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Now that November is upon us, there are many fun filled family activities around Omaha that are perfect for a day out of the house. We have listed a few below for this upcoming weekend that we hope will be of interest to you and are great for family members of all ages. Enjoy! 

Omaha’s Children’s Museum Forever Forest 
When: Friday, November 10th 
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum 
Duration: All day 

With the national tour of Forever Forest beginning right in our backyard, grab the family for a fun day of adventuring and learning the realities of forests throughout the world. Explore topics such as transportation needs, sustainability and selective harvesting, as well as the daily products that families use that are created from trees. This incredible exhibit features a mini, realistic replica of a Union Pacific engine, a tree top climber and kid-sized home for children to help build – and so much more! 

Life Without Boxes: Embracing Autism in Our Community 
When: Friday, November 10th
Where: Scott Conference Center
Duration: 8:00am – 4:30pm

If you are a family member, service provider, community member or advocate for bringing awareness and inclusion for individuals and families that are affected by autism, then this is a must-attend event! See nationally recognized speakers, community representatives and self-advocates address issues that people within all communities face, and the realistic community solutions that can be implemented. 

The Durham Museum Zoom into Nano 
When: Saturday, November 5th 
Where: The Durham Museum 
Duration: 10am – 5pm

Are you or your family interested in or curious about nanotechnology? If so, head to the Durham Museum this Saturday to see a variety of large-scale, immersive experiences centered around the world within nanotechnology. The event features a full body interactive station where guests can use their hands to grab and pull apart virtual molecules, as well as zooming into tiny structures and devices through very high magnification to see the incredible beauty and awe of natural and manmade objects. 

Wayne State College Exhibit Explores Artistry of Teaching Art
When: Sunday, November 5th
Where: Wayne State College 
Duration: 4:30pm-5:30pm

This is a must-see event for all the art enthusiasts in the Omaha area! The exhibit weaves together creativity, culture and media to stimulate learning for the young and old alike.

When looking for a home in Omaha, some buyers may be turned off by the idea of purchasing a home that has an HOA (Homeowners Association). And while some people find them divisive, HOAs have the potential to offer quite a few benefits for homeowners that live within their neighborhoods. In this post we will discuss a few reasons why you should be open to an HOA when starting your search, and how the benefits have the potential to far outweigh any negatives.

One benefit of an HOA is that many require a standardized appearance of all homes. This means that all homes must conform to a predetermined cosmetic standard set by the HOA, ensuring that the neighborhood looks cohesive and appealing. It makes sure that your careless or lazy neighbor is forced to mow their lawn and maintain the outside appearance of their home (no neon pink exterior paint allowed!). Also, HOAs help to maintain your property value, as a well-maintained appearance of homes makes the value of the neighborhood higher and more valuable than the surrounding areas. This allows owners who eventually look to sell their home to recoup their initial investment and potentially make a sizeable profit - who wouldn't want that?!

Another benefit of an HOA is that many often feature and provide additional amenities such as sports areas, community swimming pools, walking trails and a community center for residents and their guests to enjoy. These locations are perfect for community building opportunities and offer residents areas of entertainment. Lastly, HOA fees will help to cover community maintenance as well, including common areas, streets, landscaping and tree care. This brings a peace of mind to homeowners that the surrounding areas of their home will always be well kept without any effort on their part. 

So you are thinking of buying a fixer-upper but aren't sure what to expect. For some people the idea of buying a home that needs a lot of work can be a little daunting. And for others, the thought of purchasing a home that needs a little love in an incredible neighborhood, and are able to remodel it to their taste, is ideal. While it is true that a fixer-upper has the potential to be your worst nightmare, there are also incredible benefits that you simply can't ignore. Below we have listed some pros and cons that come with purchasing a fixer-upper home that we hope will be helpful and inspiring when making your decision: 

Pros:
-Remodeling the bathroom and/or kitchen have the potential to drastically increase the value of your home
-Buyers can design and pick out the finishes to match their taste
-Do you love a neighborhood but can't afford the area? A fixer-upper allows you to purchase a home in your ideal neighborhood that otherwise may have been out of your budget and reach
-Makes owning a home attainable for eager buyers
-Since property taxes are based on the home’s sale price, homeowners will reap major tax savings on a fixer-upper

Cons:
-There is a ton of extra work that goes into a fixer-upper than a home that is move-in ready
-You are almost guaranteed to go over budget
-Renovations are usually met with a lot of stress and can be very time consuming
-Costly surprises are sure to pop up that can expand the timeline and budget of the project

It's no secret that moving can be very stressful for families. The boxing, the scheduling, the organizing, the cleaning – all of the “to-do’s” can leave you with a mile-long list and not enough hours in the day to tackle everything. And on top of all of that, trying to move when you have kids can amplify your stress levels and leave your head totally and completely spinning. Not to mention, kids usually are not always thrilled with the news of the event, whether you are moving to a new state or just down the block. Knowing this, we have listed some tips and tricks below on how to try and ease some of the stresses of moving with children in hopes to help make the event as stress-free as possible for you and your family. 

