December 2015 HerFamily

DECEMBER 2015

The Dunns FUSING FLAMENCO AND FUN

Symphony KidsANNE NAGOSKY BRINGS TINY VIOLINS TO THE BIG STAGE

YUm yum

CRANBERRY NUT BREAD

Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child. For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.

Campbell, age 5Crohns Disease and Autoimmune Hepatitis

THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

217 N. Jefferson St. Papillion NE402-331-9136 papillionflowerpatch.com

Endless amazing interior designs to help bring life to your home!

Thanks for voting us Best of OmahaTM

402.345.0606 | OMAHASYMPHONY.ORG

DECEMBER 12 - 20

Last years runaway hit returns better than ever! Celebrate the magic, romance, and joy of the season as Broadway stars add to the lush sounds of

the Omaha Symphony. A singing and dancing treat for the whole family!

December 12 - 20, 2015 | Holland CenterErnest Richardson, conductor

Broadway Cast & Chorus

Beat the Holiday Season Rush - order your tickets now!

Pleae donate non-perishablefood items Nov. - Dec.at the Holland Center.

TICKETSSTART AT

$19

omahamagazine.com bestofomaha.com 3

Volume 3 Issue 7

PUBLISHER

Todd Lemke

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Daisy Hutzell-Rodman

[email protected]

EDITOR

David Williams

EDITORIAL INTERN

Katherine Nowicki

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lindsay Lee

Kara Schweiss

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bill Sitzmann

ART DIRECTOR

Kristen Hoffman

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Rachel Joy

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Wieczorek

GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN

Derek Taubert

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Gwen Lemke Greg Bruns Gil Cohen Shelby Deveny Kyle Fischer Angie Hall George Idelman

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER

Sandy Matson

ACCOUNT ASSISTANTS

Jessica Cullinane Dawn Dennis Alicia Smith Hollins Justin Idelman Jessica Linhart

OPERATIONS

Tyler Lemke

ACCOUNTING

Holley Garcia-Cruz

WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Mike Brewer

Printed by Omaha Print

For a one-year subscription

(12 issues), send $9.95 to

P.O. Box 461208, Papillion, NE 68046-1208.

www.omahamagazine.com

Original contributions become the property of Omaha Publications. Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned.

The information contained within HerFamily is for informa-tional purposes only. It is not intended and should not be used

to take the place of seeking professional advice, counsel or assistance. Omaha Publications makes no endorsement of

and is not responsible for contributors or advertising herein. If you have concerns or questions related to your health, consult with your physician. HerFamily is protected by copyright and

may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of Omaha Publications, 402.884.2000.

Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

omamag.com/save

Dont miss a single issue of Omaha Magazine

SAVE %75

JULY/AUGUST 2014

war & PeaceChuck Hagel battles for a future free of the quagmires of the past.

OmahastopDentistsBest of Omaha Campaign 2015

The Loyal Royal Alex GordonMalorie MaddoxOmaha Stories

GerdasGermanRestaurant.com

Locally Owned Since 1976

5180 Leavenworth402-553-6774

Omahas OnlyAuthentic German

Restaurant

German Strudel,Sauerkraut,

and Schnitzel.Full bakery, fresh bread,

donuts, and cakes!

Call ahead to order Holiday Dessert trays,

pies, and authentic German stollen.

10 min from downtown Omaha

Raising kids is hard. Its OK to ask for advice.

13 years later, now its me.

Where does she go all night?

When she was little, she had trouble sleeping.

PROvIded by bOys TOWn

nebraskafamilyhelpline.ne.gov

888-866-8660

A seRvIce Of The nebRAsKA dePARTmenT Of heAlTh & humAn seRvIces

1206-3881 HerFamily7.625x4.917MaddieB&W.indd 1 10/1/15 9:43 AM4 HerFamily December 2015

written by LINDSAY LEE | photography by BILL SITZMANN YOGA

I ALWAYS JOKE WITH my students that Pigeon Pose is one of the ultimate signs that you know youve made it to the cool-down portion of a yoga class. This deep pose helps to open the hip flexor muscles, relieve sciatic nerve ten-sion and low back pain, and, by practicing regularly, it allows you to connect to the center of your creativity.

