Briefly: News notes Wednesday

Giant bird gets a name: Pebbles

It's official: the Giant Piping Plover is named Pebbles.

The Lincoln-based Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership's naming contest drew 279 different names from 182 different people. The winners were Stephanie Egger from Pleasantville, N.J., and George Oliver from Missouri Valley, Iowa.

“We liked the name, and also the piping plovers nest on sand and often line their nests with pebbles, so it kind of all fit,” said Chris Thody, outreach coordinator for the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership.

Pebbles will be a traveling, outreach item. People see the bird and want to know more about it, Thody said. “Outreach like that is priceless.”

Pebbles already has been to the Durham Museum in Omaha.

Salvation Army seeks people who need help

Starting today, the Salvation Army will begin its Christmas application process for families and individuals seeking holiday assistance.

Depending on their needs, applicants can apply for a variety of programs, including Adopt-A-Family, Toyland Days and the holiday food program.

The sign-up will be from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today and Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Nov. 13.

Sign up at the Salvation Army Lied Renaissance Center, 3612 Cuming St. Applicants need to bring this information: documentation of income; Social Security cards or birth certificates for everyone in the family; applicant picture identification; and verification of address. Adopt-A-Family applications also require a current phone bill or receipt.

For more information, call 898-6031.

Archaeologists want to see your arrowheads

A Saturday meeting will offer a good opportunity to bring in that arrowhead you found as a kid for possible identification.

Experts will be at the Nebraska Archaeological Society meeting to help pinpoint what you have. The group will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Eiseley Branch Library in Lincoln.

All society meetings are open to the public.

More information on the Nebraska Archaeological Society can be found at web.nas.googlepages.com.

Housing forum set for Nov. 14

Organizers of a Nov. 14 forum on housing in Nebraska promise it will be action-oriented and information-packed.

The forum with Empowerment Network, Alliance Building Community, and Family Housing Advisory Services will address innovative efforts to improve the housing outlook for affordable housing. Topics will include homelessness prevention, homeownership, funding sources, building savings, community involvement, financial stability and housing development.

The summit hours are 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Skinner Magnet School, 4304 N. 33rd St. Lunch will be provided.

To register, contact Michael Robinson at 934-6727 or michaelr@fhasinc.org.

PR event focuses on Wild About Omaha

Mutual of Omaha's Wild About Omaha Weekend in July offered two days of free activities to mark the company's 100th anniversary.

Mutual of Omaha's Sephera Staley will share some of the details about the planning and promotion of this event at Tuesday's luncheon meeting of the Public Relations Society of America-Nebraska Chapter. The gathering will be at Ironwood Golf and Country Club, 12627 Pacific St.

Guests are welcome. All attendees must register online at www.prsanebraska.org.

Red Cross accepting hero nominations

Do you know “Heroes in the Heartland”?

The Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross is accepting nominations for the 2010 “Heroes in the Heartland.”

The award honors individuals from Burt, Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders or Washington Counties who have saved another person's life during the past year or who have positively affected the quality of life in the region in another way.

Nominations must be returned to the Heartland Chapter, 2912 S. 80th Ave., Omaha, NE 68124, or faxed to 402-343-7777 by Nov. 16. Awards will be presented at a March 3 luncheon. Reservations may be made at www.redcrossomaha.org.

Learn about business training resources

Training resources available to businesses will be the topic of a Friday meeting in Fremont, Neb.

Metropolitan Community College's Fremont Area Center, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska Department of Labor will sponsor the 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. session at Fremont Area Center.

Attendees will learn about recent changes in the Nebraska Worker Training Grant Program, opportunities to receive tax credits on targeted groups hired and on-the-job training funds for new hires.

The session is free and open to the public. You must RSVP today with Patricia Williams, Nebraska Department of Labor, at patricia.williams@nebraska.gov or by fax to 402-727-3264. Include your name, business name, e-mail address and number attending.

Compiled by John Keenan and Sue Story Truax