Local Writing

All Cracked Up is about the humorous side of life, as seen through the eyes of wife, mother, and woman Vicky DeCoster. Each month, mixing wit and compassion, Vicky will find what’s funny about life in Omaha. Something cracking you up? Write to Vicky here.

Each month, writer Christa Hillmer will bring you the latest in Omaha’s arts and culture scene. Her column will feature local art and artists, as well as upcoming arts opportunities for the public. Have a suggestion for something Christa should cover? Write to her here.

Mari Partyka is an avid bibliophile and accidental blogger. While managing an Omaha book club, she wrote a master lists of her favorite reads. Her annotations proved popular, and a blogger was born. Each month she will write about books, authors, and the literary community in Omaha. Her focus is to help fellow readers find thought (and discussion) provoking works of literature, both for private and public enjoyment. Want to know what book she has her nose buried in now? Ask her!

Each month, Jordy Clements, a head writer for Omaha.net, will write about the many great day trips available to residents and visitors of Omaha. The premise is simply to find fun, inexpensive entertainment that can be reached from Omaha in no more than a few hours. Have a suggestion for something that Jordy should cover? Write to him here.

After narrowly escaping corporate America, Rachael Osborn decided to explore the only-slightly-less lucrative worlds of stand-up and blogging. She writes about comedy, media, politics, nightlife and daylife.

Here and Elsewhere is written by non-, former, and future Omahans. Even if it’s not home, Omaha is on people’s minds for one reason or another. What do these far-flung vicarious Omahans have to share with the real ones? Our guest contributors will take up the challenge.

As a freelance copywriter and social media addict, Susan Baird isn’t shy about sharing her opinions: about communication, education, and any other issue that catches her attention. Agree or disagree, she’s always up for a great discussion, and her column will surely get people talking.

Paula Dodds is an Omaha-area work-at-home mom with three wonderful daughters and a very patient husband. Paula runs her household and her business, P.S. Dodds. She’ll be sharing tips, tricks and stories of mompreneurs. Know a local mompreneur? Have a question for Paula? Leave her a message here.

What’s a girl to do when she wants to be a rock star but has no musical talent? She writes! Each month, April Jones puts her finger on the pulse of Omaha music, interviewing area bands to national acts, and reviewing albums and shows. When not daydreaming about living a rock & roll lifestyle, April runs Raw Cloud Media, a music marketing/PR agency.

Omaha is a great place to raise a family - so many fun places to go! In her Planning Around Nap Time column, Kim Reiner sorts through all of the events out there and picks what she’s looking forward to checking out with her family. Every column ends with a list of some free or discounted activities you’ll want to check out.

Look to longtime performing arts critic David Williams to bring you all the news and reviews from local stages…theatre, dance, spoken word, opera, performance art and film. When not sitting in the dark, he’ll guide you through some of the more brightly lit spaces to shine the spotlight on the latest art openings and events.

Vickie Seitner writes each month about employment related issues. She brings over 15 years of executive management experience to her column, in addition to 10 years in the stock brokerage industry, and five years in the not-for-profit sector. She is the CEO of Career Edge One, a career counseling firm, and holds a Master of Science degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Have a question you think she can answer? Write to her here.

In this 6-part series, Daphne Eck Coppock delves into the experiences of business women of Omaha who have mentored and inspired her. Their stories offer lessons for doing sustainable, life-giving work. They just may inspire you to find the work in your bones.

Want to learn about local resources for the foods you want to eat? Or maybe to gain some insight into what the “eat local” and “real foods” movements are all about? Each month, Christy Pooschke, and other local food advocates, will give you the inside scoop on what’s happening with fresh foods in Omaha and the surrounding area (she’ll even toss in a recipe from time to time!).