January 01, 2009
Youth Art Auction Jan. 29
The Neighborhood Center will host its annual Youth Art Auction Thursday, Jan. 29, at Mutual of Omaha from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event will feature works of art created by children ages eight to 18 in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties.
The pieces reflect Omaha and nearby neighborhoods, identifiable landmarks and community leaders. Each piece is professionally framed and matted. Selected artists are invited to attend the auction with their families and will autograph their work for the winning bidders.
The auction raised $25,000 for the Neighborhood Center in 2008, and the 2009 goal is $50,000. Funds raised are earmarked to support Neighborhood Center operations. For more information, contact Crystal Rhoades at 402.561.7589.
From Here to Community Garden
The Green Omaha Coalition will host a panel discussion titled “From Here to Community Garden” Saturday, Jan. 24. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Neighborhood Center, 115 S. 49th Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon.
The panel will acquaint participants with the concepts and benefits of community gardens while providing practical information on how to support or start one. Discussion topics will include funding, volunteers, leadership, land acquisition and resources. The panelists are Andy Jameton, City Sprouts; Stephanie Ahlschwede, BIG Garden; Chris Foster, Gifford Park Community Garden; Dave Lampe, Lamp, Rynearson & Associates Corporate Community Garden; and Norita Matt and Dave Fanslau, City of Omaha Planning Department.
For more information, contact Trilety Wade at trilety@hotmail.com.
Follow-Up Community Garden Meeting Jan. 20
Are you interested in community gardening? The Douglas County Health Department is hosting a follow-up meeting on this topic Tuesday, Jan. 20. The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Douglas County Extension Office, 8015 West Center Road.
There are a number of community gardens in Omaha as well as a number of food and nutrition initiatives. This group’s first meeting was held Nov. 24. The purpose of the Jan. 20 meeting is to create a place for dialogue and plan some joint activities. All interested members of the public are invited to attend.
For more information, contact Mary Balluff at 402.444.1773.
Neighborhood Builders Kicks Off Feb. 7
Are you interested in strengthening your neighborhood?
The 2009 session of Neighborhood Builders gets under way Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Neighborhood Center. This series of four half-day workshops is designed to help build stronger, healthier neighborhoods in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties by assisting in developing positive leadership. Sessions will be held Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 8 a.m. to noon.
This year’s topic blocks will focus on assets in your neighborhood, inclusiveness in your neighborhood, social advocacy and conflict mediation.
Neighborhood Builders is a community effort led by the Neighborhood Center, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, neighborhood associations, businesses, foundations and private citizens. Class size is limited. Those who have not attended before will be given first consideration. For more information, contact Ronald Abdouch at 402.561.7582.