Strictly Business May 2018

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FOCUSING ON YOUR BRAND

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

Great Brands That Compete On Value: Keep It Authentic

There has been quite a bit of buzz about social media lately, and not the good kind. As a hot topic of discussion, I figured it would pop up in the Freeport Press blog that I’ve been keeping up with, and as predicted, it did.

The Genie is Out of the Social Media Bottle Author: David Pilcher It wasn’t long ago that people were wondering if social media was okay. It seems like brands had just started coming to terms with misleading video metrics on FB when the whole YouTube scandal hit. Then Twitter fell headlong into the fake bot rabbit hole.

Funny how those problems pale in comparison with the consumer and political backlash in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica data scandal. The question has quickly turned from “is social media okay?” to “can social media survive?” As Kevin Roose writes in the New York Times, there’s something seriously broken in social media now, and it’s becoming increasingly obvious that things need to change… …The polls show that the big three – Facebook, Google and Twitter – are all dropping in popularity in the U.S., Roose notes…

Does that mean the entire social platform experience was a mistake? Not necessarily; a lot of good does come out of improved ability to connect at a grassroots level. The big issue, Roose believes, is that Facebook can’t stand behind their promises to protect your data and your privacy. “Facebook can’t stop monetizing our personal data for the same reason that Starbucks can’t stop selling coffee – it’s the heart of the enterprise,” Roose continues. …In other words, the ability for this kind of breach to occur again and again and again is hard baked into the platform, in the very DNA that the business model runs on. The data breach wasn’t a hack; in fact it was done quite simply by using Facebook’s own tools. According to media scholar Jonathan Albright as quoted by The Atlantic’s Ethan Zuckerman, “The ability to obtain unusually rich info about users’ friends is due to the design and functionality of Facebook’s Graph API. Importantly, the vast majority of problems that have arisen as a result of this integration were meant to be ‘features, not bugs.’”

Sure, the way that data was sold and then used to influence political discourse through highly emotional neuromarketing techniques may be ethically questionable…but it wasn’t criminal and it certainly shouldn’t have come as a big surprise. “Like Facebook, Google develops profiles of its users, with information from people’s private searches and tools like Gmail and office applications, to help advertisers target messages to them,” Zuckerman continues.

“As you read this article on The Atlantic, roughly three dozen ad trackers are watching you, adding your interest in this story to profiles they maintain on

your online behavior.”

It comes back to the “original sin” of the Internet, where we trade our data and our labor in exchange for free content. We all work for Facebook and reap precious little of the rewards. “Users of the internet have been forced into a bargain they had no hand in negotiating: You get the services you want, and platforms get the data they need,” Zuckerman explains.

Now Facebook says they want to do more to protect our data. Roose gives us some possible scenarios that might save social media – more power to the people, a more collective social management federation, and auto-expiring data profiles – but I don’t see the shareholders being terribly keen on anything that disrupts the duopoly.

Can social media be saved? Or has it reached the tipping point where its users have lost faith and decided the cost isn’t worth the risk? If they can figure out how to return to a time that is, as Roose muses, “fresh and fascinating, and not quite so scary,” maybe it can survive. In its present state, however, it doesn’t look likely.

It’s safe to say that people are now on high alert about suspect marketing tactics presented to them on social media or even seemingly related to their use of it or interaction on it. That negative association has major implications for brand perception. I think all of us who leverage social media platforms to deliver our marketing messaging need to take note and proceed with caution. Furthermore, with the decline in users predicted to be substantial, there’s going to be a major shift in audience and reach.

If you’re honest with your grassroots efforts, remaining true to your brand identity, then the positives of social media will still likely outweigh the negatives. By using it to connect in a genuine way to create dialogue in the online community where people exist that are in your actual community and target market, just as a personal user would, I believe there’s still value there.

But in short, keep it personal and authentic or don’t bother. And certainly don’t place all of your marketing dollar eggs in one social media basket.

It almost goes without saying that having your business/organization be directly associated with knowingly engaging in the shady practices that are under heavy scrutiny is the last thing you want to do.

In today’s shifting marketing landscape, those who have been wise to strike a good balance between the trendy and the tried and true are more apt to maintain the trust they’ve built with their consumer base and to be recognized for the value they deliver. With Strictly Business, you can capitalize on the strength and credibility of traditional print marketing with the added bonus of being featured online and on social media without the use of any sketchy tactics.

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Star City Six Client Spotlight: JMISKO surgical design | md Client Spotlight: Ironhide Construction Inc. Client Spotlight: John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air

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ABOUT THE COVER

Proudly Serving Lincoln For 50 Years!

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of West Gate Bank. Since the beginning in

1968, West Gate Bank has been a family-owned community bank dedicated to serving the needs of Lincoln. That community focus is a vital part of the success West Gate Bank has experienced.

Owned by the Sjulin family since 1980, West Gate Bank has kept the idea of service to the community at the forefront of its mission. “West Gate Bank is proud to be celebrating 50 years of serving the Lincoln community,” said Carl Sjulin, president of West Gate Bank. “As a locally-owned community bank, giving back to Lincoln is an important part of our company values.”

During this golden anniversary year, West Gate Bank has a number of community-related initiatives planned to celebrate this important milestone.

In January, West Gate Bank announced a $25,000 a year gift to the Lincoln Community Foundation towards the match fund on “Give to Lincoln Day”. Every participating nonprofit organization will receive a proportional share of the record $400,000 match fund, based upon its percentage of total dollars raised. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, May 31st.

In February, West Gate Bank announced a new initiative to bring financial literacy education to high school students across Lincoln 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 adaptive-pathing) 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 member FDIC at no cost to the schools.

West Gate Bank is also partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln through sponsorship of a home build which will help a Lincoln family obtain the dream of homeownership. “As a community bank, we understand that providing affordable housing is crucial to the continued growth of Lincoln,” said Sjulin. “In recognizing the work that Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln is doing, we are honored to partner with them for this build.”

West Gate Bank employees will be also be participating in the Lincoln Painta-Thon this August. In partnership with the Better Business Bureau, a Free Shred Event is planned for the fall. Employees also participate in the Tabitha Meals on Wheels program, Junior Achievement of Lincoln and TeamMates Mentoring.

Bank employees also boast a 100% participation rate for 10 years running with the United Way. On Friday, June 1st, West Gate Bank will hold its annual “Festival of Free” event at all seven Lincoln branches. Open on that day from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., each branch will host a birthday celebration with fun activities, free food and prize drawings. Open a new checking account that day and receive special incentives, including a free personalized debit card ($10 value), a free Magnavox Bluetooth speaker, and each branch will give away an Apple iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi 128GB to one lucky winner chosen in a random drawing. As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, a “Golden Prize” package will also be given away to one lucky winner. The prize package includes an Apple iPad (5th generation) Wi-FI 128GB, Apple HomePod and a $100 iTunes gift card. Details about Festival of Free can be found online at westgate.bank.

Our interest is you. WestGate.Bank | 402.434.3456 PRODUCTION TEAM: Editor Amanda Wilson - Amanda@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Art Director Holly Ryan - Design@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

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BUSINESS NEWS

HBAL Presents 2018 Spring Parade of Homes The annual Spring Parade of Homes is almost here.

Once again, local builders, trade contractors and suppliers have created wonderful homes for the public to tour. We are very fortunate here in Lincoln to have so many excellent craftsmen who take pride in their work. A new home can create options for sustainability, energy efficiency, new floor plans, added space or modern features.

Interest rates are historically low, and we all know they can’t last.

Now is the time to take the leap into the home of your dreams.

The Parade is May 13-20 with 55 homes located in all areas of Lincoln. Admission is free; hours are weekdays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. Guidebooks are available at any open Parade home. The online guidebook is available on the Home Builders Association of Lincoln’s website, www.HBAL.org, which includes a complete listing of the participating homes.

Eagle Nursery Under New Ownership Eagle Nursery, a full service landscaping company, recently transitioned ownership at the beginning of this year. Remaining locally owned and operated, Tom and Ashley Sc harfen purchased the company as the sole proprietors.

Eagle Nursery was established in 1998 by Bob and Stacie Bleicher. In 2002, Scharfen was hired as operations manager. During the 16 years he has been with Eagle Nursery, he has gained extensive knowledge of the business, ideally positioning him to take over ownership. A Lincoln native, Tom brings a lot of energy to the table with plans to take the nursery to even greater heights. He is excited for what the future holds and will continue to uphold the quality work and highest integrity service that Eagle Nursery is known for here in the Lincoln community.

Eagle Nursery offers residential and commercial landscaping design and installation, landscape maintenance, hardscapes, landscape lighting, tree spading services, and snow removal. The company is proud to utilize Nebraska-grown and Nebraska-hardy trees, shrubs, and perennials. Visit their website at www.eaglenurseries.com to learn more about their services or to scroll through their gallery of past projects. Eagle Nursery offers many resources online so you can obtain information from the comfort of your home. Or, feel free to contact (402) 781-9337 / tom@eaglenurseries.com for more information.

Lincoln Calling Announces Dates, Performers for 15th Anniversary Festival Lincoln Calling is ecstatic to announce the dates for this year’s music festival, which will take place Sept. 17-22, and has also unveiled the initial list of their spectacular performers. This year’s festival will also include a Night Market, which will shut down 14th St. between O St. and P St. to host artists, vendors, a beer garden, and a large outdoor stage as well as a number of artistic and professional workshops.

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Lincoln Calling is an annual non-profit music, comedy, and art festival focusing on emerging artists which occurs across multiple venues in downtown Lincoln. Between their performers and partnerships with organizations such as YP Week and Startup Week, Lincoln Calling has stationed itself among some of the top music festival destinations in the nation. This year, attendance is estimated between 9,000 and 10,000 people. Tickets sales for the general population have already begun. To check out the list of performers, more information, or to join the mailing list, visit LincolnCalling.com.

BUSINESS NEWS

Introducing Scottish Rite Ballroom by Venue Venue Catering & Events has officially opened its doors inside the Scottish Rite Temple (332 Centennial Mall S.)! This unique venue is a place where the luxury of Gatsby’s roaring 20’s meets modern sophistication, representing dignified opulence at its finest. The Scottish Rite Ballroom was constructed in 1916 and part of 1917 by Olson Construction Company from designs by Berlinghof and Davis. The building represents a distinctive architectural style of innovation as one of Lincoln’s best and most ornate Neo-Classical Revival structures, and now it’s the city’s newest destination for today’s engaged couples.

Guests can now book weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, corporate events, holiday parties, luncheons, social gatherings, graduations and tailgates at the Scottish Rite Ballroom by Venue. Their event catering services team will go above and beyond to ensure everything goes smoothly, allowing you to relax and enjoy your special day. The Venue also offers event space in any of their four private dining rooms at Venue Restaurant & Lounge (4111 Pioneer Woods Dr.) or in the Jasmine Ballroom at the Grand Manse downtown. To learn more, visit www. yourvenue.net or contact Lisa Petersen at (402) 499-3608 / lisa@ yourvenue.net.

The Printer Celebrates 40 Years of Business The Printer, which opened in 1978, is celebrating 40 years of serving Lincoln this year. New owners Bradley and Michaela Moon bought The Printer last March and are excited to bring new life to the print industry in Lincoln. Both come from a printing background and have been able to accomplish a lot in their first year of owning the local print shop, including remodeling the store, revamping their website, leveraging technology to become more efficient, and focusing on customer service.

The Printer has also expanded their services in the last year and offer graphic design, thermography, printing white and clear ink, envelope printing, large volume offset jobs, banners, posters, window clings, mailing services and more.

Visit The Printer located at 4910 Old Cheney Rd., visit www. theprinterlincoln.com or call (402) 423-4030 to learn more.

Pemberly Place Announces Grand Opening Pemberly Place, a new senior living community in Lincoln located at 7655 Archer Place, opened its doors in April. To celebrate, a grand opening event will be held on May 1 from 3:30 - 6 p.m., which will include an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Afterwards, guests are welcome to enjoy the reception and tour the property.

Pemberly Place offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care, with 120 individual units that feature a 24-hour emergency call system with central monitoring, cable/satellite TV, individuallycontrolled heating/air conditioning, private kitchen area, and walk-in or spacious closets. Common areas for residents to enjoy include a theatre, chapel, business and gaming centers, craft center, fitness center, rec room, library, computer center, floor lounges, private dining room, spa bath services, bistro, and more. In addition, the following commercial spaces are located at Pemberly Place: gym/ fitness room, beauty salon and spa, and medical clinic. Along with the above amenities, Pemberly Place offers a variety of technology options with 1 gig of data speed in each apartment. To find out more about Pemberly Place, visit www.pemberlyplace.com or contact Summer Sargent at (402) 413-9770 / summer@pemberlyplace.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Keller Williams Lincoln Hosts Chamber Ribbon-Cutting, Open House

Blades Lawn & Landscape Launches New Pet Waste Removal Service, Call of Doodie

Keller Williams, the largest real estate company in the world by agent count, closed sales volume and closed units, has expanded its network to the Lincoln area. Their open house held on March 15, which kicked off with a ribboncutting ceremony with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, took place at their newly-remodeled building at 301 S. 70th St., Suite 200.

Blades Lawn & Landscape is excited to announce that in April the company officially launched a new service division, Call of Doodie, whic h specializes in pet waste removal.

Blades has grown over the years from a two-person operation into a full staff of professionals, able to meet every lawn and landscape need—and now they have added one more key service to their wide array of offerings.

Keller Williams Lincoln offers careers worth having and keeps its agents performing at the highest level by offering them leadingedge training and technology. In 2015 and 2017, Training Magazine named Keller Williams the No. 1 training organization across all industries in the world and in 2018 was inducted into the Training Top 10 Hall of Fame. Forbes Magazine named Keller Williams the Happiest Companies to Work for in 2018 across all industries in the world. Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated.

To inquire about selling or buying a home, or to start a career in real estate, please contact Derek J Kats, TOP-100 Realtor in the USA and local investor in the Keller Williams Lincoln Market Center.

Derek is best reached by email at DerekJKats@kw.com or by text message at (402) 770-5021.

CarePatrol of Nebraska Part of Nationwide Franchise Acquisition ComForCare Health Care Holdings LLC (www.comforcare. com), the premier inhome care provider, and CarePatrol (www. carepatrolcom), the nation’s largest senior placement franchise, have entered an agreement for ComForCare to acquire CarePatrol.

Recently backed by The Riverside Company, a private equity firm that handpicked new CEO Steve Greenbaum, ComForCare has more than 200 franchise locations in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. ComForCare’s acquisition of CarePatrol is a first step in realizing the company’s vision to rapidly expand its footprint in the older adult care space through strategic partnerships, organic growth and investments.

“In addition to expanding our service offering and portfolio, our acquisition of CarePatrol illustrates our objective of finding new avenues to carry out our mission to help people live their best life possible,” said Greenbaum.

CarePatrol has more than 150 offices in 40 states, with local senior care advisors who work with families free of charge to find quality, toprated assisted living, independent living, memory care, nursing homes and in-home care. The senior advisors meet with families in person to assess a client’s care level needs, financial needs and general preferred locations before recommending the best and safest care options.

“Our acquisition by ComForCare creates a partnership that is rooted in our shared mission to be a trusted resource for families and older adults as they age,” said CarePatrol Founder and CEO Chuck Bongiovanni. “Together, we will reach new heights in customer service and quality care.”

CarePatrol of Nebraska will continue to operate as usual under the local ownership of Theron Ahlman, who can be contacted at (402) 580-2116 / therona@carepatrol.com.

Call of Doodie was created to address and solve the five most important issues with not properly disposing of pet waste. These include disease control, making yards more usable, fly control, responsible pet ownership, and prevention of stool eating. Call of Doodie offers waste removal services for an affordable fixed rate every month based on the number of dogs a household owns.

A member of their team will visit a home to carry out this service once a week.

Blades Lawn & Landscape is dedicated to building long-term relationships with clients by providing the highest standard of quality on each and every project. The locally owned and operated company’s reputation for customer satisfaction in the Lincoln area is what has made Blades Lawn & Landscape a household name in the industry and they are confident that Call of Doodie will soon earn the same recognition. To learn more about this new service, call (402) 219-3583 or visit bladeslcc.com to check out all of the other services offered by Blades Lawn & Landscape.

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BUSINESS NEWS National SpeedSkating Circuit Returns to Lincoln This Summer The National SpeedSkating Circuit, a professional inline racing league for the sport of inline speed skating, is excited to announce its return to the Cornhusker State on July 14 at 6:30 p.m. for Event 30. In 2017, the NSC visited Lincoln and hosted an unforgettable night of racing with nearly 500 spectators in attendance. The NSC league consists of the top professional men and women inline speed skating racers.

“If you are trying to get an idea of what an NSC event is like, picture track and field, except the racers are on inline speed skates, going much faster and they are not required to stay in designated lanes.” - Miguel Jose, NSC President Inline speed skating has a long history with the city of Lincoln, which has been the home of the United States Olympic Committee’s National Governing Body of roller sports for over 40 years through USA Roller Sports. In 2018, it will host the National Championships for the 29th time.

“It’s more intimate than other racing sports because the spectators are seated close enough to feel the wind the skaters generate as they go by. You’re close enough to hear the noise of every slip and crash that happens. It’s pretty simple; if you enjoy any type of racing sports, you will absolutely love watching the best inline speed skaters in the world duke it out over a 2 1/2-hour event.” - Kelly Springer, World Team Coach Find out more online at www.ProNSC.com.

EXTREME PCs Enters Lincoln Market EXTREME PCs, a custom computer builder and retailer, is a new business that wa s r e c e n t l y established here in Lincoln. Owner Justin Nolte saw a need for this type of service and decided to start his own company, which has already received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community. EXTREME PCs provides high-quality desktop computers and laptops custom built for every need, from home to business to the extreme technology enthusiast. Repair services of computers and cell phones are also offered. Additionally, anyone is welcome to take advantage of their free computer cleaning service, which involves a full virus sweep.

Justin has assembled a team composed of two other full-time employees, and together they have over 30 years of combined experience. He plans to bring one more onto the team in the near future to meet the growing demand for their services. Not only does EXTREME PCs provide a local and personalized experience for each customer, they offer a Lifetime Service Guarantee that is backed by their professionally-trained tech support staff. The company also offers a remarkable Lifetime Warranty on parts and labor on its Desktop Systems ($799 and up).

For more information about EXTREME PCs, visit the website at www. extremepcs.com, stop by the store at 1801 Pine Lake Rd. Ste 12, or contact the team at (402) 807-7777 / sales@extremepcs.com.

Mark’s Plumbing Announces New Ownership In March, Mike Montanez purchased Mark’s Plumbing, a locally owned and operated business that has been serving the Lincoln community for nearly 20 years.

Montanez has extensive operational and management experience that will further enhance the company’s administrative oversight and set the tone for future growth.

Although Montanez doesn’t come from a plumbing industry background, he is confident that what he brings to the table will complement the outstanding services already offered by the past operators of Mark’s Plumbing and the experienced staff who will remain on board.

The services provided by Mark’s Plumbing range from the ones that address the most common issues to those that are highly specialized.

This includes emergency plumbing, bathroom remodeling, drain cleaning, garbage disposals, new installations, repiping, sump pumps, clogged toilet repairs, gas line & burst pipe repairs, leak detection, water softeners & filtration systems, sewer line repairs, camera line inspection, commercial plumbing, and more. All employees participate in ongoing training to help them remain current with the latest in product and service innovation and customer care. Clients approve the price before the job is started and there is always someone on the Mark’s Plumbing team available 24/7 and ready to serve.

Clients can expect the same level of quality, service, and professionalism from the experts at Mark’s Plumbing under new ownership, and it’s definitely an exciting time for the company as it looks to the future.

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For more information, visit www.marksplbg.com or contact (402) 440-8151 / mikemontanez3@gmail.com.

BUSINESS NEWS The Woodlands at Hillcrest to Host Grand Opening Celebration The Woodlands at Hillcrest will be celebrating their grand opening on May 10 as they begin accepting residents at their beautiful new facility.

At the grand opening, taking place from 3:30 - 6 p.m., guests will enjoy musical entertainment, door prizes, and a scavenger hunt as they visit the different areas of the community. The Woodlands at Hillcrest team warmly welcomes members of the Lincoln community to stop by and join in the celebration!

Located at 9421 Gable Pines Rd. (next to Hillcrest Country Club), The Woodlands at Hillcrest was designed to be a community where every resident feels a heightened sense of security and enjoys the ability to live as independently as possible. The Woodlands at Hillcrest offers specialized programming delivered by an outstanding, nationallyrecognized management staff and well-trained caregivers who are available around-the-clock for your family’s peace of mind. There are 10 floor plans to choose from within the assisted living and memory care neighborhood.

The Woodlands at Hillcrest is excited for the opportunity to share more about the many features and benefits that go along with being a resident at Lincoln’s newest senior community! Learn about all that The Woodlands at Hillcrest has to offer at www.woodlandsathillcrest.com or by contacting Barb Tyler at (402) 261-0261 / tylerbarb@woodlandsathillcrest.com.

Remodel Underway at Chantacleer Residences Chantacleer Residences is excited to announce recent renovations to four select units at the property.

Spacious two bedroom/two bathroom and three bedroom/three bathroom homes now feature a modern color palette, beautiful granite, bold cabinets and new kitchen appliances. The ambiance is sure to make new residents feel right at home. The completion date is approaching for the first round of remodels, with more projects planned in the future. In addition to the new apartment units, the common areas in the buildings are also being renovated. Brand new carpet, fresh paint and modern lighting welcome you as you step into the building.

O w n e d a n d m a n a ge d

by Krueger Development, Chantacleer Residences offers many unique studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, and three bedroom apartment homes – something to fit every lifestyle. Residents of Chantacleer can take advantage of the fully-equipped, 24-hour fitness center, an amazing clubhouse, outdoor swimming pool, and temperature-controlled underground parking. It’s conveniently located near Lincoln’s best shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.

To find out about the leasing opportunities that are available at Chantacleer Residences, contact Chris Baummer at (402) 328-9693 / cbaummer@kruegerdevelopment.com or visit www.chantacleer.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Stratum Productions Adds New Division, M3 This month, Stratum Productions will be adding a new division called M3.

Established for small and mobile churches in the Midwest, the mission of M3 is to give each client the tools to effectively communicate their church’s message. Services provided

by M3 will include consultation, training, and A/V equipment sourcing.

Daniel Anderson created Stratum Productions to serve eastern Nebraska’s event production needs in the fall of 2016. Alongside his wife, Tori, their mission is to understand the vision and then focus on the unique aspects of big productions that will elevate them as a whole.

