A state organization is doing important work for women.  I talked with it's President Catrice Jackson on a recent Real Stars about their new survey on "How's Your Work Life?"   Check out more at their website:

http://nebraskawomenwork.org/

Thursday, August 21, 2008 • 5-8 pm
DC Centre
11830 Stonegate Cir
Omaha, NE 68164
The American Cancer Society’s Chic Boutique is a fantastic opportunity for area
businesses to market to several hundred of Omaha’s finest ladies. We encourage
you to join us as we shop, socialize & save lives.
Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served as guests have the unique opportunity to
shop with boutiques, get beauty consultations, taste the best of the town, and learn
about a variety of services from across Omaha. All guests will also leave with the
exclusive Chic Boutique goody bag.
Tickets- $40 in advance
$50 at the door
Please contact Meredith Pickering at 402-393-5801 x 4017 for more information
about tickets, vendors & sponsorship opportunities.

Did you catch Frank Caliendo on the show Thursday and Friday?  He is hysterical and a can't miss in concert.  He's coming to Omaha this weekend on the 16th..Here are details.
Frank Caliendo, the comic impressionist who does the best John Madden or President George W. Bush you'll ever hear, will perform at the Music Hall, 18th and Capitol Streets, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets, $39.75. Information: 444-3353 or www.frankcaliendo.com

Omaha-Council Bluffs Walk to Cure Diabetes This Saturday

More than 5,000 Walkers to Raise $1.1 million for

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

Omaha, Neb. (July 15, 2008) – More than 5,000 walkers representing local corporations, families, schools and other organizations are expected for the 17^th annual Walk to Cure Diabetes for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).  This year’s Walk to Cure Diabetes will be held on Saturday, August 9 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Lewis & Clark Landing/Heartland of America Park.  The goal of the Omaha-Council Bluffs Chapter is to raise more than $1.1 million for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.  Gordmans is the presenting sponsor, and DTN is the platinum sponsor.

“Gordmans is proud to partner with JDRF on such an important goal – curing a disease that affects up to 3 million people in the United States,” said Jeff Gordman, President and CEO of Gordmans and this year’s JDRF corporate chairman.  “When recent statistics reveal that healthcare expenditures for diabetes cost our nation more than $174 billion annually, we all must do our part and become committed to raising money for cutting-edge research.  By working together we can and will make a difference.”

Entire families from kids to grandparents can participate in the Walk to Cure Diabetes – even though they may not be among the 14 million Americans with a personal connection to type 1 diabetes.  At the Omaha-Council Bluffs Walk there will be clowns, children’s games, face painting and refreshments.  The Walk to Cure Diabetes is approximately two miles long with a 3 mile option, starting and ending near the Lewis & Clark Landing/Heartland of America Park.  On average, each walker raises $100 and funds can be turned in at registration in the Lewis & Clark Landing starting at 8 a.m.

“We appreciate the participation of Jeff Gordman and Gordmans’ employees,” said Ellen Wright, JDRF Omaha-Council Bluffs chapter president.  “Jeff’s commitment allows us to accelerate research to find a cure for diabetes.  Insulin is life support, not a cure and research is the only answer for the three million Americans living with type 1 diabetes and its complications.”

JDRF walks are held in more than 200 cities worldwide.  Nationally, nearly 500,000 people walked to cure diabetes last year.  Collectively, JDRF walks raised more than $98 million last year for diabetes research.

-more-

JDRF is the world’s largest funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research.  The disease, which can strike in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, lasts a lifetime and requires multiple

injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump and carries the constant threat of devastating complications including kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation.

Structured on a business-world model that efficiently and effectively directs resources to research aimed at finding a cure as soon as possible, more than 86 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education.  In FY 2007, JDRF provided more than $140 million to diabetes research and is responsible for more than $1.16 billion in direct funding since it was founded.  Since 2005, JDRF fundraising activities have provided more than $1 million to Nebraska research facilities.

JDRF’s mission is constant:  To find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

To find out more about how you or your company can participate in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, call (402) 397-CURE (2873) or e-mail omaha@jdrf.org.  To register, please visit www.jdrf.org/walk.

My daughter Mackenzie is in a show at the Shelterbelt Theater.  Its for adults and it runs about an hour.  It promises to be different than anything you've ever seen and even includes an version of the iconic 80's video of  "The Safety Dance." For tickets go to www.shelterbelt.org
or call 341-2757. You'll see me there alot.

Time Laughs
July 31 - Aug 2 @ 8:00 (& 11:00 on Friday and Saturday )
Susann Suprenant is a brilliant contemporary theatre artist and scholar specializing in innovative adaptations that both glorify the past and project the audience into the future.

Tickets are $15 for the general public and $12 for students, seniors, and TAG members. 

Both frolic and elegy, TIME-LAUGHS is a flip-book of paradise lost. Think revisionist myth meets "So You Think You Can Dance." TIME-LAUGHS plays with the ironies that arise as we try to form our futures from the facts and fictions of imperfect memory. Plus you get to sing along.

