx. $9-$13).

Space is limited and RSVP is requested. Please email office@ strictlybusiness.com or call (402) 466-3330 to attend.

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.

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Celebrating Graduation Graduation season is upon us! Bring on the parties!

In all seriousness, it’s such an exciting time, with much celebration and hope for the future. During the ceremonies and at the ensuing festivities, we get to play a part in honoring the accomplishments of our loved ones, friends, their kids or parents, our colleagues, classmates, students, mentees, and in some cases, ourselves.

There are really two parts at play – being in the moment now and taking a break to enjoy it, and then planning for what’s to come, whether it’s on to work towards your professional goals, continuing to further your education, or both.

UNL graduates, if you’re going out on the town to celebrate after the commencement ceremony on May 5, be sure to stop by John J’s Chow Hall at The Graduate in the Haymarket - bring in your graduation cap and receive a free Tiki drink! Speaking of celebratory drinks, it’s a good idea to have your transportation arranged or at least to have a plan. You may just need a Lyft when all is said and done, but if you’re going all out, there’s no better way to party than on a party bus or in a limousine – we highly recommend Leisure Limousine & Sedan. It’s definitely a special occasion that calls for celebration, and you can have a great time with all of your friends and family together, with no one having to worry about driving!

Party planners, there’s still plenty of time to put together a great party for your special graduate. While backyard BBQs, open houses and garage gatherings are pretty common for this type of event, there are also a lot of graduation parties held at our local venues. All of the favorites will get booked up fast, so make your reservations as soon as you can.

For the party supplies, Sam’s Club has you covered. Since this is a situation where it’s best to buy in bulk, with a warehouse full of the essentials, it’s the ideal place to find the food, drinks, table settings, and anything else you could possibly think of throw the greatest graduation party of all time.

If you’re in need of catering, Raising Cane’s has you covered. Delicious and notoriously low maintenance, it’s the perfect party fare.

“Nothing says graduation party like a tailgate from Raising Cane’s,” says Jennifer Jones with Raising Cane’s. “Whether you’re hosting a few people or the entire graduating class, Raising Cane’s is the perfect partner when deciding how you’re going to feed your guests.

Our tailgates are a great option for any size graduation party. You can choose between 25, 50, 75, and 100 chicken finger tailgates, and can add on additional items from there.

The good news is that each tailgate comes Jennifer Jones with Cane’s Sauce, and sides such as our lightly Raising Cane’s buttered Texas Toast, creamy coleslaw and freshly squeezed lemonade and freshly brewed sweet or unsweet tea can be added to perfect any order.

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Many people aren’t aware that we have a mobile food trailer that we can bring and setup on-site. So, if you’re hosting a party with several other families and you’re expecting hundreds of guests, our mobile food trailer may be the perfect option. It’s equipped with a full kitchen and crewmembers, and all your food will be cooked hot and fresh on-site as needed throughout your event. If you’re not quite expecting hundreds, but want to keep food fresh, we can also divide up your order and set up different pick-up times throughout the day.”

She concludes, “Placing your graduation order is simple! Once you figure out the date and time of your party, and the number of guests you’ll be feeding, give us a call at (402) 875-5754 and contact Alisha Parpart at extension 585. She can help you set up and put together the perfect order for your party. Or, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for your graduate, we offer gift cards that can be purchased for any amount at all of our restaurants. Nothing says love like a gift card from Raising Cane’s.”

While we’re on the topic of graduation gifts, that’s another thing to get checked off of your to-do list. Oftentimes a card and with cash or a gift card tucked inside will do the trick, but sometimes a little something more special is in order. A keepsake to commemorate the graduation milestone is an excellent idea, and nothing quite does that as well as a special piece of jewelry. In this instance, a nice watch fits the bill perfectly.

A professional attire essential, it’s a thoughtful AND practical gift as it will help the new graduate be dressed to impress all the way down to the accessories when he or she embarks on interviews. You can even engrave a special message that will serve as a fond reminder of your love, pride, and encouragement. Stop by Sartor Hamann Jewelers to check out their selection and you’re sure to find the perfect watch for your graduate.

Speaking of preparing for interviews, as far as planning for what’s next after graduation, if you’re going right from the classroom into a career, you’ll probably need to start building a professional wardrobe. To get you started in the right direction, Gary Novotny with Gary Michaels Clothiers provides the following words of advice: “The classic quote ‘You only have seven seconds to make a great first impression’ is quite true for a person in an interview situation. Even the most intelligent men dress for failure in this setting. They either Gary Novotny do not put in the effort in pursuit of the proper Gary Michaels Clothiers dress attire that most likely is required for the specific job or they go by the dress code in the workplace versus the interview. Over my many years in retail, I have visited with numerous employers who felt candidates were totally qualified for the position; however, they believe that a sloppy appearance equated to lack of organizational skills or sloppy work. That may seem very unfair to you but is a reality. I’ve even heard that one major company goes so far as to hire individuals on the presentation of the shoes or footwear. In almost all situations the appropriate interview attire for men is an all-wool suit in charcoal, mid-grey, navy or mid-blue, all to the darker side than the lighter. Black is not an option; it’s too formal A white all-cotton spreadcollar dress shirt is a prerequisite, along with an all-silk tie in either red, blue, gold, or navy tones. Avoid the French cuff shirts or pocket squares.

The outfit is accessorized with an understated watch or timepiece. Shoes are either black or mahogany in a cap-toe tie or slip-on with no tassel or ornamentation, all leather of course. Hair is nicely groomed and recently cut, including facial hair, and fingernails are properly manicured. Lastly, very little fragrance (do not splash on your hand!) as you want to make an impression, just not the wrong one.

At Gary Michaels Clothiers we have 35 years of experience with proper wardrobe planning for the interview. Most clients we help style not only get a job, but get the job they want! Then we’ve earned their business for life. Any questions about interview apparel can be directed to Gary or Nate at (402) 423-7848 or garymichaels.com. Appointments are always welcome.”

Congratulations graduates! We wish you all much happiness and fond memories as you celebrate and much success in your future. Cheers to your accomplishments!

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Unplanned Life Changes You may or may not be well-versed in the wisdom bestowed upon us by Greek philosopher Heraclitus, but he is best known for his doctrine of change being central to the universe. Through various translations, what you likely do recognize is the most popular paraphrased version, “The only thing that is constant is change.”

That’s life, folks. We’re all familiar.

Change can be positive, negative or neutral – and it can start out as one but end up shifting to another as time goes on. Sometimes change is intentional and as such, planned for in advance. You’re prepared for what’s ahead. Perhaps you’re excited, hopeful, or you begrudgingly know it’s what must be done and have made the decision to address whatever it is proactively. You may or may not be ready, but you’re prepared nonetheless.

