IWCC Black Tie 2015

Last Saturday we had the Iowa Western Community College Black Tie fundraiser. I love going to this every year and my mom always makes the best date. It has become a tradition of sorts to go together.

 

I wanted something other than black this year so stepped a little outside the box with this dress but got tons of compliments which was a win!

I loved my mom's fun shorter sparkly dress as well. It was a gorgeous fun evening.

 

Huge bonus = peach belinis during happy hour that were delicious. I challenged myself to more or less a month of no drinking prior to the event to give the body a much needed restart so was fun to splurge on champagne and wine that evening!

 

 

The event itself was followed up by an after party at Glory Days which was a lot of fun also. And turns out green is the new black! Several other girls also choose green over black (although the pictures don't really show it as well)

 

 

Always so much fun getting all fancied up, helping to raise money, and socializing with friends!

Wine on the Wabash

Last night our Chamber hosted a fun event called wine on the Wabash. You met at the trail head for Wabash trace a great running/biking trail just outside of town and traveled to Minneola. With several stops along the way to sample wines from local wineries.

Then you ended at Toby Jack's Steakhouse for dinner and socializing. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect weather night. For it being a first time event the turnout was great as well (these pictures aren't even half of the people that participated). Of course the samples along the route helped the miles fly by.

Hoping for more social fitness events this summer that utilize our great trails and allow exercise and fun to mingle.

Polar Plunge 2015 - Grease

 

 

The Polar Plunge is such a great great event that raises money for Special Olympics. This year all the teams raised over $37,000 for the olympics with my team (Ice Holes) raising over $12,000 on our own! I wont take credit as I didn't raise anywhere near that but some of my great team members did.

 

 

 I love how much fun our team has choosing a theme and getting all dressed up. We travel to the event on a bus and it turns into such a fun fun morning and afternoon all while doing something good for others. This year my brothers even joined the fun as "chickens". Loved having them with me.

We were blessed with a super nice weather day and it almost felt like cheating this year as the water was cold but no ice and once you were out of the water the sun quickly warmed you up. No complaints here!

After the plunge there are always some fun shenanigans that go down.

Black Tie 2014

This is always such a fun event. I love getting all dressed up and raising money for scholarships.

The event is always beautifully decorated, the food created by the culinary department is top notch, lots of great items to bid on, and you get to socialize, and check out every one's fancy outfits.

This year was no exception, another great night at the Black Tie. Thank you to the committee for putting on this event - all the volunteers are truly what makes the fundraiser such a success every year.

And there is usually a bonus after party that is just as much fun as the event itself.

Iowa Western Community College Black Tie

I am an Iowa Wesetern (IWCC) Alumni and love going back every year to support the Black Tie which rasies money for scholarships. Perfect excuse to get all fancy and enjoy an evening out at the college while supporting the students. My lovely mother was my date this year. It was a great evening without a doubt.

Everyone kept calling it adult prom or prom without the drama. So true as it was certainly a whole lot of fun and felt like prom all dressed up. Can't wait for next year.

CB Community Education Foundation Disco Prom

I was somehow coerced into being a Queen candidate for the Disco Prom to support the CB Community Education Foundation. An embarrassing old prom photo of me has also surfaced and is now floating around on flyers. Fun times!

It is a great cause though so I am happy to support and help raise money. I would love donations to help my race for Queen (more importantly to help the foundation). Even better come to the prom in your finest Disco attire and enjoy a fun evening out. If you happen to have any super cool disco gear - especially disco boots - I am in need of borrowing them!

NMC Council Bluffs Open House

NMC has a location in Council Bluffs and they had an open house to celebrate their first year of business. Normally not sure how jazzed I would be to go to a CAT equipment open house. But this one had two major selling points. 1. You get to drive a skid loader through an obstacle course and 2. My brother Erik works there now!

It truly was a great event - they had awesome BBQ, lots of drinks, fun prizes to win, and the highlight of the event was for sure the skid loader course!

I can't believe they really let rookies like me drive this sucker! After a quick set of instructions I was off.

Shockingly I didn't knock over a single cone or hit anything. Score for me. My time was like 2:18 with the fastest being :58, but hey I'm not a professional like that dude and it was my first time ever driving one of these!

It truly was pretty fun - I think we need one for the farm so we can do all kinds of dirt and yard work. Right? Thanks Erik for not being embarrassed by your crazy sister. If you need any equipment Erik is guy to call!

