Toys for Tots Calls for More Gifts for Infants, Teens
December 18, 2011 • No comments
Toys for Tots in Omaha is calling for additional donations of toys before the end of its annual drive, which will wrap up Monday, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Organizers say they need more toys for children under the age of 2 as well as teenagers. Donations of unwrapped toys can be made until 1 p.m. on Monday. They can be dropped off at the Marine Reserve building at 5808 N. 30th St. as well as other donation sites. Call 402-453-8807, ex. 255, for more information.
read more »
Got Radon? Free Test Kits Available
December 15, 2011 • 1 comment
The Douglas County Health Department is offering free radon test kits on a first come, first served basis through the end of the month. Kits are available at Girls Inc., Urban League of Nebraska, and Latino Center of the Midlands locations as well as the health department offices at 1111 South 41st St. A grant from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is covering the cost of 200 radon test kits. The kits come with instructions and a postage-paid mailer. Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that can seep into homes through cracks and openings in walls and foundations. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified Eastern Nebraska has having some of the most elevated radon levels in the
read more »
Preventing Fraud in Your Neighborhood Association
December 14, 2011 • 1 comment
The treasurer of the Lake Cunningham Hills Neighborhood Association was charged with felony theft by deception after allegedly admitting to stealing about $5,000 from the neighborhood association's bank account, according to The Omaha World-Herald. Jennifer J. Wieting, 44, reportedly admitting to stealing the money and expressed her desire to repay the association. Lake Cunningham Hills is located east of Interstate 680 and west of 72nd Street. Without careful planning and systems in place, any volunteer group - like a neighborhood association - could run the risk of experiencing fraud. Ronald Abdouch, executive director of The Neighborhood Association in Omaha, recommends that neighborhood associations require two signatures be present on any checks written out of the read more »
Community Matters
December 12, 2011 • 1 comment
Margaret White, owner of Papio Fun Park in Papillion has cut back on her volunteer hours. With five grown kids, after years of PTO and booster meetings, she doesn’t volunteer at the schools. She even shares meeting responsibility with one of her employees – and still it takes several minutes to list all of her community commitments. She plays the piano for mass at St. Columbkille, serves on the Papillion Community Foundation Board and is a member of several area chambers, networking and business development groups. She’s collected awards for chamber ambassador of the year, business leader of the year and small business of the year from Sarpy County. She’s supporting a struggling family at Christmas, sponsoring tables at the Papillion Community Foundation fundraiser and
read more »
Zoo Offering Free Admission on Sunday
December 3, 2011 • 2 comments
Does the thought of heading to the zoo in December make you shiver? Think again. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo will offer free admission to the public on Sunday, Dec. 4. With the world's largest indoor rain forest, the Wild Kingdom Pavilion, Kingdoms of the Night, the cat complex, an indoor desert, the new gorilla valley and orangutan forest, and the butterfly pavilion all open during the winter months, there are plenty of things to see at the zoo while staying warm. Those hoping to see the fish should keep in mind that the aquarium is currently closed for renovations. For more information, call (402) 733-8400.
read more »
Aksarben Village Holiday Market
December 2, 2011 • No comments
Kick off the holiday season at the Physicians Mutual and WOWT Holiday Market at Aksarben Village. Open for free this Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Holiday Market is the perfect place to get a start on holiday shopping and enjoy the warm atmosphere inspired by Germany’s classic Christmas markets. The Holiday Market will get visitors into the festive spirit as they experience the ambience of this wonderful event while shopping for a variety of holiday gifts such as pastries, wine, homemade crafts and more. Santa Claus will be at the market from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday to visit with children about their holiday wishes. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the meeting. For more information, visit
read more »
Walgreens to Sell Hard Liquor
December 2, 2011 • No comments
The state liquor board has voted to allow six Omaha Walgreens stores to sell hard liquor, according to a report in the Omaha World-Herald. Two of the stores, the ones at 3701 N. 132nd St. and 9001 Blondo St., are in the northwest area of town. According to the Omaha-based district manager for Walgreens, the pharmacy sought after the hard liquor license to "level the playing field" with competitor CVS, which has Omaha stores that sell hard liquor. He said customers were also requesting the convenience of buying spirits. A number of concerned citizens, a representative from an underage drinking group and an Omaha city attorney were on hand to protest the granting of the license. Other Walgreens stores that will sell hard liquor in Omaha include the locations at 225 N.
read more »
Mt. Michael Capital Campaign Underway
November 29, 2011 • No comments
Mt. Michael Benedictine School, an all-boys Catholic college preparatory school located in Elkhorn, has launched a capital campaign to raise $40 million. The money would go toward increasing the school's endowment fund, improving the infrastructure and building $28 million in new facilities. New facilities would include a new media center and classrooms, renovated residence halls, a new athletics facility, a new performing arts center and a new football stadium and track. The fundraising and improvements will be conducted in a phased approach, and the master plan will be addressed in order of importance - first, increasing the schools endowment fund and then addressing infrastructure and facility needs. For more information on the campaign, visit Mt. Michael's website.
read more »
La Vista Master Plan, Crime Prevention Topics of Upcoming Workshops
November 28, 2011 • No comments
The end of the year is the beginning of some discussions on major La Vista projects. Citizens are invited to the first community workshop to discuss the Civic Center Park Master Plan project Nov. 29 and a Crime Prevention Forum Nov. 1. The Civic Center Park is part of the Vision 84 conceptual plan developed a few years ago. The underlying concept is to transform the La vista Falls Golf Course into the centerpiece of a redeveloped 84th Street corridor. Some of the elements for the park suggested during the planning process included: a lake, amphitheater, trails, picnic areas, community gardens, playgrounds and a civic green for community events. The upcoming workshops will give the community an opportunity to comment and discuss these elements, bring up new ideas and impact read more »
Editor’s Pick: Serving Soup For A Cause
November 24, 2011 • 1 comment
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Tea Smith will serve homemade soup and freshly baked bread free at both locations, 345 N. 78th St. and 1118 Howard St. in the Old Market. The Tea Smith will make a donation to Siena-Francis House homeless shelter for each person who comes into either store. Customers also will be able to make a free-will donation to the shelter. The soups are provided by Foodies Restaurant and the bread is courtesy of Great Harvest Bread Company.
read more »