Lauritzen Gardens antiques show kicks off Thursday in Omaha: Short Takes
The countdown has begun for the 21st annual Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show, taking place next weekend.
Led by general chairs Chloé Firestone, Ellie Grace and Ande Johnson, and honorary chairs Diny and Jim Landen, the event combines the beauty of horticulture with the elegance of art and antiques.
This year's theme, "Secret Garden," invites guests to wander, explore and discover the unexpected charm found in both antiques and nature.
"The Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show is one of my favorite yearly traditions," Firestone said. "It's a delightful blend of discovering unique antiques and treasures while enjoying the inspiring insights from world-renowned interior designers and florists. The luncheons, surrounded by the beauty of the gardens, make the experience truly unforgettable."
Since its inception, the show has raised about $11.4 million to support Lauritzen Gardens operations.
Keynote speakers include Ariella Chezar, Margot Shaw, Mark D. Sikes, Monique Soltani, Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller.
In addition to offering shopping with more than 25 exhibitors, the event will have complimentary educational sessions, including Antiques & Design Academy presentations by Carissa Schrager, Kyle Bunting, Dallas Jenkins (with a panel of local design experts), and Krissa Rossbund, along with designer walks led by Mark and Mikal Eckstrom, Nick Huff and Erica Bryant.
The show kicks off on Thursday with a sneak peek from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a preview party from 6 to 9 p.m. The celebration continues through Sunday with show hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
General admission to the show is included with paid garden admission ($15 plus tax for adults, $9 plus tax for children ages 3-12), and is free for garden members and children 2 and under. Some events require additional fees and reservations.
For show details, including a list of exhibitors, visit omahaantiqueshow.org .
AARP honors Hershey volunteer
Longtime volunteer Michelle O'Dea, of Hershey, Nebraska, has been selected to receive the 2024 AARP Nebraska Andrus Award for Community Service.
Named after AARP's founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the award honors outstanding volunteers from each state who dedicate their time and talent to enrich their communities.
From training service and therapy dogs, to advocating for affordable housing, supporting veteran and military families, and providing AARP tax-aide services, Michelle's vital contributions have made a significant difference in people's lives.
"Michelle's dedication toward making community improvements statewide through diverse and impactful efforts is inspiring," said Suzan DeCamp, AARP Nebraska volunteer state president.
Her efforts are felt far beyond the North Platte area, as she founded Domesti-PUPS in 2000 while living in Lincoln and served as the organization's volunteer executive director for 22 years.
The nonprofit works with more than 125 volunteers, including incarcerated individuals in four prisons, to train service and therapy dogs —at one point having 40 dogs in schools across five states. She also volunteers with the Hershey Planning and Zoning Commission and AARP Tax Aide, among others.
"We're thrilled to highlight Nebraskans aged 50 and above who are leveraging their life experiences to positively impact those around them. Michelle O'Dea truly exemplifies this spirit and is highly deserving of this recognition," said Todd Stubbendieck, AARP Nebraska's State Director.
O'Dea will be receive the Andrus Award, along with a $2,500 check presentation to her selected nonprofit, North Platte's American Legion PR Halligan Post #163, in a ceremony on Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Legion.
Eric Thomas to speak at leadership conference
Best-selling author, educator and motivational guru Eric Thomas will headline the 12th annual African American Leadership Conference on Friday at the CHI Health Center Omaha & Hilton Omaha Downtown.
"We are excited to welcome Eric Thomas back, this time as the keynote speaker for the African American Leadership Conference," said Willie Barney, CEO and founder of the Empowerment Network. "Supported by our strategic partners and sponsors, this year's conference will be a transformative experience, offering a dynamic mix of sessions designed to inspire, educate and connect leaders committed to making a difference in their communities."
The conference aims to provide attendees with valuable skills and knowledge to enhance their careers, improve their health, expand their businesses and engage more deeply in their communities.
This year's conference, with a theme of "Intentional," has a diverse lineup of speakers and comprehensive sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from leaders across various industries, including:
Chet Fortune, founder, Coach Chet. Topic: Overcoming adversity.
Frank Hayes, CEO, Hayes & Associates. Topic: Financial success.
Racquel Henderson, director, EPIC for Girls. Topic: Preparing successful youth.