Whether it’s a video system for 50 people or sound system for 5,000, Stratum Productions loves working with local companies, non-profits, and musicians to create memorable experiences attendees will never forget.

Learn how to make your experience come to life by visiting www. stratumpro.com or contacting (402) 882-1691 / info@stratumpro.com.

Xcel Roofing Expands to Tri-Cities As a part of its ongoing expansion throughout the Midwest, Xcel Roofing recently established a new office in Grand Island that is now serving customers in the Central Nebraska area. Owners Matt Preister and Jim Harding along with Senior Project Manager Shawn O’Keefe are heading up sales and outreach at this office, bringing years of experience and a focus on hard work, a positive attitude, and world-class customer service to the team in his new position.

Xcel Roofing is proud to continue its companywide partnership with Habitat for Humanity, supporting projects in this new territory spanning Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings, and surrounding communities.

For nearly 30 years, Xcel Roofing has provided customers with quality products and services for their residential and commercial properties, including replacement and repair of roofing, siding, windows, and gutters. Xcel Roofing is now serving customers and improving communities in six states, including Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota & Minnesota. The Central Nebraska office can be contacted directly at (308) 832-4472 / shawn@loveourroof.com or via the website at loveourroof.com, where you can also learn more about Xcel Roofing.

SCC Establishes Learning Center in Wahoo

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Southeast Community College (www.southeast. edu) celebrated the opening of its newest Lear ning Center in Wahoo with a ribbon cutting April 17 at the newly-renovated space.

Jenna Kettelhake is the Center coordinator and was one of the featured speakers, along with Wahoo Mayor Loren Lindahl, SCC Board of Governors Chairperson Nancy Seim, and SCC President Dr. Paul Illich.

The learning centers are part of a strategic plan created by the College to better serve the educational needs of the communities within the 15-county service area. Credit and non-credit courses will be offered, as well as business and industry training.

The York Learning Center opened in 2016 and was the first of six centers established throughout southeast Nebraska. Additional centers opened in Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Falls City, and Hebron.

BUSINESS NEWS

Get Social With Digital Sky Digital Sky, a leader in video production based in Lincoln, NE, is excited to announce the launc h of their Get Social initiative! Working collaboratively with a select group of clients, they’ve put together a new social media program called Get Social.

It’s aimed at increasing the quality of social media videos utilized by businesses and organizations in Nebraska.

The Digital Sky team has encountered far too many companies that are unhappy with the lack of video production value they’re receiving from the marketing agencies they’re working with on these types of projects.

So, if you’re like them and want to leverage the talent and equipment of an actual video production company for your social media video, without footing the bill for a large production, you’ll definitely want to check out Get Social! Head over to getsocial.digitalsky.com to get started!

5 Elements Massage Represented at International Industry Conference Erin Lange, LMT and owner of 5 Elements Massage, attended the International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conference (IECSC) in Chicago April 28-30. IECSC is the leading spa and wellness show in the Midwest with over 200+ exhibitors. As a special bonus, the IECSC Chicago was colocated with America’s Beauty Show, which attracts more than 60,000 hairdressers, nail technicians, estheticians, salon owners, beauty school instructors and students. The main focus of the conference was on business development and continuing education in spa treatments. By attending, Erin was able to see the latest trends and techniques emerging in the spa and medical spa industries. She intends to bring this knowledge back to Lincoln and apply it to her offerings at 5 Elements Massage.

As a licensed massage therapist, Erin works with a variety of conditions including plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. Massages aren’t an indulgence; they are an investment in your full productivity, passion and sustained good health. To learn more about 5 Elements Massage, visit www.5elementsne.com or call (402) 617-7992.

Helicopter Day Lands in Ashland on May 26 Helicopter Day will take place this year on May 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum – 28210 West Park Hwy, Ashland, NE (exit 426 off I-80 between Omaha and Lincoln).

Helicopter Day is an indoor and outdoor event held in celebration of aviation careers and the history of helicopters. Spectators will be able to watch in wonder as helicopters from the Nebraska National Guard, law enforcement, commercial and privately-owned helicopters fly over the horizon and land right in front them. The helicopters begin their descent at 10 a.m. After all helicopters land, spectators can visit with helicopter pilots, including medical and law officials, about their careers and get a firsthand view of each aircraft. Helicopter rides will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and cost $60 per person. Activities taking place inside the museum will include a drone workshop on flight and safety, free helicopter balloon sculptures, a make-and-take project, and hands-on activities. For more information, visit www.sacmuseum.org or contact Aly at (402) 944-3100 Ext. 253 / events@sacmuseum.org.

Makovicka Physical Therapy Opens New Clinic in Lincoln Makovicka Physical Therapy recently opened a new clinic in Lincoln located at 333 S. 70th Street. To celebrate, a ribboncutting ceremony was conducted by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce at their open house held on March 1. Clinic hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Makovicka Physical Therapy is proud to be the largest locally owned and operated physical therapy company in the area. This brings the total to three locations in Lincoln and eleven in Nebraska, including 8 locations across the Omaha Metro. All clinics have board-certified physical therapists on staff, providing the highest level of care to maximize each patient’s recovery. For more information, visit www.makovickapt.com.

Metro Lincoln Organizations Encouraged to Apply for a 2018 BBB Integrity Award The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Annual Integrity Awards Luncheon on August 30 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus will feature Bill Moos, who will deliver the keynote address. He is director of athletics at the University of Nebraska.

Moos was named the 15th athletic director of the Cornhuskers on October 15, 2017. He brings nearly 25 years of experience with him.

Previously he served as director of athletics at Montana, Oregon and most recently, Washington State.

The awards, presented at this event, are not based on popularity, the size of the company or its profitability. They are achieved by organizations that have demonstrated to an independent panel of judges that they have gone “above and beyond” in serving their customers, employees, vendors and community.

The application process is open to all for-profit, not-for-profit organizations and charities in Lincoln that have been operating under the same ownership for three years or more, have an “A” rating with BBB and are located in BBB’s service area.

Start your application today. Go to bbb.org/nebraska and click on “BBB Integrity Awards Application Information” where you will find the application form and guide. For questions or help in completing the application, please contact BBB Lincoln Branch Manager Teresa Stitcher Fritz at (402) 476-8822 or tstitcherfritz@bbbinc.org.

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BUSINESS NEWS Control Depot Hosts Certification Classes

Production Creek Comes to Lincoln

Control Depot, a Honeywell Authorized Systems Distributor (ASD) ser ving Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota, hosted two classes in March at their training center. On March 1929, they facilitated a Niagara 4 Tec hnical Cer tification Program (TCP) training class, and then on March 27-29, they offered a Honeywell BACnet Spyder Controller Certification class. Each class was attended by approximately 10 students.

After near ly a year spent remodeling the facility and installing new equipment, Production Creek is excited to be fully operational at its new location in Lincoln! To celebrate and introduce t h e c o m p a ny t o t h e Lincoln comm unity, a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce was held on March 23.

The Niagara 4 certification class teaches students to design, engineer, and program control projects using the Niagara 4 Framework. The Niagara 4 platform is the world leader in smartbuilding technology and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The Honeywell BACnet Spyder Certification class teaches students how to fully utilize the Honeywell Spyder controller to manage and optimize building automation systems utilizing industry standard BACnet communications.

The Lincoln location at 3301 S. 13th Street is Production Creek’s second, with the first in Beatrice. The company’s expansion will allow for greater efficiency as it continues to serve both communities and surrounding areas, with room to accommodate Production Creek’s growing customer base. Now with a local showroom and conference area, it’s more convenient for customers in the Lincoln area to see the products and meet with the team, allowing them to make the best promotional product decisions for their businesses and organizations.

Control Depot sells and supports an extensive selection of residential and commercial controls and components to contractors and building owners, from a simple thermostat to a complete webbased building automation system. At Control Depot, their goal is to build strong and lasting relationships with their customers by providing value and experience that is unparalleled in the industry. For more information, visit www.controldepotinc.com or contact (402) 934-0078 / sales@controldepotinc.com.

Production Creek offers in-house custom screen-print & embroidery, promotional products, fulfillment, warehousing, company webstores, and shipping. The team takes great pride in promoting their customers, ensuring their brands looks great and they get the best ROI from their investment. For more information, visit www. productioncreek.com or contact Jessica Johnson or Loretta Goodwin at (402) 476-8935 or via email at Jessica@productioncreek.com or Loretta@productioncreek.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS “Cruise Lincoln” With ATD in 2018 The Association for Talent Development (ATD Lincoln) is making its way around Lincoln with the “Cruise Lincoln” event series. ATD’s next event will be at Hudl (600 P St.) on Tuesday, May 15 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Attendees will take a tour of Hudl’s impressive downtown headquarters. They’ll also have a chance to learn more about how Hudl acquires, develops and retains their employees in today’s challenging and highly-competitive workforce conditions. Cost to attend is $10 for ATD Lincoln members and guests and $15 for nonmembers. Register by May 11 at www.atdlincoln.org.

Additional “Cruise Lincoln” events hosted by ATD Lincoln include: The Copper Kettle (1320 O St.) in July; Southeast Community College (301 S 68th St. Place) in September; Firespring (1201 Infinity Ct.) in October; and Blue Blood Brewery (925 Robbers Cave Rd.) in December. Dates and times will be announced in the coming months.

ATD Lincoln also invites you to Leadercast on Friday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Jack J. Huck Continuing Education Center.

Join more than 100,000 leaders for the largest one-day leadership event in the world! Individual tickets are $99 and include continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon refreshments and a workbook. To register, call (402) 437-2700.

For more information about ATD Lincoln and their upcoming events, visit their website or contact Dana Meyers at (402) 323-3387 / president@atdlincoln.org.

Cornhusker Bank Invests in Local High School Students Cornhusker Bank believes one of the most valuable assets in the community is its youth. The bank and its associates make donations, raise funds, and provide learning opportunities through many different community organizations, such as Heartland Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the YMCA, and Junior Achievement. Each spring Cornhusker Bank donates significant funding to area high schools for post prom events in an effort to encourage safe, fun events to celebrate this rite of passage.

This spring, Cornhusker Bank is also acting as a “Champion Employer” as they champion the way for local high school youth to access paid information technology intern jobs through 1st JobLincoln. The 1st Job-Lincoln program, sponsored by Lincoln Human Resource Management Association, was designed to give high school students their first exposure to the information technology business.

The program requires students to attend job preparedness events, prepare resumes and cover letters, participate in a job fair, and interview for the intern positions which run from June to August of this year with the Champion Employers. Sherla Post, Cornhusker Bank, SVP/HR/Training and Talent Development noted, “This is an exciting opportunity to foster future employment relationships, tapping into students’ fresh, new ideas, while impacting the education of our community youth during the course of an internship.”

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

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BUSINESS NEWS Living In The Yellow Adds Concealed Handgun The Tint Shop Moves to New Location Permit Class, Announces Upcoming Schedule On May 1st, the Patty Nun, an NRA-trained pistol instructor and owner of Living In The Yellow, has announced their first Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Class will be offered in Lincoln, NE on Saturday, June 23. This program is approved and required for those women who would like to apply to the Nebraska State Patrol to be able to carry a concealed handgun.

Living In The Yellow has been providing Women’s Basic Pistol Training Classes since 2014 and that class is required for those who would like to attend this CHP training. “We feel strongly that a basic training class better prepares women to know and understand how to safely operate a firearm, and provides them with the confidence needed to be able to select a gun they will be personally comfortable with owning and operating,” says Nun. Living In The Yellow’s next Basic Pistol Course for Women is being offered Saturday, September 22, 2018. This full-day class is for women who have little or no previous experience handling a pistol.

Registration is limited to twelve participants and would qualify the attendees to attend a CHP Class in the future.

To find out more information or to register for a class, go to www.

LivingInTheYellow.org/classes or call Patty Nun at (402) 432-6470.

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Strictly Business MAY 2018

Tint Shop, Lincoln’s #1 window tinting facility and authorized 3M window film/ paint protection dealer, will be closing their doors at 4701 Pierce Drive…and opening the doors at their new location at 1402 West O Street next door to Schmick’s Market!

The Tint Shop has been serving Lincoln and surrounding communities for over 21 years, and they are very excited to raise the bar in the Lincoln window film industry with the expanded capabilities at their convenient new location.

Their goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible, but they do expect to be closed for a short time as they get everything set up and operational. All contact information will remain the same, and they will be answering phones during the transition period. The Tint Shop apologizes for any scheduling conflicts this may create in the interim and appreciates your understanding during this exciting time of transition.

Watch for a grand opening announcement coming soon!

Please call (402) 466-1355 or email tintshop1355@gmail.com with any questions. Be sure to stay connected with The Tint Shop on their website at tintshoplincoln.com and on social media – Instagram: @ thetintshoplnk, Twitter:@TheTintShopLNK, and Facebook by searching for The Tint Shop Lincoln.

BUSINESS NEWS Entertainment Set for Sip Nebraska Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits Festival Entertainment is set for Sip Nebraska, taking place May 11-12 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Guests are invited to taste 100+ Nebraska wines, craft beers and, new this year, distilled spirits! The two days include local bands, shopping at 30+ artisan and food vendors, wine glass painting, salsa and line dancing lessons, educational sessions and yoga…and all activities are included in the ticket price!

The schedule of events is posted online at www. sipnebraska.com. Tickets range from $25 - $70. A limited number of rooms are still available Friday night at the park for guests of the festival. 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 for more information.

First National Bank Continues Support of Nebraska FFA Foundation First National Bank is continuing its partnership with the Nebraska FFA Foundation by s p o n s o r i n g a n ew agricultural education program and providing donations to local FFA chapters across the state. The bank donated $12,500 to support First National Bank Kearney Market President John Hoggatt presents a $12,500 check to the Nebraska Launch! the Nebraska FFA Foundation at Launch!

Program, a year-long Program Kickoff event held in Kearney. program that will serve as a catalyst in entrepreneurship-based education for agriculture students. Students participating in the Launch! Program will receive in-person training focused on planning, launching and running SchoolBased Enterprises (SBE’s) within their agriculture programs/FFA chapters.

In addition, First National Bank donated $4,300 to local FFA chapters across Nebraska. The donations serve as an investment in the future of agriculture as part of First National’s ongoing effort to support the next generation of farmers.

EventLNK Announces Upcoming Meeting EventLNK brings together Lincoln’s event professionals by providing education and resources to enhance and support professional growth.

In doing so, they hope to create a connected event community in Lincoln through the sharing of innovative ideas and practices.

On Thursday, May 17, EventLNK will host its next meeting from 3:30 – 5 p.m. at FUSE Coworking (151 N. 8th St. 2nd floor). FUSE is the innovative space for community thought-leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, remote workers, startups, corporate project teams, and educational and community partners to collaborate, create, learn, lead, and foster flourishing local and regional entrepreneurial and startup eco-system. Attendees will take a tour of the space then join the business residences for their monthly networking happy hour.

Come and discover one of Lincoln’s hidden gems for hosting your next professional meeting or small gathering. To register, visit www.eventlnk. org/meetings. For more information about EventLNK, email Jill Smith at info@eventlnk.org.

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BUSINESS NEWS LocalAnyDay Celebrates New Name, Identity Hospitality Industry Leaders Honored at With Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony 28th Annual Taste of Nebraska LocalAnyDay hosted a ribboncutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of its company with a rebranded name on April 5 at its headquarters in Lincoln’s Haymarket.

LocalAnyDay is Nebraska’s leading online service to list, discover and find food and drink specials, happy hours and local offers. The Lincoln-based company, previously known as DealAnyDay, tackled a six-month long rebranding process to curate an identity that reflects its vision and promise.

“How does having a new name, a new look, a new tagline ‘[Eat, Drink, Shop, Save] Local,’ and a new website change our business? It gives us a clear sense of promise - why we commit ourselves to growing our company,” CEO Mailani Veney said. “We’re a community company, connecting people with local businesses. We help people discover their local businesses. We help businesses get in front of a large, mobile audience.”

At the event, guests enjoyed a tour of the office and met the team before the ceremony led by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. This was followed by refreshments, including Hawaiian desserts, and happy hour at McKinney’s Pub. LocalAnyDay’s proprietary mobile platform helps people in over 30 cities nationwide connect with thousands of local businesses from one convenient app. The entries are human-curated by a team of publishers across the USA. Download the free app or visit LocalAnyDay.com for local listings to help you eat, drink, shop, and save local.

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The Necropolis Group and Pepsi received the Nebraska Restaurant Association hospitality awards at the association’s annual b a n q u e t , Ta s t e o f Nebraska. This year’s event was held April 16 at the Embassy Suites, LaVista Conference Center.

Brent Lindner accepted the 2017 Restaurateur of the Year Award for The Necropolis Hospitality Group. The Necropolis Hospitality Group has five restaurants: Wave Pizza Company, J Alfred Prufrock’s, Sin City Grill, The World Famous Glass Bar in Grand Island and Wave Pizza/Staple Brewing in Hastings. Allied Member of the Year was presented to Pepsi and accepted by Chuck Parker. Additionally, Denis Hall, Fernando’s Café & Cantina was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years in the hospitality industry.

Michelle Daize, The Eatery, was acknowledged as Volunteer of the Year for her significant time commitment and dedication to the Board of the Hospitality Education Foundation.

Money raised at Taste of Nebraska supports the mission of the Nebraska Restaurant Association to represent, educate and promote the hospitality industry across the state and Nebraska ProStart, a two-year high school curriculum to get students interested in the hospitality industry.

The Nebraska Restaurant Association would like to thank special guest, Lt. Governor Mike Foley, and the many sponsors and guests that made the 28th annual Taste of Nebraska another success.

BUSINESS NEWS Ribbon-Cutting Marks Opening of Source.

Eat Fit’s Newest Location Source. Eat Fit celebrated i t s r e c e n t ex p a n s i o n with the opening of a third location at 5020 N. 26th Street on March 29. A grand opening event was held, whic h featured a ribbon-cutting c e r e m o ny c o n d u c t e d by representatives of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Locally owned and operated, Source.

Eat Fit was founded in Lincoln by siblings Dawn Steffen and Matt Zimmerman in 2014.

Source. Eat Fit was created to provide healthier options for all demographics and to get people out of the drive-thru and kitchen, freeing up their time to do the things that make them happy and fulfilled. Everyone needs healthier options, but more importantly, everyone needs less guilt and more time to enjoy what they have in their lives. Source. Eat Fit provides fresh and quick, healthy meals prepared daily. You can find your Source for healthy living at the newest location at 27th & Kensington or at the two other locations at 17th & Pine Lake and 70th & Pioneers. Visit www.sourceeatfit. com or more information or to place an order today!

West Gate Bank Donates $25K to Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln West Gate Bank and Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln are partnering together to build a decent and affordable home for future Habitat homeowners Khasro, Ginar and their four children.

West Gate Bank is the $25,000 Silver Sponsor on an upcoming Habitat build to begin Thursday, July 12, 2018. Both organizations are celebrating milestones in the community; West Gate Bank is celebrating 50 years and Habitat Lincoln is celebrating 30 years.

“As a community bank, we understand that providing affordable housing is crucial to the continued growth of Lincoln,” said Carl Sjulin, president of West Gate Bank. “In recognizing the work that Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln is doing, we are honored to partner with them for this build.”

The Habitat home sponsored by West Gate Bank will kick-off on Thursday, July 12 with a special wall raising ceremony to include bank customers, employees and board members, joined by Khasro and Ginar.

The build will continue over the next four months as the two organizations work together in building homes, communities and hope.

“We’re excited to partner with West Gate Bank to build an affordable home for a family in need of decent shelter,” says Josh Hanshaw, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln. “West Gate Bank understands that we are all in this together. A decent home with an affordable mortgage builds strong and stable families. And strong and stable families build strong and stable communities.”

For information on how you can get involved with Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln, visit www.lincolnhabitat.org. To learn more about West Gate Bank, visit westgate.bank.

Home Care Partners to Host Free Senior Safety Lunch & Learn Home Care Partners and thousands of organizations across the country are gearing up for National Safety Month, which focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death in our homes.

Falls are one of the most common sources of injury among seniors.

According to the National Council on Aging, one in four Americans age 65 and older falls every year, and falls are the number one cause of injury-related death for older adults. More than half of home accidents can be avoided, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn how at an upcoming lunch and learn on Wednesday, May 30 at 11:30 a.m. at Gere Library, 2400 S. 56th Street.

With a panel of experts, Home Care Partners will provide access to resources highlighting different safety topics including: Home Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Wellness, Fall Prevention, and How to Age-In-Place Safely.

This free event is an important preventive measure to proactively evaluate the safety of your home and gain resources to make improvements. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by calling (402) 780-1211.

Michelin Adds inMOTION to Dealer Base Introducing Lincoln’s newest Michelin & BF Goodrich Tire dealer, inMOTION Auto Care! inMOTION is proud to be able to provide this superior product to their customers. Through this new venture, inMOTION is able to offer several perks to customers that weren’t previously available, such as competitive, premium pricing, 3-year Road Hazard coverage, and rebates on Michelin and BF Goodrich products.

Michelin brand tires are consistently rated best tire overall for passenger and light truck vehicles. In fact, some studies have shown that Michelin tires that are over half worn actually outperform some of the competitor’s brand-new tires. This is due to their patented designs that have the treads going deeper with a better pattern than standard tires. Michelin also specializes in fleet and government sales. inMOTION is now able to work with fleet companies for their Michelin & BF Goodrich needs as well as performing regular maintenance and repair on their business vehicles.

Another great thing about the new partnership is the availability and pricing of BF Goodrich tires. It is an amazing middle of the road tire that is made by Michelin offerings many of the same features and benefits of Michelin tires but at a lower price point. BF Goodrich tires are also backed by the 3-year Road Hazard warranty.

To learn more about inMotion Auto Care, visit inmotionautocare.com or call (402) 802-9380.

MAY 2018 Strictly Business 19

BUSINESS NEWS WISB to Host Monthly Luncheon on May 9

Roper & Sons Announces May Events

The Women in Sales and Business (WISB) monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 9 at The Venue in the NE/Lancaster Room at 4111 Pioneer Woods Drive, Lincoln, NE. The speaker for the May luncheon will be KidGlov Founder and President Lyn Wineman. Lyn will discuss the importance and benefits of branding – one of her favorite topics! She is going to dispel the idea that branding is only for the big dogs.

Lyn is a marketing veteran with nearly 30 years of experience. She now leads a diverse team of passionate and talented professionals that help organizations advance their brands so they can command a higher price, ward off competitive threats and set the stage for a more positive internal culture.

Lyn has been inducted into the Lincoln Chapter of the American Marketing Association Hall of Fame and was recognized as Marketer of the Year. In 2016 she was recognized for entrepreneurship at the Inspire, Women in Leadership Awards and was awarded the Lincoln Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal in 2018.