Prayers for Boston

I ran last night with a heavy heart. Images of the horrendous attack in Boston flashing across the news I couldn’t seem to turn off. I can’t even being to express the sadness I feel for all of those injured, those who lost friends and family members, and even those who witnessed the horrific event. Lives will forever be changed. The injuries reminded me of those we would occasionally see in Iraq – the middle of a war zone – not those expected during a marathon in Boston in the US. All I can do is pray for everyone impacted and know that somehow God will get them through this time.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Council Bluffs is hosting The Gambler Half Marathon and 5k this Sunday. This is a chance to come together as a community of not only runners, but mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons....Americans.

It has been proven time and time again that attempts by those to strike fear in the American heart only strengthen our resolve and commitment to each other.  To honor those innocent souls lost -- and the many, many other victims forever impacted by the senseless acts of violence at the conclusion of the Boston marathon on Monday -- at the start of the race there will be a moment of silence

Polar Plunge

 Last weekend I participated in my first ever Polar Plunge. What a fun day and all for an even better cause. All money raised went to the Special Olympics.

 

I was part of a group called the Frosty Ice Holes  - funny right! Thanks to my amazing  teammates (I didn’t organize this group I just was lucky enough to raise money and show up) we were the top team and raised the most money! Awesome job!!!

 

Lake Manawa was definitely arctic the day we plunged but I would do it all over again next year without a doubt.

Historic Homes Tour Sunday

*This is why I have been Missing in Action from the blog - every waking moment seems to be spent on house prep. Hope to see lots of friendly faces Sunday!

Daily Nonpareil Online
Friday, November 30, 2012
Historic Homes for the Holidays Tour Sunday

Five historic homes, a commercial building and a boutique will be featured Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. on the “Historic Homes for the Holidays” tour sponsored by Preserve Council Bluffs.

Built in 1912 for Jean and Inez Bregant, this tiny Colonial Revival-influenced cottage at 517 S. Fourth St. features a diamond-shaped design in beveled and leaded glass windows, an extremely tall chimney due to its position between two much taller houses, and was built to scale for its owners.

The Bregant House was recently purchased by Preserve Council Bluffs and is in the process of being restored.

The Creston House at 215 S. Main St. is actually two buildings. Max Mohn erected them (215-217) in 1884 and operated the hotel until the turn of the century. The building on the south (217) was built first, and had 75 sleeping rooms, each 7 x 9 feet. The building served as the VFW Club after World War II. Notable for its height, striking cornice, relatively unchanged façade, and use of stone, it is the only building in the Haymarket Historic District for which the architect, Frederick Rosenau, is known.

Restoration of the Creston House by Deborah and Pete Petersen was completed in 2010. It houses Petersen Law and Saint Jude Hospice.

Likely architect-designed, this Prairie/Italian Renaissance house at 526 S. Third St. was built in 1916 for Fred R. Davis, president of Pioneer Implement Co. The notable architectural features are the massive hip roof of clay tiles that were recently replaced with cement tiles which retain the same look, the eave overhang, a porte-cochere, iron grillwork on the second floor balconies, porch hood with console brackets, and an unusual double-gabled dormer on the front roof slope.

The matching garage is connected to the house by an underground tunnel. The house served as the Girl Scout Office for about twelve years, during which time extensive restoration, interior and exterior, was accomplished. The current owners are Gina and Chad Primmer.

Dr. Oliver Walker Gordon built this three-story late Italianate house at 1703 Jane St. in 1888 for his new bride. The brick house, with original brackets under the eaves, has inner walls two-bricks thick and outer walls three-bricks thick. On the entrance side is a square bay window with a gable above. A slant bay window with a gable above is on the north side of the house.

The current owners are Carla and Ron Moore.

This Eclectic Prairie School/Spanish Colonial Revival house at 286 High School Ave. was built in its original style in 1916 for Dr. William B. Ash. An extensive renovation in the early 1930s, the front of the house was changed to the style that it is today.

After completing his residency in psychiatry, Dr. Ash went on to study neurology, a pairing of specialties that is common today.

He served as Mental Health Director at St. Bernard’s and Mercy Hospitals, as Commissioner for Mental Health, instructor at Creighton University and St. Bernard’s Hospital, member of the Insanity Commission for the State of Iowa and authored two books. The current owner is Sheila Barak Graham.