Other times, something happens unexpectedly and changes in your life happen as a result. Although in this scenario there are going to be things out of your control, what you can control is how you react. Is it really possible to plan for the unplanned changes in life? Absolutely. By familiarizing yourself with the resources that are available, especially those at the local level here in your community, you’ll be doing your future self a huge favor. Furthermore, taking certain precautionary actions will help immensely in the event of the relatively unexpected occurring.

You can choose to be empowered by getting things in place that will allow your future self to act in a way that you would regardless of how a situation comes about. This way, at the very least, you’ll be able to confidently approach the first step you’ll take moving forward when you’re facing change and uncertainty ahead.

This is especially true for changes that you can anticipate to some extent, such as those that come along with the aging process.

“As we all know, life can change very quickly and unexpectedly,” says Kyle Johnson with Care Consultants for the Aging. “In my line of work, lack of

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Kyle Johnson Care Consultants for the Aging

preparation is something I see often and it can present a number of problems for people depending on the circumstances.

As we all age, life just becomes more difficult. People who are more understanding and aware of their personal care changes are the ones who seem to do best when sudden changes occur.

With our services at Care Consultants for the Aging, we are set up to help seniors who have gone through life-changing events such as sudden loss of independence due to a medical incident, loss of a spouse or just the reality of life becoming too difficult to do alone.

I would advise any senior who lives alone to make sure they have plans in place for sudden life-changing events. The biggest one is having a person who comes to check in on them from time to time. It’s okay to ask for help. There are many professionals in the industry who have solutions to help keep seniors independent for as long as possible. For example, with the assistance of a private caregiver in the home, it helps a person retain the highest level of independence possible. Don’t resist the help when sudden changes do occur.

Please visit our website at OmahaHandbook.com to view our ElderCare Resource Handbook. This is a great tool available for free to help you find resources in your area.”

Summer Sargent Pemberly Place

In agreement on the importance of preparing as much as possible for sudden life-changing events, particularly for seniors, Summer Sargent with Pemberly Place states, “When we receive a call from a professional or loved one, it is often met with the inability for the individual in question to return home safely. Without proper preparation for next steps regarding living situations, this event causes stress, heartache, anxiety and an array of other emotions.

understand that everything will work out, and we take immediate action to ensure it does. Although they weren’t planning to make the change, that’s where CarePatrol comes in, and we can really make this next step be as easy as possible for the family.

By working with seniors and their families hand in hand through the process, we develop a relationship based on trust and the mutual understanding that we are truly here for them as an advocate and have their best interest at heart and in mind throughout the transition. We first meet with the family to learn as much about the senior and what care is needed. Then, based on that discussion, we’ll recommend the best community options, schedule the tours and personally accompany the family on them. We will even pick up and drive whoever wants to go on the tour, which makes it possible for many of those needing to find a place to have the opportunity to go look at where they will be living prior to moving there. We can work as fast as needed, having helped families find the best option for them within hours of getting a phone call. Although everyone involved prefers to have more time, unfortunately it doesn’t always work out like that. When emergency situations arise, we are the best call for the family to make as a starting point.

Similarly, we can also help recommend many different services or companies that can help with selling a home, getting a bridge loan in place while a house is selling, creating documentation and completing paperwork, and with getting medical equipment purchases lined up. Or, it may be something that doesn’t require a move, such as a caregiver having an issue arise and needing a break. In those situations, we can look at respite care, or recommend the right in-home care company to help fill the gaps or come on in place of that person.

At CarePatrol, we always encourage families and seniors to meet with us before an emergency situation happens. That way everyone is more prepared when the time comes to take the next

The cost for senior living can be expensive, but not having the right information or knowledge about care levels tends to be more stressful as it presents a challenging conversation for loved ones, caregivers, and the individual we are trying to assist. At Pemberly Place we create an opportunity for dialogue. We encourage families to tour our community, tour other communities, learn the community resources available to them before making decisions for next steps. Knowledge is always power.

It helps tremendously to know your personal financial situation. Do you know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare? Do you have long-term care insurance? What senior living communities have you toured and which of those do you prefer should you need to make a quick decision? Do your children or loved ones know your wishes regarding your personal care needs?

Avoid a crisis by preparing yourself for next steps should something happen to you. Gather information to suit your needs This is your life; prepare for it.”

Theron Ahlman with CarePatrol of Nebraska also notes, “At CarePatrol we deal with a lot of unplanned life changes that come from seniors having issues at home. The most common is when seniors end up in a rehabilitation facility and it’s deemed that they can no longer live at home due to safety reasons.

Seniors who are in this difficult situation are usually very upset as they just want to go home and aren’t exactly ready to take this step. During this emotional and Theron Ahlman CarePatrol of Nebraska jarring time, we are there to help them to

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step. A lot of seniors also learn that taking the next step isn’t as bad as what they had been thinking in their mind, and do make the step before they put themselves through a very challenging time. If you know of someone who could benefit from visiting with us, please give us a call at (402) 904-8296, and remember, our services are always 100% free to those we help!”

For those in their golden years, with respect to the most common scenarios that would result in unplanned changes that have already been mentioned, the outcome will vary depending on the individual and the circumstances. This might involve short-stay rehabilitation, extended rehabilitation, in-home care and possibly home modifications, or a move to a smaller home, to live with a family member or to be nearby your support system, or to an independent, assisted, or skilled care residence.

To that end, Amy Fish with Lancaster Rehabilitation Center affirms, “We help those who are experiencing unplanned life changes all the time at Lancaster Rehabilitation Center. Our short-term rehabilitation unit is dedicated to caring for patients who have experienced both planned and unplanned hip and knee replacement procedures, unexpected cardiac surgery, and/or a decline in overall health requiring the need for our clinical and therapy services in order to Amy Fish get back on their feet. We are also there for those residents and families looking Lancaster Rehabilitation Center for secure memory support services or those in need of traditional long-term care services.”

She goes on to offer insight based on her experience, stating, “The most difficult aspect of an unplanned life change is the fact that it is unplanned. As such, my advice is to start the conversation early before an unexpected event occurs.

Knowing that the unexpected could always happen, it’s important to take the time to plan for what might be needed in the future.

Often, when something unexpected happens, we’ll find that those now making decisions on behalf of their loved ones are unaware of things like insurance policies, care directives, or how to manage their affairs in the interim of their recovery. Adult children should take the time to engage in conversation regarding the future care needs of their parents, and to research the many options for care in advance together. Know and understand what is important regarding their preferences for social, spiritual, and clinical care.

This will help elevate some of the anxiety and stress that occurs when managing the unexpected.”

Regarding our local resources, she emphasizes, “The Lincoln community is resource rich! Use these many experts to your advantage. Call upon trusted physicians, outreach programs, and the many healthcare facilities to help guide your decision making.