The meeting starts with lunch at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting following from 11:55 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cost is $18 which includes lunch (cost is $10 if you only attend the meeting). 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.

This month’s Topic Breakfast, being held at 7:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 17, features Personal and Business Coach Tim Matacio with timely and insightful information about personal growth. 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.

Roper & Sons will also host “Your Life, Your Decisions” in partnership with Guardian Angels Homecare, Oasis Senior Advisors, and Hospice Community Care on Thursday, May 10. Please visit “Events” on their Facebook page for further details.

The Grief Program meets weekly on Sundays from 2 – 3:30 p.m. in the Reception Facility. These are open to the public, regardless of whether services were facilitated by Roper & Sons.

1st and 3rd Sundays: Guided Group with Facilitator Melissa Thorne, designed for those whose loss took place more than 18 months ago.

2nd and 4th Sundays: Structured Group with Facilitator Tiffany Eisenbraun, designed for those whose loss is more recent than 18 months, who may be addressing some more pressing first-time needs.

Roper & Sons is in the process of developing a grief program for those who have lost a loved one to substance abuse. Please contact Jodi at (402) 476-1225 for details on this program.

Visit www.roperandsons.com to learn more.

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

by Chris McPike, Vice President ComPro Insurance

Travel Tips

Travel season is here. Do you know how your health insurance works when you are away from home? Here is the information that you need to know BEFORE you leave home. An emergency medical situation is an exception to the network rules. You should go to the nearest healthcare provider when dealing with an emergency.

Employer group plans: Most employer plans offer nationwide coverage. The network that you use to access providers may change when you go to a different part of the US. BlueCross BlueShield of NE offers coverage through the Blue Card program. United Healthcare’s networks are also nationwide.

PHCS is an example of a network that may be used to offer benefits in an area that is outside of your plan’s local network.

Medicare: Medicare offers coverage throughout the United States with any doctor, hospital, or other provider that is a “participating provider.” However, you must consider what additional benefits you have added to original Medicare to determine what provider you can see. A Medicare Supplement follows the same guidelines as original Medicare. A Medicare Advantage plan includes a specific network of providers that members can use to receive “in-network” benefits. These networks may be broad-based or very limited.

Individual health insurance: Medica utilizes two networks in Nebraska and Iowa; Medica with CHI and Midlands Choice. Other networks are offered when you leave NE and IA. BCBS plans continue to use the national BCBS network.

International travel: International coverage varies widely. You may have coverage that is the same as the US, coverage for emergencies only, or no coverage at all. Please note that Medicare provides no international benefits, but your Medicare Supplement may offer a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000.

Travel agencies and cruise lines may offer additional insurance coverage.

Frequently those plans focus on protecting the investment in your trip and may offer some medical benefits. A Travel Medical policy focuses on the medical benefits and may offer trip protection coverage. It is a wise choice and is typically quick and inexpensive to obtain.

The medical billing systems and networks that exist in the United States are generally not available in foreign countries. You can expect to pay the bill at the time your medical services are received and then submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement if it is a covered expense.

Best advice: 1) Call your insurance company or your agent to find out how to access your health insurance benefits while you are traveling. 2) Do NOT leave the country without a Travel Medical policy. Call ComPro for a quote. ComPro…helping you connect the dots.

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STAR CITY SIX

ERIC

Eric Steele

USA ROLLER SPORTS USA Roller Sports is the national governing body recognized by the United States Olympic Committee to represent the sports of Inline Speed, Artistic Figure, Roller Derby, Inline/Rink Hockey, Freestyle and Fitness. Lincoln is home to the National Museum of Rollerskating, located at 4730 South Street, as well as the organization’s national office headquarters. Eric Steele is the executive director of USA Roller Sports.

How did you get started in the business? - I was looking for a new opportunity and had a long history of non-profit professional management experience. After reviewing the position description, it looked like my experience lined up nicely and I applied, interviewed and was offered the position. I have no previous experience in the world of sports or skating. Previously, the majority of my career was spent with the Boy Scouts of America.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Assuring that the protection of youth occurs in the areas of sexual abuse, bullying and harassment by being able to educate adults on how to identify abuse and properly report it. Over my 20-year career, I’m consistently amazed at how disconnected individuals can be from reality on this subject.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Overseeing, from the ground up, two multimillion-dollar camping and outdoor adventure facilities for the Boy Scouts of America in Washington, DC and Galveston, TX. Tell us a little about your family. - My fiancé Candi and I are currently planning for our nuptials in Las Vegas on August 20th. The rest of my family is back home in Pennsylvania.

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

- I spent the summer of 2017 overseeing a camp for kids with severe developmental disabilities, with 150 staff members and an average of 258 campers a day across two properties. The turning point is relative to the patience I utilized that I never knew I had inside of me. It was a challenging and rewarding experience like none I’d ever had before.

Those campers will forever have a special place in my heart.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Great food, beers and Penn State football are always the top priority in the fall.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I’m actually really great at picking the winner of the Kentucky Derby for some odd reason. I’ve only been wrong about three times over the past 20 years.

What are you the most proud of? - I love being from the world-famous Groundhog Day town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Be prepared!

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - John Cougar Mellencamp’s Small Town.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - College football announcer.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - The Boy Scouts of America. I’ve been a member, volunteer and former professional staff member for over 35 years.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Tina’s Café.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - The 8 Men Out from the Chicago Black Sox World Series Scandal of 1919.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Email: ESteele@USARollerSports.org; Website: USARollerSports.org.

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STAR CITY SIX

MATT

Matt Murray

MURRAY ENTERPRISES, LLC Locally owned and operated, Murray Enterprises, LLC consists of the following companies: Murray Custom Homes, Murray Roofing, and the newest addition, Murray Restoration. Matt Murray is the owner of Murray Enterprises, LLC. Tell us a little about your businesses. - In addition to building custom homes we have a division that specializes in roofing installation and repair and a division that specializes in restoration services, including water damage, smoke and fire damage, mold remediation, disaster recovery and remodeling projects. Both of those divisions serve residential and commercial clients. Our custom home division is widely recognized for innovative home design trends, unique architectural features, and superior customer service. We are experts in bringing dreams to life. Our in-house home design capabilities allow our clients to make changes and see them instantly. It’s truly amazing! You can visualize changes then and there without waiting weeks for CAD updates. With our collective offerings, we always say “one call does it all!”

How did you get started in the business? - My father has been in the construction industry since 1976 in Kansas, so I grew up around it. After graduating from UNL as a student-athlete, I immediately followed in his footsteps and started up our first company in the family business, Murray Roofing. Year after year, our involvement in the construction industry continues to expand, so we’ve since established Murray Custom Homes and Murray Restoration.

Tell us a little about your family. - My wonderful parents, Jim and Bernice, have been married for 40 years. They are a perfect example of what makes a marriage and family business work! My brother Scott and I have a close relationship. He moved to Lincoln about 10 years ago and works as a senior network engineer (aka computer nerd!). My sister, Melissa, recently moved to Hawaii for a new job position. The real excitement in the family comes from my 4-year-old son, Breckson, who has endless energy, going through each day at a constant 100mph. He is a true delight!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love to catch a Husker sporting event of any kind! In the summer, I can be found outside soaking up the sun or partaking in sand volleyball, fishing, etc.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - Immediately after college, I tried out for a movie in Chicago and made the main cast. I moved there for 4 months to shoot it. It was an amazing experience and I learned a lot about myself during the process, as I had zero acting experience prior to that.

What are you the most proud of? - My upbringing, which paved the way for me to become an academic All-American for the Husker wrestling team. It gives me great pride to see the same values and morals radiating from my son that were instilled in me. I also cherish the close relationships I have developed with my family, friends, and co-workers.

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

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Athleticism. God blessed my entire family with a tremendous amount of athletic ability. Unfortunately, I chose wrestling as my main sport, which didn’t offer much opportunity post-college. Therefore, I had the hang up the wrestling shoes for the business life. I miss the sport dearly and still remain involved with the University’s wrestling program.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 802-7021; Website: www.murraycustomhomes.com.

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STAR CITY SIX

TODD

Todd Francisco

ALLO COMMUNICATIONS ALLO Communications specializes in providing world-class communications services by creating gigabit communities, offering solutions to businesses, residents, and government entities. Todd Francisco is the business sales leader at ALLO Communications.

Tell us a little about your business. - We help businesses increase efficiency with clear phone calls and faster internet speeds. I have been with ALLO for almost 2 years now.

How did you get started in the business? - I began my career selling advertising in the yellow pages and transitioned into enterprise business sales.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Juggling work with family, mainly knowing when to stop working.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? For me, it’s been helping anyone I can.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have a lovely wife, Tonja, who works at Smile Innovations Dentristy. We have 3 children (Bryce, Tianna, and Baylee), 2 dogs (Jack and Cooper), and 6 fish (that don’t have names).

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - I was attending college and my punk rock classmate/friend told me he had a friend I should meet. I laughed at him and replied that it wasn’t likely that a friend of his would like me, and she’s probably not my style anyhow. Now we’ve been married for 21 years and are raising 3 very beautiful kids.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Work on my hot rod, a 1970 Thunderbird lowrider.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - Well, I’m an artist with a degree in Graphic Design who also currently designs and builds church stages and props.

What are you the most proud of? - My wife, who is my best friend, and my three kids. I have been blessed with such wonderful kids; my son Bryce attends UNL and is finishing up his freshman year, my daughter Tianna is a junior at Southwest, and the youngest, my daughter Baylee, is in 6th grade at Scott.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Not to be rich and famous, but to be well off and well known.

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

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Low Rider by War. If you could have a super power, what would it be? - The power to heal people.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Independent Business Association, Association of Information Technology Professionals, and the Seven Oaks Neighborhood Association..

What is your favorite movie? - The Sandlot.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Vung Tau Pho Grill or Pho Factory.

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

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

- Phone: (402) 261-7489; Email: tfrancisco@allophone.net; Website: www.allocommunications.com.

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STAR CITY SIX

KERRY

Kerry Butzke AFLAC

Aflac is the largest provider of supplemental insurance, working with individuals, families, and business owners and brokerages. Kerry Butzke is a local benefits advisor with Aflac.

Tell us a little about your business. - Aflac helps people in the time of an injury or illness; essentially it’s an excellent way to protect your lifestyle. Unexpected things happen and 93% of people are already living paycheck to paycheck. We can pay claims in one day. Whether it’s sports, hunting, or 4-wheeling injuries, the birth of a baby, loss of income, a cancer diagnosis, heart attack, or stroke, life happens and I help people mitigate their financial burdens so they can focus on their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. My main focus is to be the agent who is there in the time of need and for my clients to know I am one phone call away and there is no “dumb” question.

How did you get started in the business? - I was a recent college graduate working as an office administrator when I was introduced to Aflac. I had nothing to lose since I was making minimum wage even with a college degree in accounting and business management, so I quit my job and started my agency while also working as a beer cart girl at the country club. Things really took off from there and a year later I began doing Aflac full-time. It’s been 7 years now and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Balancing my work and personal life. I really want to be there for my clients and treat them as if they were my own family and friends, but at the same time, I want to spend quality time with my son. I think that is a challenge for anyone who runs their own business.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- The success I’ve had building my own insurance business, representing an amazing company like Aflac.

Tell us a little about your family. - I am a single mom with a 3-yearold son named Rhett Dale. We have two labs, Pip and Blu, and a horse named Trixie.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Hang out with my son at the Lincoln Children’s Museum or Skyzone, riding horses or doing something active outdoors. If it’s a me day it’s shopping, cleaning house or self-care.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I hold 5 records for girls basketball at Seward High School (most steals in a season, most rebounds in a season, most points in a season and most in career, and most free throw attempts in a season). I also played 4 years of college basketball at Midland Lutheran College.

What are you the most proud of? - That I come from a family of 3 brothers and 3 sisters who are always there for me and have pushed me throughout my life to work hard and always be better. My dad and two of my brothers also run their own businesses and they have helped me tremendously with my success in business and in life; I can’t thank them enough for that.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Word of mouth spreads and that is how your business will grow.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Hopcat.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Give me a call at (402) 643-5148.

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STAR CITY SIX

DAN

Dan Waters

DECKS UNLIMITED Decks Unlimited is Lincoln’s premier deck builder and material retailer. Dan Waters is the owner of Decks Unlimited.

Tell us a little about your business. - We specialize in building the highest quality decks and offer advice, knowledge and materials for DIYers and other contractors as well.

How did you get started in the business? - When I was 18 I got a framing job and really enjoyed the work. Along the way I was lucky enough to have some amazing carpenters as mentors. I framed for ten years but always loved building decks. With decks, I could showcase my work instead of having it covered up with siding and drywall. When I started the company with me and one guy I received some amazing advice, “Worry about the job and the work will come.” I lived by this motto and word of mouth spread. That was five years ago and now we have a full team of 12 guys, our own showroom, and a warehouse. We began storing our own materials for quality control on our projects and that also gave us the ability to act as a local supplier.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Creating a positive family-based working environment and my employees. Without them I am just Deck Limited.

Tell us a little about your family. - My lovely wife, Kim, is a nurse practitioner and has her own practice, Hope Health Care, where she specializes in treatment of eating disorders. Our daughter Maddy is an 8th grader at Lux Middle School. She is very artistic and enjoys playing the piano, ukulele and is in CK dance.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Bass fishing and wake surfing. I just love to be outside!

What are you the most proud of? - My family, of course, but also of the company I’ve created with the help of the dedicated people who work for me.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “You can learn a lot from a fisherman, whether that be what to do or not to do.”

I heard this from an old fisherman when I used to fish in tournaments and I apply it to everyday life.

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

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Levitation, it would make the construction process much simpler.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Archaeology. I’ve always had an interest in history.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Men With Dreams. My friend Brandon Williams runs the program and I am very supportive of their mission.

What is your favorite movie? - Well, that’s a pretty tough choice for a movie guy like me. I’d have to go with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, a classic comedy.

What is your favorite TV show? - What on Earth? I love finding the answers to curious questions.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Honest Abe’s.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Nikola Tesla, what an interesting individual.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 601-5091; Website: DecksUnlimitedNE.com.

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STAR CITY SIX CONSTANTINE Constantine Syiny

ALL PRO HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING Serving Lincoln and surrounding areas, All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning is available to help with all of your home’s heating, air conditioning, and ventilation needs. Constantine Syiny is the owner of All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning.

Tell us a little about your business. - We specialize in the maintenance, repair and replacement of HVAC equipment, upgrading the efficiency of existing equipment and systems, and air quality for residential clients. Our focus is on excellence in all we do, from quality parts and workmanship to the customer service we provide.

We try to do our part to make the industry what it should be and to make a positive contribution to the quality of life our customers enjoy in their homes.

How did you get started in the business? - I’ve always been the type of person who sees a problem or need and looks at it as an opportunity. Furthermore, I’d always wanted to be a business owner and had the desire to help people. In this instance, I found something in which I could apply all of those things. I identified room for growth and improvement in this industry and wanted to do things a different way, so I got involved. I not only get to help my customers but I also get to provide jobs and opportunities for my employees.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Hiring quality people and developing them. It’s a challenge, but something that I’m passionate about and on which I focus a lot of my attention.

It’s important to me to make sure everyone is on the same page, because how we function independently and as a team in our internal operations translates to the level of service we deliver to our customers.

Tell us a little about your family. - My wife Liliya and I have four children, Mark, Eli, Christine, and Aaron. We also have one grandson, Mark Jr., who is almost 2.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spend time with family somewhere on the water flyboarding or wakeboarding together.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I played trumpet in a church band for a very long time.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Treat people how you want to be treated.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Any of the music from Hillsong Worship would fit nicely.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Well, Batman didn’t need a super power and look at the amazing things he accomplished! I’d prefer to use what I have to offer in a way that makes a difference in the lives of others just as he did.

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

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Christ Place Church, because they truly care about people and help people to change their lives for the better.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Bible is the most important one.

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

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

- Phone: (402) 405-2959; Email: allprohvacnebraska@gmail.com; Website: allprolincoln.com.

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PERSONNEL NEWS

Lincoln Cabinet Hires Office Coordinator & Lighting Specialist Jeanne Eggerss

WoodRiver Energy Welcomes New Intern Luke Walker

In April, Lincoln Cabinet welcomed Jeanne Eggerss at their new office coordinator & lighting specialist. Jeanne, a student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, is an American Lighting Association (ALA) Certified Lighting Specialist. She has extensive knowledge in lighting layout and product selections as well as troubleshooting problem areas. Jeanne possesses an exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and customercentered mindset along with her wide range of skills and experience. Her main duties will be coordinating the day-to-day activities in the office and offering assistance in all areas of operations as needed.

WoodRiver Energy is pleased to introduce Luke W. Walker, who has joined the team for his summer internship. Working out of the Lincoln office, he is tasked with learning and understanding the ins and outs of the natural gas market and will also be focusing his efforts on building relationships with local businesses.

Lincoln Cabinet specializes in custom cabinetry and interiors, having built their reputation from the ground up. By providing the highest standard of workmanship and service on all jobs and settling for nothing less than the best, they strive to live up to their motto of quality without compromise.

At Lincoln Cabinet, their goal is to assist you through your remodeling or new construction experience. They work with a quality team of licensed and insured professional subcontractors throughout the design process.

Lincoln Cabinet’s highly experienced team has the knowledge and expertise to take your project from concept to completion and will work with you to create a design that fits your style and budget.

Learn more at www.lincolncabinet.com or contact (402) 475-0650 / info@lincolncabinet.com.

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A Fremont, NE native, Luke will graduate from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln this month with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management.

Since coming on board, Luke has already begun the in-depth training needed to understand the Eastern Nebraska natural gas market, and he is excited to gain valuable, hands-on experiences throughout the course of his internship at WoodRiver Energy.

Looking forward, on June 6, WoodRiver Energy will be hosting a ribboncutting ceremony with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their ongoing commitment to serve clients across Nebraska. It will take place at 1 p.m., immediately after the Ambassador Council Luncheon Meeting held at the Chamber office, 3 Landmark Centre, 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100 and all are welcome to join.

With over 50 years of combined industry knowledge, WoodRiver Energy is committed to providing superior customer service, market wisdom, and risk management. Learn more about how WoodRiver Energy transports natural gas in the most economical and cost-efficient way at woodriverenergy.com or by calling (888) 510-9315.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Access Family Medicine Welcomes Erin Schlautman to Nursing Staff In March, Erin Schlautman joined Access Family Medicine as their newest nurse. Erin brings ten years of nursing experience from various fields, including pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, and dermatology. The staff at Access Family Medicine appreciates all her experience and exceptional work ethic, but most of all they really love her fun personality and smile. They invite you to stop in to meet her and say hi!

Access Family Medicine is Nebraska’s first Direct Primary Care Clinic. Their philosophy of old school medicine with modern day technology is proving to be liked by many, as their office is growing very rapidly. Learn more at accessfamilymedicine. com or by contacting (402) 858-1510 / info@accessdpc.com.

The Nebraska Club Under New Management The Nebraska Club has recently welcomed a new team to manage the private dining club and event space located on the 20th floor of the US Bank building.

Deanna Walz is the new business and marketing manager Deanna Walz Will Herres at the Club. Her experience with mar keting and brand experiences will allow her to raise awareness of the Club and increase event rental. She plans to introduce additional events and activities to Benton Alexander Christina LeFevre allow the Club to become more than just a restaurant but a social and networking hub as well.

Will Herres is taking on the role as executive chef after serving for years as the sous chef. His experience working in clubs and restaurants throughout Lincoln gives him insight into the tastes and appetites of the Nebraska Club members. He looks forward to updating the menu seasonally and offering themed dinners as well.

Benton Alexander takes over as the evening and lounge manager. Benton has honed his bartending and fine dining skills at several establishments in the city of Lincoln and has won several bartending awards for his signature cocktails.

Christina LeFevre joins the Nebraska Club as day and events manager.

Her 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry are very apparent when she takes excellent care of her patrons. Her attention to detail and high standards make her a terrific addition to the Nebraska Club management team.

Since 1954, the Nebraska Club has been providing dining and social experiences for close to 600 members. They offer various membership options and also rent event spaces to the public. For more information on membership or event rental, contact Deanna Walz at (402) 476-3228.

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PERSONNEL NEWS Five Nines Promotes Mark Niven to Primary Engineer

NAI FMA Realty Adds Mattison Wenzl to Brokerage Team

Five Nines is excited to announce the promotion of Mark Niven to a primary engineer in the Lincoln office. Niven has been with Five Nines for over 5 years.

He was originally drawn to the field of IT because it was a way for him to help people. He is looking forward to getting to know more about his clients’ IT infrastructures with this new position.

NAI FMA Realty has added Mattison Wenzl as a licensed commercial real estate agent.

She will provide a full-range of sales and leasing services.

“Mark has been a great asset on our Managed Services team,” said Julian Staab, service manager at Five Nines. “He is always willing to go above and beyond to solve the technical problems he encounters and approaches every situation with a gogetter mindset.”

Founded on an intense desire to solve problems and build long-term relationships with clients, Five Nines leverages technology to drive business success. With offices in Lincoln, Omaha & Kearney, Five Nines advises the best IT solutions for Nebraska based businesses, offering Managed IT Services. Through its unique service model, Five Nines’ clients experience reduced costs, accelerated growth, and increased productivity. Learn more at www.gonines.com.

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Wenzl grew up in Lincoln and received a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Doane University. She started her career with NAI FMA Realty in 2017 as an administrative assistant. She will specialize in retail brokerage but will serve office and industrial clients as well.

When she’s not brokering real estate deals, Wenzl enjoys coaching club volleyball for VCN and volunteers around the community.

NAI FMA Realty is Southeast Nebraska’s leading full service commercial real estate services firm with over five decades of experience advising clients on commercial sales, leasing, property management, facility maintenance, lease administration, and project coordination services. As a member of NAI Global, a network of owner-operated commercial real estate brokerage firms, NAI FMA Realty can facilitate transactions around the nation and the world.

For more information, visit www.naifmarealty.com.

PERSONNEL NEWS Julie Webber Named Lincoln Chamber Executive Assistant The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Julie Webber as executive assistant to the president. Webber comes to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce as a longtime developer of organizations and the people who manage them. As an executive assistant to individuals representing some of the Midwest’s most trusted brands, she is experienced in frontline support.

Webber will support the strategic, fiscal and programmatic goals of Chamber executives. She arrived at the Chamber in February of 2018, bringing with her a host of railroad, health care, higher education and telecommunications experience. Her expertise includes planning productive meetings, presentation development and customer care.

