Connect Online! What's happening near you today

Veronica Stickney

Jun. 27, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- I update this column each weekday with what's happening in your neighborhood, school or family. So please let me know about events important to you and your family or friends, and check back often to see what's going on. Send your events and story ideas to me at connect@owh.com or Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102.

Workshop focuses on health, fitness

You can get free diabetes and blood pressure checks and meet personal trainers Friday, June 27, during a health and fitness workshop.

The workshop is part of "Fridays at the Blue," and it will also feature a yoga class, healthful snacks and information on ways to stay active this summer.

The event is sponsored by the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing's Cosmopolitan Mobile Nursing Center and will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Blue Flamingo Thrift Store, 1716 S. 10th St.

For more information, call 964-2740.

Walk promotes all facets of wellness

The Delta Epsilon Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will sponsor a walk Saturday, June 28 to promote emotional, spiritual and physical health.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. walk at Benson Park, 7002 Military Ave.

Service program distributing food

SHARE, a community service and food program, will distribute food at four sites Saturday, June 28.

Families who volunteer two hours of service qualify for the reduced-price food packages.

The sites and times are: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., St. Paul United Methodist Church, 5410 Corby St.; 11 a.m. to noon, Bellevue East High School, 1401 High School Drive, Bellevue; 11 a.m. to noon, Emanuel Church of the Nazarene, 2309 S. 13th St., Council Bluffs; 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., St. Paul Episcopal Church, 22 Dillman Drive, Council Bluffs.

Those interested in learning more about the SHARE program are invited to stop at any of the sites during the food distribution.

Senior citizens invited to prom

More than 200 senior citizens from Nebraska and Iowa will kick up their heels this weekend during the area's first community (OTCBB:FCCTO) (OTCBB:FCCT) prom.

The prom will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 29 at the DC Centre, 11830 Stonegate Circle.

Merrymakers, a nonprofit organization that offers social opportunities for senior citizens, is sponsoring the free event.

To register, call 697-0205.

Smoke-free rental guide available

The Douglas County Health Department, a member of the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition, wants area renters to know their smoke-free options.

A list of smoke-free Douglas County apartments is available at www.omahasmokefree

apartments.info/11.html.

A new book on housing options, published by the Cardiac Center at Creighton University in collaboration with the coalition and Tobacco Free Nebraska, also is available for people who want to live in a smoke-free environment.

To receive a copy of the book, call the Cardiac Center at 280-3429.

Dietitian to lead walking group

Looking for a walking partner?

Hy-Vee near 156th Street and West Maple Road is hosting a free walking club Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Hy-Vee dietitian Amanda Jochum will lead the walk through the Huntington Park development.

To register, call Jochum at 493-0390.

Dodge House walk features 6 gardens

Six gardens will be open to the public Sunday, June 28 during the 16th annual Dodge House Garden Walk.

The event, sponsored by the Historic General Dodge House and the General's Ladies, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The tour begins at the Dodge House, 621 Third St. in Council Bluffs.

Tickets, which are $8 in advance, are available at some Council Bluffs businesses and at the Dodge House. Tickets are $10 the day of the event.

For more information, call 712-322-2406.

Fire service expo coming to Omaha

The Omaha Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 385, in conjunction with the Omaha Fire Department, will host the 2009 International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services Convention.

Omaha beat out five other cities to host the event, which is scheduled for May 13 through May 17, 2009.

More than 600 people from around the world are expected.

Fees cut in half for dog adoptions

Dogs at the Nebraska Humane Society are half-price now through July 6.

The shelter is nearing capacity on dogs, so officials decided to halve the adoption fee.

All adopted dogs will have collars and tags that will help them get back home should they get lost.

See available dogs at the shelter, 8929 Fort St. Or visit www.nehumanesociety.org. For more information, call the humane society at 444-7800.

Donations sought for foster kids

Community members may drop off items for foster children who have been removed from their homes Saturday, June 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Super Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) at 132nd and L Streets, and on Sunday, June 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Super Wal-Mart at 180th Street and West Center Road.

Volunteers from KJ's Carts for Kids, a Christian nonprofit focused on kids helping kids, will be on hand both days to accept the donations. Items needed include: diapers, bottles, blankets, pacifiers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, pajamas, crayons, toys, T-shirts, stationery and stamps.

For more information, visit www.kjscartsforkids.com.

Golf tourney to help fight fires

A golf tournament Saturday, June 28, will benefit the Gretna Volunteer Fire Department.

Gretna Wine and Spirits and Twisters Pub have teamed up to host the fifth annual tournament, which will be at the Knolls Golf Course.