There are many resources and checklists available on practically every subject you might have a question about as it relates to services for seniors. The guiding information I would share with seniors and their adult children is to identify and define their priorities when evaluating skilled care nursing settings. Beyond the checklists that Medicare or others may provide, tour the facilities in advance, and listen to your gut. Evaluate the environment, gather a better understanding of the services provided, and then decide if it fits your personal preference. I always suggest to adult children to know in advance the insurance coverage benefits their parents may be participating in, and how to access those benefits should they become incapacitated. Know and understand the limitations based on the provider’s participation in programs such as Medicaid, VA, and/or Medicare. That information will help narrow your options and guide your decision-making.

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When something unexpected occurs, rely on the expertise of

others to help guide the decision-making process. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions in order to ensure you have all the facts. Some healthcare providers have limitations on Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or insurance policy participation. You always want to ensure you’re taking full advantage of the benefits or programs you qualify for. And remember to take it one step at a time. Let others help in whatever way they can. Focus on the most critical decisions first, knowing that there is plenty of help available.

With respect to our specific areas of expertise, the team at Lancaster Rehabilitation feels it’s important to serve as a resource to those in need of skilled care services and other outpatient needs. Community members are welcome to call us anytime with questions. We’re glad to help!”

To meet the growing need for the aging population here in our community, there are an abundance of resources, with new options being introduced all the time. Relatively new to Lincoln are Old Cheney Rehabilitation, Visiting Angels, Avalon Hospice, The Woodlands at Hillcrest, and more to come.

Barb Tyler with The Woodlands at Hillcrest reports, “The Woodlands at Hillcrest has just opened, accepting our first residents now! For the past few months, we have been explaining our mission to families, which is special programming for both assisted living and memory care residents, as well as providing safety and security, healthcare, and wonderful amenities within The Woodlands’ community. Now, I am happy to say we have become a more immediate Barb Tyler service, allowing the potential resident The Woodlands at Hillcrest to tour along with their families since the construction area(s) have been largely diminished.”

On the topic of discussion, unplanned life changes, Tyler offers the following advice: “Our team of professionals at The Woodlands typically sees many families who have been blindsided with abrupt health and life changes due to falls, the death of a spouse, or various ailments.

At minimum, you must educate yourself and become aware of what services are out there. If an unexpected event occurs that warrants a move, knowing which community is best equipped to deal with a loved one’s needs going forward takes a great deal of pressure off. And if the person has actually visited any of the communities to check out the safety and security, programming, transportation availability, and staffing/care availability, such as nurses around the clock or two-person assists, they can be more confident in dealing with unexpected events.

Having worked in all areas of senior healthcare for 15 years and having worked in the housing market for over 26 years as a Nebraska-licensed real estate agent, I am able to explain the different options available that are in the Lincoln and surrounding areas – and more than happy to do so.”

She concludes, “Change can be incredibly difficult for anyone.

And change without someone who has been a life partner for many years makes it even more difficult. Leaving a home that has been a person’s ‘nest’ for many years is another obstacle.

However, once you gain the trust of a family and/or potential resident, and you explain that they have choices in lifestyle, floor plans, and location within a community, they often feel that their opinion is valued and that they matter.

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carefree lifestyle, and are able to do much if not all of what they did before and perhaps even more, it results in very few second thoughts and/or move outs!”

With an unexpected event such as an injury, illness, or death of a loved one that requires a senior to move, it can be a truly tough time. For that person, it can already feel like they are losing so much, so if there’s not been any previous downsizing to prepare it’s not exactly the best time to start getting rid of a bunch of stuff they’ve gathered over a lifetime.

Instead, consider utilizing a storage facility for the time being so that it’s more of a gradual process and there’s not such a sense of urgency in making those decisions, which could exacerbate an already stressful situation.

This could also hold true for a number of other unexpected events that would in some instances require a move, such as military deployment, displacement due to an emergency situation, separation or divorce, and so on.

Knowing your treasured belongings are safe and secure at least offers a little peace of mind in times of uncertainty and change.

All told, when responding to an unexpected event, it’s important for everyone involved to get on the same page, coordinating your efforts in dealing with whatever comes next. Since that is easier said than done, it is helpful to have an experienced professional to guide the process and help you make decisions together.

“No one is capable of predicting what happens in the immediate future and when a medical crisis hits, most often panic is the first response,” says Mary Ann Stallings with Bridge to Better Living. “Everyone in the family wants the best for their loved one, but they may all want a different ‘best.’ There may be multiple calls from well-intentioned people and even the communities become confused as to who belongs to whom.

Mary Ann Stallings It is best to contact Bridge to Better Living and have a personal liaison to take the Bridge to Better Living stress and confusion from the situation. We transition the loved one from Point A to Point B in whatever time frame is necessary. By applying our knowledge and resources, we are always thinking ahead and putting the puzzle pieces together. Bridge to Better Living encourages being proactive and contacting us to look at possibilities before a crisis. Establishing a plan for the future with an expert helps ‘myth-bust’ views from potentially unreliable sources and aids in envisioning appropriate communities.

Bridge to Better Living is capable of handling many types of situations when a move is required due to a medical event.

We have access to a number of resources and maintain current knowledge of availability, services and community contacts.

Bridge to Better Living first assesses the client, their needs, wants and lifestyle. After considering the possibilities, we reach out to appropriate communities. The family is always informed and it is not unusual to schedule a tour or placement in minimal time.

Bridge to Better Living follows our clients through not only the research step, but the move-in. Should life changes necessitate another move after several years, we are already involved with the family and are able to quickly navigate the process.

Whatever the case may be, please know Bridge to Better Living is here for you. If you are even beginning to ponder the ‘what ifs,’ give us a call. We look forward to having a conversation with you. Bridge to Better Living’s mission is Placement with Passion. It may take 5 years or 5 days, but regardless, we want our clients to be empowered to make informed decisions when choosing a Retirement Living option, whether it is Independent, Assisted,

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Memory Assisted or Long-Term Care. Our services are completely free to the client. We care.”

In closing, she emphasizes, “Plan ahead. Don’t hesitate to take the first step. Use a reliable service with a good reputation, one such as Bridge to Better Living.”

Just as with these other occurrences that change the course of our lives moving forward, death, while something that “comes to us all,” can come at any time and manner. Our time in this world is limited, so we must be as intentional as possible in making the most of it. Loss, and how one person’s life will change as a result of being touched by another, is all a part of that precious gift of life.

“It almost goes without saying that death is one of the biggest unplanned life changes we as humans face,” says Jodi Freeman with Roper & Sons Funeral Care. “Of course, we all know that death is certain at some point – but we are usually not very well prepared for that eventuality.

One of the best ways to address the ‘unplanned change’ of the eventuality of death is to plan for it. That may seem like Jodi Freeman a bit of an oxymoron, but just as you plan Roper & Sons for your education, your wedding, your family’s financial security, and retirement, you should also plan for your end of life living, and for your eventual death. Have your end of life health care wishes in place – in writing and reviewed by your attorney. Name a Power of Attorney for healthcare and for finances, have a will and estate plan in place, and plan for (and preferably fund) your funeral. All of these things save your loved ones time, money, and emotional strain during the first few days following your death.