Most recently, Julie spent a decade with Union Pacific Railroad at its Omaha headquarters, supporting executives in marketing and sales, human resources and executive departments. Among her duties for the Fortune 500 company was serving as corporate liaison to UP’s Board of Directors. At Omaha’s Creighton University, she supported the vice president of university relations, providing executive administration for alumni relations, public relations, advancement and marketing.

Union Bank & Trust Announces Leadership Development Graduates Union Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the most recent graduates of its Advanced Leadership Development Program and Leadership Development Program.

Graduating from the Advanced Leadership Development Program are Todd Furasek, vice president of commercial loans; Julie Huls, vice president of trust operations; Beth Kapke, assistant vice president of retail loan operations; Jason McCown, vice president of operations administration; Jason Muhleisen, officer in Trust Administration; Russ Ripa, vice president of commercial loans; Meghan Sonderegger, assistant vice president of electronic banking; Malinie Staben, vice president of Omaha residential construction; and Jenny Wulf, vice president of system support.

Graduating from the Leadership Development Program are Jeff Aldrich, education coordinator in Retirement Plan Services; Jordan Bergman, UNL Campus branch manager; Mariana Garcia, Crete branch manager and mortgage loan officer; Taylor Hunt, Pioneers branch manager; Tyler Hunt, private banking officer; Jen Kujath, accounts processing coordinator in Deposit Services; Tyson Martin, lender in Church Lending; Jessica Nelson, specialist in the Training Center; Melanie Petersen, wholesale loan operations supervisor; Jennifer Schnieders, project administration officer in Trust Administration; and Danni Starck, Fairbury branch manager.

Union Bank & Trust (www.ubt.com) is a privately owned, Nebraska bank that offers complete banking, lending, investment and trust services. The bank has 38 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.

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PERSONNEL NEWS CBMC Lincoln Welcomes Ryker Lee CBMC Lincoln excited to welcome Ryker Lee to its Lincoln team as a field administrative assistant!

Ryker is now responsible for many of the support, promotion, and administrative functions of the ministry, as well as networking and working with Young Professionals and many others in the business community.

CBMC Lincoln is part of an international organization that seeks to help and equip Christian business leaders and professionals.

The local organization reaches men who may want to learn what it means to have a relationship with Christ, and others who want to grow in their faith and discover how to represent Christ in every part of their life and work. Through its Peer Advisory Groups, business owners and leaders are equipped to lead lives and businesses that glorify God and serve the community.

CBMC Lincoln offers 1-1 mentoring, small-group studies, a variety of training and leadership development, networking and relationship building opportunities, and multiple events throughout the year. Save the date for the 17th Annual Lincoln CBMC Golf Classic at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course on July 31!

To learn how CBMC Lincoln can serve you, and help enable you to connect with others in the business community, please email rlee@ cbmc.com or visit lincoln.cbmc.com.

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Woods Bros Realty’s Tyler Reynolds Named Assistant Manager Woods Bros Realty, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, is pleased to announce that Tyler Reynolds, a sales associate at the Country Club office, has accepted the position of mentor and training assistant manager. In this position, Reynolds will be responsible for the structure and success of the overall Mentor Program and will facilitate consistent office training sessions, skills training, and assist agents in business planning. He will continue to actively sell on a part-time basis.

Shannon Harner, CEO and president of HomeServices of Nebraska, is excited to see Reynolds continued success in this position, “Adding Tyler to our leadership team emphasizes the importance Woods Bros places on having knowledgeable, professional agents who excel at client service. I look forward to working with Tyler to support the careers of our agents and service to our clients.”

The Woods Bros Realty family looks forward to driving the success of our Woods Bros associates with Tyler’s support.

Woods Bros Realty, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, has been helping Nebraskans find their place in our communities since 1889.

The company proudly supports nearly 200 licensed agents in nine sales offices serving Lincoln and its surrounding communities of Seward, Milford, Beatrice, York, Grand Island and Wahoo. For more information, visit www.woodsbros.com.

PERSONNEL NEWS Tabitha’s Britany Kalkwarf Honored With Excellence in Care & Service Award Tabitha in Crete Resident Assistant Britany Kalkwarf was honored with LeadingAge Nebraska’s 2017 Excellence in Care and Service Award at LeadingAge Nebraska’s annual Spring Conference in Kearney. This award is given to someone who embodies remarkable commitment to seniors.

Kalkwarf has been a nurse aide at Tabitha in Crete—Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care for the past six years. “Britany is a compassionate, reliable team player who wholeheartedly embraces Tabitha’s mission to deliver industry-leading quality care to older adults,” Tabitha in Crete Administrator Sherri Due said. “She goes above and beyond by taking on overtime shifts and volunteering to support Tabitha by participating in life enrichment and community activities. The residents she cares for come first, and they love her dedication. Tabitha is extremely fortunate to have Britany on our team.”

As a nonprofit organization serving 28 Nebraska counties for over 130 years, Tabitha’s love embraces a society where everyone is valued and empowered to live life to the fullest, with award-winning at-home support, innovative living communities, exceptional rehabilitation, skilled nursing care and compassionate hospice services. For answers to all your aging questions, visit Tabitha.org.

Paul Burner Recognized by BNI Heartland as BNI Member of the Year – Lincoln Area BNI Heartland, the Heartland’s leading referral organization, is pleased to announce Paul Burner was recently named Regional Member of the Year at the Lincoln Area BNI Regional Business Awards. This annual event, which highlights member and chapter achievements, included over 100 small business owners dedicated to growing their businesses and increasing the economic footprint in the Lincoln area.

Paul Burner has been an active BNI member since 2011. Burner is a member of the Profit Powerhouse Chapter in Lincoln, NE and currently serves as the Chapter’s education coordinator. In 2017 he led his chapter with 98% attendance, completed over 200 One-to-Ones, which resulted in nearly 100 referrals passed, and was thanked for business generated of over $20,000 by his Chapter members. Burner also invited 14 visitors to the chapter, sponsoring one as new members.

Vince Vigneri, BNI Heartland’s executive director, said, “Burner exemplified the Core Values of BNI®, with Givers Gain® being the foundation of his success.” Burner was also welcomed on the BNI Heartland Regional Podcast, Episode #59, to share about tips about first impressions, when he was visiting BNI Chapters prior to becoming a member.

This award is presented each year to one member for their commitment to BNI, dedicated to their fellow members and BNI’s core values, and productivity within the chapter, and ultimately the region!

For more information about BNI, visit bniheartland.com or reach out to Vince Vigneri, executive director, via email at vince@bniheartland. com.

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PERSONNEL NEWS Family Service Lincoln Welcomes Dr. Jessica Essentials Welcomes New Technician Radford Richard Hawthorne Family Ser vice Lincoln is pleased to announce the hiring of Jessica Radford, EdD to the newly-created position of director of strategic initiatives.

Before joining Family Service Lincoln, Dr. Radford worked as a school psychologist, an academic support team director, and a special education consultant. At Family Service Lincoln, Dr. Radford will utilize her education and experiences to drive strategic quality improvement initiatives, enhance and grow programs, and oversee the agency’s accreditation process.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Radford to the Family Service Lincoln team,” Dennis Hoffman, executive director said. “Her academic and clinical background is exactly what I was looking for when creating the position. She’ll enhance our current programs and help us develop new projects that support children, youth and families in our community.”

Family Service Lincoln was founded in 1891. With nearly 200 fulland part-time employees, they strive to fulfill their mission to provide quality programs and services, which effectively assist and strengthen individuals and families in our community. For more information about Family Service Lincoln, please visit familyservicelincoln.org or call (402) 441-7949.

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Essentials Home Services is pleased to announce that Richard Hawthorne has accepted the position of maintenance technician. He officially joined the team on April 18.

Rich brings over 12 years of experience along with a very positive attitude and excellent customer service skills. Born and raised in Nebraska, Rich has a son who lives in Lawrence, NE and loves taking long walks with his dog, Scruffers.

Rich’s mission at Essentials is to take the proactive approach to home maintenance and take care of your home like it’s his own. He will make routine visits to each customer’s home on a quarterly basis to ensure it is in tip-top shape. Rich is looking forward to making new friends as Essentials continues to help Lincolnites achieve their goals of a safe and happy home!

Essentials is the leading provider of proactive home maintenance services to members in Lincoln, helping homeowners free up valuable time while keeping their homes in peak condition. During every scheduled quarterly visit, an Essentials maintenance technician focuses on a number of critical checkpoints in the areas of indoor maintenance, exterior maintenance, and life safety. To learn more, visit essentialshomeservices.com or contact Mary McCombs at (402) 730-1292 / mmccombs@essentialshomeservices.com.

PERSONNEL NEWS The Waterford at Wilderness Hills Announces Promotion of Kristel Carr Kristel Carr has been promoted to director of healthcare at The Waterford at Wilderness Hills, a specialized memory care community.

Before taking on this new role, Kristel served as a medication aide/CNA at The Waterford at Wilderness Hills. She has many years of experience in both the healthcare and assisted living sectors, having worked at Sumner Place and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals prior to joining The Waterford Communities. That, along with her natural leadership abilities, made her the perfect candidate to be selected to fill this position.

Located at 8939 Keystone Drive, The Waterford at Wilderness Hills specializes in skilled, individualized personal care for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s conditions including memory impairment, disorientation, and behavioral redirection. They have taken great measures to assemble a team of professionals who are specifically trained to care for each resident based on his/her unique needs.

To learn more, visit thewaterford.net or contact (402) 423-0000 / christy.merritt@thewaterford.net.

Alison Gottsch-Walton Named a Junior Achievement Worldwide Fellow A l i s o n G o t t s c h - Wa l t o n o f J u n i o r Achievement of Lincoln was selected to be a part of the inaugural Junior Achievement Worldwide Fellows Program.

JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest youth-serving non-governmental agencies, received applications from among a network of over 3,800 JA staff members.

Alison is the only American and one of six high-potential JA leaders chosen for this honor and through the program, which will deepen her leadership, mentorship, and strategic skills over the next 18 months. The JA Worldwide Fellows Program will include leadership of a global initiative that allows for direct collaboration with JA Worldwide leaders, board members, and external experts. Each Fellow will lead a global project with direct benefits to Junior Achievement, and also engage in a number of other professional-development opportunities.

Alison attended The Global Education and Skills Conference in Dubai in March, the world’s most preeminent education event addressing the challenges of education. She will also attend a weeklong leadership conference in California. Alison’s Fellowship is to incorporate Augmented and Virtual Reality in the Junior Achievement curriculum and the workplace. She is the education director for Junior Achievement of Lincoln and is responsible for leading the Programming team. Her team will work directly with over 1,000 Lincoln-area volunteers and 900 educators to bring JA’s financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs to nearly 30,000 K-12th grade Nebraska students this school year.

For more information about Junior Achievement of Lincoln and Junior Achievement Worldwide, please visit jalincoln.org and jaworldwide.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Cornhusker Bank Collects Over 35.6K Shoes for People’s City Mission The Lincoln People’s City Mission is extremely grateful to announce that Cornhusker Bank collected 35,613 shoes during their 8th annual One Day Without Shoes event in April. Because of these generous donations, those who need a pair of shoes will get them.

In the first 7 years of the event, Cornhusker Bank and partners collected nearly 100,000 pairs of shoes and $60,000 in monetary funds, which the Mission uses to purchase new shoes for those in need and for those whose required sizes are not traditionally donated.

People’s City Mission, recently named the winner of the Lincoln’s Choice Awards in the Best Charity/Nonprofit category, was founded in 1907 to help struggling folks get back on their feet. Now thanks to the support of this initiative from the Lincoln community, they are able to put new shoes on those feet. For more information about the People’s City Mission, visit pcmlincoln.org or contact Nikki Oswald at (402) 475-1303 / nowald@pcmlincoln.org.

Blood Donor’s Legacy of Generosity Lives On Harry Rotthaus recognized the importance of blood donation and helped save lives with his donations at Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB). He donated more than 15 gallons, stopping only when diagnosed with cancer in 2012. Harry passed away March 20, 2017.

His children, Mike and Laura Fowles and Doug and Penny Rotthaus, honored Harry’s commitment to blood donation by designating a portion of his memorial contributions to NCBB. “ T h e t h i n g s t h a t we r e m o s t important to dad were his faith, family, work, and community,” Laura said. “Dad was grateful to be blessed with good health, and he enjoyed knowing that he was helping others with his ongoing blood donations over many years.”

Harry was a Lincoln realtor for 56 years and, according to son Doug, CEO of the Omaha Area Board of Realtors, it was a friend and fellow realtor who encouraged Harry to become a blood donor.

“My father and mother grew up on farms during the drought years of the Great Depression,” Laura said. “Throughout their lives, Mom and Dad taught my brother and me to appreciate everything and to always be grateful for our many blessings. He would be pleased to see contributions being made in his honor to support something he was so devoted to.”

You can continue your loved one’s passion for helping save lives through blood donation by making a financial gift or by hosting a blood drive in their memory. Please contact (402) 486-9412 or supportNCBB@ncbb.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Fresh Start Mini-Golf Tournament to Support Women’s Program

Nebraska Community Foundation’s On The Move

On Saturday, June 9 there will be a mini-golf tournament at Adventure Golf (56th & Old Cheney) in hopes of raising funds for Fresh Start. The event is sponsored by Baxter Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Lincoln. Register soon, as past years have sold out!

This year there are two mini-golf experiences to choose from:

Nebraska Comm unity Foundation (NCF), a non-profit comm unity development organization headquartered in Lincoln, has moved to a new office!

The move took place the week of April 23 and the new office is located at 8100 S. 15th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68512.

Morning (8:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.): Includes continental breakfast, mini golf, and a light lunch. There will be items available for raffle, and the celebrity team challenge! KX 96.9 plans to protect their title against 10/11 News. This is a family friendly event.

Evening (7 - 9 p.m.): This option is new for 2018, geared towards adults wanting a casual night out, featuring mini golf, snacks, a raffle, and beer samples. While also family friendly, teams with little ones are encouraged to participate in the morning event.

Take the fundraising challenge! Teams are also challenged to raise $180 to benefit homeless women in Lincoln ($10 per hole).

Participation is optional. “Fore” more information, including team registration and sponsorships, visit www.FreshStartHome.org.

All proceeds will benefit Fresh Start, a transitional shelter that empowers homeless women to utilize their strengths to become selfsufficient. To learn more about their services or for questions about the event, email audreyb@freshstarthome.org.

NCF asks that all mailings continue to use its postal address only: P.O. Box 83107, Lincoln, NE 68501-3107. Phone ((402) 323-7330) and Fax ((402) 323-7349) numbers will remain the same. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to the Foundation at (402) 323-7330 or info@nebcommfound.org, or stop by and say hello next time you are in the neighborhood!

Nebraska Community Foundation is a statewide organization using charitable giving to mobilize communities across the state. NCF unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska. NCF works with volunteer leaders serving more 250 communities by providing training, strategic development, gift planning assistance and financial management for its affiliated funds located throughout the state. In the last five years, more than 39,000 contributions have been made to NCF affiliated funds, and more than $128 million has been reinvested to benefit Nebraska communities.

For more information visit NebraskaHometown.org.

Registration Continues for Bright Lights Summer Classes Just now starting to think about summer activities for your student?

Don’t despair, Bright Lights has a variety of classes open that will appeal to many ages and interests.

If your student is in grades K-2: • Take a trip into the Mindbuggling world of insects with one of our most beloved teachers! Mindbuggling Insects (#710) takes place June 25-29, 1-4 p.m. Where else can you create bug soap and eat cricket cookies?

• What do you call a penguin in the desert? Lost! You’ll understand why this is funny if you take Party with the Penguins (#204) June 4-8, 1-4 p.m. Research different types of penguins and learn how these tuxedoed birds survive harsh weather and remain one of the most entertaining animals to observe.

If your student is in grades 3-6: • Build a rocket. Launch the rocket. Repeat. Need we say more?

Rocket Blast (#924) takes place July 9-13, 1-4 p.m.

• History comes alive when you follow America’s Girls Adventures Through History (#134 in a.m. and #226 in p.m.). No doll required! Time-hop to the Civil War, the Great Depression and the groovy 1970s, all while experiencing actual food, crafts and skills from those eras.

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Bright Lights has a class to fit your student’s interests – or better yet, encourage them to try something new and you may just have opened the door to an entirely new passion! Go to BrightLights. org for a complete list of class descriptions and open classes, and reserve your spots today.

NON-PROFIT NEWS

Sammy’s Superheroes Announces Inaugural Golf Invitational T h e f i r s t - e ve r S a m my ’s Superheroes Invitational is set for May 21, with shotgun starting at 1 p.m. Golfers will unite to swing out childhood cancer at Woodland Hills Golf Course in Eagle, Nebraska.

This fun corporate event includes food, drinks, golf contests, and a grand prize for the winning team. Cost is $400 per team and spots are still open. Businesses are also still welcome to sponsor this event. All proceeds will support childhood cancer research. To register a team or become a sponsor, go to www. sammyssuperheroes.org.

Vision Maker Media Documentaries Highlight Native Language Two documentaries on PBS this spring highlight the importance of history and language for Native Americans in Alaska and Minnesota. Keep Talking features four Alaska Native women fight to save Kodiak Alutiiq, an endangered language now spoken by less than 40 remaining fluent elders. Ohiyesa: The Soul of an Indian follows Kate Beane, a young Dakota woman, who examines the extraordinary life of Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa). Kate traces Eastman’s path—from traditional Dakota boyhood, through education at Dartmouth College, and in later roles as physician, author, lecturer and Native American advocate.

To learn more about Native Stories for Public Broadcasting, visit the Vision Maker Media website at www.visionmakermedia.org.

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Offers Inspiration, Resources for Gardeners The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum plants Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities and a resilient environment. Their monthly columns, website resources, lists of recommended plants and events that include sales of primarily native plants, garden tours and workshops help Midwest gardeners improve their home and community landscapes. They encourage plants and landscapes that are beautiful and beneficial for us all as well as for pollinators, other wildlife, and the larger environment.

In early June, the Arboretum coordinates, offers and promotes statewide Wildflower Week events. Nebraska Wildflower Week, June 1-11, is an annual celebration of wildflowers and native plants in the wild and in planted landscapes. Events include a range of family-friendly tours, talks, hands-on activities, workshops, etc.

More information about Wildflower events will be posted online at plantnebraska.org/wildflower-week.

To learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, contact their staff at (402) 472-2971 / arboretum@unl.edu.

Camp Summergold 2018 Session Right Around the Corner So close you can almost smell the campfire! It’s just weeks until campers come together again at Camp Summergold at The Leadership Center in Aurora, Nebraska June 3-10 to learn from arts and science mentors and girls from near and far. The llamas are back, thanks to Lincoln Creek Llamas. Mary Gibilisco will help campers investigate the Science of Art and the Art of Science. What is surveying and why is it important? The engineers from JEO Consulting will answer that question and help campers understand how engineers see the world. Campers will be looking into the secrets of the past with Devra Hock as she invites them to look at the world through the lens of paleontology. Rhonda Lake will remind everyone of the trust and partnership in the process of bringing a script to life and there’s creative writing, swimming and volleyball. Registration is open until May 1 for girls 11-17 year old at www.campsummergold.com. Call the administrative office if you have questions at (402) 474-2206 and happy summer!

Make A Difference Magic Makes Special Appearance at Local Fundraiser On Sunday, April 8, Make A Difference Magic took part in a fundraising event for a very special cause. The goal of “Raise Your Paws for Isabel’s Cause” was to provide a therapy dog for Isabel, who has autism and sensory processing disorder.

Bruce Jacoby, a local professional magician, was there on behalf of Make A Difference Magic to dazzle those in attendance with close-up magic. Bruce also shared some special magic with Isabel. The fundraiser also featured live bands, balloon artists, face painting and a raffle and silent auction.

Make A Difference Magic provides magic, along with encouragement and compassion, for people in need. Bruce loves to do magic that brings smiles and laughter to people of all ages and audiences of all sizes. He does magic at two different hospitals each week, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and CHI St. Elizabeth.

Make A Difference Magic is proud to announce the event was a huge success and extends thanks to everyone who showed their support by attending. To learn more about the Make A Difference Magic organization, visit their Facebook page or contact Bruce Jacoby at (402) 450-5160 / bruce@colorfulmagic.com.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Technology Options Increase Listenership at Radio Talking Book Service Radio Talking Book Service (RTBS) continues to connect seniors, the blind and visually impaired, and learning disabled individuals with the printed word.

The internet stream of their radio broadcast enables RTBS to offer improved radio options for their listeners.

Radio Talking Book Network (RTBN) has a new radio receiver option, RRS1100, which utilize the free-over-the-air digital TV signal (i.e. the TV signal available without cable or a dish). These radios provide much-improved reception compared to traditional FM radios and are being placed with eligible individuals in their homes as well as in care facilities. Another new receiver option is the Metrosonix wireless internet radio—for individuals and care facilities that have access to the internet. With these new options, RTBN listenership has increased by over 4,500 individuals to date!

All radio options are provided at no cost to eligible individuals or care facilities.

To increase accessibility for our listeners, RTBS implemented a telephone option, AudioNow, that allows individuals to call and listen to our broadcast from their home or mobile phones. RTBS began podcasts of their daily live newspaper reading in November 2017 and will add weekly department store and grocery ads to the podcast offerings this spring.

To volunteer or for more information, please visit www.RTBS.org or call (402) 572-3003.

Nebraska Recycling Council Announces Next Free Webinar The Nebraska Recycling Council (NRC) will host a free webinar on Tuesday, May 8th from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Jennifer Tabanico, president of Action Research, will cover the basic principles of community-based social marketing as a behaviorbased approach for developing effective recycling programs. The presentation will include information on why they focus on behavior, a discussion about information-intensive campaigns and why they are ineffective at fostering changes in behavior, an overview of the steps involved in community-based social marketing, and a series of case studies to illustrate the process and demonstrate its efficacy. Get registered online at register.gotowebinar.com/ register/8321694826784111617.

Tabanico’s firm specializes in changing behavior for the public good by applying marketing and social science research to outreach programs that promote clean, healthy, and sustainable communities.

She has a Master of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from California State University and more than a decade of experience developing and implementing community-based social marketing programs for public and private agencies.

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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, with the goal of re-energizing resource recovery in Nebraska through innovation, education, training, and the power of collaboration. Visit www.nrcne.org for more information.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Matt Talbot Receives 100% of Sales From Scooter’s Fallbrook Grand Opening As part of the grand opening of the new Scooter’s location in Fallbrook, 100% of sales on Friday, March 30th were donated to Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach. Approximately $4,000 was raised which is enough for Matt Talbot to help nine people for a year through housing, substance use services, hunger relief and other outreach services. Customers were treated all day to giveaways such as t-shirts, mugs and gift cards.