Melody McClellan, president and chief wellness strategist, Unwrap You. Topic: Balance and joyful living.
David Stevens, founder and principal, Stevens Capital Partners. Topic: investments.
Mynesha Spencer, CEO, All of Us Together. Topic: Embracing diversity.
Jay Warren, director of diversity, BCBS. Topic: Strategic leadership.
Aileen Warren, executive director, ICAN. Topic: Professional development.
To register and learn more, visit aalcomaha.com .
New name for immigrant groups is CIRA
The Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement has announced its new brand and name, developed to represent the combined organizations formerly known as Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center.
Known as CIRA, the new name represents the spirit of both organizations, and it signifies a collective commitment to guiding and advancing immigrants and refugees on their journey in Nebraska and western Iowa.
CIRA Executive Director Erik Omar said it was important to develop a new brand with input from the team, clients and the community.
"When immigrants and refugees are thriving, our communities are thriving," he said. "In choosing the word 'advancement' to be in our name, we intentionally honor the experience and resilience of each immigrant and refugee who courageously asks for our assistance in helping achieve their goals. We see it as our role to walk with them and guide them as they get the support they need to succeed on their own terms."
For more than 25 years, Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center individually helped thousands of immigrants and refugees. This important work now continues under a unified organization.
CIRA will celebrate its 10th annual Food Truck World Tour along with its new brand on Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. on the Metropolitan Community College campus at 32nd and Sorenson Parkway. The event brings together immigrant- and refugee-owned food vendors for a day of delicious cuisines from around the world, while supporting CIRA's vital mission.
Tickets are available now at CIRAconnect.org .
Bioblitz is set Saturday for Homestead Park
Curious about the flora, funga and fauna of Homestead National Historical Park?
Venture out to the park on Saturday for the 2024 National Public Lands Day BioBlitz!
A bioblitz is a community science effort to identify as many species as possible that can be found within a given space and time. Sunscreen and insect repellent are advised.
Three walks all will begin at Homestead's Education Center with Natural Resources Specialist Jesse Bolli.
The 8 a.m. bird walk will be co-led by Dr. Luke Klicka of Peru State College. The 10 a.m. plant walk will be co-led Dr. Tim Dickson of University of Nebraska-Omaha. The 12:30 p.m. insect walk will be co-led by Dr. Ted Burk of Creighton University.
Seminar will focus on efforts to save cheetahs
Efforts to save cheetahs from extinction, including the role played by University of Nebraska-Lincoln students, will be the focus of a public seminar at noon Monday at UNL's Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege St. in Lincoln.
The seminar features Laurie Marker, one of the world's leading cheetah authorities and executive director and founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a Namibian nonprofit trust dedicated to the long-term survival of cheetahs.
In addition to serving as an adjunct professor at UNL, Marker also works with Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and serves as its International Studbook keeper. She will attend a fundraising event there during her visit.
Each year, Larkin Powell, director of the university's School of Natural Resources, travels to Namibia with a group of students from UNL, some of whom stay in Namibia to intern with the foundation.
Powell said Marker is a longtime friend and colleague. He met her during a year he spent in Namibia.
The 156,000-acre center she started includes a registered veterinary clinic, full-scale genetics lab, model farm, goat milk creamery and an eco-tourism operation that's open to the public, employing hundreds in one of Africa's most rural and economically challenged areas.
In 2022, Marker set up a second center in Somaliland to care for nearly 100 cheetahs confiscated from the illegal wildlife pet trade. Based on over 3,000 acres, the Cheetah Conservation Fund's Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre will be developed using conservation strategies similar to those that have proved successful in Namibia: saving cheetahs from extinction while pulling residents out of poverty.
Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animal, and fewer than 7,100 remain in the wild.
The seminar will be in Hardin Hall's room 901.
Tosca Lee will speak in Papillion
Author Tosca Lee will appear at the Community Gym in Papillion Landing on Thursday for a special author talk, with an excerpt reading, question-and-answer period and book signing.
She's written books such as "The Long March Home" and "Havah: The Story of Eve."
The event, sponsored by the Sarpy County libraries, will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Short Takes is a compilation of lightly edited press releases from various organizations. If you'd like to have your information included, send it to at least 10 days before the item needs to run. Photos are welcomed.
World-Herald Staff Writer Julie Anderson contributed to this report.
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