Most people in their 40s and 50s are beginning to think about retirement – and many in their 30s are even starting to plan ahead. One big piece of those plans should be to have your funeral arrangements in place, and a plan for pre-paying the expenses. At Roper & Sons, our Family Service Counselors are well trained to help you begin to put those plans in place and to arrange your payment options.

Oftentimes, families are confronted with the question of how their loved one wanted to be remembered, particularly when death is unexpected. One thing that can help address some of the loss and confusion is to plan ahead.

While many people think of a funeral home being available to assist only at the time of death, in reality, planning ahead saves everyone a lot of time, energy and resources. If you are interested in learning more about planning for your final wishes, contact a Family Service Counselor at the funeral home.”

Freeman also notes, “Death is so often a shock to our system, even when it is anticipated, as it can be with age or illness. Everyone reacts differently when faced with the death of a loved one.

Some people are all business, figuratively putting their heads down and planning the details of a funeral seemingly without emotion, only to break down later. Others are almost so emotional that planning feels impossible.

Our funeral directors and other staff are trained to assist everyone, regardless of their emotional state. We are called upon to be counselors, ministers, event planners, and a compassionate friend in time of need.

We also offer a grief program to help loved ones learn their ‘new normal’ in life. Our program meets on Sunday afternoons and includes two different group sessions with grief counselors as well as art therapy once a month. We also have plans in place to help with some life skills such as cooking for one, laundry, and even financial tasks like balancing a checkbook if necessary.

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You can learn more about our grief program on our website, including upcoming sessions, at roperandsons.com, under Upcoming Workshops.”

Bryan Block with Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home is quick to point out, “There is a difference between an unplanned life change and an unexpected life change.

Bryan Block Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home

From an early age, we all know that we will face end of life issues one day.

Fortunately, many people make plans to address these expected challenges rather than have their family be caught unprepared.

The indecision and regrets are the things I have found to be the most troubling for people going through the planning of a funeral when there were no prearrangements. They often find themselves asking ‘Is that what they wanted?’ or they remember two weeks later, ‘Oh, they would have loved to have that song at the service.” Or, they end up with hurt feelings among family members because there is no agreement about some aspect of the service. It is so much easier to look at a file and be able to tell the family, ‘This is what your loved one selected.’

a very small window of time necessary to get a support system in place. That being the case, as a result of a devastating unplanned diagnosis, it’s the best possible plan to have moving forward.

“We feel everyone with a terminal illness will benefit from hospice,” says Dr. Jeffrey Marple with Avalon Hospice. “At Avalon Hospice, we help patients cope with illness, death and dying. Earlier admission is crucial for comfort and symptom management as well and psychosocial and spiritual support.

Hearing you have a terminal illness is devastating enough. We as a team provide comfort and assistance with the grieving process for the patient as Dr. Jeffrey Marple well as the family. We focus on what the Avalon Hospice patient’s goal is for what he or she sees the end of life journey being like. Many people fear dying due to fear of the unknown. What is going to happen next? With a team composed of nurses, a social worker, and a chaplain, we can each help our patients and their families process all of these fears in different ways.

Someone once told me ‘You just don’t know what you don’t know.’

The best thing you can do with funeral planning or any other challenging life event is to be well educated so you make wellinformed decisions that are most fitting for you and your family.”

To best meet the needs of our patients and their families, we take a multidisciplinary approach to providing hospice care. Our nurse is available 24 hours a day. I am in constant contact with my team; they keep me well informed and if they feel I need to see a patient, I absolutely will. We are all committed to providing unwavering support as a team.”

For those facing a health condition that is terminal, hospice care can be incredibly beneficial. Due to the unpredictable nature of terminal illness, it is something that can be expediently set up, with

He goes on to emphasize, “Enjoy today because there is no guarantee for tomorrow. Being diagnosed with a terminal illness decreases that patient’s timeline of things he or she wanted to

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get done in this life. So do what you want to do today? Don’t wait. Make memories that will live on with your loved ones after your passing.

If you have questions regarding what hospice care entails and what we have to offer, call us. Never hesitate to become more informed and educated on what hospice is and all that it can offer you. Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow, even in the midst of a terminal illness.”

Health issues can present themselves at any time, young or old. You might recover or continue on with life without any or minimal medical intervention or it might be a more severe case that will require ongoing attention from that point forward.

It’s truly impossible to know when something will happen that compromises your health to any degree. The most common plan for the unplanned in this case would include 911, emergency room, urgent care, or contacting your primary care physician in order of the seriousness of the condition.

That being said, there’s a myriad of other health-related unplanned occurrences that can be easily addressed otherwise.

For instance, there are many life changes that can impact your hearing. “You don’t have to be elderly to begin noticing a hearing loss,” states Leslie Frank with Nebraska Hearing Center. “We have several clients who have hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud noises.

There are a number of medical conditions that may lead to hearing impairment as well.

At Nebraska Hearing Center we encourage

Leslie Frank preventive care and urge everyone to Nebraska Hearing Center have their hearing tested annually so

that changes can be addressed right away. We believe that knowing where your hearing stands is very important and that is why we offer complimentary hearing evaluations.

For seniors especially, an unfortunate medical diagnosis or a spouses passing are just a couple of examples of events that require being able to hear and understand what is happening.

Those same events may even have you considering moving into a senior living community. Transitioning from your quiet home to an active community environment, with for example a busy dining area, can make it hard to hear conversations. Our goal at Nebraska Hearing Center is to make sure you are hearing your best for whatever type of situation or lifestyle you may have. When meeting with my patients, we always discuss what their expectations are for their hearing aids. My goal is to make sure they are hearing their best at all times, which is especially important in challenging times.

We have many different hearing aid styles and price points as well as financing available, so there is no better time to call and schedule your appointment at one of our three locations in Lincoln, Beatrice, or Seward. Call Nebraska Hearing Center at (402) 486-3737 and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have and set up your free consultation.”

All throughout life, a person will face life-changing events, some expected and others unexpected. Later in life especially, there are distinct changes in both categories. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, and be mindful of the professionals who can help you, high points and low points alike. There’s little as valuable as having a strong support network to call on when needed, especially in dealing with life’s unplanned changes.

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Starting a Business Have you been thinking about starting your own business? You’re in good company, with many aspiring to venture into entrepreneurship. When it comes to turning those dreams into reality, however, fewer actually put their money – and just about everything else they have to offer – where their mouth is, proverbially speaking. Just like the iconic Marines slogan, if you find yourself as one of “The Few, The Proud, The Brave,” once you’ve got your mind set on moving forward, what’s next?

Let’s kick things off with forming a company. Do you opt for an LLC or S-Corp?

In brief summary, here are three steps you should take when choosing between the two: First, determine how many people will be owners or shareholders in the business. LLCs can have unlimited members while S-Corps can only have 100 shareholders or less.

Second, consider how you would like the company to be managed.