“Lincoln is our home and we’re passionate about making it a better place to live and raise our family. It’s a privilege to be part of the progress and to be able to give back to the community that supports us,” said franchisee Jason Metcalf, who owns the majority of Lincoln stores including the Fallbrook location.

“We were thrilled and grateful when the Metcalfs offered to host this day of giving. After 25 years Matt Talbot is a permanent fixture of Lincoln’s safety net, and this generous donation allows us to continue our work of preventing and alleviating homelessness in the Lincoln community,” said Susanne Blue, executive director.

The mission of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach is to serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of Lincoln’s working poor, and homeless through outreach, advocacy, education and the provision of food and shelter. Learn more at mtko.org.

Community Action Named Among Best Places to Work in Lincoln for 2nd Year in a Row Community Action is proud to be named, for the second year in a row, one of the “Best Places to Work” in Lincoln by Woods & Aitken LLP, the Lincoln Journal Star, and the Human Resource Management Association. The Best Places to Work in Lincoln program recognizes local companies who, through a third party administered employee survey, rank their respective companies as being one of the best places to work. The areas surveyed are varied parts of employee life, including workplace environment, leadership direction, culture, and management practices.

Community Action was acknowledged for creating an enjoyable corporate culture and work environment that fosters personal and professional growth for its employees.

“At Community Action, our work to empower those living in poverty to reach economic stability is fueled by the collective energy, dedication, and passion of our team,” said Vi See, executive director of Community Action. “It’s an honor to be the recipient of this recognition, which is a testament to the incredible work of our staff.”

Community Action employees are supported in their continued personal and professional growth, and are empowered to realize and utilize their unique talents to advance the mission of the organization. In 2017, Community Action served 17,499 individuals in Lancaster and Saunders Counties. The agency’s 17 programs and services address the causes and conditions of poverty in four impact areas: Early Childhood Education, Homeless Prevention, Financial and Family Well-Being, and Hunger Relief. For more information, visit www.communityactionatwork.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Thrivent and Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln Partner for Home Build

“Served Like a Girl” Film Highlights Female Veteran Struggles

Thrivent and Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln are partnering to build a home alongside a local family in need of affordable housing.

Thrivent members and others will volunteer to help the future homeowners build their new home. Thrivent has awarded $41,500 to support construction of a new Habitat home and the local faith community is challenged to help raise the remaining funds.

The Lincoln Community Foundation, in partnership with NET, Nebraska’s PBS and NPR Stations, is holding a screening of the documentary “Served Like A Girl” at Auld Pavilion in Antelope Park on Monday, May 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The documentary is part of the “Indie Lens Pop-Up” film series and will highlight issues faced by female veterans.

Following the 64-minute documentary, a panel of female veterans and representatives from support services will be speaking on the challenges female veterans face.

Habitat homeowners come from different backgrounds and have different stories, but they are all similar in their desire for a decent place to live. Habitat Lincoln partners with families in the local community to obtain strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Through the Thrivent and Habitat partnership, another family will build their home and a foundation for a brighter future.

From the beginning of the Thrivent and Habitat partnership in 2005, Thrivent and its members have now contributed more than $240 million and more than 5.5 million volunteer hours across the U.S. and around the world. This has resulted in thousands of families and individuals obtaining strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter as well as strengthening hundreds of communities. In 2018, Thrivent has committed over $12 million to support the partnership with Habitat. Thousands of Thrivent members and other volunteers will provide their hands and their hearts for construction and nonconstruction activities.

To learn more and get involved lincolnhabitat.org/faithbuild.

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The film by Lysa Heslov follows a diverse group of American women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as they compete for the Ms. Veteran America pageant. It takes a look at the often unseen veteran challenges of PTSD, homelessness, broken families, serious illness, physical injuries, and military sexual abuse that are a reality of transitioning from soldier to civilian.

The viewing is part of Lincoln Community Foundation’s Community Connections series designed to educate the community on current issues and topics that impact Lincoln. This Community Connections is made possible by LCF’s Veterans Support Fund.

For those unable to attend the screening, “Served Like A Girl” will air on NET at 9 p.m. Monday, May 28 as part of the “Independent Lens” series on PBS (check local listings).

Register for the free preview screening online at my.lcf.org/served.

NON-PROFIT NEWS

TeamMates Fostering Community Support Lincoln TeamMates knows that mentoring plays a big role in fostering appreciation for stewardship in today’s students. In fact, mentored youth are 78% more likely than their peers to volunteer regularly. That is important because community involvement is key to community success.

During the 2017-18 school year, Lincoln TeamMates began a new initiative to inspire more conversations about community involvement between Lincoln’s over 1,200 mentor/mentee matches. Each month, TeamMates offers a new community service project for matches to work on. These projects include making tissue-paper flower bouquets for patients in St. Elizabeth’s Burn Center, napkin rings to accompany holiday meals at Eastmont Towers, thank you cards for Lincoln police officers, dog toys for Capital Humane Society, fleece scarves for Lincoln’s homeless and near-homeless, and even more.

Through these projects, the Lincoln TeamMates Program engages students on the importance of caring for their community while simultaneously lending a hand to other organizations in Lincoln. To learn more go to www.LincolnTeamMates.org/SB or call (402) 436-1990.

Theatre Arts For Kids Changes Direction of Summer Programming Theatre Arts for Kids (TAFK) is a challenging musical t h e a t r e a r t s p ro g ra m specially geared toward the young, aspiring performer interested in lear ning about, participating in, and producing musical theatre.

This summer, TAFK is launching a new training program that emphasizes skill building through classes and workshops. Their goal is to offer a program that is more “training” based rather than “performance” based. TAFK’s upcoming summer programs include a wide variety of opportunities for kids as young as three. There are even opportunities for adults to get involved too. A complete list of classes and workshops can be found at www.tafk.org. Any inquiries may be directed to (402) 202-1087 / info@tafk.org.

The Hope Venture’s Run for Hope Benefits 2K Students in India On Saturday, April 7 at Pioneers Par k in Lincoln, 231 r unners participated in the 7th annual Run for Hope benefitting The Hope Venture’s backpack project. Roughly 2,000 students in India will receive backpacks with a year’s worth of school supplies because of the Run for Hope 5k/10k.

A backpack equips a student with the tools they need to get an education, which can increase their odds of escaping poverty. These 2,000 backpacks will be distributed to areas in need by The Hope Venture’s trusted partners in India.

The Hope Venture exists to bring help and hope to people around the world. Eight years ago, this mission began with the backpack project in India and has since expanded to about a dozen compassionbased projects emphasizing better education, health, clothing, and shelter for children, orphans and the needy poor in India, Kenya, and Uganda. For more information about The Hope Venture, please call (402) 802-8296 or visit their website at www.thehopeventure.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Hopes & Dreams Raises $72K for City Impact

Technology Provides Books to the Blind Faster

On March 22 and 23, City Impact hosted their 17th annual Hopes & Dreams fundraiser event.

Over 250 people joined in celebration of 20 years of impact in Lincoln.

Christian Record S e r v i c e s fo r the Blind’s online library experienced a software boost that provides better service to their members. Mid-2017 Christian Record began a partnership with OverDrive, a content delivery service that provides audio streaming, and launched its Liberty software. These two new tools provide instant access to more than 1,600 titles.

Eac h evening began with a social hour, then attendees participated in activities that provided a glimpse into City Impact’s mission. Throughout the night youth from City Impact were featured, outstanding volunteers were recognized, and numerous others recounted compelling stories of growth and transformation.

When all was said and done, over $72,000 was raised in support of Lincoln’s under-resourced youth. City Impact extends thanks to everyone who came out to support the important work that truly could not be done without the help of the Lincoln community.

City Impact is a non-profit organization with the mission of transforming vulnerable communities through wholistic youth, family, and neighborhood development. They mentor, teach, and empower kids to overcome vulnerable circumstances, transforming their lives and neighborhoods from the inside out. Learn more at cityimpact.org or by contacting (402) 477-8080 / info@cityimpact.org.

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“The experience between the various services is seamless for our members,” said Christian Record’s President Diane Thurber. “This was important to us as we wanted our members to be able to search easily for titles and enjoy the books in the formats they preferred quickly and without much difficulty.”

Christian Record members who access the online library are legally blind. Since 1950 the organization has offered audio resources in various forms, beginning with “talking magazines,” which were audio publications distributed on vinyl albums. Eventually vinyl gave way to audio cassettes. Then cassettes gave way to digital formats for use with specialized cartridges from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Until now these materials were mailed by regular post to individuals and could take days or weeks for them to arrive. Today the books can be delivered instantly in the form of digital braille or streamed over the new online system provided for free to its members by Christian Record Service. To learn more, visit www.ChristianRecord.org or call (402) 488-0981.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Date Announced for NAWIC/CFMA Construction Scholarship Golf Outing The National Association of Women In Construction ( N AW I C ) a n d t h e Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) are partnering again this year for their annual golf outing on August 21, 2018. It will be held at Indian Creek Golf Course, followed by a dinner recognizing last year’s scholarship recipients. Proceeds from the event will go towards the scholarships awarded by both organizations as well as construction industry programs. The goal is to extend their sold out streak into its fourth year! Registrations and sponsorship opportunities are available online at www.nawicomaha. com.

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.

Learn more by contacting Karli Meisinger at (402) 403-8851 / nawicomaha@gmail.com.

Give to Lincoln Day Stretches Donor Dollars Lincoln’s annual giving day is scheduled for Thursday, May 31. Organized by the Lincoln Community Foundation, Give to Lincoln Day is a 24-hour online event encouraging donations to support the local nonprofits and causes people care about.

Every participating nonprofit organization will receive a proportional share of the record $400,000 match fund, based upon its percentage of total dollars raised. Give to Lincoln Day 2018 will have the largest match fund in the event’s seven year history thanks to a generous gift from West Gate Bank and several other supporting sponsors. Again this year, Firespring has donated the use of the GiveSource platform to the Lincoln community so the only cost of donating will be the industry standard credit card processing fees.

The public is encouraged to visit Lincoln Community Foundation’s Tower Square at 13th & P Streets on May 31. Nearly 70 organizations will be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with hands-on activities, demonstrations and information about their programs. There will be a live performance at noon by The Lightning Bugs.

Donors may search nonprofits and give online at GiveToLincoln.com, where donation totals can be viewed throughout the day. Donors can plan ahead and begin giving online starting May 1, but all donations must be made before 11:59 p.m. on May 31 to count toward the giving day and the match fund. The minimum donation is $10 per charity. Donations will be charged to a credit card. Anyone who prefers not to give online can donate in person on May 31 at one of three donations stations: • Lincoln Community Foundation office, 215 Centennial Mall South, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Tower Square, 13th & P Streets, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• West Gate Bank, 6003 Old Cheney Road, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS 20th Anniversary JDRF Dream Gala Raises Over $410K for Type 1 Diabetes Research Over 450 guests attended the Roaring 20th Anniversary JDRF Dream Gala on Saturday, April 7 at Embassy SuitesLincoln where a record-setting $410,000 was raised to fund research towards better treating, preventing, and ultimately curing type 1 diabetes (T1D).

JDRF is grateful to everyone who supported the event! Because of you, children and adults living with T1D will have access to new, lifechanging technologies that will make managing the disease easier and safer for them, and their loved ones. You have given families across Nebraska the tools, hope, and resources they need to make them feel supported and backed by our caring community!

The Lincoln and Greater Nebraska Chapter staff and board of directors sincerely appreciate all of the people who made the 20th Anniversary Dream Gala a huge success, including each and every guest, auction donor, and volunteer. Special thanks are extended to the following 2018 Cure Champions: Ameritas, Kimberly Burhoop, The Christensen Charitable Foundation, Horizon Bank, Nebraska Bank of Commerce along with The Lee and Debbie Stuart Family Foundation, and Nelnet for their leadership in creating a world without T1D. For more information on JDRF, T1D, or the 21st Annual Dream Gala to be held on March 30, 2019, please contact Jayne Ullstrom at (402) 484-8300 or jullstrom@jdrf.org.

Calling All Sponsors for “Colors of Hope: Cancer Research Fundraiser” The Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC) is planning its 5th Annual “Colors of Hope: Cancer Researc h Fundraiser” b ro u g h t t o yo u by Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center. The event will be held at the Country Club of Lincoln on Thursday, August 23, 2018. It will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a delicious meal, a silent auction of desserts and other donated items as well as a live auction of larger items, which includes vacation packages.

In 2017, more than 150 guests assisted in the efforts to raise money for NCRC and bring awareness to the importance of cancer research to the Lincoln community. Over $26,000 was raised to support their mission!

NCRC is currently looking for event sponsors and auction items for their 2018 event. To learn more about available sponsorship levels or to donate an item for either the silent or live auction, please contact Michaela Emmons at (402) 327-6843.

NCRC is a program of Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Over 2,100 volunteers have participated in treatment, prevention and control trials through NCRC over the past 34 years, helping to identify more effective cancer treatments and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. NCRC partners with local hospitals and oncology clinics to provide cutting-edge research through clinical trials.

For more information, contact Kelly Madcharo at (402) 327-6851 or visit the NCRC’s website at www.necancerresearch.org.

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HEALTH NEWS Diabetes Education Center of the Midlands Now Offering Free Educational Programs The Diabetes Education Center of the Midlands (DECM) is now offering its accredited diabetes educational programs at no cost to participants. These programs are for anyone wanting to lower the HbA1c and improve their diabetes management. Class participants have lowered their HbA1c by 2% on average.

Classes are held at the DECM facility, located at 2910 S. 84th St. in Omaha. To register or receive more information call DECM at (402) 399-0777. Each participant can bring one support person.

Due to limited space, there is a small deposit required to reserve your spot. A gift card for diabetes management materials in the amount of the full deposit will be presented upon completion of the course. These classes are a pilot program and may not last, so register soon!

Diabetes Education Center of the Midlands (DECM) was created in 1984 by a group of healthcare professionals in partnership with several Omaha hospitals. Today their staff consists of nurses, dietitians, and consulting endocrinologists who work together to help educate and empower people living with diabetes. Learn more at diabetes-education.com.

Aflac Partnerships Give Added Value to Benefits Package Over the past year, Aflac h a s e s t a b l i s h e d n ew partnerships with Delta Dental (dental coverage), VSP (vision coverage), and Reliance Standard (life insurance) to give added value to their benefits package. These partnerships continue to help Aflac strike the right balance between fostering overall employee wellbeing and engagement with the business demands of keeping costs under control for their clients.

When integrated into an overall benefits strategy, Aflac has found that value-added services help meet the rising demands of their clients while delivering more value from day one. Services that have proven to help Aflac’s clients and their employees include: • Navigating the complexities of the healthcare environment support for Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance requirements and employer reporting • Improving employee experiences as healthcare consumerism gains popularity - from access to treatment to payment with health advocacy, medical bill saving assistance, and telemedicine services • Protecting one’s personal and financial information - fraud and identity theft protection • Administering other HR-related benefit programs such as cafeteria plans, Cobra, HSA/HRA, and commuter spending accounts These services are a way for employers who are conscious of their bottom line to give their workers additional coverage options and expanded care. For more information, contact Kerry Butzke with Aflac at (402) 413-9108 / kerry_butzke@us.aflac.com.

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HEALTH NEWS Registration Open for Lincoln Running Company’s Beginner’s Luck Program Want to start a running program? Have you set a weight loss goal for yourself and need an exercise program to get you in shape? Do you want to do a road race but have no idea how to prepare yourself? The Lincoln Running Company’s Beginner’s Luck Program has helped more than 2,500 people start their journey with running over the past 15 years.

Beginner’s Luck is a fun, 7-week clinic designed to help people of all ages start a running program and/or prepare for a 5-kilometer run that will be held the last night of class. Each Wednesday, June 6 - July 25 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., there will be a short informational presentation, followed by a group run. The program will be held at Lincoln Southwest High School, 7001 S. 14th St. Cost is $25/person before June 1. Late registration is $35/person.

Participants will hear from a local professional every week on various topics relevant to running, such as nutrition, footwear, apparel, stretching, preventing injury, and staying motivated. Weekly speakers include Dr. Brandon Seifert of Lincoln Orthopaedic Center, Ann Ringlein of Lincoln Running Company, Chad Wemhoff of Lincoln Physical Therapy and Sports Center, and a special guest speaker this year, Dick Beardsley with New Balance. His story is inspiring!

Register online at getmeregistered.com. Questions? Call Ann Ringlein at (402) 474–4557.

NSSA Hosts Events in Conjunction With Stroke Awareness Month Governor Pete Rickets has proclaimed May 2018 as Stroke Awareness Month in Nebraska, and the Nebraska State Stroke Association (NSSA) has announced special events taking place throughout the month.

On May 7, NSSA has organized a stroke camp fundraiser in Lincoln. Support the 2018 Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp by eating at Chipotle Mexican Grill, 6005 O St., between 5 - 9 p.m. on this day. 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.

In addition, May 17 will be the Strike Out Stroke event with the Lincoln Saltdogs on opening night at Haymarket Park. Game starts at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are $12. To reserve tickets, go to saltdogs. com/strikeoutstroke. The first 2,000 attendees will receive a magnetic chip clip with the FAST acronym to remind people of stroke symptoms.

A portion of proceeds also support Stroke Camp 2018.

Lastly, on May 22, NSSA will have a Stroke Awareness table at the Bickford Health Fair at Bickford Senior Living (4451 Old Cheney Rd). Visit their booth to learn more about how you can support stroke survivors.

If you can’t attend any of these events, consider donating to NSSA on May 31 for Give to Lincoln Day.

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For more information, visit www.NebraskaStroke.org or contact Linda Stephen at (402) 484-8131 / linda@nebraskastroke.org.

HEALTH NEWS Lincoln Heart Walk Coming to Haymarket Park on May 19 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, three-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.

Walking or participating in any exercise that raises your heartrate can boost your energy, strength and mood, while fending off serious health issues like obesity, high blood pressure, poor cholesterol and bone loss. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week for adults and 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children.

Spring Weather Causes Debilitating Pain, Procedure Offers Relief For migraine sufferers, the ups and downs of thermometers and barometers in the spring are more than just inconvenient – it means the start of “migraine season.” Weather changes are one of the leading causes of migraine headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic. Advanced Medical Imaging offers a 10 minute procedure that can offer instant and lasting relief for chronic headache victims. In the past, many patients either had to suffer through pain or take medications that interfere with day to day activities.

“18% of American women, 6% of men, and 10% of children experience migraines,” according to the Migraine Research Foundation. “Every 10 seconds, someone in the U.S. goes to the emergency room complaining of head pain, and approximately 1.2 million visits are for acute migraine attacks.”

The procedure is known as a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block.

The physicians at Advanced Medical Imaging use image guidance to direct a soft SphenoCath catheter through the nasal passage to deliver medicine to a bundle of nerves. Most patients experience immediate pain relief that can last for months. The procedure is safe for children and pregnant women. Along with treating migraine headaches, the SphenoCath procedure can also decrease pain associated with cluster headaches and trigeminal neuralgia.

Advanced Medical Imaging physicians are Vascular and Interventional Radiologists who specialize in minimally-invasive image-guided procedures. Due to their experience and success rate, Advanced Medical Imaging is the only SphenoCath Certified Training Center of Excellence in the country. Physicians from across the country travel to Nebraska to be trained in this migraine treatment procedure by Advanced Medical Imaging physicians.

For more information, visit amimaging.com or call (402) 484-6677.

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

by John Fulwider, Founder gear80

Breaking Through the Ceiling

Tired of hitting the ceiling in your business?

Has your revenue growth slowed? Is real growth just out of reach? Does everyone understand the vision? Do you?

Was last year your best ever, and now halfway through this year you’re way off track with your budget and goals?

You’ve hit the ceiling. Break through with: Step 1—Diagnose: There are five symptoms of hitting the ceiling.

1. Control: You feel like your business is running you.

2. People: They’re not performing, and not rowing in the same direction.

3. Profit: There’s not enough of it.

4. Growth: The business was growing, but now it’s stopped.

5. Magic Pills: Quick fixes haven’t worked.

Whichever symptom(s) you have, you’re not alone. All businesses hit the ceiling. Some break through when they take …

Step 2—Decide: What are you going to do about it …

1. Live with it 2. Leave it (sell the business), or 3. Change it?

Step 3—Do Business Differently: To break through the ceiling …

1. Simplify: Cut complexity; simpler is better, and less is more.

2. Delegate: You can’t do all the things that used to bring you success.

You need to build extensions of yourself.

3. Predict: Weekly and quarterly, what must and can be done to hit your annual goals.

4. Systemize: Document your core processes, simplify them, and get them followed by everyone.

5. Structure: Create the simplest Accountability Chart to get the right people in the right seats.

“This is a tough thing to really come to grips with,” my fellow EOS Implementer Jim Coyle writes. “We have organizational leaders say to us, ‘But this is the way we have always done things and we have been rather successful.’ As correct as they may be, the problem is these great leaders have taken their business to the edge of the land and keep trying to walk across the water. It just doesn’t work. Unless you are God. And, if that is the case, email me. I have a few questions.”

You needed faith in yourself to launch a business and get this far, but you don’t have unlimited skills and abilities. Good news: EOS—the Entrepreneurial Operating System—makes change and growth simple.

Want to join Lincoln companies like EyeCare Specialties, Firespring, Berry Law Firm, Bulu, ComPro, Bluestem Fiber, opendorse and Executive Travel breaking through the ceiling? Learn more at gear80.co/ceiling.

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FRIENDS4LUNCH Last Month: Piedmont Bistro Piedmont Bistro by Venue is a chic neighborhood eatery serving housecrafted dishes featuring locally-sourced ingredients and amazing presentations you can’t get anywhere else in town.

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.

Whether you’re enjoying expertly-crafted cocktails while relaxing on the gorgeous patio or grabbing a decadent cinnamon roll made by their award-winning Pastry Chef to go with your morning coffee, Piedmont Bistro is your neighborhood spot, delivering a true local experience. Focusing on a scratch-based culinary program like sister restaurant Venue, the staff at Piedmont Bistro take great pride in the quality of their fare and the service they provide.

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

This Month: Greenfield’s Greenfield’s serves fresh, casual style breakfasts and hearty lunches and dinners in a distinctly warm and welcoming environment.

Having just rolled out its new menu, there are plenty of great options awaiting guests, including brand new exclusive dishes as well as favorites that have been brought back!

Along with ample indoor seating, Greenfield’s also offers seating on the patio. With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect setting to enjoy delicious classics or your favorite beverage. Equipped with fans and heaters, it is one of the BEST patios in Lincoln.