One-Legged Pigeon PoseSANSKRIT NAME: EKA PADA RAJAKAPOTASANA

(AA-KAH PAH-DAH RAH-JAH-COP-POH-TAHS-ANNA)

1. Begin in a tabletop position with the hips aligned with the knees and the shoulders stacked on top of the palms. 2. From tabletop, inhale deeply and slide the right knee forward so that it comes behind the right wrist. The shin should come no further than a 45-degree angle. 3. Exhale and gently slide the left

leg behind you, flexing the right toes to engage the right leg, which helps to support the knee.4. Keep the palms, or fingertips, pressing into the ground as you keep

the chest open, the crown of the head lifted, and the hips square.5. Maintain steady breathing. Make a pillow using your forearms and rest the torso and forehead on the arms.6. Breathe deeply in the pose

for at least five reps.7. If resting the torso, slowly place palms on the ground and lift the chest and head. To come out of the pose, inhale and bring the left knee

forward, then exhale to bring the right knee back into tabletop position. Repeat on the opposite side.

5omahamagazine.com bestofomaha.com

Lindsay Lee YOGA

6 HerFamily December 2015

DIY written by KRISTEN HOFFMAN | photography by BILL SITZMANN

FINISHED MOBILE

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Felt in various colors Medium and small needles Black thread and embroidery string in various colors Scissors Printer paper Black, round beads X-Acto blade Hot glue gun Polyester filler Embroidery hoop Fishing line

Forest FriendsSINCE MY HUSBAND and I found out that we are expecting, my mind has been on all things baby. With the holiday season in full swing, I love seeing rustic woodland decorations adorning stores, homes, and on my Pinterest board! With wintery things in mind, I had the idea to make a Christmas mobile for our nursery. Craft these little guys for yourself, and you can use them as a baby mobile, tree ornaments, or even string them up and use them as a garland. Merry Christmas and happy crafting!

DIRECTIONS

1. Find a pattern that you would like to follow for your forest friends. I found mine at liagriffith.com.

2. Print out pattern.3. Cut out each piece with an X-Acto blade. 4. Trace each piece onto the felt of the same color. If you are creat-ing two of the same shape it may be best to turn the paper over and trace from the back side for the second piece. This way you can avoid having pen lines show after you cut them out.5. Hot glue any smaller pieces onto the main body of each animal.6. With the small needle and thread, sew black bead eyes onto the body.7. With medium needle and embroidery string, blan-ket stitch around the edges of the two body pieces to

create a pocket for stuffing.8. Stuff the pocket with filler to give your critter some shape. Be sure to start doing this before you sew up many of the edges!9. String fishing line through the top of the animal and hang it from the embroidery hoop.10. Hang each forest friend at a different length to add dimen-sion to your mobile, and attach hoop to the ceiling.

7omahamagazine.com bestofomaha.com

DIY

Kristen Hoffman DIY

Molly Maids private label cleaningproducts are environmentally safe, biodegradable and non-toxic.

Its healthier for my family, the products are all natural cleaners and disin-fectants, I dont worry about fumes, residue or build up.

Im doing my part to help the environment.Even the smallest contributions can make a big difference over time.

Molly Maids Small Efforts. Big Results. brochure provide additional informa-tion about creating a more green friendlyhome.

People always notice how clean and fresh my home is, now Im proud totell them its also a Molly Maid Green Home!

1

2

3

4

5

Molly Maid clean is now green!

5

Trust Molly Maid to clean your home so thoroughly, people are guaranteed to notice!

.Each franchise independently owned and operated

Reasons why it makes sense.