S-Corps have fixed rules that govern management practices and more structured rigid rules. LLCs can be managed using the structure of your choosing with fewer default management provisions.

Third, determine whether you will invite additional investors to raise capital at a later stage. Work with your lawyer and CPA to ensure that your company is set up for success.

How your new business is structured is just one of the many, MANY decisions you’ll be making in the beginning stages. With so much to think about and to be done, it can be intimidating and overwhelming for even the most dedicated, organized and intrepid of entrepreneurs.

However, don’t let this discourage you; there are great options out there to meet all of your initial needs.

When it comes to where a business gets its start, this will vary quite a bit. Many great businesses have been started out of homes, while others have begun in an existing or newly-constructed standalone location. Now there are even office suites, coworking spaces, incubators, virtual office capabilities, and more that are particularly ideal for SMBs. “Taking advantage of office space with HIP OffiCenters is a very low-risk way of getting your business started,” says Michael Holroyd with Holroyd Investment Properties. “There are a wide range of lease terms to meet your commitment level. We offer a variety of office sizes and styles, and can even furnish it for you. Our clients are provided with a full-time receptionist, conference room, and modern office equipment. HIP OffiCenters is a great way to convey a professional image to your clients without the financial struggle of staffing Michael Holroyd an office.”

HIP Realty He adds, “New business owners need to be sure their office is convenient to find and that sufficient parking is available. And first impressions matter. Be sure your office appears professional to portray confidence and success to your customers, and that anyone representing your company is providing excellent customer service. Clients of HIP OffiCenters have a professional receptionist in a comfortable lobby greeting all of their customers. We professionally answer incoming phone calls for our tenants, which allows them to focus on taking care of their existing clients and building their businesses.

Perception is important, and we strive to help you make every experience for every customer the best that it can be. The Executive Office Suites are easy to find and offers free parking next to the building. Our large,

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spacious offices give the professional atmosphere our clients are looking for, with a host of amenities that further enhance the experience for both tenants and their clients.

HIP OffiCenters is in the business of helping new businesses grow. We make the first step easy so that new companies can focus on reaching their goals.”

When searching for the perfect space to house your new business, there are certain things to keep in mind. Some you’ll already have front and center, but other things may not occur to you right away.

To that end, Greg Ayars with Greenleaf Properties advises, “If you are looking for commercial space, for the first time or otherwise, I would suggest contacting an agent and letting him or her represent you.

In most cases, the potential tenant or buyer is not responsible for the payment of the agent. Contracting an agent allows you to have a knowledgeable individual who has experience in the field to help you find the perfect property and negotiate terms that work for you.

Greg Ayars For example, most individuals who are leasing Greenleaf Properties commercial property for the first time find triple net leases a little confusing. I like to explain it as separating the rent from the other costs associated with leasing a space, such as taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, etc. It also allows you to more easily compare the costs of leasing one space compared to another on an apples to apples basis.

Greenleaf Properties can help new businesses understand and acquire their space needs. Every business has different goals and we can find the space that puts them in the very best position to accomplish them.

In the early stages, it’s critical to establish a strong foundation that supports the initial functions of conducting business as well as to drive new business coming in. Today, there’s a strong possibility this would involve the latest in technology too. You may not even be aware of the possibilities that exist to get your business up and running…or sprinting for that matter.

“We exclusively work with SMBs, and as one as well, we fully understand our client’s needs and the challenges they face,” says Darren Lichty with Panology Tech Solutions. “All of our offerings have been designed with these things in mind. We take great pride in being able to help our clients achieve their goals for their businesses, making technical support and cloud services easily accessible and affordable. Additionally, we help to find efficiencies that can greatly benefit a business in a number of ways.

Darren Lichty By educating small business owners on the Panology Tech Solutions options available to them, they are in the position to make an informed decision – one of many they’ll be making as they get their businesses up and running. Moving forward, our technology growth plan allows for the integration of faster and more advanced technology as a business grows. It does this by identifying and resolving any technology deficiencies early on in order to prevent growing pains when a business decides to expand its operations. By implementing this in the very beginning, you’re setting yourself up for success and ensuring that the technology you’ll come to rely on is always working hard for you at peak performance.

Technology is continuously evolving, offering new and more efficient ways to conduct business. Many of the options are available at little to no cost.

By being open to implementing the right tools, and leveraging innovative new approaches, you can greatly increase your chances of success.”

He also notes, “A piece of advice I’d offer to all entrepreneurs is to utilize Lincoln SCORE as a resource. I found their workshops extremely helpful when I started. Put yourself in the places where you’ll have the APRIL 2018 Strictly Business

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opportunity to meet and talk with other entrepreneurs, learn about the tools they found helpful, and bounce ideas off of them. Listen and learn from the experiences of others in the business community.”

As far as the basics – the absolute essentials - there’s little you can do without phone and internet. For new business owners, it’s critical that service for both is fast, reliable, and budget-friendly.

“As you’re likely already familiar, ALLO provides communications services including very fast internet speeds at competitive prices,” says Brad Moline with ALLO Communications. “For some companies, co-working spaces are very appealing, and many have access to our services there too. ALLO provides internet, telephone and television services as well as connections to other cities in the region or country. Simply put, you can save money and do more with ALLO’s services.

Brad Moline ALLO Communications When talking to potential business clients, we’re often asked about contracts, installation charges, and how long it will take to be connected. Our responses are that ALLO does not require contracts or charge for installation in virtually all situations as long as your business is in an ALLO community.

Generally, ALLO is ready to install in a few days to a few weeks.”

Moline offers a few tips for those embarking on new business ventures, advising, “It tends to take more money to start a business than you think it will and often you won’t be able to take any money out for some period.

Make sure that you have enough money to get it off the ground. Of course, make sure that you have a good handle on customer opportunity and potential demand.

In the communications industry, technology is always changing, making it easier to start businesses. Even in low unemployment situations, a creative and interesting business that treats employees well will be

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able to attract talent.”

He concludes, “Give ALLO a call and we can tailor a solution for you to set your business up for success. We have many solutions that will help you conserve cash and operate efficiently.”

Finally, Kevin Knudson with QTEQ offers the following insight based on his vast experience: “Technology impacts every walk of life now.

It’s important to understand the new world of technology that exists today, which is changing faster and faster due to the internet and the access to and sharing of knowledge on that platform. How will you use all possible resources? A mentor or consultant can be tremendously helpful with navigating the modern I.T. landscape that’s predominantly cloud-based.

Kevin Knudson QTEQ In fact, with the Internet of Things (IoT), it’s projected that over 50 billion ‘things,’ or devices, will be connected to the internet in the next decade. Most haven’t been invented yet, so the more you dream the more you can do!”

As for his advice in general, he continues, “Our first family business, Pontillo’s Pizzeria, opened April 19, 1978 when I was 19. In 2006, I stepped out on my own to open QTEQ Computers. Today, I have been involved in opening a dozen different concepts in over 40 different locations, from restaurants and family entertainment to technology companies. Many of these have reached the 10-year mark and beyond.