On behalf of our entire Strictly Business team, we would like to invite you to our next Friends4Lunch event we are holding on Tuesday, May 8th at Greenfield’s at 11:30 a.m. (Lunch prices range approx. $8-$12).

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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LINCOLN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

by Coby Mach, President & CEO

402-466-3419 • www.liba.org

We Need Safety, Not Bureaucracy

The LIBA School Liaison Committee would like to share their continued support of Lincoln Public Schools by announcing the endorsement of additional School Resource Officers (SRO).

This is a logical step to increase the safety of our children.

While many will debate the need for six to 12 officers, LIBA suggests we hire 12 SRO’s and that we start the process immediately.

The other debate will be about creating a Joint Public Agency (JPA) to fund the officers, mental health counselors and additional security needs.

LIBA supports the goals but stands firmly against creating another JPA government body.

First, creating a JPA might allow some School Board members to deflect criticism. They could claim school security is out of their control and they can instruct citizens to go deal with the JPA. We are also concerned that the JPA proposal is being touted as levyneutral this year. Even if that fact is true, there is nothing to prevent the City from increasing their levy in future years.

State law allows JPA government bodies to levy and collect a property tax, enter into contracts, issue debt and revenue bonds, purchase land, build buildings, and hire staff.

Right now, LPS and the city have agreements in place for SRO’s at Lincoln High Schools and for community learning centers. LIBA suggests we simply amend the current agreements to accomplish the goals. We need safety, not bureaucracy.

In 2010, Mayor Beutler eliminated many of our School Resource officers.

Two years later, in 2012, Mayor Beutler placed regular police officers on the chopping block. In 2013, it was LIBA that led the charge with a press conference to call for more police in our community. LIBA continues to seek more police and that includes officers in our schools.

Now is the time to act, and the funding is available! For two years in a row, a revaluation windfall is giving the city and school millions in new tax dollars. Let’s spend those dollars on the security of our community.

It’s about priority spending!

Let’s look at the raw numbers. Lincoln Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister told LIBA in an email that a School Resource Officer costs a total of $100,000 per year. We suggest hiring 12 officers at a total cost of $1.2 Million.

The city of Lincoln will get a minimum of $2 million in new money just from the major commercial property valuation change this year. LPS will receive more than $9 million in new money from the valuation. Plus, LPS is receiving another $20 million in brand new money from the state of Nebraska. The Education Service Unit (ESU) will also get new money from valuations. As you can see, it’s easy to fund the $1.2 million for 12 new Resource officers and there will be tens of millions left over to hire mental health counselors, support after school programs and add school security. There is so much new money that LPS could even consider lowering their property tax levy - but let’s leave that debate for another day.

LIBA and the citizens of Lincoln recently supported more than $400 million in construction projects. Many of the projects added security measures and reconstructed secure entryways into our schools. LIBA further supports new funding for school officers, learning centers, mental health counselors and school security! However, we cannot support a new JPA government body. Again, we need safety, not bureaucracy.

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.

LIBA NEW MEMBERS

Ebbeka Design Co. Ebbeka Design Co. creates visual communications and corporate i d e n t i t y p a c k a ge s fo r businesses on the local, regional and national levels. With an emphasis in design, the company develops and implements marketing strategies and websites for both business-to-business and direct-to-consumer clientele.

Headquartered in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket (800 P Street, Suite 301), Ebbeka Design Co. has been locally owned and operated by Amy Ebbeka since 2001. Committed to your organizations’ success their experienced team focuses on website development, logo design, printed materials, corporate photography, videography & motion graphics as well as social media promotion.

Learn more at ebbekadesign.com or contact Amy at (402) 441-4649 / amy@ebbekadesign.com to schedule a consultation.

WOOF! Dog Care Center WOOF! Dog Care Center has been proudly serving Lincoln’s dog population (and their humans!) since September 2014.

WOOF! prides themselves on offering a diverse selection of quality dog care services at reasonable rates. They offer overnight boarding, doggie daycare, salon & spa, training classes, and veterinary care.

At WOOF!, they are focused on fun, comfort, and security. Their outdoor play yards and splash park provide fun, interactive opportunities for the dogs, and the indoor space is temperature and humidity controlled with a state-of-the-art carcinogen and pathogen removal system, ensuring highly purified air at all times for ultimate comfort. WOOF!’s Dog Care Team is highly trained through an industry-best training program, including fundamental understanding of dog behavior, psychology, and physiology, so owners can rest assured their furry friends are in very capable hands.

More information about WOOF! and their North and South locations (2019 P St. and 1300 Infinity Ct.), can be found at wooflincoln.com or by calling (402) 476-9663.

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LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

by Wendy Birdsall, President

402-436-2350 • www.lcoc.org

I/O Summit Returns to Lincoln The Midwest has quickly become the “Silicon Prairie” for startup activity. We believe this comes from the collaborative spirit of our business community.

The Angelou Report clearly pointed to entrepreneurial initiatives and promotion as a priority for the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development. The report detailed a clear road map on how to grow our community in the coming decades. At the forefront of the report was an emphasis on workforce development, community identity and technology. More specifically, the report suggested Lincoln make a name for itself as the host of the Midwest region’s best technology conference.

We think we have delivered on that goal with the second annual Inside/Outside Innovation Summit. Hosted by the Inside/Outside Innovation podcast and NXXT, Inc., the I/O Summit will bring together over 500 innovators for a two-day national conference at The Graduate Hotel in Lincoln from May 29-31.

Attendees will have a front-row seat to engage with new startups, new technologies, new business models and new talent from around the world.

High-growth startup companies, corporate entrepreneurs and community leaders will also come together, to collide, learn and interact with the latest innovation trends and talent in the Midwest.

Highlights for startups include: • $100,000 investment pitch competition • $25,000 LNK Launch Grant competition provided by the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development • Startup Showcase highlighting over 40 Seed/Series A startups • Curated matchmaking for startups, enterprises and investors • Speakers and sessions focused on trends, best practices, skills and insights for delivering innovation inside and outside the enterprise.

Startup teams interested in being included in the showcase can apply online at www.theiosummit.com/apply.

The Summit will also feature more than 20 speakers, leading the world of startup and corporate innovation. For more information and a complete list of speakers, visit theiosummit.com.

Get your discounted Early Bird Tickets today! It’s sure to be a “can’t miss” event for Lincoln.

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

Captain’s Chair Celebrates 65-Year Legacy

Not much has changed inside Captain’s Chair in its 65 years of business.

There was a remodel in the late ‘60s, a name change from Bob’s Barbershop to Captain’s Chair and, of course, the numerous hairstyle trends which came and went.

There have only been nine barbers to work at Captain’s Chair in all its years of business.

These days, co-owners Ryan Amen, son of the former owner, and Gary Haun, Ryan’s brother-in-law are the sole two barbers to work in the shop.

Haun has been there since 1996, Ryan since 2006.

The newest item in the shop might be its digital clock. What has changed is the outside scenery of the surrounding downtown area.

“I had the privilege of working with my father-in-law who started in ‘66,” Haun said. “I got to hear a lot of stories about how things were before I got here. Then I’ve been here for almost 22 years. There hasn’t been a year since I’ve been here in this shop that there hasn’t been some construction on P Street. There was the Embassy Suites going in, the movie theaters changing, and the plaza going in. I was here when it went twoway for two weeks. The modern day P Street, I’ve seen everything occur.

Back in the day, P Street used to just be the dive street of Downtown Lincoln. It’s all just come up around us; it’s been kind of a nice evolution.”

Haun said the store feels like it’s had its own special relationship with its location, even heralding Tower Square’s illuminating sculpture as “the postmodern barber pole.”

The Captain’s Chair received its name from former owner Jerry Amen, who served in the Navy. Formerly called Bob’s Barbershop, named after the original owner of the shop, Jerry decided to remodel the shop and change its name. Haun said the name works especially because the guy sitting in the chair is the captain and the barbers are there to do as he pleases.

Decades of service had allowed for a unique relationship between the two barbers and their customers. Ryan said the shop had two customers who have been coming to the Captain’s Chair for the full 65 years and the shop had served four generations of one family. “Here, customers can come in and say, ‘I want the usual.’ And we know what that is,” Ryan said.

Haun said over time, customers become friends and it’s common for barbers to hear intimate details from a person’s life. “If you open your ears, barbers and bartenders tend to get a lot of interesting stories from people, especially if you’re allowing someone to hold sharp objects close to your head,” Haun said. “You learn over time that as a barber, your reputation goes a long way. I always say Vegas stole this, because whatever happens, or is said, in the barber shop, stays in the barber shop.”

Throughout its 65 years, the Captain’s Chair has seen many hairstyle trends over the years; from Beatles mop tops to flat tops. Still, Haun said the key to a long lasting successful business is never wavering on customer service and acceptance.

“I’ve seen so many hairstyles come and go,” Haun said. “The beauty about being in this business is I learn something new every day because I get to talk to so many different people from so many different backgrounds. We don’t discriminate against anybody. Every man puts his pants on one leg at a time. If you walk-in, we’ll take you. If you have an appointment, we’ll take you. Appointments take priority over walk-ins but we don’t discriminate against anybody based on their socioeconomic background at all. Everybody gets treated exactly the same.”

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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CELEBRATING

Mother’s Day Sunday, May 13th—Mother’s Day—the one day of the year dedicated to celebrating the moms in our lives. Only one day? That can’t be right. While the United States traditionally recognizes the second Sunday of May for this purpose, women across the country will tell you that every day is Mother’s Day when you are, in fact, a mother. The real reward of being a mother is woven into the daily routines and constant considerations that come with raising a family—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important to do something special for our moms every now and then to remind them how much we appreciate all they do.

Mothers deserve the moon and the stars, but since those things may be a little too far out of reach for most of us, it poses the question... what gift do we get for the woman who gave us the gift of life? Well, Teresa Hodgen with 360 Clean will tell you that a clean house is a good place to start.

“If you’d love to give your mom a break from all the dusting and

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scrubbing but you’re not very keen on the idea of taking on the chores yourself—or you just simply don’t have the time—you can bring in one of our friendly, professional maids from 360 Clean! We offer either inhome or over-the-phone initial consultations to set up a personalized cleaning plan to ensure you receive the exact cleaning experience that you want. We charge $35 an hour per cleaner or, if you just want certain rooms cleaned, then you are only charged for those rooms. Typically, a team Teresa Hodgen of 2-3 cleaners will enter a home depending 360 Clean on the size of the residence. Our services include vacuuming wall to wall, thorough dusting, cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms, removal and trash and waste, cleaning kitchens and microwave interiors, hand washing all

hard floors and straightening and tidying up rooms. And if your mom is a clean freak like us, we also offer deep cleaning services such as cleaning light fixtures, polishing woodwork, and dusting in those hard to reach places. Call us for more details!”

Rich Hershberger Call of Doodie

Don’t just stop at a clean house--give your mom a clean yard while you’re at it! If your mom is a dog owner, perhaps the most creative gift you can get her this Mother’s Day is someone to take care of all the little gifts her furry friend leaves in her backyard every week. Rich Hershberger with Call of Doodie, a division of Blades Lawn & Landscape, knows that dealing with pet waste is one of those topics that every pet owner must deal with but no one likes to talk about. “The fact is that the majority of community and neighborhood problems result from the inappropriate handling of pet waste,” Rich commented.

Chances are, your mom has had to deal with enough of your crap over the years—so give her a little break from this “doodie” from now on.

Another way you can freshen up this Mother’s Day is by getting mom a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Fields Floral. Nothing lights up a room like the golden glow of sunny sunflowers or an arrangement of all the usual Spring suspects—hydrangeas, carnations, roses, daisies, lilies—you name it! Each arrangement is delivered in a gathering vase and wrapped with a coordinating ribbon, as every posey should be.

Sara Reyes Sudman Fields Floral

If your mom prefers actual candy over eye candy, Fields Floral even has a Candy Bar Bouquet just for her! Sarah Reyes Sudman with Fields Floral also highlighted their monthly DIY event. “Toss the coffee and use your mug for something magnificent!

Join us on May 3rd from 5 - 7 p.m. at Fields Floral for Mug Mania as we create miniature masterpieces for Mother’s Day. Have a special mug you’d like to use? Bring it along! All supplies, snacks, and beverages are included. Space is limited so go to our website to sign up!”

Another activity your mom will enjoy is a good ol’ shopping trip! Rachel’s Boutique, Lincoln’s full-line Brighton jewelry store, believes moms are very special and they would love to help you pick out the perfect gift for her. Whether it’s a fashionable new top, a trendy scarf or designer flip flops—Rachel’s Boutique is filled with all of mom’s favorites.

“In anticipation of Mother’s Day, we are running a special promotion. Anyone who purchases a Brighton necklace and bracelet will receive a free pair of earrings! This amazing deal will end May 13th so don’t miss out!” announced Cherie Travis with Rachel’s Boutique. “Rachel’s Boutique carries many well-known brands including Brighton, Joseph Ribkoff, Picadilly, Coobie bras, Lynn Ritchie, Multiples, and other great jewelry and clothing lines including Husker apparel and clear bags. Each line Cherie Travis is unique and there is a range of prices to Rachel’s Boutique accommodate any budget. Rachel’s also has Trollbeads, which are an assortment of interchangeable jewelry with a wide variety of charms, each one with a special meaning. This is a great opportunity for you and your mom to come in and create a one-of-a-kind charm bracelet or necklace, or you can surprise her by picking out ones that fit her personality! We offer gift certificates and, as always, gift wrapping is free. Our store is located off of 70th and Pioneers—come in and visit us today!”

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Another hot spot to take mama dearest, located just a hop, skip and a jump away from Rachel’s Boutique, is Habitat. Habitat has been Lincoln’s premier kitchen and gift store for more than 40 years. They focus on contemporary home décor, kitchen goods, and women’s accessories.

Habitat even has you covered if you’re wanting to get all your gift shopping done before Mother’s Day. There’s sure to be a perfect gift for mom on every shelf, but as Jana Clark with Habitat tells us, nothing will make your mom smile like their themed gifts.

Themed gift packages at Habitat might include: Movie Night—$37 (microwave popcorn maker, gourmet popcorn, seasoning and popcorn serving bags); Breakfast in Bed—$62 (a beautiful bamboo serving Jana Clark tray, stonewall pancake/waffle mix, and maple or blueberry syrup); Pizza Habitat Party—$85 (pizza baking stone, pizza sauce and infused olive oil); and Bread & Soup—$17 (a variety of bread mixes paired with amazing soups). Habitat employees love to help customers select items for customized gift baskets so they are personalized, making them extra special and meaningful.

Then, take advantage of the free gift wrapping service and they’ll turn your one-of-a-kind creation into a thing of beauty right there in the store! Jana added that they also offer a large variety of Thymes fragrances, must-have tools for every home chef, wellness/ anti-fatigue mats with a 20-year warranty, and a large selection of teas and coffee.

“It can be a challenge to make sure you’re getting mom something she actually needs and wants,” Jana admits. “That’s why Habitat invites shoppers to come in anytime to create a wish list that we will keep on file at the store.” This is brilliant! Just take mom to Habitat and have her pick out her favorite items, then come back later and get her something on her list to surprise her with on Mother’s Day! If there is one thing you can’t go wrong with though, it’s diamonds.

Whether you’re shopping for your own mom or grandma, or the mother of your children, the staff at Sartor Hamann Jewelers will help you make the right choice when picking out jewelry for the special women in your life. While they may be known as The Engagement Ring Store, their collection extends far beyond wedding bands. From brooches and pendants to earrings and necklaces— Sartor Hamann Jewelers offers the best-of-the-best, and they can customize almost anything. Their Slate & Tell collection would make a fitting gift for the occasion. You can put your mom’s name or adjective that describes her on a charm, and there is a slate for every interest, religion, and language—the possibilities are endless!

A less tangible gift option, but still just as desirable, is treating your mom to a relaxing massage. Dennis Varley with The Body Shoppe is promoting their couple massages as a special gift for Mother’s Day, and as an added bonus, you’re included too. “What an amazing time to spend with your mother or your spouse,” Dennis noted. “Our couple massages will be offered at a special discounted rate of $50 for an hour or $70 for 90 minutes. The Body Shoppe also offers a special prenatal massage for mothers-toDennis Varley be. Studies indicate that massage therapy The Body Shoppe performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.”

The best way to schedule a massage session for you and your mom, or to purchase a gift certificate to reveal to her on Mother’s Day, is to call The Body Shoppe directly.

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There truly is no better way to pamper your loved one than by sending them to the spa, but as Erin Lange with 5 Elements

Massage will tell you, massage therapy is much more than a luxury indulgence.

“Massage therapy is an investment in your full creative expression, productivity, passion and sustained good health. They help with depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, stress, insomnia, and many other issues we deal with daily. Therapeutic touch can change your world in many positive ways if utilized regularly. At 5 Elements Massage, as the name suggests, we offer services based on five natural elements— Erin Lange water, metal, fire, wood, and earth—each 5 Elements Massage combining various techniques from one or more of our 13 total massage types that we specialize in. The water element is our most popular, with techniques that stem from an ancient Eastern wellness concept, nurturing both body and soul. What mom wouldn’t love this? That’s why we’re offering a buy three, get one free promotion for Mother’s Day!” As you’re thinking of additional ways to spoil mom, Ovation Salon should come to mind as they are one of the most fabulous beauty parlors in Lincoln. “Let us help you celebrate your mom this Mother’s Day!” urges John Aguirre with Ovation Salon.

“Throughout the whole month of May, we are offering haircuts and styling for $25, makeup application for $20, and basic manicures for only $10. We also have a special promotion going on that would make a great gift—buy a $50 gift card John Aguirre and get a $10 gift card free! At Ovation Ovation Salon Salon, we offer a wide range of services including facials, waxing, specialty and classic hair colors, extensions, styling for weddings and special occasions, spray tanning, and, of course, wig services. There is a reason we call ourselves The House of Wigs, after all. Come check out what we’re all about. Our team of professionals will make your mom look and feel even more beautiful than she already is. New clients and walk-ins are welcome! Call us if you have any questions.”

At this point, you have a long list of gift ideas for Mother’s Day, but your list isn’t complete if it doesn’t have “quality time” highlighted, underlined, and circled a million times. Pretty flowers, fancy jewelry, spa treatments and picking up a bit of the slack for mom all make wonderful, thoughtful gifts—but the most important gift is something money can’t buy. Spending meaningful one-on-one time with the mom you’re celebrating this Mother’s Day is the best thing you can give her. A unique place to take your mom is From Nebraska Gift Shop, located in the Historic Haymarket District. You’ll find how easy it is to lose track of time when you’re at this store as you take in all the fun Nebraska knick-knacks and memorabilia. In addition to all the “good life” goodies, the shop also carries artwork, candles, soaps, metal work, cards, jewelry, and books—all of mom’s favorites!

From Nebraska Gift Shop is also the tasting room for James Arthur Vineyards. Take this chance to sit and catch up with mom over a glass of wine from Nebraska’s largest and most awarded winery. You may soon discover that the time you spend with your mom is just as much of a gift for you as it is for her. It’s also a great place to pick up gifts that will make her Husker heart happy. There are a variety of premade gift baskets available with an assortment of Nebraskamade items for that exact purpose ready to simply pick up and be gifted, or you can have them customize one for you!

Get creative with your gifts for the mom in your life this Mother’s Day. A clean house, a bouquet of flowers (or chocolate bars), a necklace with her initials on it, a breakfastin-bed themed gift package, a brand new hairdo—there are so many options to choose from! But remember, the most special gift you can give your mom is YOU. She may deserve the moon and the stars, but you are her whole world!

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Women’s Health

According to the World Health Organization, the main determinants of one’s health include the social and economic environment, the physical environment, and individual characteristics and behaviors. Within these categories are the following factors that have been found to influence health: Income and Social Status, Social Support Networks, Education and Literacy, Employment/Working Conditions, Personal Health Practices and Coping Skills, Healthy Child Development, Biology and Genetics, Health Care Services, and Culture. Finally, there is one more big one that made the list: Gender.

For women, the health-related things that tend to come to mind first have to do with pregnancy, bone health, hormone balance, the high risk of certain types of cancer, and of course aspects of one’s lifestyle such as proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep.

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Based on this list (which is not exhaustive by any means), want to know some of the really exciting things that are available right here in Lincoln to help keep you healthy and thriving?

Just keep reading!

Let’s start with the basics, nutrition, exercise, and sleep. These are all essential to attaining peak health and wellness. We all want to live a long life, and to have a high quality of life in the years that we live. The complex biological processes that take place based on what you are putting in your body, your activity levels, and getting the proper amount of sleep will have a great deal to do with that.

Weight loss is often tied to fitness and wellness goals, which is a byproduct of eating right, regular exercise, and enough

sleep. Easier said than done, it does take a certain level of dedication – support and guidance from the professionals don’t hurt either.

“At Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers, each of our programs has been designed by our licensed dietitians to ensure you get the proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals that your body needs,” says Jethro Hopkins with Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers.

“With six different programs to choose from, there is a strategy that meets your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re looking to achieve quick weight Jethro Hopkins loss or moderate weight loss, focus on Physicians WEIGHT fat burning or retrain your body with LOSS Centers whole foods, we have a program that’s right for you. That being said, for us, it’s not just about our clients following a program. It’s about helping them to develop healthy habits and a lifestyle they can maintain. We’d rather help you put together a list for the grocery store than have you be completely reliant on our products, although people do tend to really like them. And there’s plenty of room to mix it up, so you won’t be forced to eat the same thing every day.

Our most recent addition to our offerings has been the AM/PM Fat Burning & Appetite Suppressing Weight Control Patches™.

This innovative system works with your body’s natural rhythms, delivering the right ingredients at the right time, day and night, to help support maximum weight loss results. It can be used in conjunction with all PWLC weight loss programs, with all other Advanced Fat Burning 24 Hour Thermogenics® products, or as a standalone supplement. The specialized formula in the AM Patch helps promote weight loss with ingredients that target fat burning, increased energy, and enhanced metabolism during your most active hours while helping you keep hunger at bay all day long. The specialized formula in the PM Patch helps promote weight loss with a focus on evening appetite suppression, reducing cravings and snacking, and helping you wind down to rest. And when you finally close your eyes to sleep, the special ingredients support continued fat burning and metabolism all night long.

