Prairie Life-From My Point Of View

It is most peoples assumptions that teachers summer vacations begin the minute their students leave the hallways-so not true.  I'm here to say that it usually takes days if not a couple weeks to finalize report cards, clean rooms, catch-up on e-mails, print pictures, purge, complete orders for next years students, and attend any last minute trainings or meeting your administrators may throw at you.  And if your anything like the "Dream Team" (My co-teachers and I) we planned to attend a two-day excursion in the Sandhills Prairie after the last day of school. This was so we could learn more about the Eco system that is unique to Nebraska. And this ladies and gentlemen, is a blog about our trip to the prairie.  Laura Ingalls got noth'n on us!

Did you know that almost every student in Nebraska knows more about the ocean and rainforest's than the habitat in their own backyard?  This is astonishing to think about when the nearest ocean or rain forest is a plane ride to the coast away.  The premise of the "retreat"-which was put on by Nebraska Game and Parks-was to inform educators about the opportunities within a car's ride away and to put practical resources, guides, posters, literature, and prairie plants in our hands.

Our first outing was a two and a half flower identification walk that had most of the environmentalist freaking out do to the early blossoming of prairie plants. The two hour observation of flowers found me and one of my team-mates grimacing at the very idea of walking in the early morning heat at snails pace.  My other team-mate was in flora/fauna heaven.  One cool thing I found about exploring prairie plants was being introduced to them.  I've never been in a "prairie" setting let alone loaded down with real equipment for exploring. I tend to LOVE and HATE the outdoors.  I can only handle it in small portions because of the "creepy crawlies," and yet understand the connection we all have to the earth and the responsibility we have to learn about it and take care of it.

The afternoon agenda was to learn the difference between a 3 month/6 month/1 year prairie burn, take some time for "quiet meditating," lunch, pelt and skull observations, reptile and amphibian handling (yuck!)  The evening consisted of several lectures, games (which, I have to pause and say that watching several grown educators run around a prairie field pretending to be deer is quite interesting) We had a wonderful dinner catered by  Famous Dave's (who knew they delivered to the prairie?)  and s'mores by sunset. We then turned into Doan College for our late night accommodations.

Bright and early the next morning brought a bird walk and a bird banding demonstration.  This by far was my absolute favorite thing about the entire prairie experience.  I even had the opportunity to hold and release a banded bird. It blows my mind that one day someone will find that banded bird dead most likely, call it in, and I will have had the chance to be apart of something scientific. Oh the joys of learning!  After "birding," we settled in for more lectures, more games, "sweeping" the grass for critters, Indian Tacos, and ended with a presentation on how the Natives used the prairie and it's offerings to survive. Native Americans totally blow my mind with their resourcefulness and ability to make magic out of nothing.  Good thing I went with one and a nature expert, otherwise I wouldn't have lived to tell this tale.

GO OUT AND EXPLORE!

A Day With Nick Mayo

Today started out just like any other day. I hit the snooze a couple times, rolled out of bed, took a shower, ironed clothes, and finished getting ready for the adventures to come. But today was different, it was voting day and I was following a fresh new face in the political game as he ventured out for a day of campaigning.

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Nicholas "Nick" Mayo is "not your average politician." His heart is truly for his community and he believes hard work and sacrifice can make all the difference.  That's why he chose to run for Board of Governors for Metropolitan Community College. Nick says,  "Unity is built through serving and a community college is a great way to build the skills of local individuals and enable them to serve our community in greater ways."  As I spent the day with Mr. Mayo, I was struck just how much he did care for his community and hope this is just the beginning of a new attitude towards politics.

At 7:45 in the morning, we buckled up and took off to decorate several pulling places in District 4 with "Mayo For Metro" signs.  The signs are clean with a faded red and blue design that catches your eye.  When asked why he chose such simplicity, Nick said, "I wanted it to be easily read but at the same time appealing to look at. I liked the emphasis on the O for Omaha and really appreciated Rocketcar Creative ability to understand my heart and translate that into an image." For more information about the designer of the Mayo logo, please check out: http://www.rocketcarcreative.com/

We make a stop at his local pulling place so he can cast his vote with the masses.  When asked how he felt when he saw his name on the ballot, he replied in true Nick fashion, "Confused. The ballot looks different then the sample ballot I've been looking at. The names were placed in a different order." I appreciated his honesty while humorous, it goes to show you just what kind of guy your dealing with-simple, honest, and to the point.

Around 9:30 we pull into an Omaha staple for some refueling, Leavenworth Cafe.  "Leavenworth Cafe is an old classic stand-by where basically your local community knows it and understands it to be a comfortable atmosphere with good food. I like how when you mention Leavenworth Cafe, people's face's smile," says Mayo.  We meet up with Jim Thompson, president of the Leavenworth Neighborhood Association, and talk about the changes that have been happening around town and his role in making a difference in the community. I get out my notebook and start jotting down a few things to remember like, there is a lot to be learned about a community at the local cafe.

After we get our fill, Mayo decides to make a quick pit stop to his wife's classroom to shake little ones hands, pass out stickers, and talk about what voting is.  When asked how important it is for the next generation to understand their role as voters, Mayo replied, " It is always crucial for the individual to understand the importance of expressing his/her opinion. Voting is one of the many ways to practice that right."

Now this is the moment where I stop writing as a "reporter" and begin writing from the stance of a proud wife.  During this busy-crazy day, Nick spent the afternoon helping me out around the house, cleaning, preparing food, etc. and it inspired me to ask him what role does marriage play in a community. His well calculated reply surprised me, "Marriage is one of the foundations of a community. At it's simplest, a man and a woman coming together as one but, at it's complex, it's engaging in multiple levels of love, sacrifice, and commitment. I believe the state and health of marriages in a community could have great implications on the well being of society." This reminded me of an earlier statement he made involving marriage and our community, "I have a heart and vision of seeing Omaha a unified city. Just as the ring is often the symbol of unity in a marriage I see the Big O being a symbol of unity to this country."

We ended the night surrounded by our own little community of friends and celebrated as his name flashed upon the screen with numbers telling he would advance to the general election in November.  

http://electionresults.sos.ne.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=CC&map=CTY

"Now the real fun begins," he says. "I have a lot of work to do, but I'm excited about it." So am I babe, so am I.

Mayo For Metro

Community.  Broken down, embodies a group of people that share something in common. Whether that something is ownership in property, values and beliefs, interest and goals, or just living in the same area. We all inhabit or are apart of different communities. Workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and religious organizations are probably the most common and most easily identified communities. What is interesting and common among all communities is the need for UNITY to be prevalent for the general well being and success of the group. Unfortunately, in identifying with a particular community you quickly become aware of the things that you do not identify with, thus creating adversaries, competition, and walls of ideology. This is where and why I have chosen to get involved in the Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors. I have a heart and vision of seeing Omaha a unified city. Just as the ring is often the symbol of unity in a marriage I see the Big O being a symbol of unity to this country. My heart is to move Omaha into a direction of cohesion amongst the various sub-communities represented by her people. To dissolve the boundaries of West, North, East, and South O to promote a city of One. A city of people that sets selfishness aside and loves their neighbor.