Influencers, playgrounds and happenings round Sarpy County

Fame, as soon as unique to a Hollywood starlet, is now extra attainable than ever with the appearance of social media. Those that wield this web fame are known as influencers. The time period “influencer,” as we all know it as we speak, formally entered Webster’s Dictionary in 2019. It’s outlined as “one who exerts affect, an individual who evokes or guides the actions of others.”

Influencers can money in on collaborations with manufacturers on merchandise, create sponsored content material and accumulate advert income.

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, I — and I am certain many different individuals — had cases of getting caught in a scrolling loop. I used to be longing for any semblance of human connection, so I spoon-fed myself with varied “prepare with me” and “DIY egg rolls within the air fryer” movies.

Native kindergarten trainer Lauren Hull, higher often known as the “Furnishings Flipping Instructor,” discovered herself in an analogous rut, however not like me, she selected to create. The Nebraska native flips thrift and located furnishings for revenue, movies the method, and influences (keep in mind our phrase of the day?) others to do the identical.

Hull has amassed 1 / 4 of one million subscribers on her YouTube channel, the place she updates outdated furnishings, takes journeys to Goodwill, creates a “Barbie dream dresser” and even vlogs at Vala’s pumpkin patch.

Subsequent Friday, Nov. 4, the Furnishings Flipping Instructor is opening her first-ever brick and mortar storefront in Bellevue. The shop will promote hand-selected flipped furnishings, lots of which she options in her movies.

I will have a full interview, tour and images of her new storefront in a future problem of the paper, so keep tuned and cease by the grand opening social gathering on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. on the retailer location, 2219 Thurston Blvd.

Final week, I visited Buffalo Park in Springfield for a ribbon-cutting for the park’s new communication board. The story was similar to my first-ever story on a mother’s fundraising for an ADA-compliant playground for her son. Equally, Buffalo Park has plans to commerce their sand surfaces for rubberized ones and create wheelchair-friendly tools.

It is good to see the native authorities embrace inclusivity and prioritize an atmosphere the place each child can play. Buffalo Park had lots of the Seventies “you have to be powerful to have enjoyable” tools, just like the roundabout. Whereas it teaches the idea of threat analysis, it is just for some.

To me, eradicating boundaries is a step towards eradicating stigma. If we will not design playgrounds to permit everybody to play collectively, we’re asking for these children with differing must be neglected of the equation.

With Halloween over, occasions have slowed, however there’s nonetheless loads to do that week.

• On Saturday and Sunday, Bellevue Berry Farm will host its annual Day of the Useless celebration. Cease by for Mariachi music, genuine Mexican meals, a catrina contest, folkloric dance, and an providing to family members who’ve handed away. The occasion will run 11 a.m. to eight p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to six p.m. Sunday.

• Cat women, unite. Gretna Public Library will probably be having a Kitty Cafe Friday from 1 to three p.m. to unwind with a e-book, a cat and a heat espresso to treatment that seasonal feeling of doom.

• On Sunday, the brand new Astro Amphitheater in La Vista is internet hosting “Emo Orchestra.” The musical efficiency blends cherished emo songs with a full orchestra association. With particular visitor Hawthorne Heights, the occasion is an ideal excuse to go heavy with the eyeliner.