Most women enjoy their highest basal metabolic rate in their late teens and early twenties, and then it gradually drops with age. In addition, if you decrease your activity and begin to lose muscle, your natural calorie-burning ability slows down even more. This is especially true for women who were very active during their college years and then take a job where they are sitting behind a desk all day long. Then in your 30s, as your body naturally produces less human growth hormone, that’s also a factor in the lowering of your metabolic rate. In your 40s and 50s, other hormone levels such as estrogen and progesterone decrease as well. Diet and exercise, particularly strength training, become incredibly important in order to maintain a healthy body composition and weight. Naturally boosting your metabolism is something that any woman past their early 20s can benefit from, whether it’s losing weight or staying at the weight you want to be. Other benefits of the ingredients in these patches include better quality of sleep by regulating your circadian rhythm, stabilized mood, improved focus and cognitive function, bone strength, heart health, regulated insulin levels, and it even has anti-aging properties.

You can stop by and pick them up at our North location on the northwest corner of 27th & Superior or at our original South location at 34th & Old Cheney.”

We’ve also got a relatively new fitness concept in town, 9Round.

If you haven’t tried it, you have nothing to lose by stopping in anytime since your first session is free!

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Todd Vettel 9Round North Lincoln

“9Round is the ideal workout facility for women of all ages and fitness levels,” says Todd Vettel with 9Round North Lincoln. “For those who aren’t familiar, 9Round is a specialized fitness center for people who want a unique, fun, and proven workout that guarantees results.

9Round offers a kickboxing-themed fitness program that incorporates functional, interval, cardiovascular, and circuit training regimens. The programs consist of a proprietary system of nine challenging workout stations developed by a World Champion Kickboxer.

One of the key reasons women love the 9Round workout is because of the efficiency. Statistics in fitness are showing that you do not need more time, you need more intensity, and that is exactly what we offer. Our clients can get a full body workout in 30 minutes AND best of all is there are no class times. You can get a structured workout on your own schedule! We have Certified Champion Trainers who will demonstrate, motivate you and maximize your workout at each visit.

Furthermore, through the use of ROUND PULSE™ wearable heart rate technology, we’re able to maximize the ‘afterburn.’

Yes, we love that data! Real-time tracking is part of the 9Round experience and it really takes the program to the next level, making it easier than ever to get the results you want. Our inclub display shows your effort level, heart rate, calories burned, and PULSE Points earned during your workout. Color-coded heart rate zones make it easy to see your effort level at a glance. By tracking the effort you’re putting into your workouts, you’ll always know if you need to work harder or slow down to burn fat and improve your health. Then, due to post-exercise oxygen consumption, your body will continue burning fat up to

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8-14 hours after each workout!

We’ve also received feedback from our clients that 9Round is extremely empowering, especially for women! Coming into the club and being able to complete a 9Round workout, let out the stress of the world on our heavy bags and have fun leaves women feeling empowered and unstoppable! One of the greatest challenges we work so hard to overcome is intimidation and we promise, once you step through those doors into a warm welcome and get started with 9Round, you will never look back. Those feelings of strength, empowerment, and confidence will continue to build each day – all the while creating a new and healthy YOU!” Vettel further advises, “It is so important to find a workout program that covers three major categories: aerobic, anaerobic and resistance training. The simple reason is that we need to build and sustain muscle all the while burning fat. This allows us to be in it for the long run and not just one of those quick weight loss promises that won’t sustain results. 9Round covers all three categories with every single workout. There is no magic genie in a lamp to make the path to health and wellness easy; however, 9Round is going to provide the support right when you need it to keep you going.

Furthermore, nutrition is a huge part of health and wellness.

Everyone is always talking about the newest fad diet with that magic component that is going to change your life, but we like to keep it simple. Part of life is about enjoying good, nutritious food. 9Round offers amazing tools to present the right amount of nutritious meals to fuel your body, as well as, excellent protein options for those on the go and a women’s supplement that is proven to keep us balanced.

Your goal should always be to remain CONSISTENT and find something that you enjoy.

Ladies, we are all busy and 9Round is the ideal workout that takes that into consideration as well. At 9Round we keep it fun and everyone is always smiling, sweating and learning. It is very important that any workout regime keeps you engaged and kickboxing is amazing for challenging your brain while at the same time challenging your body.

patients prefer to schedule their appointments during the winter because it is easier to hide the compression stockings. Now with VenaSeal, women can have their veins corrected when they really want to – during short and swimsuit season. We do still recommend that they avoid direct sun exposure, for a short time, to provide the best results.

Remember, your health, both physically AND mentally, is so important. Often we tend to focus on health as being all physical, but feeling mentally strong is important as well. Find a workout that helps you gain both strength and confidence.

Feel empowered to be the best version of yourself and strive to find balance in both nutrition and fitness. We all have to start somewhere, and today is the day to begin your journey. Make a commitment to yourself to become the best version of YOU.”

VenaSeal uses a medical glue to immediately glue veins shut during the appointment. This means the patient will start to see results right away, unlike other procedures that take a while for the veins to heal. We were proud to be the first Vascular and Interventional Radiologists to perform this revolutionary procedure in Nebraska.

So, you eat right, you work hard, and you push yourself to achieve your fitness goals. But how do you really know if you are successful? The scale may display some numbers but it doesn’t tell you the most important information you need to know to stay healthy and achieve your personal goals. There’s something new at Women’s Clinic of Lincoln that will provide those details.

“We are excited to now offer Advanced Body Composition Assessments ® for women (and men) in our community,” says Lisa Akins with Women’s Clinic of Lincoln. “The Advanced Body Composition Assessment® is performed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

These scans give a precise measurement of total bone density, body fat, and m uscle mass. Lear ning your body composition is a great way to track changes and see the true effect of your Lisa Akins training program. This quick, simple, and Women’s Clinic of Lincoln inexpensive testing can help you learn, know, and visualize the effects of your weight loss or gain and maintain fitness goals. Women’s Clinic of Lincoln is now accepting new and current patients for this exciting new assessment. Call (402) 434-3370 to schedule your appointment today.”

Varicose veins and spider veins are many times not just cosmetic and can be a sign of deeper venous issues. Women should educate themselves on the type of treatment they are getting and the credentials of who is providing the procedure. As Vascular and Interventional Radiologists, we are inherently vascular experts. Patients with varicose veins will start with a consultation where ultrasound imaging helps us determine the root of the problem. If veins are only treated superficially, without the proper consultation, there is a good chance they will return quickly.”

Our experts here in the Lincoln community have so much to offer and do an amazing job of staying at the forefront of their specialty areas. By using them as resources, you’ll stay educated on what’s currently out there and the advances that could have a positive impact on your health and wellness. In doing so, you’ll be in an excellent position to take advantage of what could very well be something that’s life-changing. Cheers to your good health, ladies!

Also important for women to note specifically related to bone health, Akins notes, “With an overall goal of improving healthcare in a comprehensive setting, Women’s Clinic provides patients with Bone Densitometry (DEXA bone scans). The diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis begins with a DEXA bone scan.”

As with osteoporosis, there are other conditions that are far more prevalent among women, with varicose veins being another familiar example.

“Vascular issues are more common in women than men and are very common after pregnancy,” says Dr. Rahul Razdan with Advanced Medical Ima ging. “At Advanced Medical Imaging, we offer the most innovative, minimally-invasive ways to eliminate varicose and spider veins at the source of the problem.

Our goal is always to help women rid their legs of unsightly veins, with the least Dr. Rahul Razdan amount of hassle. That is why we are so Advanced Medical Imaging excited about our newest technology for varicose veins – VenaSeal. Out of all of our varicose vein treatments, it is the only technology that doesn’t require the patient to wear compression stockings as part of the healing process. With the other treatments, most MAY 2018 Strictly Business

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SEVERE WEATHER We’re certainly no strangers to severe weather here in the Midwest. This time of year, from hail storms and torrential downpours to high winds and tornadoes, it can get pretty dicey.

As evidenced by this spring, experiencing weather extremes in a short time period is also a more frequent occurrence today, which makes it pretty hard to predict what will come next.

With the severe weather that we’ve seen in recent years across the United States and globally, it comes as no big shock that weather-related disasters are considered one of the largest risk concerns for homeowners and commercial property owners.

We’ll probably have our fair share of bad storms this year, and in the wake of those, there could easily be damage to your

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home or elsewhere on your property, to your vehicle, or to a commercial property you own or lease.

For homeowners, now is a good time to review your homeowners insurance to be sure you have adequate coverage. Your agent will be able to help you identify any areas of concern that are relevant to you.

For example, it’s a common misconception that flood insurance is included in any homeowners insurance policy when that isn’t always the case. It may need to be purchased separately.

There may be a waiting period before coverage starts, so if a storm is approaching, it may be too late to purchase that type of supplemental insurance coverage. Since we do experience

flash flooding here from time to time, it’s wise to talk to your agent about it.

The same holds true for auto insurance; it’s important to be aware of the coverage your policy provides.

Hail is a major culprit of varying degrees of damage caused to personal property, totaling more than $1 billion each year.

For damage to your vehicle, the cost of repair or the value if totaled will typically be covered by your auto insurance policy, but not always. If you carry comprehensive coverage, you’re highly likely to be financially safeguarded while if you have the basic auto liability coverage, that won’t be the case.

If you’re the unfortunate victim of hail damage to your vehicle and a trip to the body shop to get it repaired is in your future, it’s important to remember that you can select whichever one you feel most comfortable with to get the job done.

If your repairs involve an insurance claim or someone else is paying for the repair, Nebraska state laws dictate that you may select a repairer of your choosing. Instead of allowing the insurer to choose one for you, it’s wise to have one in mind that you’ll use in the event that a storm damages your vehicle.

Choosing a reputable repair facility that will work for you and your best interests will most always lead to a positive experience. By “shopping around” for a repair facility before you need one, you’ll be in a better position to make that decision when you are not rushed or in a panic. Ask friends, family, and associates for their recommendations. Even in this modern high-tech era, old-fashioned word-of-mouth reputation is still extremely valuable. Always try to visit the shop before making the decision on who will repair your vehicle. Look for a neat, well-organized facility with modern equipment. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend specific repair procedures and equipment for the repair of their vehicles. Ensure that the facility you choose is trained in these procedures and has the proper equipment. Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area: civic and community service awards, memberships in local and national industry organizations, Better Business Bureau signage, customer service awards, etc.

Ask if the staff is technically trained and competent, expect to see certificates including vehicle manufacturer training, paint manufacturer training, training from I-CAR (the Inter-Industry ASE Conference on Auto Collision Repair, and certifications—a national standard of technician competence issued by the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

“You have to make an informed decision about who to use,” emphasizes Nate Newcomer with ReNu Auto Services.

“There are many options when deciding who to trust to perform hail damage repair. Our job is to give you the knowledge you need to make a good decision. The reality is that there is no way of knowing how good a company or technician is without doing a lot of checking. Cracked paint is the biggest risk of using an unknown shop or tech.

Nate Newcomer The required temperature for this ReNu Auto Services procedure is at least 68 degrees. If you go any lower than this the paint cracks very easily. Working in a tent outside in winter is just asking for cracked paint, which is common practice for traveling “storm chasers.”

Do the companies that travel the country chasing storms have your best interest in mind? Imagine not noticing a poor repair until days later when they have already packed up and headed out. We are a local business that stands behind every vehicle we fix. We have been fixing hail damage for individuals and new MAY 2018 Strictly Business

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and used car dealers in Lincoln and surrounding areas for more than 15 years. We take pride in what we do and will always be available with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

At ReNu Auto Services, we offer paintless dent repair performed by our professional technicians. From door dings to major hail damage, we can get your car or truck back to looking as good as the day you bought it.”

As far as the most common questions he’s asked and the answers to those, Newcomer offered the following information: How does paintless dent repair work? “The process involves accessing the backside of the panel and pushing the dent up a little bit at a time, using special tools and a lot of training.

An accomplished technician can see movement under the panel the size of a sharpened pencil tip.”

Won’t this make my insurance cost go up or get me canceled

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as a policyholder? “Insurance companies are not allowed to raise rates for any one person or family because of what is called ‘an act of God.’ Hailstorms fall into this designation. If they were to raise rates, they would do so for everyone in your zip code. If you hit a tree with your car that could be your fault, but if there was a storm that caused a tree to fall on your car, it wouldn’t be your fault. Similarly, you didn’t cause the hailstorm.

Not submitting a claim only helps the insurance company.”

What if my insurance check is too low to cover the cost of repairs? “If this happens, we will be able to get the extra amount required from your insurance company. This is called a supplement. The only amount you will be responsible for is the deductible.”

As far as any precautions you could take to avoid hail damage, he advises, “Of course, the best thing you can do is park inside a garage. Other options are placing blankets on your vehicle prior to the storm.

Covered parking can save you a lot of hassle and money, especially in the middle of the country. If you don’t have this currently, it’s a home improvement that’s worth looking into or you can purchase a standalone awning or ‘carport,’ but chances are it won’t withstand the high winds. Consider it an investment that will benefit you by protecting your vehicle from the elements while adding to the value of your home too.

If you don’t have access to covered parking, another option is to find temporary shelter and ride out the hail storm. Although by that time, the damage is likely already done.

Be safe this spring, Lincoln!”

As for a storm that’s caused damage to your home, it’s equally important to select a contractor to perform the repairs who you can trust and has a good reputation locally, as previously recommended.

In the wake of a bad storm that’s caused serious damage to properties in your area, if you find yourself as one of those property owners who will be needed the services of a contractor, again, beware of “storm chasers.”

These are people who present themselves as experienced contractors representing a company you’ve likely never heard of from out of the market who blanket the area with the sole intention of profiting as much as possible off of the situation using any means possible without any regard for the best interests of the property owners. Be careful, because sometimes they may actually pick a name that seems familiar in the community, too. Scams that have been documented included tactics like using what appears to be a local name – here that might be something that includes “Big Red” or “Heartland’s Finest.” This causes confusion because there are many established companies with upstanding reputations that have very similar names, so they blend in. Likewise, they may alter an established business name slightly, like “Striking Business,” counting on people not taking a closer look to realize it’s not “Strictly Business.”

It’s also important for businesses to beware of storm chasers who try to strike temporary partnership deals. You may have someone stop by and offer to do significant advertising of the company in exchange for a share of the business it brings in. It may seem like a great deal to pay nothing to get your name out there on the radio and on billboards, but when all is said and done, it can end up destroying the reputation of the company if the work is done poorly. At the end of the day, they will also be the ones who remain in the market where the customers are and are left on the hook for any follow-up work that’s required resulting from the use of cheap materials and shoddy repairs.

Storm chasers will come right to your door to solicit your business, using high-pressure sales tactics to get you to sign agreements or to let them perform an inspection.

Most commonly occurring, if allowed to replace your roof, you’re in real trouble for a host of nightmarish reasons including cheap materials, poor workmanship, no warranty, or being completely scammed for money up front with no work performed at all.

Be sure to do your research and select an established company; one that’s local is ideal. Also, check out their rating with the Better Business Bureau, online reviews, references, etc. Call your insurance company first to have an estimator come out and validate any suspected damage. Then, once your insurance company has validated damage and given you a quote, you can reach out to a reputable contractor and schedule an appointment with them to get an estimate, which is generally free. That company should be able to explain all of the details thoroughly in person, will be there for you every step of the way during the process, and will still be there if you need them in the future.

“When your home has been hit by a hail storm, you might have to call your insurance company to file a claim,” says Matt Preister with Xcel Roofing.

“Instead of dreading the process of getting the necessary repair work done, let us help you out. As exterior experts, our team has over 30 years of experience dealing with insurance claims and we can provide repair or replacement of your roof, gutters, siding, and windows. We’ll take the Matt Preister time to ensure you learn as much about Xcel Roofing the process as you want and guide you through each step. Our goal is to get you the maximum amount you’re due under the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.

When selecting a contractor, it’s important to work with someone who is an experienced professional, who you can rely on, and who not only performs quality work but also provides excellent customer service. At Xcel Roofing, we feel being well-rounded is important. We’re passionate about improving our communities, our customers are our priority and we want to exceed their expectations.”

In agreement as it applies to window damage and replacement, Gar y Shunkwiler with Hear tland of Nebraska Windows notes, “Typically, when a homeowner has been hit by severe weather that has damaged their windows, they tend to be in ‘panic mode.’

Unfortunately, because of the urgency, stress, or lack of understanding as to the differences between window companies and their products, they will usually just go with the first window company Gary Shunkwiler through the door. You’ll definitely want Heartland of to work with a reputable company, and Nebraska Windows preferably a locally owned company in your area. It’s not a bad idea to get several bids, either.

When severe weather damages existing windows to residential homes, we are able to work with the homeowner as well as the insurance company in getting those windows replaced as fast as possible. The best way to handle replacing your damaged windows is to set up an appointment with us to look at your windows, prepare an estimate for replacement windows, and work with your insurance company if necessary.”

He also offers a few other recommendations. “Choose a highquality vinyl window with a lifetime warranty on every part of the window. As far as price goes, every window company sets their own pricing structure. It’s not uncommon for companies to

take advantage of the homeowner’s situation and try to get as much as they can out of them, knowing that the insurance company is paying the bill. If it’s not something that you think you want or need, ask questions to determine the reasoning behind the recommendations. If you still feel that way, be firm on your stance to decline.

Finally, the installation process that is used by the window company can vary as well. The majority of companies install what is known as ‘pockets’ or ‘inserts.’ These just simply sit on top of the existing window framing. The best and only true way to install replacement windows is to go all the way down to the original ‘rough opening,’ or down to the ‘studs,’ which is the process we use. This way you can properly insulate and seal the window against air and water infiltration. You will also have more ‘glass space’ to look through and the windows look like they were original to when the house was constructed.

Heartland of Nebraska Windows is a locally, family owned and operated distributor for Heartland Windows, based out of Aplington, Iowa. With an exceptional reputation with the BBB and our customers, we provide the highest quality triple-pane windows and patio doors at an affordable price. We strictly adhere to a code of professionalism that starts with the initial contact and lasts all the way through the installation and final walk-through by the owner.”

Hopefully we won’t have much to worry about in the way of damage caused by severe weather this year.

However, that’s probably wishful thinking, so just to be on the safe side, be prepared accordingly.

By utilizing the knowledge, experience, and services of our local professionals, you’ll be in good hands.

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Building Your Dream Home When it comes time to consider a new home, the first of many decisions ahead is whether to build or to buy. If it’s not immediately clear which one is the best option for you, looking into both isn’t a bad idea at all. There are generally pros and cons either way you go, as with any fork in the road that you’ll encounter in life. Specifically with respect to building a home, at the top of the list of pros is the ability to design your home to be exactly what you want it to be, with control over every single aspect from floor plan to finishes. Higher energy efficiency and lower repair costs are attractive benefits as well, and the list goes on from there.

Financing Options If you’ve made the decision to build, the next step is getting your financing in place as it will determine your budget. If you’re thinking “construction loan” sounds scary, rest assured it’s really not at all; it’s actually quite similar to obtaining financing in order to buy an existing home on the market. The initial steps are the same with respect to both, in the following order: 1. Meet with your lender to get pre-approved for the amount you can afford.

2. Develop your wish list and preferences, including location(s) and features.

3. Tour new developments and visit with builders and/or the real estate agents representing them in your price range and preferred location(s).

“There are several essentials to keep top of mind when building a home, the first of which being getting prequalified for your long-term financing before you start the construction process,” advises Tyler Rains with Union Bank & Trust. “This will assure you that you are building a home you can afford while not selling yourself short.

Along with that step, at the start of the process, I always suggest meeting with several builders. You will find that all builders operate in different ways, have access to different build sites, and ultimately offer different products. It’s important to be firm with what you want for your new home so be sure the builder you choose can meet those expectations. If your builder is willing, review the budget with them. Building a home is expensive and it’s good to know what you are getting into beforehand.

Tyler Rains Union Bank & Trust

When you’ve selected your builder, always sign a contract with them. It’s just good business practice. You’ll then want MAY 2018 Strictly Business

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to review the timelines established by your builder once the project begins. By staying on top of the timelines, you will know when it’s time to list and sell your existing home. You will also know when it’s appropriate to start the refinance process of your construction loan to your long-term fixed rate mortgage.

In today’s housing market there are several benefits to building a new home rather than purchasing an existing one. When you build a home you are able to choose the location and builder as well as customize your home from the ground up. Take your time with this process. This is one of the biggest investments you will make in your life! On the other hand, do be aware that one of the major challenges of building a home is the personal time commitment involved. Visiting the site regularly, meeting with your builder, picking out paint colors, choosing floor coverings and deciding on all the finishing touches takes time. Although the final product is very rewarding for most, the time commitment can be overwhelming for some individuals.

You should take the time to think through every aspect of the process and, although this isn’t fun, think through the worstcase scenarios. Even then, be prepared for the unexpected. In almost every build, there are changes that come about, with some that are expected and some that aren’t. Costs can vary from 5%-10% or more. When this happens, it’s important to make sure funds are available to cover the changes.”

In agreement, Jordan Moehlenhoff with West Gate Bank fur ther emphasizes, “Always be prepared for a scenario when you go over budget, because it happens often. Another thing to be careful about is jeopardizing your financing during the building process.

Make sure there are no drastic changes to your financial landscape that would affect eligibility during that time, just as you would with a home loan to purchase one on the market. Don’t quit your Jordan Moehlenhoff job, don’t open a new line of credit, West Gate Bank and don’t make new large purchases without talking to your loan originator. Whoever you work with on the financing end should be there to coach you throughout the process. Get pre-qualified, finalize the details, and then know your budget and what that gets you.

In addition to going over budget, a potential drawback could be finding a lot. As far as the benefits, as previously mentioned it’s largely the customization of every aspect and control of the budget. If you are looking in the $300,000+ price range, many people feel that they can build a house that is ‘to their liking’ in relation to the current inventory. Also, consider how long you are going to live in this house; the longer the time frame, the more it makes sense to build.

It’s also important to note that the cost of construction material has been rising steadily in the last couple of years. Interest rates are expected to be trending upward in the next 12-18 months as well. West Gate Bank offers an extended rate lock program that allows a person building their dream house the ability to secure an interest rate up to 9 months in advance of completion.”

Once you get past the initial three steps outlined previously and discussed more in depth by the lenders, the next ones you’ll take with respect to financing will be dependent upon whether you have opted for a production model or a custom home.

The term production home refers to when builders construct multiple houses within a specific development, while custom home means building on your own lot with your own unique design. With the latter, there will be more financing options to consider as well as more steps involved, including arranging

for a construction loan.

If you’re buying within a development, you may opt to work with your preferred lender or the builder oftentimes can help arrange financing for you. This process will go much like buying an existing home, with the exception being you’ll apply for your loan when you sign the contract with the builder, but the loan terms won’t be locked in until the home build is complete.

