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Guns N' Hoses is Back: Firefighters Break Police Winning Streak in Hockey Showdown

Monday, March 10, 2025

by Nancy Heim-berg

The ice was hot, and the competition fierce yesterday as Omaha's bravest and finest faced off in the annual Guns N' Hoses Hockey Challenge. This year's event marked a historic turning point. This year was the 1st time The Omaha Fire Department won this game for the first time since fundraiser began, finally ending the Police Department's long-standing winning streak. "The rivalry is always intense, but it's all in good fun and for an incredible cause," said Captain Mike Reynolds of OFD. "We've been waiting for this win for years, and it feels amazing to bring home the trophy finally."

The rivalry was reignited in Sunday's showdown at the arena, as both departments brought their A-game in what has become one of Omaha's most anticipated charity events. Players traded their uniforms for hockey gear, but departmental pride remained displayed as they battled for year-long bragging rights.

Today we wanted to recognize an honorable tradition of service and sport. The Guns N' Hoses Hockey Challenge began in the early 2010s as a friendly match between a few hockey enthusiasts from both departments. Over the years, the event has grown substantially, moving from small community rinks to larger venues as public interest increased. Many people don't know about the game's humble beginnings as an informal game between 1st responders who love playing hockey and how organizers recognized this game's potential to support first responder causes. The friendly game evolved into a formal charity event and fierce rivalry that’s intensified with each passing year, as the police department established an impressive winning streak that, ended yesterday with a firefighter win.

Most importantly and impressively, the first responders have raised over $500,000, because of this game. It's become a tradition that supporters look forward to each year and showcases the community spirit of our first responders while providing crucial support to their families.

Now, the cherished Omaha event has become more than just a game. While the competition on the ice was fierce, the true winner was the First Responders Foundation, which benefits from this annual fundraiser. "It's our biggest fundraiser of the year, so we can keep supporting the first responders, veterans, and families in the area," said Todd Sears, president of the First Responders Foundation. Local emergency service personnel and their families benefit directly from the various programs and assistance initiatives these funds support.

The police department had maintained an undefeated record since the event's inception, making Sunday's upset victory even sweeter for the firefighters. After years of coming close, the fire department finally claimed the title with a nail-biting finish that had the crowd on their feet. While breaking the streak.
"We'll hear about this until next year's game," joked Sergeant James Wilson of OPD. "But that's what makes this rivalry special. We'll be back next year ready to start a new winning streak."

The community support for this game is impressive, as crowds packed the stands. First responder families, supporters, and colleagues created an exciting atmosphere. Kids waved signs as they cheered for their favorite departments, and the noise reached "Blues" levels during the final minutes.

After the game, attendees told media outlets about how the event showcases the best of Omaha's community spirit, bringing together different departments that work side by side during emergencies to celebrate their service.

After this year's upset, the table for next year's rematch is already set. The police department will seek to reclaim their title, while the firefighters hope to start a winning streak.

I'm excited that the event keeps growing, getting bigger and bigger every year. It's so much fun. Todd Sears added. "We're grateful to everyone who came out to support these incredible first responders and the work they do every day for our community.

As the players shook hands at center ice after the game, it was clear that while the rivalry remains intense, the respect between Omaha's first responders runs deep—a fitting reminder of the teamwork that keeps our community safe year-round.

For more information about the First Responders Foundation or to donate, visit their website at firstrespondersfoundation.org

If you’d like to learn more about opportunities to support Omaha Charities or would like to chat about Omaha Real Estate then;
Contact The Heim-Berg Team today
Phone: (402)677-9024
Website: OmahaAreaLiving.Com

WHAT’S YOUR HOME WORTH? GET YOUR NO-OBLIGATION HOME VALUATION

The Nancy Heim-Berg Team are real estate experts in Omaha, NE, known for their data-driven approach, online marketing strategies, and deep understanding of local market dynamics. The Nancy Heim-Berg Team’s proven strategies have helped countless homeowners sell their homes quickly and for more money in the Omaha Real Estate Market.

Maximize Your Home's Value: Spring Prep Tips for Omaha Sellers

Monday, March 3, 2025

by Nancy Heim-berg

Thanks for stopping by. We’re the Heim-Berg Team & we’ve helped hundreds of Omaha homeowners sell their properties quickly and for more money. We wanted to share some insider tips about preparing your home for this year's spring market. Let me tell you - timing and preparation are everything when maximizing your home's value and creating buyer interest here in Omaha.

So, what does the timeline look like for selling your home? After years in this market, we have noticed that sellers who start their prep work about 60 days before listing consistently see better results. That matters because our spring market typically kicks into high gear by early March, with buyer activity peaking in April and May. Starting your preparations in January or early February gives you the perfect runway to tackle everything systematically without feeling rushed.