The first thing a family should do is call a family meeting to explain to the children why you are moving and where you are moving to. This can be done over a fun family pizza night or casual family time in the living room. It is important to set expectations on what will be happening in the coming weeks and what you expect from them in the process. When packing, it is also super helpful to purge unwanted or outgrown clothing, as well as to donate old toys that no longer get playtime. This will help to avoid bringing clutter to your new home and can also help bring in a little money if the items can be sold. 

Another great tip is to get your children excited about the new place by making plans for their new room. Whether it be a new paint color for the walls they have always wanted, a new bedroom set or just rearranging their current furniture, you should get your children excited about this new adventure and their new surroundings. You can accomplish this by doing a site visit and allowing them to walk through their new home and visualize what everything will look like. Let their imagination run wild! Lastly, if you are moving far away from where you currently live, try hosting a “See You Soon” party for your children and their friends. This can help to ease their anxiety of moving away, allow them to take photos with their friends and spend some quality time with everyone before the big move.

We hope these tips will help ease the stress of moving with kids and have it be a more enjoyable time for everyone. Happy moving! 

Families should be running outdoors to take advantage of this incredible season between summer and winter. The crisp, fresh fall air is a perfect excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine and cooler weather around Omaha. After school, on the weekends or in-between scheduled activities are the perfect times to venture out to one of the many parks around town. We have listed below a few of the most popular parks and hope you enjoy some quality time outdoors this fall! 

Meadow Lane Park: This is a great place for some family fun in the sun! The beautiful, large community park offers a large green space, tennis and basketball courts, a fun playground for the kids and picnic area that is perfect for a mid-afternoon snack. 
Address: 11707 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68154

Lamp Park: This park is a great destination for beautifully manicured and well kept grounds. A very popular destination for baseball games, has great open green space and a wonderful place to walk your dog. 
Address: 113 N 114th St, Omaha, NE 68154

Cottonwood Park: An amazing park for kids to walk, run and play! Perfect for a day of volleyball, incredible play areas for young kids and is dog friendly for your furry family friends. 
Address: 728 S 154th St, Omaha, NE 68154

N.P. Dodge Park: This park spans 445-acres and is perfectly positioned along the flowing river. It offers a pavilion, full service marina and incredible sports facilities. 
Address: 11001 John J Pershing Dr, Omaha, NE 68112

There is so much to look forward to now that fall has arrived– cooler weather, the holidays right around the corner and lots of free family events around town! We know it's difficult at times to find activities the whole family will enjoy that won’t break the bank. Below is a list of events around Omaha that will get the whole family out of the house and are sure put a smile on everyone’s face! So grab your family (and leave your wallet behind) to enjoy the cooler weather and some free fall family fun in Omaha! 

First Responders Action Day is put on by the Omaha Police Department and the First Responders Foundation, and is an entire day packed with learning and action for the kids. There are exciting demos held throughout the day such as rescuing submerged vehicles, robots in action, blowing up pumpkins and much more!
When: September 30th | Location: Omaha Public Safety Training Center

At the Fly into Fall Kite Festival families can enjoy giant kite flying demonstrations, food trucks, a rock wall, bounce houses, music and much more. It is sure to be great fun for all ages! 
When: September 30th | Location: Youngman Lake

Harvest Fest will be offering pumpkin painting, live music, bounce houses and free hayrack rides. Show off your eating skills at the pumpkin pie eating content, or enjoy craft vendors and specialty products from local farmers. 
When: October 7th| Location: Village Pointe Farmers Market

Harvest Fun Days is the perfect place for kids to enjoy creating fall crafts, take a ride to the colorful pumpkin patch, explore the surrounding trails and much more!
When: October 14th, 21st and 28th | Location: Hummel Nature Center

It’s that time of year! The leaves are changing color, there is a slight chill in the air and pumpkin spice lattes are back. Saturday is the official start of Fall and it may be time to spruce up your home to celebrate everyone’s favorite season. We have a few suggestions below on ways to bring the fall sprit to your home. Happy decorating!

-Freshen up the front door with festive wreaths, piles of pumpkins and bunches of potted mums and croton to give the porch a bright, fresh feel.  You can even save a bit of money by learning how to make your own ribbon rose wreath by clicking here, or a mini pumpkin wreath here.

-Add real firewood to your fireplace to give it a woodsy, cozy charm. Firewood doesn’t have to just be functional, it can also give the room a decorative fall flair. Be sure to clean off the firewood before bringing it indoors and cut any leaves or twigs that might be still attached.

-Fill gardens and window boxes with seasonal colored flowers such as pansies, ornamental cabbages and English Ivy to boost curb appeal. These blossoms are great because they can withstand the chilly winter temperatures, but also bring beauty to your front area well into the beginning of Spring.

-Bring a little coziness to the outdoors by creating a warm, welcoming space around a fire pit. Be sure to include lots of throws and pillows to really make the area inviting, and keep a large basket nearby to bring the linens inside when bad weather hits.

