Veronica Stickney

Jul. 14, 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.

Find fun this weekend at Gretna's annual festival Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 18-20.

Gretna Days starts with a bang on Friday with a barbecue and fireworks show beginning at 5 p.m. in North Park, Angus Street and Highway 31. There will be a pool party for teens from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the city pool, and a dance at the American Legion Hall, 11690 S. 216th St., from 7 p.m. to midnight.

The festival continues Saturday with a pancake breakfast, sand volleyball tournament, watermelon feed, street dance and more. The kiddie parade starts at 9 a.m., and Gretna Days parade starts at 10:30 a.m. along McKenna Avenue and Angus Drive.

On Sunday, there is a car show and community prayer service, as well as a community picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Peterson Park. Also, Gretna Community Theater will present "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" at 7 p.m. at Gretna High School.

For more information and other events, visit www.gretnachamber.com.

Neighborhood group to discuss alliance

The Ak-Sar-Ben-Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association will hear from a representative of the Midtown Neighborhood Alliance at a meeting Thursday, July 17.

Residents are invited to the 6:30 p.m. social and 7 p.m. meeting at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1725 S. 60th St. Discussion will include benefits of joining the Midtown Neighborhood Alliance and how to report and follow up on code violations that are spotted in the neighborhood.

Workshops celebrate World Dance Day

Hawaiian dances, as well as moves from Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana and the Caribbean, are some of many dances community members can learn at Bedouin Star Bazaar and World Dance Day Saturday, July 19, at the Bellevue University Student Center, 1000 Galvin Road in Bellevue.

Four dance workshops will be offered. Participants will perform at 7 p.m.

No previous dance experience is necessary. For more information or to register, visit www.bedouinstar.com or call 917-4808.

Smile for your free passport photo

Get a passport photo taken for free Tuesday, July 15, at AAA Nebraska from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at its four Omaha area branches: Clocktower, 815 N. 98th St.; Bakers Square, 2904 S. 132nd St.; Eagle Run, 13358 W. Maple Road; and Bellevue, 3905 Twin Creek Drive, Suite 107.

Get ready for National Night Out

National Night Out this year is Aug. 5. Neighborhood groups that want a police officer or firefighter at their event should call Judy Johns at 444-4873 to register.

National Night Out is a nationwide event designed to heighten awareness and strengthen neighborhood participation in anti-crime efforts.

Schools can sign up for Girls on the Run

Schools, churches or other groups interested in hosting a Girls on the Run team next fall should apply now.

Girls on the Run is an extracurricular program that combines exercise, education and mentoring to promote healthy living and self-esteem in girls in the third through sixth grades. Teams meet twice a week for two months. Volunteer coaches lead girls through lessons and running games that help train participants for a 5K run/walk.

For an application or more information, contact Amy Cyphers at 402-610-5355 or girlsontherun@neb.rr.com.

Dog event features tourney, vendors

Dog lovers won't want to miss the Nebraska Kennel Club Total Dog Experience on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 18-20.

The event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Qwest Center Omaha, will feature competitions in agility, obedience, conformation and junior showmanship, as well as more than 100 vendors with pet products.

Tickets, which will be available at the door, are $6 for adults, $4 for children 4 through 12 and free for children 3 and under.

For a complete schedule, visit www.nebraskakennelclub.com.

Senior citizens can get rid of medications

Senior citizens can get rid of outdated medications at Home Instead Senior Care's Operation Medicine Cabinet on Saturday, July 19.

From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in a parking lot at 78th and Dodge Streets, Douglas County sheriff's deputies will oversee the collection and disposal of medications.

The program aims to help protect senior citizens from accidentally using expired medications and to help protect the environment and water supply by providing a safe way to dispose of prescription drugs.

Senior citizens or their family members can simply drive up to the parking lot and drop the medications into a locked container. There will be juice and doughnuts.

Forest celebrates culture, history

Learn about the cultural and historical resources of Fontenelle Forest at the nature center's free day Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include Native American dancers, guided hikes, nature crafts and historical games, pottery, rope-making and archery.

For more information, visit www.fontenelleforest.org.

Send us your photos of summer fun

Share your wet and wild summer pics.

We want to see you and your family kicking back in a pool, running through a sprinkler, playing with a hose or swimming in a lake.

Send your pictures to us at connect@owh.com or call 444-1040 for more information. We will publish as many photos as we can on Saturday, July 19.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0149-26648610