For a custom home, construction loans aren’t as widely available, so you’ll likely have to shop around. There are generally one or two steps involved. First, you could obtain a loan that’s interestonly during the building process, then converts into a mortgage once construction is complete. Alternatively, you could take out an interest-only loan for construction, then refinance into a regular mortgage upon completion. Since construction loans are considered to be higher risk, you’ll need a very good credit and a larger sum of money for a down payment.

If you do already own the land, you can use it as equity for your construction loan. Then there’s the possibility of your lender offering a bridge loan if you have equity in your current home.

The risk with that lies in the contingency of selling your current home. You may also consider selling your current home and renting temporarily while waiting for the new one to get built. Moving twice isn’t ideal of course, but it does allow the equity in your current home to be used toward your new home.

In conclusion, Matt Gutschenritter with Cornhusker Bank circles back to reiterate that the process of obtaining financing to build a new home is Matt Gutschenritter generally not much different than the Cornhusker Bank MAY 2018 Strictly Business 75

process of obtaining financing for an existing home. “Basically, at the end of the construction, all parties involved, including the borrower, the builder, the realtor, the bank, etc. will want to have the peace of mind that the new owners have their longterm financing in place and ready to go. The process starts with getting pre-approved for their long term financing. Once we have that in place, it’s a matter of having the discussion with the builder to determine who will be taking out the financing for the new construction, and putting together a contract. If the builder takes out the construction loan, then we work with the buyer in getting them approved for a purchase transaction once the house is completed. If the buyer/borrower takes out the construction loan, we work with them during the construction process, and get them prepared to have their long-term financing set up as soon as their house is built. Upon completion of the construction, we would set up their long-term financing and pay off their construction loan.”

Gutschenritter also offers a few things to consider when weighing the pros and cons, noting, “There are benefits to both building a new home as well as buying an established one. The most obvious advantage to building is that you are assured to get the features and floor plan that you want.

However, when it comes to building, you may not be able to build in a neighborhood that is close to the area of town that you want to be in based on location near schools, work, shopping, friends and family, etc. As far as costs go, it can be more expensive to build than to buy, but not always. The initial costs to get into a new construction may be higher, but chances are there should be minimal expenses when it comes to repairs, decorating, and general upkeep. With an existing home there could easily be the need for replacing the roof, windows, flooring, equipment, appliances, etc. With a newly built home, everything is built to current code, and therefore should be less expensive to heat and cool. Most people do not realize that Homeowners Insurance is typically less expensive on a newly built home as well.”

Finally, he explains, “Although construction loan rates will vary from one lender to another, usually the difference is minimal.

Always keep in mind that the typical construction loan process is approximately 6 months long and during this period the customer only pays interest on the balance that has been drawn upon. Do not get overburdened with the construction loan itself. The bigger financial impact will come with the longterm financing. Look for a lender that has your best interests at hand for the long term.

Mortgage rates continue to be at or near record lows. It seems most of the talk around the industry is that the Fed may soon be increasing the Federal Prime Interest rate. That is not directly linked to long-term mortgage-type rates; however, it will usually coincide with mortgage rates increasing at some point in the near future.

As far as resources go, usually we take out an interest rate “lock” around 60 days prior to the completion of a newly constructed home. However, with the threat of rates going higher in the near future, if someone is losing sleep over these interest rates, at Cornhusker Bank we offer a 6 month “lock” program to help eliminate this issue.

We have a lot of useful information you can check out on our website, www.cornhuskerbank.com, where, amongst other features, a customer can complete a mortgage loan application or pre-qualification online. The ability to do that has worked well for many customers and their busy schedules.

It is streamlined and therefore eliminates a lot of the questions, based on the answers given, that the regular paper application presents.”

Builder Selection Aside from the different types of financing and working within your budget among the other things that were just discussed, there are other matters of importance to consider when evaluating builders and then determining which is the best fit for your project. Body of work definitely speaks for itself, as do references – check out both.

“When building new it’s important to select a reputable builder with a proven track record,” says Bo Jones with Tru-Built Construction, who is also currently serving as president of the Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL). “What you get with that is a quality home and a builder warranty which covers the structure and

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Bo Jones Tru-Built Construction

systems for at least a year, and oftentimes longer, on items such as the roof, windows, siding, and mechanical systems. With a new home you can figure 15+ years without having to look at any major repairs, whereas an existing home you might have a list to tackle every year. HBAL is a great resource for finding leaders in the Lincoln market for any home project.

Because new home construction is oftentimes the largest investment people will make in their lifetime, it’s important to build with someone who has a well-documented track record of consistently delivering a quality product. One of the biggest mistakes we see clients make is searching for the builder who can build the house the cheapest. Lincoln is a competitive market for home building, which benefits the client by creating a system of checks and balances and keeps pricing fair. If a builder claims they can build the same house for substantially less than another builder, oftentimes that means they have reduced the allowances for items such as cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, etc. or they are reducing the quality of roofing, siding, windows, or mechanical systems, which has a negative impact of the long-term value of the home or shows up as a surprise change order midstream of the build.”

Looking to the future, he also mentions, “Residential construction in Lincoln should remain strong as we have a lot of good things happening in the community. There are several planned developments and currently open developments that will offer a wide range of lots for new home construction all around town.

Overall new home construction in Lincoln is high quality, which helps the home maintain its value over the long term as an investment. Spending a little more money up front to upgrade items such as windows, siding, roofing, and insulation will help keep the value up and also reduce monthly utility bills.”

Along the same lines, Matt Murray with Murray Custom Homes offers the following advice: “Make sure to pay attention to the individual allowances provided by each bid when comparing estimates. With the strong market, there is a huge influx of new home builders, some with tons of experience and some not so much.

When you are looking at the total cost to build a house, it doesn’t mean much Matt Murray unless you compare the allowances Murray Custom Homes to purc hase specific items. If two companies give you the exact same bid, but one company is allowing you $1,000 to purchase appliances whereas the other company is allowing you $10,000, their bids are dramatically different. Too many people are signing on the dotted line prior to analyzing the individual allowances, hence, leaving them with a huge overage at the end of the project.

Building a home has gotten the reputation of being difficult and stressful, especially with shows like those you watch on HGTV that dramatize the process. Which, it can be. But, done properly and with the right company, it can be a fun and enjoyable process. It can and should be one of the most rewarding and satisfying processes you’ll embark upon!

He goes on to provide some insight on common questions he receives and trends he’s seen. “The most common questions are ‘How long does it take to build, from start to finish?” and “Do you have own your own lots, or can you build on our land?” For the first question, depending upon the time of year we start the house, it will typically take 6 months from start to finish. As for the second, we do have approximately 12 lots currently in inventory and many more at our disposal. However, that doesn’t mean this is the only place we will build. We have no problem building on a lot for sale or a private piece of land.

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With respect to trends, the biggest ones I’ve noticed are with window sizes and ‘smart home’ technology. Throughout the years the windows in our homes have gotten bigger, and bigger, and even bigger. It is almost like the entire back wall of the house is full of windows, floor to ceiling. The advancement in window technology and framing practices has made this possible.

People are also keen to the idea of being able to control their house via phone/voice commands: lights, temperature, audio, etc. It’s a priority of ours to do a really good job of trying to stay on the forefront of the home automation industry.”

Christina Melgoza with Krueger Development adds another common question she receives. “In relation to residential building, I’m often asked, ‘Do you have any walkout lots available?’

Walkouts – where a home can be situated to have the basement fully open to the yard – are a hot commodity, coming before daylights and flats in popularity. When weighing the option to build or buy, the potential home builder needs to understand that it can Christina Melgoza take some time to find your dream lot.

Krueger Development With demand higher than supply, a potential home builder should contact developers directly for lot information versus waiting to see what lots your builder might have available. Many times, you can purchase the lot in advance, even if you aren’t ready to build yet. Check the development’s covenants to make sure there is not a deadline to start building once the lot is purchased. Waiting a year or two after the land is purchased to begin building a dream home is not uncommon. Even if you are working directly with a builder who has built in the neighborhood before, it’s never a bad idea

to ask the developer for a set of the current covenants. You don’t want to get too far into developing building plans, only to find out that you need to change them.”

She also notes, “Over 700 single family detached building permits were pulled in Lincoln in 2017, the greatest amount since 2006. Residential construction in Lincoln – and especially southeast Lincoln – is the strongest it’s been in a decade.

Both our Woodlands at Yankee Hill and Southlake 7.8.9.10 developments are in this high growth area. We expect the residential building market to continue on its high demand path for the foreseeable future. The demand for residential lots continues to outweigh the amount of lots available in Lincoln.

As director of lot sales, my role begins before the new home might even be a thought. At Krueger Development, we forecast building trends and develop raw ground into residential lots for future builds. Once all infrastructure is in place, I sell the lots to builders or private buyers for residential dream homes.

For residential lot information, you are welcome to contact me at (402) 423-7377 or cmelgoza@kruegerdevelopment.com.”

Weighing in from the perspective of a real estate agent, Derek J Kats with Keller Williams Lincoln offers the following insights: “In a market such as todays with such low housing inventory, many buyers are c hoosing to purc hase a new construction home or will opt to go through the process of building their one from the lot up. This should be an amazing experience, allowing you to Derek J Kats customize the home of your dreams to fit your lifestyle exactly as you have Keller Williams Lincoln it planned out. Though this should be an enjoyable time, it is an entirely different process than purchasing an existing home. I have firsthand experience with the home building process and its potential pitfalls and inherent delays/inconveniences. Because of this I urge all potential new construction home buyers to consider contacting a Realtor who is familiar with the builder’s standard practices to assist you in the process from finding a floorplan and lot that suits your needs to aiding in the selection-making and walkthroughs. The process of building a home can be time consuming; working with a Realtor who has experience with the builder streamlines the process and allows for a more enjoyable building experience.

New construction homes can give the buyer an option to customize the floor plan or finish materials, but typically are less negotiable on price. You could actually stand to benefit from of using the Realtor representative of the builder, whom oftentimes can offer added incentives.

Also, when making your home buying decision, always keep resale value in mind. As a Realtor, I always try to take a bottom-line business approach to real estate purchases and sales. Many buyers can understandably get emotionally caught up in customizing their home in ways they feel will suit their lifestyle, but more often than not the home you are purchasing will be the home you are selling in years to come. By keeping resale in mind, you will always be able to continue climbing up the property ladder.

With my prior sales history and representation of numerous builders, I would make an excellent candidate to assist you on your home buying journey--please give me a call to discuss your home buying goals and to see what homes are currently available for sale. I can be contacted directly at (402) HOMES-4-U, (402) 466-3748, or by email at DerekJKats@ kw.com.”

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Features & Upgrades With the ability to customize the features of your home in their entirety, having that freedom sure is exhilarating. There are an endless amount of options for just about anything you can think of that you’d find in a home, so having a general idea of what you want going into the process is a good idea.

Again, take advantage of the opportunity to tour different home models and visit your local showrooms, as actually seeing these things in real life helps quite a bit.

With some features it’s just a matter of picking the style, model, type of material, color, finishes, and so on, then having those selections installed accordingly. For others, there are aspects that will take place early on in the planning of the infrastructure in order to support the addition of those features later on down the line.

“Building your dream home is an exciting time, and there are so many aspects and variables to ponder,” says Matt Collins with Oak Electric Inc. “One of the most important pieces is the electrical. It is literally in every corner and room in the house.

I have two pieces of advice to offer.

First, I would like to encourage someone who is building their dream home to close their eyes and ‘live’ in the home.

Matt Collins Think about how you would go about Oak Electric Inc. your daily life, what kind of lighting do you want? Do you want dimmers, can lights, mood lights?

Where do you want your switches and outlets to be? As an electrician, we are constantly being called to make changes after the fact. Nobody thinks of everything, so don’t be afraid to give us a call.

Second, being energy efficient isn’t just a popular trend; it’s a way of life. You can make your home more efficient by installing high-efficiency water heater and HVAC systems. Furnish your kitchen and laundry room with high-efficiency appliances.

Consider using LED lighting for both the inside and outside your home. This is your dream home, it’s an investment, and it’s not the time to cut corners just to save a penny. Typically, on average, incandescent lighting uses 7.6 times as much energy as LED lighting and it also requires more maintenance.

One final point – consider the quality of the light fixtures and ceiling fans being installed. Many consumers and/or builders will go with the cheapest bid. This means the fixture could consist of plastic can lights and finishes with incandescent bulbs. Most people end up upgrading at some point so why not do it right the first time? Oak Electric, Inc. is available for consultations upon request.

Good luck with your project and please don’t be afraid to call.”

Likewise, take the integration of technology in your home, for example. To get the end result that you want, you’ll need to have a plan for the electrical infrastructure and components as well as for the design features in the space and the actual tech items.

The area under the umbrella of technology that’s accessible for use in the home setting today is full of modern marvels, that’s for sure. There’s lighting control systems, motorized shading solutions, audio and video systems, wireless networks and home security, landscape audio, aesthetically-integrated televisions and private home theatres, and those are not only on the interior but also commonly extend to outdoor living and entertaining areas too.

Then there are the sophisticated systems that help your home to operate at peak efficiency, among other key benefits. As previously mentioned, being in an ideal position to capitalize on all of the benefits that come along with energy efficiency in all aspects is definitely a perk of a brand new home. With smart home technology, you can do that and so much more.

“When looking into your options for your new home, remember that many building technology contractors also serve residential clients. Companies such as Engineered Controls represent a whole host of smart home products that will improve your home’s comfort and help you operate your home more efficiently,” advises Pat Killeen with Engineered Controls. “From the most state-of-the-art Wi-Fi enabled thermostats and zoning systems to wholePat Killeen house air cleaning systems, whole-house Engineered Controls humidification and dehumidification systems, Zigbee and Z-Wave wired and wireless home security and video systems; everything is geared toward making homes more energy-efficient, safe and secure.

Engineered Controls represents Honeywell residential products, the most trusted and recognized name in home comfort and security. No other manufacturer offers more for homeowners in the way of increasing comfort, saving energy, and protecting your home than Honeywell.

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keep homeowners connected everywhere. Honeywell’s Total Connect Service provides a personalized web portal with mobile apps that allow the homeowner to stay connected to their home’s heating and cooling system and security system from their smartphone, tablet or personal computer. With Total Connect, the homeowner can monitor and control critical aspects of their home at any time and from anywhere.

The popularity of smart thermostats such as Honeywell’s Prestige Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat and the Ecobee3 has also been steadily on the rise. These thermostats allow the monitoring of temperatures from mobile devices and PCs. By monitoring the humidity, temperature and altering heating and cooling cycles, it results in energy and monetary savings that can end up being substantial. These thermostats are further advancing in terms of technology, even within a year’s time the progress is incredible.

As far as what might be a smart investment for you, smart home technology that will help save on utility bills is a great starting point. It’s no secret that heating and cooling account for the bulk of a home’s energy usage. Depending on the size of a home, utility bills can average over $1,000 annually and a programmable thermostat is one simple way to save as much as $180 a year.

If you’re interested in integrating technology into your new home, my advice is to make sure and do your research. Most of us like to start that process by conducting an online search, and there is plenty of information on the Internet today that will make the average person much more knowledgeable about what is available in the residential construction market. That being said, keeping in mind that not everything you see on the internet is accurate or credible information, it should simply serve to guide your conversation with a professional so that you can ask the right questions are better able to articulate exactly what you want. Far too often we encounter homeowners who have moved into their new house only to find out that they did not get what they wanted. The moral of the story is to get involved, educate yourself, ask questions, know what you want, and be clear on what you are getting BEFORE the decisions are made by everyone but you, the customer.”

Altogether, when considering everything that goes into designing your home, particularly for those who are starting with a blank slate, there’s a lot of ground to cover. There’s everything that goes into the floor plan, for starters. Additionally, there are many things to take into consideration aside from layout and how many bedrooms and bathrooms, with the infrastructure and key systems being important too – electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc. to support the functions and various other features you desire. Then there’s the selection of windows and doors, color palette and finishes for cabinetry, flooring, walls, trimming, fixtures, tiling, and finally the appliances, furniture and décor.

Moving outside, you’ll be making decisions on the roofing, gutters, siding, porch, garage door system, deck and/or patio area(s), fencing, outdoor lighting, sprinkler system, and then tree placement and installation of other landscaping features.

While that’s not an exhaustive list, it does sum things up in a quick overview.

The fact that you make all of the decisions about every single aspect of the home is a major benefit of building versus buying when all is said and done. It’s important to work with experienced professionals who will guide you through the process and help you make the best possible decisions based on your wants, needs, and budget so that you end up getting exactly what you want. Even something as seemingly small as outlet placement can make a big difference when actually put to use.

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As evidenced by all of the home inspiration found on Pinterest and in magazines and blogs, there are SO many

really cool things you can do with your space. Creativity and personalization are what will ultimately make the new house your home.

This is particularly true with the color palette and finishes, which sets the tone for everything else design-wise.

“Currently, we are seeing a lot of mixing of textures with different woods, paints and finishes that when done right actually blend together quite nicely,” says Lori Wellman, CKD, CGR, CAPS with Lincoln Cabinet. “With paint selection, I always recommend that you select a color with enough depth to be noticed. While white can be striking, Lori Wellman white walls do not give that warm and Lincoln Cabinet cozy feel most people want in their homes. Don’t shy away from color; there are plenty of ways to incorporate it into each space of your home. Color may mean bright and bold to some people, but other times it can mean a softer brown or grey tone. Everyone interprets color differently.

A neutral palette that pulls in muted color tones without being overly bright allows you to go brighter with accents or pictures that you bring into the space. Instead of the bright green wall, perhaps consider a bright green chair for your pop of color.”

Based on your aesthetic, the professionals will be able to present you options that would be a good fit at different price points and advise you as to important factors such as durability and functionality. Wellman also offers the following advice on making your selections: “When you’re looking at different builders, be sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Then, raise questions about any variances you’ve identified, such as why they have less or more allocated towards a certain aspect of your project. You’ll want to be sure that the higher cost areas correspond with your priorities, as well as what’s best for you or your family long term.

Cabinetry is an important aspect in any home and it needs to be designed and function in a way that works for you. The investment you make here will be noticeable long term and it is harder to change out cabinetry at a later date. Also, be sure to think about accessories that will be helpful. These items might include large drawer stacks vs. rollout trays, a built in trash can, or spice and tray storage. This is an area you may first try to cut cost on; however, it is more cost effective to include these from the beginning than adding them in at a later date. When you must compromise to cut cost, try to find a good balance between different products as well as your wants vs. needs.

Think of items that may be easier to change out over the years and see what options there are to save in those areas.”

For any type of built-in interior design features, your builder, who is serving as the general contractor for the project, will likely have preferred subcontractors lined up to perform the work required to fabricate and install those items. However, if there is a company you have in mind that you really want to be involved, be sure to clear that with your builder during the planning process. This is especially common with custom features that go above and beyond what’s incorporated into the vast majority of homes constructed for clients.

Thomas Huston Honest & Humble Construction, LLC

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the interior aspects of finish work. For new home builds, custom built-in furnishings are very on-trend; our favorites to design and build are staircases, foyers, armoires, mantles, faux beams, and studies/libraries. For any of those, it’s common for us to be brought on as a subcontractor for that aspect of the home.

We have a team of employees and subcontractors who are all dedicated to providing exceptional craftsmanship and service that consistently yields the high-quality products we’re able to deliver.”

Also regarding current trends, he notes, “Today, many of the clients we work with are also looking to invest into upgradeable capabilities, the most popular of which being smart home technology (app controls), radiant floor heating, and geothermal heating and cooling.”

In summary, he recommends, “Above all, I would say do what will make you happiest in the long run, and select someone to work with who is invested in making your dreams come true.”

Move-In Ready Once your beautiful new home is complete, it’s finally time to move in! As anyone who has moved can attest, it’s an arduous process. First, there’s the packing, then the relocating, and finally, the process of unpacking and getting settled. That middle step might be from your current home to your new home, but sometimes the transition is a bit more complicated. If your home is sold before your new home is complete and move-in ready, you might find yourself renting a place to live temporarily or staying with family or friends. In this situation, utilizing a storage unit for the majority of your home’s contents is common.

Choosing the right storage facility is more important than you may think. You’re going to be stowing away many of your valuable belongings, so you’ll want a unit that is safe and secure, with the conditions that will keep everything in pristine condition, while also being easily accessible and in a good location if possible. Store It All is a brand new state-of-the-art self-storage facility located at 3321 Ox Bow Circle in north Lincoln where you’ll get great customer service, onsite security and digital video surveillance, drive-up access, and you can pay your bill conveniently online.

Then during the process of moving in, it’s time to find a place for everything and get organized in your new space. It’s quite common to stack those boxes in the garage and work on them gradually, bringing out the necessities of daily life first and then eventually getting to all of your other stuff.

Austin Peters Levrack

“Oftentimes during the process of moving in and getting everything situated, people discover that even though they thought they had planned accordingly, they don’t have enough storage space or adequate storage systems for their needs,” says Austin Peters with Levrack. “Either way, it then becomes a matter of how to maximize the space they do have and finding a solution that works, and that’s where we come in.

Levrack is a storage system that acts as a closet for your garage. It’s a standalone unit that we developed to keep this area clean and clutter-free, with ample shelving space inside that faces inwards so it takes up less wall space while also being hidden from view. It’s also great for shops if you happened to include an out building in the plans for your new property.”

He continues, “When it comes time to move, all of the stuff you’ve accumulated while living in your current home comes to

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the forefront, so there tends to be a lot of downsizing during the process. Afterward, you vow to become more organized once you get into your new home and have that opportunity for a fresh start. It’s common to have mixed feelings of excitement and dread. As much as you don’t feel like unpacking and organizing after moving, it’s naturally a great time to do it and having a fully-functional storage system will help you get everything out of the boxes and into its designated home, quickly and easily. It’s also an alternative for storing things that you only use occasionally in an attic that’s difficult to access, keeping them within reach and out of sight but not out of mind.

Your garage will look nice and perform its intended function, protecting your vehicle(s), while also housing your own mini storage facility at the same time.”

If building your very own dream home is a fixed part of your future plans or, at the very least, has crossed your mind recently, either way it doesn’t hurt to dip your toe in the water now and see what’s out there. Across the spectrum of custom homes, there are definitely nice options at very affordable price points as well as the luxury homes at higher price points. The best place to start is touring homes showcasing the work of our local builders.

Then, once you’ve committed, the same holds true for everything else that will be incorporated into your home – you’ll have a much better idea of what you want and what would best fit your needs if you have the opportunity to see it for yourself. There are many impressive showrooms here in Lincoln you can visit for product demonstrations and where you can meet with professionals to learn more and get a feel for what it would be like working with them. It’s a process that requires you to be actively involved to a certain extent, but that level of personal investment will reward you with all of the benefits that come along with living in a brand new home that was custom-built to your exact specifications.

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