Free Community Notes: If your organization is sponsoring an event and you would like it to be posted on our Web site for free, please e-mail them to erin@wew3.com. Please indicate "Community Notes" in the subject line. Please send information as soon as it is available so we can make sure to include it when we update the site.



The 16th Annual Essential Pregnancy Services Benefit Dinner is to be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 12520 Westport Parkway, LaVista, NE. Silent Auction and Entertainment to begin at 5:00 p.m., with dinner to follow at 7:00 p.m. All reservations must be received by February 3, 2012. A portion of your full price dinner ticket is tax deductable. Please call main office to make a reservation at (402)554-0121, or return the reply card found at www.essentialps.org/benefit to Essential Pregnancy Services, 6220 Maple St., Omaha, NE 68104.

Black Student Catholic Scholarship Fund Applications Available

(Omaha, Ne.) It was recently announced that the Black Student Catholic Scholarship Fund scholarship applications are available for students. Scholarship eligibility for new applicants is based on academic achievement, financial need, parental commitment, community service and motivation to attend a Catholic high school. Students can apply for financial aid to the school of their choice, which then informs the Fund of the student’s eligibility for the scholarship.

Scholarship forms have been sent to all metro area Catholic grade schools and high schools. Current scholarship recipients can also renew their scholarships, but must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in core subjects. The deadline for the scholarship applications to be turned is Feb. 1. Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications and more information are available on the www.bscsf.net website. For additional questions call the Archdiocesan Education Office at 402.554.8493.
One of the highlights of the scholarship program is that each scholarship recipient is matched with an adult mentor who is responsible for providing guidance throughout the high school experience. The goal of each mentor is to help the young adult become the best student that he or she can be. Mentors focus on the students’ academics and extracurricular activities.

Black Student Catholic Scholarship Fund is an outgrowth of the National Black Catholic Pastoral Plan. The plan places a high priority on the education of black youth in value-centered Catholic schools. The Implementation Team for the Pastoral Plan in the Archdiocese of Omaha established the program in 1994. Its mission is “to enable qualified black elementary school graduates from families of limited and moderate means to attend Catholic high schools.” Applicants need not be Catholic.


Heartland Family Service Celebrates the “Carnival of Love” Gala

"Carnival of Love” is the theme of the 2012 annual Gala, hosted by the Heartland Family Service Friends guild. The February 18, 2012 fundraiser will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in La Vista at 6:00 p.m. The carnival theme was so well received the past four years that the Friends guild decided to build and expand on the fun. Valet parking, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, carnival games, live and silent auctions and dinner make this evening memorable. Individual tickets are $125 per person ($85 tax-deductible), Patron tickets are $150 per person ($110 tax-deductible) and $1,500 per sponsored table (tables seat 10), with sponsor recognition. Learn more and purchase tickets on the website at www.HeartlandFamilyService.org or call Kerri at 402-552-7426.

Psychic Suzanna will be featured at this year’s gala, giving individual readings at the fortune teller’s booth. Travel to America’s coasts will headline the live auction items. A four-day California Wine Country Experience includes airfare, lodging and a six-hour tour of Sonoma Valley vineyards in a chauffeured luxury sedan. Those who love the theatre will want to bid on an unforgettable four-day New York Broadway Experience at a premium Manhattan Island hotel with airfare, tickets to the Broadway show of your choice, a VIP experience at the Times Square World Comedy Club and dinner at Sardi’s.

Co-chairs for the gala are Karen Burkley and Cindy Hanley. Honorary Chairmen are Kathy and Tom Martin. Mary Zlomke is president of the Heartland Family Service Friends Guild, which will host the event. Funds raised for the gala will support the mission of Heartland Family Service, which is to strengthen individuals and families in our community. Programs that will receive financial support from gala proceeds include the children’s emergency shelter for abused children, the concealed Safe Haven emergency and transitional facility for abused women and children, Family Works residential treatment facility for women with infants, the Solomon Girls Center and the Senior Center.

For more information about the Carnival, about Heartland Family Service, or to become a member of the Friends guild, call Caryn Ficco at (402) 552-7424.

Since 1875, Heartland Family Service has responded to the needs of our area’s most vulnerable children and families. Every year the agency serves more than 36,000 individuals of all ages — from infants in our Children's Emergency Shelters to seniors in our Senior Center — from sixteen locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. We provide critical human services to the individuals and families who ultimately shape the future of our community—for better or for worse—through the following program areas:
Child Abuse ? Domestic Violence ? Poverty & Homelessness ? Juvenile Delinquency
Early Childhood Education ? Mental Health ? Addictions Treatment
Community Services and Centers
Heartland Family Service has a reputation for quality. Last year HFS was honored with the 2011 BBB Integrity Award (Charity Category). The agency also placed third in the large organizations category for the 2011 Best Places to Work. Heartland Family Service was the first recipient of the Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year, awarded in 2005 by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. You Are Invited To A Special Valentine’s Evening Affair...