OMAHA, Neb. (July 24, 2008) –Tragedy struck Omaha on December 5^th at Westroads Mall, but during the chaos many quiet heroes emerged.  From the brave and fast acting first responders and hospital staff to the strong willed survivors and resilient Von Maur employees. It is in their honor the American Red Cross, Westroads Mall and Von Maur will be hosting a blood drive at Westroads Mall on July 31^st and August 1^st.  All presenting donors will be receiving free first aid kits from the Heartland Chapter of the Red Cross.

The drive also features a community health and safety fair with emergency and preparedness information.  The Omaha Police Department, Omaha Fire Department and Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross will be present to be honored for their support during the Westroads shooting.

Spanner the Fire Department dalmatian mascot will be at the event along with Police mascots McGruff and Johnny Justice. The Community Emergency Response Team, CERT, will also be present with the Police Department to talk about neighborhood safety.  

The Fire Department will have Flash, an interactive fire truck at the drive along with the Hazard House which teaches fire safety to children.  There will also be interactive activities for children to teach fire, kindergarten and personal safety.  The Heartland Chapter of the Red Cross will be present with safety information, coloring books for children and their swimming lessons mascot Longfellow the whale.  Their Emergency Response Vehicle will also be parked outside of the mall with a fire truck.

Without the generosity of blood donors Fred Wilson, a survivor of the Westroads Mall shooting, might not be here today. Wilson, lost three fourths of his blood supply due to a gunshot wound that severed an artery in his left arm. “We have to take care of each other,” Wilson said.  He added that, “We never know when something like this can happen, so it’s important to have people who are willing to donate blood.”  

Blood Drive Sponsored by Westroads Mall and Von Maur

Thursday, July 31^st from 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, August 1^st from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Westroads Mall- Upper level Von Maur Court near Center Court

10000 California St, Omaha

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Eligible donors must be at least 16-years-old with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form where state permits, must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.

This is the link to the 7 secrets to happiness that I talked about on the Tuesday morning show.    Have and nurture close friendships, have adventures, get rid of excess stuff, give in to temptation, balance busy with couch potato time,  liking yourself  is non-negotionable, and stop mentally browsing and get on with a decision.   I really like it. See what you think.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/just-dreaming/articlecosmo.aspx

JOIN THE DVCC on Tuesday, July 29^th for MEALS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!  Please help support the DVCC by going out to eat at a participating restaurant on Tuesday, July 29^th, 2008.  Each of the participating restaurants will donate a portion of your bill back to the DVCC!  (see list below) We also have fantastic raffle prizes that have been donated by area businesses.  Simply make a donation to the DVCC during Meals to End DV and you will be entered into the drawing to win fabulous prizes including a white gold and diamond heart pendant from Borsheims, Season tickets to Creighton Men’s Basketball, Women’s B-Ball, and other events, Gift certificates for spa services, a $100.00 gift certificate to Fleming’s and many more prizes! 

If you can’t make lunch or dinner, but want to be entered into the raffle, simply contact Jamie at 398-9928 or dvcc@dvccomaha.org and I will get you a donation envelope to send in your entry. 

Breakfast- Lisa’s Radial Café *817 N 40^th Street, Scooter’s Coffeehouse (Only these locations)*206 S 19^th Street, or lower level of First National Tower, 16^th & Dodge, Seasons @ Tower 5 *1700 Farnam St. Suite 500

Lunch- Bistro 121 * 12129 W Center Rd, CiCi’s Pizza *3205 Oakview Dr., Don Carmelos Pizzeria *3558 Farnam St, Dundee Dell *5007 Underwood Ave, Helados Santa Fe *4807 S 24^th Street, or *4202 S 50^th Street, Katie’s Greek Restaurant *119 S 40^th Street, Lisa’s Radial Café *817 N 40^th Street, McFoster’s Natural Kind Café *302 S 38^th Street, Pizza Shoppe *6056 Maple Street, Quizno’s (this location only)1110 S 71^st Street, Scooter’s Coffeehouse (Only these locations)*206 S 19^th Street, or lower level of First National Tower, 16^th & Dodge, Season @ Tower 5 *1700 Farnam Street, Suite 500, Spirit World *7517 Pacific Street, Taxi’s 1822 N 120^th Street

Dinner- Bistro 121 * 12129 W Center Rd, Blimpie (Rockbrook Village Location ONLY) 10811 Prarie Brook Rd, CiCi’s Pizza *3205 Oakview Dr., Don Carmelos Pizzeria *3558 Farnam St, Dundee Dell *5007 Underwood Ave, Helados Santa Fe *4807 S 24^th Street, or *4202 S 50^th Street, Le Voltaire *56 9 N 155^th Plz., Market Basket * 911 S 87^th Ave., McFoster’s Natural Kind Café *302 S 38^th Street, Omaha Prime *415 S 11^th St., Passport Restaurant * 1101 Jackson St., Pizza Shoppe *6056 Maple Street, Quizno’s (This location only)1110 S 71^st Street, Spirit World *7517 Pacific Street, Taxi’s 1822 N 120^th Street