Tee time for the four-person scramble is 1 p.m. Cost is $300 per team, which includes prizes and a dinner.

Sign up at www.gretnawine.com.

'Fun in the sun' car show Sunday

Community members are invited to bring all makes and models of cars and trucks to Beardmore Chevrolet/Subaru's "Fun in the Sun" car show Sunday, June 29 .

Entry fee is $15 per vehicle. All of that will be donated to the American Kidney Foundation.

Registration is from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Judging is at noon, and awards are at 4 p.m.

The event is at the car dealership, 418 Fort Crook Road North in Bellevue.

There will be live music by Rick Spurgin and Out of the Fire and food by the Papillion-La Vista South High School ROTC club.

Food drive will help pets in need

A pet food drive and yard sale this weekend will benefit area dogs and cats in need.

Donations of dry and canned pet food and cash can be made from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, June 27-29, at 1436 S. 17th St.

Money raised will go to the 24th Street Animal Clinic to help spay and neuter homeless pets and provide veterinary care. Food will be donated to pet owners in need.

For more information, call Joni Cisney at 706-7313.

Tips to help turn house green

Learn how to go green with a free presentation at noon Friday, June 27.

W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th St., is hosting the event, which will discuss changing an existing home into an environmental asset.

The featured speaker will be Stephen Hren, who wrote "The Carbon-Free Home: 36 Remodeling Projects to Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit."

The event is sponsored by the Green Neighborhood Council of the Green Omaha Coalition.

Self-defense class offered

A self-defense class for women is being held the first Thursday of the month at the La Vista Community Center.

The class is from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

The class teaches basic self-defense techniques to help deter an attacker.

The cost is $5 at the door per class.

For more information, call 331-3455.

Event to plant seeds of awareness in kids

Eco-minded families: A workshop Saturday, June 28, is for you.

"Growing up Green: Raising Environmentally Conscious Kids" will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Omaha Children's Museum, 500 S. 20th St. It will include hands-on, environmentally friendly activities for children and adults.

Children will learn about gardening and composting and will make eco-friendly toys and art.

The workshop, sponsored by the Green Omaha Coalition's Green Neighborhood Council, is free and open to the public. Space is limited, however.

RSVP to Julie at jwasser@ tnc.org.

Workshops set on children's disorders

Families can learn about how to handle children with mental and emotional disorders at two free Children's Hospital workshops.

The first -- Thursday, June 26 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- will focus on obsessive-compulsive disorder in children. It will include discussion on identifying and treating the disorder in young children and adolescents.

The second -- July 31 -- will focus on helping children deal with anxiety. Behavioral health psychologists will share information about the types of anxiety disorders found in children.

Both sessions will be at Children's Behavioral Health, 90th Street and Western Avenue, suite 200, inside the Exec Centre building.

Since space is limited, parents should register by calling 955-3900.

Chinese culture to be celebrated

Eat, play games and more at the first ever citywide Chinese Culture Family Night Friday, June 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Student Center of Christ Community Church, 404 S. 108th Ave.

Organizers include Omaha Chinese Students and Scholars Association chapters at Creighton University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Omaha Chinese Culture Association.

Dinner, children's games, a silent auction and demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy and character writing will go until 7:30 p.m. Other entertainment and auction results will follow.

Proceeds will go to those affected by the Sichuan earthquake on May 12.

Cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for those ages 3 to 11. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Travel Snaps contest begins

World-Herald readers are sharing their summer travel photos, and it's time to vote on a favorite.

It's all part of our Travel Snaps contest. To be eligible, readers are sending us a photo of someone holding a copy of The World-Herald at their vacation destination. They also are sharing a highlight from their trip.

Each week's entries are eligible for a drawing for a $60 gas card. At the end of the contest, one person will win a $2,000 travel voucher, courtesy of AAA Nebraska, that can be used for hotels, airfares, car rentals, etc.

All photos appear at Omaha.com. Each week the editor's choice and readers' favorite will be published on our Sunday Travel page in E.T.A. We'll also announce the weekly gas card winner in the paper. The first results will appear July 6.

Want to enter the contest? You can submit one photo per week for each of the 12 weeks of the contest, which runs through September.

You'll find all the details on this Web site. From the homepage, click on Spotlight, on the right side of the screen.

Neighborhood fun on Fourth of July?

Where can we find the best neighborhood Fourth of July celebration?

We're not talking fireworks displays, and we're not looking for communitywide festivities.

We want to know about the small, neighborly celebrations -- where kids decorate their bikes for a one-block parade, where games are homemade and where grills are fired up and picnic blankets are spread.

Share your recommendations. We'll try to picture as many as we can on July 5.

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