For a Cleaning Plan designed aroundyour home and your lifestyle

Call your Local

MOLLY MAID OF CENTRAL OMAHA/COUNCIL BLUFFS

402.932.MAID (6243)A clean you can

[email protected]






1

2

3

4

5


5





Call your Local



[email protected]






1

2

3

4

5


5





Call your Local



[email protected]






1

2

3

4

5


5





Call your Local



[email protected]






1

2

3

4

5


5





Call your Local



[email protected]






1

2

3

4

5


5





Call your Local



[email protected]






1

2

3

4

5


5





Call your Local



[email protected]






1

2

3

4

5


5





Call your Local



[email protected]



written by DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN | photography by BILL SITZMANNMEET THE FAMILY

R.J., Ruben, Angel, Patricia,

Kendra, and Esperanza Dunn


SWING BY THE Dunns south Omaha home and notice the vibe. Spanish music fills ones ears while the intoxicating scent of ravioli fills the air.The sounds in the home reflect ease and comfort, two qualities also found in the movement of the people. Patricia Valezquez-Dunn glides to a seat at the dining table with the lithe elegance of a ballerina.That physical grace comes naturally. Patricia is one of the few people in Omaha who practices flamenco dancing, a Spanish dance done solo featuring hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm, and body movements. Flamenco runs through Patricias veins. She began danc-ing at a young age in her hometown of Santa Barbara, California. Her aunt, Carol Valenzuela Lemmerman of Santa Barbara, started dancing flamenco in the 1950s, and many of her cousins also dance, taking lessons and performing at a festival there called Old Spanish Days.Patricia practices flamenco in the aisles in grocery stores, she practices dancing around her home. She dances at festivals and teaches flamenco at the Kroc Center in South Omaha.Her husband, Ruben Dunn, grew up dancing flamenco. He was born in Spain to Madrid native Esperanza Dunn and American John Dunn, then serving in the U.S. Air Force.I wouldnt dance much here (in Omaha), but when we would travel back to Spain, we danced at family functions, Ruben says. I learned it from my cousins.When the owner of a local restaurant wanted a flamenco dancer for their opening night, she asked her friend Esperanza, who went to Ruben. He, in turn, asked a friendand Patricia came to mind immediately.When Patricia first met Ruben, he invited her to dance with him.

I said, yeah right. Nobody in Omaha knows flamenco, Patricia says. I always told my mom, Im going to Spain to find a flamenco dancer, and I found one in Omaha!

Patricia has since learned that another, seemingly unex-pected cultural group also enjoys the art form.The Japanese really like flamenco, says Patricia, her large brown eyes shining brightly. There are actually more people in Japan taking flamenco lessons than there are in Spain. Its crazy!Well, thats because in Spain, people learn it at home, says Esperanza. Why pay for lessons when you can learn for free?Because there are few (if any) places to learn the dance in Omaha, Patricia offers lessons. She teaches flamenco on Saturday mornings at the Kroc Center. Among the 10 kids in the class are Rubens daughters Anneliese, age 11, and Kendra, age 5; and Patricias son Angel, age 6.Angel dabbles, Ruben says. Hes a bit shy of being the only guy.Angel is indeed shy, avoiding questions about the dance with a sleepy shake of his headperking up only briefly at the notion that dinner will be served soon.Rubens son, R.J. is 14. The only non-dancer in the home, he recently quarterbacked the Papillion-La Vista South Titans freshman squad.Kendra sits at the table with Barbie dolls and asks Esperanza to play videos on her phone of the youngster dancing. The video shows Kendra gracefully swinging her arms around her head and moving her feetleft,right, left, rightwhile looking grown up in a black and white polka-dot dress with lots of ruffles.