Sophisticated Hearts of Omaha
Cordially invites you to:
A Special Valentine’s Evening Affair
Friday February 10, 2012
Regency Lodge 909 S. 107 Av.
8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Ticket Price: $20.00…May purchase Tickets @ Door

Featuring music by: Complete Music

Fashion Show: (Fashions directly from House of Kotero) and Dress Barn

Hors’doeuvres, Silent Auction, Cash Bar, Dancing, Raffles and Door Prizes

For information, please contact: Sophisticated Hearts (402) 933-5346

Proceeds to: yOUTH EMERGENCY SERVICES and MEALS ON WHEELS

The Rose Theater Announces Its 2011-12 Season

The Rose Theater will present a magical season for families, opening September 9, 2011. A mix of stage productions from musicals to beloved children’s book adaptations will have ages 4 and up singing, imagining, laughing and learning all season long. Ferdinand the Bull, a fantastic musical adventure based on the popular story about the docile, flower-loving bull, will kick off the line-up!

The Rose is introducing another treat for audiences, as well: The Rose Brigade, a talented troupe of BROADWAY at The Rose students, who will perform before select shows. The 2011-12 season, sponsored by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, will feature nine shows including several popular children’s book titles such as Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type and Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells; tried-and-true all ages favorites including Seussical –The Musical and James and the Giant Peach; and new treats like No Dogs Allowed written by Sesame Street’s Maria!

“With the help of current and past member feedback, we created what will surely be a spectacularly entertaining season including musical theater productions, interactive shows and dramatic adventures,” said Artistic Director James Larson. “Seussical – The Musical – one of the most performed shows in America – was the top member pick and we are thrilled to be able to present it as our 2012 summer musical production!”

The full 2011-12 season show schedule includes the following:

• Nate the Great (Feb. 3-19, 2012)
• No Dogs Allowed (Mar. 2-18, 2012)
• Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (Mar. 30 – Apr. 15, 2012)
• James and the Giant Peach (Apr. 27 – May 13, 2012)
• Seussical – The Musical (June 1-17, 2012)

The Rose Brigade will perform 15-minute Glee-style pre-shows at select performances to enhance the theatrical experience for audience members as they are taking their seats. The Brigade will comprise 20-25 students, ages 7 to 18, who are cast by audition and enrolled in the all-new BROADWAY at The Rose program.

“We are excited to introduce The Brigade which will be fun and entertaining for audiences. At the same time, it will provide our the blossoming student performers with invaluable live performance opportunities!” said Managing Director Julie Walker.

Tickets for the 2011-12 season go on sale August 1, 2011 and are $16 each, with Seussical - The Musical priced at $25 for main floor and $20 for balcony. Discount ticket vouchers will be available for $13 each starting August 1, 2011 at all Omaha/Council Bluffs Hy-Vee stores.

Rose memberships are on sale now! For $75 per family, members receive four free tickets to each of The Rose’s seven regular season shows. The rate increases to $85 per family beginning August 1, 2011. In addition, members who choose to purchase tickets to The Rose’s two premium shows – Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells and Seussical – The Musical – may do so at a discounted rate before sales open to the general public.

Memberships and single tickets are available through The Rose Box Office at 2001 Farnam Street, (402) 345-4849, or www.rosetheater.org.


West Central Women’s Connection, Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries, www.stonecroft.org

HELD MONTHLY AT THE DC CENTRE WEST
11830 Stonegate Circle
(South of Mulhall’s on 120th, between Maple and Blondo)
PRICE: $10.00 (includes lunch, tax, gratuity & program)
TIME: Buffet opens at 11:45 a.m., buffet service will close at 12:15 p.m., with program to follow
Free babysitting with confirmed reservations.
Please notify us to cancel if you cannot make it.

For Reservations, please contact:
Barb Romer 402-453-7606 or Jackie Shanno 402-453-4483
Please Call By Wednesday before each meeting.
January 16th please make reservations by Wednesday, January 11th
Special Feature—Second Hand Rose Fashion Show
Presented by Christian Women’s Connection Board
Guest Speaker—Margie Oswald of Lincoln, NE
“When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned---Then What?”

Margie is the mother of four and widowed in 2002, she knows what life is like when the turns in the road are unexpected. Hear her share her story; learn how she was able to navigate unexpected detours.

February 20th please make reservations by Wednesday, February 15th
Special Feature—Todd Baker of Baker’s Candies, Inc., in Greenwood, NE

What is it like behind the scenes in a chocolate factory? Come find out, hear how Baker’s Candies got its start. There will be samples, don’t miss this one!
Guest Speaker—Rita Rocker of Omaha, NE
“Metamorphosis”
National Speaker, Author, Coach for Communications, Image, Etiquette, Self-Esteem and Presentation Skills

Get your combat boots on Ladies, and don’t forget your Mascara. Transitions in life can be tough; they can also open the door to so many new and wonderful possibilities. Come hear this message of hope, direction and thought-provoking inspiration to enable you to head down a new and fulfilling path, no matter what stage of life you are in!

March 19th please make reservations by Wednesday, March 14th
Guest Speaker—Melanie Golightly of Lenexa, Kansas
“Pursuing Perfection—Provided with Peace”

Have you ever wanted to be perfect? Have you always thought everything was your responsibility? Have you always wanted to know how other people do it all with the peace that you seem to miss. Come listen to this retired High School English teacher, who discovered the secrets and shares her recipes for peace..

Program sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries

Invitation printing donated by: Glen Sandoz, Shaklee Distributor (740-2401) Email Address: gsandoz@cox.net