Organizers are hoping to raise $750,000 at the 50 Mile March Aug. 23-24.
The 22-hour journey on foot from Lincoln to Omaha supports U.S. military veterans facing mental health challenges and homelessness.
Over the past four years, the event has raised more than $1 million, thanks to online pledges donated on behalf of the participants.
“We’re expecting over 170 participants for this event, which would be an all-time high for the 50 Mile March, an event that keeps getting bigger every year,” said Blake Martin, owner of Omaha-based FranNet of the Heartland and a five-year participant in the march.
This year, the march begins in the southeast Lincoln suburb of Walton and winds its way northeast along the MoPac Trail, concluding about 24 hours later in Omaha at the Nebraska Brewing Company Tap Room & Brewery at 6950 S. 108th St.
Anyone is welcome to contribute at https://tinyurl.com/vhk996f4.
Barbershop singing event is today
The 15th annual Barbershop Extravaganza will be held today at 4 p.m. at the Sumter Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St. in Papillion.
This free concert will feature several favorite barbershop tunes by the Sarpy Serenaders, Yesterday’s Kids and the Omaharmonizers as well as several quartets.
All of these groups practice weekly to hone their skills and enjoy fellowship. Chorus members range in age from the early 20s to the mid 80s.
There is a concession stand, but guests are encouraged to bring something cool to drink because of the expected warm weather.
Learn from experts about Alzheimer’s disease
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will host a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference for Omaha-area residents on Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event will be held at the Hitchcock Humanities Building, 1040 Bruin Blvd., on Bellevue University’s campus.
The free conference is open to everyone and will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, caregiving, and advance planning. Advance registration at alzfdn.org/tour is highly recommended.
The goal is to arm caregivers with education and the tools to provide better care for themselves and their loved ones and to help them live a higher quality of life.
“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO. “Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about.”
Dr. Daniel L. Murman will talk about diagnosing early to mid-Alzheimer’s, which has improved significantly with the development of new biomarker-based tests — tools that detect biological changes associated with Alzheimer’s before or alongside early symptoms.
These tests can help confirm a diagnosis earlier, more accurately, and even non-invasively. He will review some of these new biomarker tests and discuss treatments designed to target and reduce amyloid-beta plaques in the brain — one of the hallmark pathologies of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Anna Fisher will teach how the Montessori method — a person-centered approach to support individuals living with dementia by focusing on what the person can do, not what they’ve lost. She will explain how activities based on the Montessori method encourage independence in daily living and promote positive engagement and mental, physical and psychosocial well-being.
Elder law expert Catherine N. Swiniarski will discuss the importance of having the proper legal documents in place in order to ensure that your healthcare, legal and financial wishes are carried out as you want, especially as you age. She will explain how to establish legal protections, such as power of attorney and health care directives, to designate trusted individuals who can make financial and medical decisions on a person’s behalf when that person can no longer do so.
Free confidential memory screenings will be conducted throughout the day.
Fish kills follow cloudy days
Recent hot temperatures, followed by several cloudy days, have contributed to the number of fish kills in Nebraska.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently investigated fish kills at Omaha’s Benson Park Pond and Pioneer Trails Lake near Aurora.
Summer fish kills, a natural phenomenon of fish dying off in large numbers during the summer months, often are caused by low dissolved oxygen levels in the water.
One major contributor to these events is a stretch of cloudy days following a stretch of warm sunny weather.
“Under normal conditions, aquatic plants and algae produce oxygen through photosynthesis using sunlight. However, when sunlight is blocked by clouds, oxygen production can drop quickly,” said Aaron Blank, a fisheries biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Algal blooms can further complicate things as algae can die off much quicker than rooted aquatic vegetation and once they die their decomposition consumes oxygen.”
Fish kills are more prevalent in smaller bodies of water because of their limited volume and the potential for rapid oxygen depletion. Small, shallow ponds with abundant vegetation are particularly susceptible to summer fish kills.
Anglers who observe dead or dying fish should call their nearest Game and Parks office.
Eby to head Washington County Museum
The Washington County Museum has announced the hiring of a new executive director following the retirement of longtime director Julie Ashton.
Omahan Pamela Eby was officially hired in July with the approval of the Washington County Historical Association’s board of directors. She and Ashton began working on a transition plan on Aug. 1. Ashton will stay on through the opening of the new Hugh and Jane Hunt vintage radio exhibit.
Pam brings with her a deep passion for storytelling, education and connecting people to the places and history that shape their communities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and community engagement, she’s spent her career creating meaningful experiences for families, schools and visitors of all ages.
Prior to joining the museum, Eby served as an education program manager at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.
Outgoing board chair Pat Tripp said Eby brings a wealth of experience in education, community engagement and program leadership and her passion for mission-driven work aligns perfectly with the museum’s vision.
Eby is eager to get started.
“What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to help steward one of Nebraska’s oldest county museums into a vibrant and relevant institution that both honors local heritage and inspires future generations,” she said. “Having developed numerous programs highlighting both global and local conservation and historical narratives, I am passionate about making history accessible, engaging and meaningful for diverse audiences.”
Ashton retires after serving as the museum’s executive director since 2013. During her tenure, Ashton has grown key partnerships and funding; oversaw museum renovations, including the Hunt Vintage Radio exhibit; oversaw the relocation and renovation of the Long Creek School and renovation of the historic Frahm House; led a rebranding of the museum’s logo; and installed signage throughout the county on historical buildings.
“Julie Ashton’s leadership over the past 12 years has been nothing short of transformative,” outgoing board vice chair Leeanna Ellis said. “Her vision and dedication have elevated the Washington County Museum. Julie’s legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come. We are deeply grateful for her service and wish her the best in retirement.”
Team Hope Walk is Aug. 24
The 26th annual HDSA Omaha Team Hope Walk will be held Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. at Lake Zorinsky Park. Check in is at 8 a.m. at Shelter No. 5.
Team Hope is HDSA’s largest national grassroots fundraising event.
Thousands of families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and communities walk together each year to support HDSA’s fight to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease and their families.
Learn more by visiting hdsa.org/teamhope.
Tatten named to CSM post
College of Saint Mary has named Laura Tatten as vice president of community partnerships, a new position.
“Laura will be instrumental in building and sustaining relationships within our community, expanding collaboration to better meet the needs of our students and our partners,” President Heather Smith said. “We are confident her expertise and dedication will greatly benefit both CSM and the greater Omaha community.”
Tatten will create and nurture partnerships with community organizations and leaders. These partnerships will provide organizations with the resources and support they need while strengthening the College’s identity within the community.
She will also explore potential opportunities with community organizations and companies to support students as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Short Takes is a compilation of lightly edited press releases from various organizations. To have your information included, send it to [email protected] at least 10 days before the item needs to run. Photos are encouraged with a photo credit and caption. Include a phone number.
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