-A great way to bring an extra dose of coziness to your home is by incorporating candles within lanterns or using pillar candles. You can surround the pillars with festive fall décor such as candy corn, acorns or coffee beans. Just be sure to keep an eye on any burning flame to make sure it doesn’t burn too far down and become a hazard.

-Incorporate autumn hues throughout your home with layered tablecloths, gourds, fresh herbs, woodsy centerpieces, festive throws and pillows. 

Are you a lover of all things food? Have you been itching to try new restaurants around Omaha? Well now you have an excuse to put the pots and pans away for a few days and step out on the town for Omaha Restaurant Week! From September 15^th through the 24^th, take a delicious adventure and celebrate the exciting and unique culinary scene around the Omaha metro area. Dishes range from legendary beef burgers and steaks, to the classic Reuben sandwich, and cuisines include farm-to-fork fresh, comfort food, and everything in between! The city has become a top destination for culinary adventurers, and Omaha Restaurant Week is a great time for diners to explore all that the area has to offer at a reduced price.

Restaurants participating in Omaha Restaurant Week will be offering an exclusive special menu featuring multi-course prix fixe meals ranging from $20, $30, $40 and/or $50 per person, with patrons choosing from their choice of appetizers, entrees and desserts. There are no passes our coupons required, and there is no limit to how many restaurants you may dine at during the week. So take the opportunity to branch out and explore new dining options, or enjoy old, local favorites at a discounted price. A few participating restaurants include Sullivan's Steakhouse, Liberty Tavern, Dolce, Wave Bistro, and 1912. Click here for a complete list of restaurants participating in the 2017 Omaha Restaurant Week.  Also, a portion of the proceeds from Omaha Restaurant Week will be donated to Food Bank for the Heartland.

 Bon Appétit!

For years the trendy area around downtown Omaha has been driving redevelopment efforts, drawing new businesses and residents to the area. Recently, the residential side of that development has been gaining momentum and helping to rebuild the aging neighborhoods extending past the downtown area with a younger and diverse population. For example, the 10^th and 13^th Streets corridors, neighborhoods known to be rooted in ethnic identity, are being transformed and developed to attract a newer population. One developer in Omaha is working towards building a batch of row houses in the area that are set to be priced around $300,000, and BlueStone Development is planning a housing community with over 200 new rental units slightly further south on the corridor. Also, just north of William Street, is the recently built Clarity’s South Hill Rowhouses of which go for between $245,000 and $405,000. The development company is so confident in the continued revival of the area that they are making plans to keep building with a similar batch of residences that will be three-stories with garages, complete with a rooftop deck. There was also a $10,000 public art grant allotted to help perk up the alleyways in hopes of reducing crime in the area. There are numerous restaurants, office buildings, banks and retail shops popping up, bringing new life and incredible commerce to the redevelopment efforts. So be sure to keep an eye on the areas surrounding downtown Omaha as it may be the next best place you call home! 

Believe it or not, Labor Day is right around the corner and with it marks the last weekend for many people to enjoy the final days of summer. It also means family BBQ’s, fireworks and a much anticipated three-day weekend. But not to worry, the Omaha area will not let summer go without one final hurrah -  And let’s face it, they sure know how to through a good party! Below is a round up of a few family-fun Labor Day weekend festivities happening in the area. So grab your friends and family (and white pants) and get ready to hit the town to celebrate!

First Friday at the Old Market

When: September 1st

This free event is held on the first Friday of each month from 6-9pm, and features Omaha’s art galleries and local artists. Celebrating local creativity in an historic neighborhood, locals and visitors alike can wander through the Old Market on foot or catch a free ride on Ollie the Trolley.

La Festa Italiana

When: September 1-3^rd

Celebrate one of the Omaha area’s most beloved festivals where guests can enjoy authentic Italian food, beer, wine fireworks and dancing under the stars. La Festa Italiana has graced residents of Omaha for 33 years, and its no wonder why the event has grown so popular over the years.

The Nebraska State Fair

When: August 25^th-September 4^th

The Nebraska State Fair is always an event to remember with live music, booths, delicious food and incredible events for the whole family to enjoy. Take in the Nebraska culture over Labor Day weekend with performances by Joan Jett & the Heartbreakers, Lynard Skynrd and Cole Swindell.

September Fest

When: September 1^st-4^th

September Fest returns for its 40^th year and is four days of nonstop entertainment! Enjoy live music, a carnival, beer garden, local food vendors, arts and craft stations and a Kiddie Kingdom for the little ones. The event draws in people from all over the five-state area and wraps up with a Labor Day parade at 10am on Monday.

Husker Football Season Kickoff

When: September 2^nd at 7pm

Kick off Husker Football Season on Saturday with a game against Arkansas State at Memorial Stadium! Enjoy tailgating before the game and be sure to wear your red and white to support your home team.

Labor Day Weekend at the Zoo

When: September 2^nd-4^th

Say goodbye to summer alongside flamingos, zebras and giraffes, and enjoy wildlife entertainment that is perfect for the whole family. There will be bounce houses, presentations with the animals and airbrush tattoos!