Wearing a ruffly dress is one of her favorite parts of dancing.I like playing dress up also! she announces with a wide smile.She really likes the attention, Patricia laughs.Patricias young dance troupe has performed at such events as Heritage Festival and Taste of Omaha. She also takes them to an unusual spot for Andalusian dance to be featuredthe Cinco de Mayo festival in South Omaha. You know, the festival that commemorates the Mexican army defeating the French in the Battle of PueblaWe were there to represent the Kroc Center, Patricia explains. And we like to give the students every opportunity to perform.The attention certainly turned to flamenco two years ago during Santa Barbaras Old Spanish Days. The Dunns traveled there for the festival, and the couple were married in the chapel at the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara, the same place where Patricias ancestor, Jose Francisco de Ortega, was the first commandant of the military installation.It turned into a flamenco party, Patricia effervesces. Everyone danced and danced.And they continue to dance and dance.Flamenco is the base of our relationship, Ruben says. As a family, were very involved in a lot of activitiesbaseball, soccer, football, dancebut it always comes back to flamenco.


MEET THE FAMILY CONT'D

Trusted in More NeighborhoodsThan Any Other Local Real Estate Company.

npdodge.com

NP Dodge knows your neighborhood. Weve built a reputation of trust through hard work and experience. Our community connections and local resources give our agents a big advantage, whether theyre helping you sell a home or find a new one.To get started with a local real estate expert in your neighbor-hood, visit npdodge.com.


We can help your family.Quality Child Care | Parenting Classes and Support Unplanned Pregnancy Services | Adoption | Teen Girl Chats

You can help ours. Become a Foster Family | Volunteer Attend Donor Events | Donate OnlineVisit nchs.org or call 402.451.0787

Nebraska Childrens Home Society | Safe & loving care since 1893

Xander, 6 months

Visit us today!12965 W. Center Rd 402.778.0650

Hours:Mon-Thu 10-6Fri-Sat 10-5Sun 12-4


THE OMAHA SYMPHONYS annual holiday performance includes chil-dren, and the appearance of a group of young musicians with their small violins in hand always gets a reaction from the audience. The last couple of years weve had about 40 kids on the stage. Whenever the littlest ones come out, the audience gasps audibly, says their instructor, Anne Nagosky. She owns Nagosky Violin and Viola Studio, with a roster of approximately 70 students, and shes been a full-time violinist with the Omaha Symphony since 1998. She started out as a child violinist herself, first asking for lessons after a kindergarten classmate brought in a violin for show-and-tell, then beginning instruction at age 7. I actually didnt want to be a profes-sional musician for most of my growing-up years, Nagosky says. But I worked hard all that time.Luckily for Nagosky, her hometown of Bloomington, Indiana, is home to the world-class Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, and some of the best string

teachers in the world. Her first violin teacher, Mimi Zweig, is the current director of the schools Summer String Academy. Although several of her school-age classmates dreamed of a life onstage, Nagosky never pursued a music career until she attended music camp the summer before her junior year of high school.I have to say that I would not have had the chance to make that choice so late had I not had such a good foundation, she says. In col-lege, she began teaching occasional private string lessons. I realized that not only did I enjoy it, I had an aptitude for teaching. It was not necessarily something I pictured I would end up doing, but as I did it more and more I realized how rewarding it was, Nagosky explains. As much as I love performingand thats still my other job and the other part of my lifeI think my most rewarding musical experiences have all been as a teacher.Nagosky started her own studio in Omaha 20 years ago. Shes taught students as young as age 3 as well as older youth and even some adult students, but the majority of her students are children.

I just feel like I feel I have a particular strength working with children, she says.Her students first appeared onstage with the Omaha Symphony in 2003.Watching professionals perform shows a student whats possible, she says. Its great for students to have the perspective of, What could I do and what is possible if I continue to work hard? The kids see the symphony musicians, and, especially for the younger kids, its kind of like seeing rock stars.The annual holiday performance on stage with the areas most talented musicians brings out the best in her young performers, Nagosky adds, and they are invigorated for months afterward. Kids can do a lot more than we sometimes expect of them, she says. Thats one thing Ive learned as a teacher; that theres nothing wrong with having high expectations.

nagosky.musicteachershelper.com

written by KARA SCHWEISS | photography by BILL SITZMANNFEATURE

Symphony KidsA N N E N A G O S K Y B R I N G S T I N Y V I O L I N S

T O T H E B I G S T A G EEva Cohen, age 7, with Anne Nagosky.