Jay C. Aid, a steam railroad conductor, built this Foursquare house at 211 Park Ave. around 1909 and lived there until his death in 1930. His widow remained in the house until 1932. Today it is the home of the VanEverys’ granddaughter, Melissa Head.

The two-story house has a pyramidal hipped roof with wide eave overhang and a hipped dormer on the front roof slope. It has a rounded bay window on the second floor to the right above the porch, which is full-width, and features full-height round posts and square balusters on a wood railing. The dormer has wood shingle siding and may retain original window. The house also features a two-story rectangular bay window on the side.

The Another Christmas Boutique: Built in 1900, this house at 206 Park Ave. has a brick and concrete foundation and wood lapped siding, and a front-gabled roof with lower cross-gabled ell. The two-story dwelling retains narrow-width lapped siding with wood shingle siding and a lunette window in the front gable end, a two-story rounded bay window on the side, and a decorative wraparound porch with turned spindle posts and railing and a wood appliqué in the pediment over the front entry.

The house was built for Swan J. Swanson, owner of the Swanson Music Company. The current owner is John Huggins.

A special treat Sunday is the Another Christmas Bouquet featuring 12 area artists.

Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased at any of the six locations on the tour except the boutique, which is free and open to the public.

Iowa Western Community College Black Tie

Last Saturday I attended the IWCC Black Tie Event with not one just one awesome date:

But two awesome dates:

What a lucky girl I am! It was so much fun as I love an excuse to get all dressed up and mingle with others. Plus a great opportunity to support our local community college (of which I am an alum) and raise money for scholoraships. 

Throwing out the Calendar

I have a very scheduled overly planned life. Mostly by necessity due to juggling two jobs, friends, and family. It’s almost impossible to do something spur of the moment as usually every evening and weekend is full weeks in advance. This week I actually said yes to TWO spur of moment offers! Crazy for me! Last minute dinner at my parents after my class let out early.

And Olympic Swim Trials over the lunch hour today.

Both were short and sweet but equaled time spent with loved ones and new experiences. A reminder that sometimes life’s unexpected moments can be just as great as something planned months in advance. I’m super excited for a week of NO calendar, no plans, no schedule just relaxing and recharging in my very near future.

Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40

A part of me still gets super giddy when I see an article, photo, or quote captured in print for all to read. I know it’s bragging and self centered to be excited when you get published or an article is written about you. So I apologize in advance for posting this photo/article. I figured I would share a recent article about my Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 award – that way years from now I can look back and remind my grandkids (or myself if I continue on with the no kids no marriage path) I used to be cool.

It’s Baseball Week in Omaha!!!

Welcome to Omaha College World Series Fans! Games kick off today and I am ready for the fun to start. I love CWS week with all the activity and excitement surrounding the games. I am hopeful the rain will stop each day just in time for tailgating and games. Last night Council Bluffs kicked off the youth SlumpBuster tournament which takes place in conjunction with the CWS. A great start to the festivities but sadly the All Star game ended up rained out.

Habitat for Humanity

As seen here (and many other places) – the Mayor of Omaha and our Mayor made a bet over the IA v. NE football game. The looser had to build a home for habitat in the other town. So really there were no losers!

Iowa lost. So Mayor Hanafan recruited several of his favorite council members :) – the police chief, Community Development Director, and a few others and we spent a portion of our Saturday working on a Habitat home in Omaha.

I was tasked with the very skilled and difficult task of painting doors. Obviously I am lacking in home building skills so was happy to paint. It was very rewarding to know you are a part of something so great as providing a home to a family in need! Plus a great reminder at Christmas time that not everyone is as fortunate as I am.

I am hoping next year we have the Omaha crew in Council Bluffs working on one of our Habitat homes!

Turkey Trot Tomorrow in CB

Perfect way to start your Thanksgiving day and burn off calories so you can indulge with no guilt! I will be there hope to see many of you!

This One’s for the Kids

Our Y Strong Kids Campaign Concert/Fundraiser was a huge success. Especially since it was our first year. We raised $3,500 at the pre-event!!

And we raised another $1,600 on ticket sales from the concert. So over $5,000 raised in one evening to help provide scholarship to those in need so they can enjoy the Y, sports programs, swim lessons, and other productive activities. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all that donated, participated, and volunteered. I am thankful there are so many generous people in our community.

I even overcame my stage freight to play a lil tamborine for the event! Who knew I could be a member of a band with no musical talent!!!