Let's talk candidly about what matters in our local market and moves the needle for Omaha buyers. Through years of selling homes across Omaha, I've seen which improvements consistently deliver the best return on investment. You might be surprised that you don't need a complete remodel to impact kitchens significantly. I've seen amazing transformations with just a few key changes. Painting warm white or light gray cabinets can completely refresh the space. Updating hardware and lighting fixtures makes a huge difference, too. Right now, brushed nickel and matte black finishes are catching buyers' eyes.

Believe it or not, fresh paint is your best investment. I tell all my clients this: nothing beats the return on fresh paint. Currently, Omaha buyers are responding to warm neutrals in main living spaces, soft whites in kitchens and bathrooms, and light grays in bedrooms. Here's a pro tip I've learned the hard way: Always get samples first! Our Midwestern light, combined with your home’s windows, can make colors look different than you'd expect.

Curb appeal is especially crucial here in Omaha, where our harsh winters can be brutal on exteriors. I always recommend starting with a professional lawn cleanup to remove dead vegetation and winter debris. Fresh mulch makes a considerable difference - dark brown or black mulch is particularly popular now. A good power washing of walkways and siding can make your home look years younger. And don't forget about your front door - it's incredible how much impact a fresh coat of paint or a new door can have.

“OK Nancy, I’ve used your above advice, now how do I make my home shine?” Every Omaha neighborhood is different, and I've sold homes in all of them. While staging preferences vary by area and price point, I've learned some universal truths about what works in our market. In living spaces, it's all about creating an inviting atmosphere. I always suggest my clients think about traffic flow - how people will move through the space. Creating welcoming conversation areas makes buyers feel at home. Lighting is crucial, especially in our older Dundee and Field Club homes, where natural light might be limited.

Kitchens and dining areas deserve special attention. A clean, clutter-free kitchen with just a few attractive appliances on display works wonders. We love suggesting that my clients set their dining table—Omaha buyers respond to being able to envision family meals in the space. How about adding a small fresh herb garden in the kitchen window to make the space more alive and appealing?

Don't forget about outdoor spaces - they're crucial selling points once our beautiful spring weather arrives. Clean and arranged patio furniture makes a big difference, even if you're listing in early spring. We recommend adding some potted plants - we suggest varieties that handle our spring temperature swings, like Champs. Good outdoor lighting is essential, too - buyers often drive by in the evening.

Let me share the timeline we've developed over years of spring sales in Omaha. Here’s your countdown for the listing day with our team.

About 60 days out, you'll want to schedule your contractors—they book up incredibly fast in spring. At this time, you should also begin decluttering and tackle any major repairs. We know some great local storage solutions if you need them.

By the 30-day mark, you should be wrapping up significant improvements and starting on painting. You should also begin deep cleaning carpets and windows. In the final two weeks, we'll focus on touch-up work, staging, and that final professional cleaning. We work with a photographer specializing in capturing our unique Omaha architecture—correctly timing that final photo shoot is crucial.

We believe there’s “NO I IN TEAM!” Over our years selling homes in Omaha, we've built relationships with excellent local contractors who understand what Omaha home buyers want. When you work with us, you get access to our entire network—from painters who know current buyer preferences to handymen who can tackle those crucial minor repairs. We've got great stagers who understand our market and cleaners who know how to make a property truly market ready.

We've learned something that might surprise you: professional photos make an enormous difference in our market. Today's sophisticated buyers make split-second decisions based on online listings. Intense preparation, a skilled photographer, and eye-catching online visuals will set you apart from the competition and make the difference between a quick sale and a lingering listing.

So, LET’s GO! If you're considering selling this spring, now is the perfect time to begin preparations. While everything I've shared works well for most properties, every home is unique. I'd love to walk through your home with you and provide specific recommendations based on your goals, your property, and your neighborhood. We can create a comprehensive plan to maximize your home's appeal to today's Omaha buyers.

Contact The Heim-Berg Team today to start your journey to finding the ideal community in Omaha:
Phone: (402)677-9024
Website: OmahaAreaLiving.Com

WHAT’S YOUR HOME WORTH? GET YOUR NO OBLIGATION HOME VALUATION

The Nancy Heim-Berg Team are real estate experts in Omaha, NE, known for their data-driven approach, online marketing strategies, and deep understanding of local market dynamics. His proven strategies have helped countless homeowners sell their homes quickly and for more money in the Omaha Real Estate Market.

Omaha Real Estate Home seller tips Nancy Heim Berg Heim Berg Team Omaha Area Living Selling Your Omaha Home Omaha Home Values

Displaying blog entries 1-2 of 2