Here are the steps I’d suggest taking to start a business: 1. Select a name and legal structure. 2. Write a business plan. 3. Obtain your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). 4. Open a bank account. 5.

Lease office or retail space, (if not home-based). 6. Obtain licenses and permits - Federal & State. 7. Hire employees (if applicable). 8. Set up an accounting system. 9. Obtain business insurance. 10. Systemize and organize. 11. Develop your business identity and get the word out. 12.

Focus on your written business plan. Start generating revenue/sales; begin marketing, social media, website, business branding, business cards, letterhead, and so on. 13. Know your market, identify competition - run a marketing S.W.O.T. analysis.

Specifically regarding that final point, there will be more startups in the next decade than perhaps the last 100 years. Competition is only going to get more tough from here on out. Statistically, approximately 70% of all businesses will fail. The good news is based on that number, approximately 30% will survive. Entrepreneurs, focus on the 30%.

Failure is a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.”

As far as what all to consider before you commit, Jethro Hopkins with No Coast Business Advisors is also quick to point out, “Are you prepared to invest your life in your business? That’s what it takes to be successful.”

He goes on to provide the following advice: “If you are planning on starting a new business and don’t have any prior experience with business ownership – I’m not talking experience in a management role, in the industry, you’ve done your research, or Jethro Hopkins any of that but strictly as a business owner No Coast Business - I’d recommend structuring the company Advisors as a corporate entity as opposed to a sole proprietorship or partnership. By doing so, it gives you what is called the ‘corporate veil.’ This is a legal concept that separates the business’s liabilities from the personal liabilities of the owner(s). It provides a certain amount of protection in that if things go drastically wrong, it’s harder to go after your personal assets. You and your family will be protected from any devastating losses that could completely wipe you out.

I know that sounds extreme right out of the gate, but this isn’t something that’s best viewed with rose-colored glasses. Starting a business sounds exciting, and it is, but it’s incredibly scary too. If you’re not scared, chances

are you’re in trouble because you’ve only considered the possibilities in the event of success and not the very real possibilities that come along with failure.

Those who fully understand what’s in front of them for the first few years are terrified but feel that it’s worth the risk to pursue their passions and dreams in spite of the odds. And those who succeed past the first few years are the ones who have put in everything they have to give to get themselves to that point. The thrill of it will wear off quickly, so you should be absolutely certain you’re entirely committed.

Don’t be completely discouraged by the high failure rate of new startups, but do be honest with yourself and put yourself in the best position to succeed so that you don’t become a statistic. I’m a firm believer in putting things down on paper so that it makes it real. Document your business plan, which could be in a more traditional format or by simply listing what you want to achieve and actionable steps to get there. Equally important, list any and all of the potential problems and roadblocks you might encounter along the way. Having that in front of you will not only help you stick to the plan since you can reference it often, but you’ll also be better able to convey your thought process and intentions to others.

It can be reviewed thoroughly so that other people can collaborate, whether it’s helping you solve the problems you’ve already identified or adding to the list so you won’t be blindsided by something you hadn’t previously considered, which will further mitigate your risk.

Managing costs in the early stages is critical; although you do have to spend money to make money, until you’ve established a solid revenue stream, it’s wise to only spend money on what’s absolutely necessary.

Startup costs will vary for each business, but there are some things you can look into that will minimize your expenditures up-front until you’re in a better position to invest back into your business. There are a whole host of ways that startups can save money when things are tight while they get off the ground, it’s just a matter of taking the time, putting in the effort, and consulting with others to identify them.

As for the latter, networking will be invaluable. Surround yourself with people who know more than you, have more experience than you, and have had more success than you, then watch and learn. If you’re the smartest or most experienced person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of learning from the people who have done what you want to do. The people around you will either make you better or hold you back – there’s really no middle ground on that. You’re going to encounter things along the way that you didn’t expect – tons of them, actually. Along with networking, put together a trusted team of advisors – your lawyer, accountant, banker, mentor, etc. - and consult with them regularly. Finally, develop strategic partnerships with fellow business owners. There’s strength in numbers; support one another and help each other succeed.

Being a business owner is a lifestyle, not a profession. It will need to come first before everything else in your life, at least in the beginning. For some, that never changes. After the first five years, it does get easier. In the meantime, if you need help, there are many professionals who can assist you in your efforts who are easily found at local networking events.

Although No Coast Business Advisors specializes in buying and selling established businesses, we also help keep them running, and are happy to sit down and assist you with your efforts in whatever way we can.”

Entrepreneurs in Lincoln are fortunate to have access to a wealth of resources that can help greatly during the start-up phase and with subsequent business development. As was previously emphasized, mentorship and involvement in activities where you’re in the company of established business owners and seasoned professionals is invaluable to a new business owner. At the same time, you’ll also want to form relationships with like-minded people who are doing the same things you’re doing for support and to help one another grow your businesses.

Where to find these people, you ask? Start with your local Chamber of Commerce, which also will serve as an advocate for your business and its interests.

“A Lincoln Chamber membership can jumpstart your business by helping with brand recognition in the community and growing your network,” explains Jaime Henning with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber has been the leading voice for business in Lincoln for over 100

years and has over 1,700 business members.

Taking care of our members is our top priority.

We are here to help businesses every step of the way; from being an advocate at the local, state and federal level and helping you announce your business to the community through ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and other events that connect you to new faces.

Businesses often want to know what the Chamber can do for them. Beyond what I’ve mentioned above, we offer gatherings and Jaime Henning forums where our members, especially small Lincoln Chamber business members, can learn how to navigate of Commerce Lincoln’s business issues, engage fully in the community and take their place in what’s next for Lincoln. Events like Chamber Coffee and Face the Chamber enable elected leaders to transfer knowledge to our members to give them a front seat and leadership role in Lincoln’s future.

Joining the Lincoln Chamber is a business necessity that pays big dividends. We are dedicated to promoting the local business community.

We want to help businesses learn, collaborate and grow. We offer B2B relationships and referrals that will help you get your business. going.”

As you might suspect, or are acutely aware if you’ve done your research, there’s a lot that goes into starting a business. Successful businesses that stand the test of time don’t get to that point by accident or pure coincidence. It’s hard work, requires dedication, and involves many aspects that should be carefully considered and thoughtfully planned. If you think you’ve got what it takes, put your plans in motion, find yourself a mentor, and put together a team of professionals that will help you build a strong infrastructure. If you’ve got something special that you want to share with the world, get after it and make your dreams of business ownership come true!

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Spring Landscaping Now that spring has arrived and we’re delighting in the nice weather that comes along with it, there’s no better time to get on top of lawn care, landscaping, and various projects that need to be done on a residential or commercial property. To get yours looking its very best, and to get the most use and enjoyment out of it this year, there’s likely a multitude of things that are, or should be, on your agenda at this point.

