Posts Archived From: 'August 2016'


Debate ‘Fear and Loathing’ October 20

August 17, 2016   |   No Comments

The 1877 Society will host “Animus: Film vs. Book” at Aksarben Cinema on Thursday, October 20.

 

This second annual fundraiser will screen the 1998 film “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Johnny Depp.

 

Attendees are encouraged to read the book, written by Hunter S. Thompson and first published in 1971, prior to the October 20 fundraiser.

 

A spirited audience discussion will follow the movie, on which version of the story was better. This year’s panelists include Karen Pietsch of Omaha Public Library and Ryan Syrek of The Reader. Local comedian Cameron Logsdon returns as emcee.

 

“Animus” proceeds will benefit Omaha Public Library adult literacy, programs, and services this year.

 

The 1877 Society is a group of library enthusiasts and advocates in their twenties and thirties who support the Omaha Public Library Foundation. The Omaha Public Library Foundation raises funds and advocates for Omaha Public Library, its programs, patrons, services, and staff.

 

Visit http://www.aksarbencinema.com/showtimes.html to purchase tickets, selecting Thursday, October 20, 2016 from the drop down menu.

 

Tickets are $25 for 1877 Society members, and $35 for the general public. Admission includes appetizers, popcorn, cocktails, and the movie ticket.

 

Questions? Send an email to 1877society@omahalibrary.org or call (402) 444-4589.

The Spices of Their Lives

August 15, 2016   |   No Comments

All memorable stories, written or otherwise, are filled with turning points. Moments when the next step becomes unmistakably clear. Moments when life’s twists and turns, wins and losses, hopes and heartbreaks, serve up the next chapter.

A few moments for Sarah Baker Hansen and Matthew Hansen defined not only their life together, but also their life’s work. Today, they are a literary power couple, both writing prominent columns for the Omaha World-Herald.

Their pivotal moment together took a while, more than five years after their first date. The couple met in 2000 while working at The Daily Nebraskan, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s student newspaper. Although they acted friendly to each other, a relationship was far from their minds. Take a look at these vending machine locations where you can easily obtain your favorite food.

Their first official date wouldn’t happen for another year. It was 2001. Sarah had since graduated from college and was living back home in Omaha following an internship at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Matthew was finishing up his studies at UNL. A 100-year reunion for The Daily Nebraskan was near, which meant Matthew might see Sarah soon.

“A fellow DN staffer said Sarah had a crush on me years earlier, so then I started emailing her,” Matthew recalls with a smile.

Emails were exchanged, and a little bit of flirting even took place. Sarah missed the reunion, but Matthew eventually asked her out.

Sarah chose the French Café, one of her favorite Old Market eateries. It would become the same spot where Matthew would propose to Sarah, and a venue that would emphasize their vastly different backgrounds.

“I was a dorky, small town sports guy,” says Matthew, a native of Red Cloud.

Matthew found Sarah’s Omaha roots, her affinity for food, and her love of art and culture attractive. But such interest was also met with some trepidation that evening. On their first date, Matthew recalls having a “very quiet, very polite panic attack around the idea of ordering a drink. We sat at the French Café bar. I never had a cocktail that was fancier than Jack and Coke.”

>> Continue reading my article for Omaha Magazine, “The Spices of Their Lives.”

Intentions Versus Goals for 2016

January 20, 2016   |   No Comments

Allow me to let you in on a little secret. The beginning of anything new – new job, new romance, new year, new you – is less about goals and more about intentions. This is a lesson I learned recently following a rich, two-day retreat lead by three wise women: Daphne Eck, Melissa Kopplin, and Abra Poindexter.

 

As I continue to bask in the far-reaching and honeyed glow of this experience, I consider its impact not only on my marriage and my personal life, but also my professional and community life. Finding satisfaction in these varied areas requires me to be intentional on a singular focus, with the understanding that an intention lasts much longer than a goal.

 

Once you reach a goal, your work is done. You obviously have the opportunity to create a new goal, but it isn’t always required. And it is far too easy to allow that goal to fade away and be replaced by bland distractions.

 

When you enter into uncharted waters with an intention, however, the experience is vastly different. The intention is purposely more vague to allow for greater impact. Here’s an example.

 

One of my intentions for 2016 is to be more present and mindful wherever I may be – to avoid distractions and fully immerse myself in my surroundings. To accomplish this requires a lot of effort: tucking away my iPhone, allowing myself time between meetings and appointments (and between home and work) to reset my mindset and truly prepare for what I have to do next. Self-care and continual reflection are a big part, too.

 

These steps, I am certain, will spill over into other areas of my life, producing positive and long-lasting results.

 

If, however, I only created my intention as a goal, it might sound something like this: “One of my goals this year is to not be so busy.” The inherit challenge with such language: it is far too limiting. It leaves me no direction, no roadmap on where I should be or what I should be doing.

 

As we, the Greater Omaha Young Professionals Council, look to 2016, my hope is that by December we found a similar purpose. Not that we met our goals, but that we established our intentions and kept them close year-round.

 

Goals are a great place to start, but true change comes from intentions. Being open to where you are now and where you will be next will only open new, exciting doors of opportunity. Get ready.

 

Editor’s note: Previously written for the Greater Omaha Young Professionals in January 2016.

 

 

Spend Your Late Mornings with Matt

January 16, 2016   |   No Comments

The news was announced earlier this month. My husband, Matt Tompkins, has returned to radio. The Late Morning Show with Matt Tompkins airs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on 1290 AM KOIL in Omaha.

 

With a career that spans twelve years in radio and two years in television (thanks to his No. 1 rated local sketch comedy show, Omaha Live! on WOWT), Matt is no stranger to the microphone. His new all-talk radio show features a revolving cast of co-hosts (yours truly included).

 

If you’re not in the Omaha-area, tune in by listening online, download the Mighty 1290 KOIL app, or listen via KOIL’s podcast page on SoundCloud.

 

And be sure to find Matt on Facebook.

 

Photo by Foton Foto.

 

Take the Road Less Traveled March 3

January 15, 2016   |   No Comments

The Greater Omaha Young Professionals and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce celebrate charting into the unknown at the 2016 Young Professionals Summit, happening March 3 at the CenturyLink Center.

 

It is an exhilarating, exhaustive day of inspiration, creativity, networking, and goodwill. Nearly 1,500 young professionals from the Omaha area will hear from a variety of guest speakers (like Randi Zuckerberg and Josh Linkner).

 

Tickets are on sale now, and include plenty of meals, snacks, and maybe an adult beverage or two.