WORKOUT THIS WINTER AT THE YMCA

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA . www.metroymca.org

Join any YMCA of Greater Omaha location Dec 15-Jan 31 and pay NO JOINING FEE! ($49 value) FREE with your YMCA membership: Get Started Program - includes 2 FREE sessions with a personal trainer FREE group exercise classes FREE drop-in childcare while you use the YMCA Reduced rates & priority registration on YMCA programs Access to all 9 YMCA locations in the greater Omaha area

HolidayHappenings

music storytimes open houses crafts Santa visits & more!

Celebrate the holidays with Omaha Public Library!Visit omahalibrary.org for a complete schedule of programs.


INGREDIENTS 1 Cup whole wheat flour 1 Cup all-purpose flour 1/2 Cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 3/4 Cup orange juice 1 Tbsp grated orange zest 2 Tbsp canola oil 1 egg, well beaten 1 1/2 Cups fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup chopped walnutsPREPARATION1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly coat a 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.2. In a medium bowl, mix together flours, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. 3. Stir in orange juice, orange zest, oil, and

egg. Mix until well blended. Stir in cranber-ries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan. 4. Bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for

15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely. Nutrition Facts: Serving Size: One slice, about -inch-thick. Cal-ories: 136; Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 0; Cholesterol: 11mg; Sodium:

148mg; Carbohydrates: 21g; Fiber: 2g; Protein: 2g

Yield: 16 servings

Cranberry Nut Bread

Make this quick bread for Christmas or any time you want an easy, delicious snack. Orange juice sweetens this cranberry recipe and chopped nuts add crunch. Find more great recipes at HealthyKohlsKids.com. The Healthy Kohls Kids program is a partnership between Childrens Hospital & Medical Center and Kohls Department Stores to educate children and parents about healthy nutrition and fitness.


sponsored content by CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER photography by @BALDWIN PUBLISHING, INC.

FOOD


Strings Piano Voice Guitar Winds Brass

Percussion Conducting Composition

Now offering lessons in:

Come see why...wasvoted

INSIDEthe of theMINDARTIST

Master Classes Talks Concerts

Inside the Mind of the Artist is OCMs FREE interactive event series.

omahacm.org | @OmaConservatory | facebook.com/omahacm 402.932.4978 | 3504 S. 108th St., Omaha NE 68144

InsIde MIndthe of the ArtIstGET

See the full list of events at omahacm.org/ima

Use code DEC15LESSONS to get $10 off the registration fee!

oneworldomaha.org

Grow STRONG with OneWorld PediatricsGrow STRONG with OneWorld Pediatrics

Get your FLU SHOT today at one of our convenient locations!

45 YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE45 Years of Making a Difference......One Child at a Time

NorthwestOmaha

4229 N. 90th St.402-401-6000

NorthwestOmaha

4229 N. 90th St.402-401-6000

Cass FamilyMedicine

122 S. 6th St.Plattsmouth

402-296-2345

Cass FamilyMedicine

122 S. 6th St.Plattsmouth

402-296-2345

West Omaha4101 S. 120th St.402-505-3907

West Omaha4101 S. 120th St.402-505-3907

South Omaha4920 S. 30th St.

402-734-4110

South Omaha4920 S. 30th St.

402-734-4110

Omaha Magazine5921 S. 118th Cir.Omaha, NE 68137

Professional Dance Education For All Ages! Jazz Hip-Hop Lyrical Tap Ballet Pointe Modern Contemporary Dance Theater

We allow students to develop skills to their optimum potential while challenging them to achieve higher levels of dance education.

402.493.5671 onpointedancecentre.com 1812 N. 120th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154

Register now for summer and fall classes!

Documents

December 2015 HerFamily