Cleaning up debris, performing the necessary lawn treatments, servicing the irrigation system, planting and mulching, installation of new landscape features, power washing and painting, various property repairs, putting in a new deck or patio, making improvements to your outdoor living and entertaining space(s)…there’s a lot going on right about now, and plans being made for the duration of the spring, summer, and even fall already.

Busy season has arrived, indeed. When the first string of a few nice days with no snow cover hit, you can bet that your lawn care professional or landscaper of choice is being inundated with phone calls from that time forward. The same holds true for anything related to grounds maintenance or exterior construction/renovation. If you’re not one to plan ahead or have this in place well before that time, all is not lost, but you’re going to need to get on it relatively soon to ensure you can secure a spot on the schedule this year.

“So far this year, we’ve received requests for just about anything you can imagine with involving the care and improvement of the lawn and landscape,” admits Ken Svoboda with Ray’s Lawn & Landscape. “People are always looking for ways to enhance the curb appeal of their home this time of year; some are preparing to list their homes for sale and others just want to give new life to their lawns and landscapes. In most cases the answer is as simple as clearing the area of all leaves and debris, trimming the shrubbery Ken Svoboda and pruning the trees, adding a fresh layer Ray’s Lawn & Landscape of mulch and maybe a little over-seeding of the lawn. Depending on the condition of the property, it may require clearing the landscape of old and overgrown shrubbery and replacing them with new plants with more curb appeal.

Whether enlisting the help of a professional or doing it yourself, the most important task any homeowner or property manager can do in preparing the lawn and landscape for spring is clearing the leaves and debris. A lawn coming out of dormancy needs a chance to dry and allow the frost to leave the ground. The crown of the grass plant needs sunlight to warm the roots and begin the process of photosynthesis, where nutrients are captured by the roots and moved through the plant, allowing it to grow and take on the rich green color. Landscapes should also be cleared of leaves and debris for the same reason.

Following that it’s time for the first application of fertilizer and a preemergent, which prevents crabgrass. If your lawn hasn’t been aerated recently now would be a great time for that service as well. Aeration opens a small hole in the ground allowing the roots to breathe and

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spread more evenly through heavy clay and compacted soil. It also allows moisture and lawn treatments to better reach the roots.

The landscape should be examined and if ornamental grasses and perennials haven’t been cut back, they should be before they begin to grow. Mulch can be applied to give that fresh new look to the landscape.

Now’s also a great time to take a good look at your landscape to see if this is the year to remove some of the old, tired-looking and struggling plants and replace them with new, better growing and flowering shrubbery.

Maybe you’re even considering adding a water feature or a firepit to enjoy on those cool summer nights. Outdoor living spaces continue to be among our most frequently requested landscape projects. This also includes new paver patios, pergolas that produce shade for those hot afternoons, and water features that touch all the senses and feelings of an island oasis. Outdoor kitchens are always popular for those true outdoor enthusiasts and of course there’s the always popular fire pits in a large variety of sizes, shapes and fuel sources.

The new products that are being introduced to the landscape industry are changing constantly. Patio pavers were huge when they arrived on the market a dozen years ago or so. Ever since then it’s near impossible to keep up with the new materials being offered. The latest trend is following the types of products that are the hottest on the interior flooring market. More elaborately designed concrete pavers that give the appearance of Italian slate, wood planks and porcelain. The trend for the last couple seasons has been the use of larger pavers some measuring as much as 24’ x 36”. This large patio paver look is a direct response to the same trending look in interior design.

As opposed to what’s trending in outdoor living spaces, with regards to our lawns, there aren’t many new trends emerging, which isn’t at all unusual. Each year there are advances in the products and techniques used in our industry, and we do stay educated on those. At Ray’s we’re always on the lookout for better lawn products that will accomplish our goals of healthy, lush green and weed-free lawns while using even safer insecticides and herbicides. We’re fully invested in applying the most advanced technology to protect our technicians, our customers, their families and their pets.”

In summary, he notes, “I’m always asked for my top three pieces of advice in the springtime, and here they are: Number one, your lawn wants to slowly come out of dormancy. Very few of us jump out of bed in the morning ready to leap into a busy day. Your lawn and landscape, like us, want to ease into spring. Don’t rush it! Clear the leaves and debris from both, mow the lawn to a 2” height, trim back ornamental grasses and perennials in the landscape. Apply a fertilizer with pre-emergent to the lawn. Again, don’t rush it! The pre-emergent has an approximate residual in the soil of only six weeks. Applying too early will only result in a waste of the material. Generally you have through the month of April to make this first application.

Number two, if you’re anticipating the use of a service to take care of your lawn and landscape needs, contact them now and be patient. For the next few months, everyone wants to know the answer to the question ‘How soon can I get this work done?’ Generally, it’s ‘that depends on the weather.’ A prolonged winter is going to stretch out our schedule and wreak havoc on our ability to get the job even started let alone completed. My suggestion is don’t wait. Contact your local lawn and landscape service provider and get the ball rolling and reserve yourself a place in their schedule.

Number three, enjoy spring. This is nature’s finest hour, when plants are coming out of their winter hibernation and will soon be showing off their beautiful colors and textures, and providing necessary oxygen while filtering the air of all kinds of irritants. Get outdoors when you can and take it all in.”

Going back to outdoor living and entertaining spaces, there’s SO much potential for that aspect of a property today.

As an extension of your home or place of business, it’s definitely the place to be this time of year, whether you’re entertaining, relaxing, or even getting some work done – there’s nothing worse than being stuck inside behind a desk when the weather is so beautiful all you want to do is be outside!

Perhaps you want to create a completely new space with the addition of a deck or patio. Or there could be things you want to do to your existing space to improve it, whether that’s better shading, outdoor lighting, new furniture, adding built-in features such as a grill or the latest in technology, incorporating a firepit – anything that would make it more cozy, inviting, and functional. Depending on intended use and other factors, there are an abundance of ways to transform a space on any budget.

If you’re looking for inspiration outside of Instagram or Pinterest, stop out at Outdoor Solutions and peruse their expansive selection of items!

Another topic that was mentioned previously, lawn treatments, is something that’s well worth revisiting further too.

“Applying a timely spring pre-emergent herbicide is the number one key to a beautiful lawn all summer long,” emphasizes Jordan Nun with Fox Liquid Fertilizer Service. “This ensures you don’t have unsightly crabgrass and foxtail weeds, and it is always easier to prevent these weeds than to get rid of them after they’re up.

So when exactly should a pre-emergent be applied and how many fertilizer treatments are needed? It should be applied and watered into the soil prior to 55º soil temperatures. In Jordan Nun Lincoln, that’s about mid-April. As far as Fox Liquid Fertilizer fertilizing frequency goes, it really depends Service on the type of fertilizer you’re using. Be careful not to over-fertilize your lawn, especially in the spring; it can actually weaken the root system. At Fox Liquid Fertilizer Service, we use a specially-formulated nitrogen with a stabilizer, which keeps the fertilizer available in the soil for an extended period of time. Because of that, for those who utilize our services, we usually only recommend three fertilizer applications a year! Helping our customers achieve the greenest lawns possible with the fewest applications possible is our main objective. This is great for business owners and families alike because APRIL 2018 Strictly Business 79

it saves on fewer applications and is less disruptive to everything else that’s going on around the house or with daily operations. Generally, while their specific needs will vary, business clients and homeowners want the same thing--green grass and no weeds!

As we progress through the spring and into summer, with the new growth that’s happening, pay close attention to anything that looks out of the norm. One example might be noticing the signs of fungus or grub damage, which will typically look like large areas of brown patches, possibly loose patches of grass, or small brown spots all over the lawn.

If you think your lawn has a fungus or grub damage, which is typically seen between the end of June to early September, stop watering and call a professional immediately! There are countless types of lawn diseases and they are often reversible but require different treatments. Get a free consultation and find out what’s going on!”

In agreement with the other professionals, Lee Schumacher with TDK Lawn Care reiterates the key points to remember moving forward, offering insight on a few other lawn-related items as well. “Now is the time to make sure you clean up all of the debris that has gathered on your property over the winter, particularly any leaves that have collected so they don’t choke out the new growth. You’ll also want to cut back your annual bushes and tall grasses to promote new growth. By getting that out of the way early on, it will be much easier to get started with lawn treatments, planting, and other projects that might need to happen in a timely manner. Aeration is especially important now because it helps loosen compacted soil and allows oxygen and nutrients to get to your lawn’s root system, promoting a healthy lawn.

With the weather conditions we’ve experienced this year, plant growth has been delayed a bit, but there’s no signs of snow mold, which bodes well for healthy lawns this year. However, with below-average moisture overall, and a pretty dry December, it will be important to keep an eye on conditions this spring. If there’s a dry spell and high heat, it might call for watering sooner than you’d normally start. For those with underground sprinkler systems, you’ll want to get your spring startup appointment scheduled as soon as possible if you haven’t already just

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to be on the safe side. Going back to lawn treatments, aside from aeration, now is a good time to schedule your first round of fertilizer application of preemergent for crabgrass control. There is one exception; if you have any bare spots in your lawn, it’s a good time to put down grass seed, in which case you’ll want to use a starter fertilizer instead of a preemergent. When the new grass comes up, be sure to mow twice before you put down any other treatments besides the starter fertilizer.

The best way to combat weed growth is to Lee Schumacher keep your lawn full and healthy. A healthy TDK Lawn Care lawn will actually keep the weeds out naturally, while a sparse lawn allows plenty of room for them to grow and over time, take over. Along with a regular schedule of treatments, mowing, and watering, keeping the bare spots at bay and overseeding will help tremendously. When doing that, perhaps consider introducing a newer variety of grass seed. The weather conditions are different each year, which in turn puts stress on certain types of grasses that struggle to adapt. The newer grass seed is specifically designed to best handle the current conditions, so they’ll have a better chance of withstanding them and thriving. Just like technology and devices like our phones have gotten smarter, so has the engineering of grass seed and other ag-based products!

Additionally, particularly with respect to the newer grass seed that’s been introduced in recent years, it’s not how much you water but rather how often you water. For example fescue grass can go with one inch of rain per week whereas bluegrass needs a quarter-inch every other day. Haphazardly watering or watering excessively as a precautionary measure won’t do any good. Instead, get on a schedule that’s mindful of your lawn’s needs. Your lawn care or landscaping professional can help you determine the specifics and get everything set up so all you

have to do is follow through. Using a rain gauge or dispenser gauge is especially helpful, and you’ll want to be sure to identify areas that get a lot of shade versus those that get full sun so you can target them appropriately.

Many people have a trusted professional that they work with while others are in the market for one. Be sure to start off on the right foot this season by covering all of the bases on how you want your lawn taken care of ahead of time. Talk with your service provider up front about your preferences and concerns so that you are on the same page moving forward and nothing is assumed.”

Specifically regarding preparing your irrigation system for action in the spring, Jeremy Hunt with Hunt Irrigation offers the following advice: “If your irrigation system was winterized correctly, as it is brought out of hibernation all things will go as planned.

In the spring you will want to evaluate your backflow device (that brass thing on the side, front or rear of your house and sometimes in the basement). Once the system is pressurized the real work begins; first you will want to run through each individual zone/station Jeremy Hunt and check to make sure that all the spray Hunt Irrigation patterns are precise and operating correctly.

This means walking to each head and if it’s a spray (non-oscillating) then make sure that the nozzles are spraying the correct pattern and that they are also pointed in the correct direction.

You then want to check the arc and radius settings on your rotor, or in older systems, the impact heads (oscillating). The rotors or impact heads cover large areas and so it is crucial that you let the head make its full rotation to ensure that you are not over spraying or crossing over any paved areas. Adjust your arc and radius as needed. Some of the rotors take a special tool while some use a simple screwdriver to adjust. If you have a drip zone you will want to find the control box that houses the filter, remove it and clean it for another year of operation, then activate your drip zone and check for leaks.

Once the components in the yard have been adjusted and the system has been checked for leaks, it is time to move into the garage and program the controller. The soil in Lincoln and surrounding communities is mostly clay. This means the water absorbs slowly and evaporates quickly. Therefore when programming your controller, it is best in this area to program shorter run times and multiple start times. Most controllers are capable of handling three start times. A good start time schedule would be 1 a.m., 3 a.m., and 5 a.m. Scheduling a two-hour break or rest between operations will allow the water enough time to absorb into the ground and reduce run-off. How old is your irrigation controller? Just as it is common to upgrade your phones for the latest technology, you should update your controller every five years or so. Today’s controllers have many water-saving features that controllers even three years ago did not have. The Hydrawise system gives you the ability to operate your controller from anywhere in the world, and not only does things like predictive watering, but it will also notify you if you have a leak in your system, a broken head or even an electrical issue.

This spring do your lawn and landscape a favor and consider hiring a professional irrigation contractor to perform spring maintenance on your sprinkler system. Just as you have your air conditioner serviced in the spring or your furnace serviced in the fall it is always good to have your irrigation contractor perform a spring service of your sprinkler system.

While he/she is completing your spring service ask them about potential water savings upgrades that could be added to your system. Give The Water Smart Company a call today to schedule your spring start-up.

You can reach us at (402) 438-8151 or use our web-scheduler at www. huntirrigation.com.”

As you embark on this year’s spring landscaping projects, keep in mind that it’s not too late to bring on a professional to help if needed. Whether you hope to completely transform your property or encounter a problem and aren’t sure of the best solution, a little expertise goes a long way. That being the case, since many of our local professionals have an extensive amount of knowledge and experience to offer, just imagine the possibilities!

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