The owner of commercial and residential rental properties, Mark Forster said 2009 hasn't been a great year to make money.
But he knows it could be worse. If he lived in California or Florida, he would have seen the value of all his property investments plunge.
“That's Omaha,'' he said. “Things are stable here.''
Because of the uncertainty of the past year, he avoided buying or selling properties. Overall, the family's bottom line was manageable.
“Our kids wouldn't have noticed anything has changed,'' Forster, 50, said as Meredith and Gavin tumbled in the front yard. “We've been blessed.''
Job an adjustment for retiree
Having worked four decades as a nurse, Nancy Bacon knows her way around bandages, sponges and syringes.
Still, it was a bit of an adjustment last November when she started her new job in the supply room at Children's Hospital & Medical Center.
“You'd think it would be easy, but it was like walking into a new grocery store for the first time,'' she said. “You don't know where anything is.''
Just working at all was an adjustment for Bacon, 67. She thought she had retired in 2004. But when the stock market did a number on her retirement savings, she rejoined the work force.
Bacon's daughter also returned to work, adding a new and enjoyable routine to Bacon's day. After work she now picks up grandchildren Gabriell and Jake from school and brings them home until their parents come later to get them.
“And I really like my job,'' she said. “So it's really been very nice.''
Neighbors toast continuing bond
Some things haven't changed on Davenport Street. There's still a wide political divide between the houses at 5005 and 5007 — and still a strong bond of friendship.
“Not only do we still have our debates,'' said 99-year-old Evelyn Zysman, “we still have our martinis.''
Outspoken Democrat Zysman blames George W. Bush's laissez faire policies and protection of “the people with money'' for the economic mess.
“Honey, I will never forget the eight years of George W. Bush and what they did to the country and our place in the world,'' she said. “And then came Obama, thank God.''
Next-door neighbor Helen Houston, a member of the Douglas County Republican central committee, is no fan of President Barack Obama, particularly his abortion views. But she said he is dealing with many problems he didn't create, and she's glad the economy seems to be picking up.
“We've been through these before and things come back,'' said Houston, 81. “But people have to learn they can't have everything.''
Both women said the last year has been good to them personally, and they're looking forward to seeing each other in the year ahead. Houston's present at Zysman's recent 99th birthday: a bottle of Absolut Vodka.
A prediction of ‘heaven in 2011'
As chief marketing officer for the Leo A. Daly architecture and engineering firm, Craig Park, 60, keeps close tabs on the economy. There's no doubt we're in recovery, he said, though he predicts a long, slow one.
“It will be heaven by 2011,'' he said, repeating a rhyme he's heard in his work. “We've seen the worst, and it will slowly get better.''
Daly laid off about 10 percent of its employees worldwide, but public works jobs, including stimulus projects, are keeping things busy.
Daly's Omaha branch “quite honestly, is very healthy,'' Park said.
Park knows people affected by the downturn, including his 23-year-old son, who like many recent college grads still is looking for work. Park hopes he'll find something by December, when monthly student loan payments come due.
“Otherwise, the co-signer, sitting here on the gray couch, will be obligated. I'm promoting him everywhere I go.''
Couple pay down credit card debt
Like many families, Carl Ashford and wife Kristin Mattson view credit card debt differently now.
Ashford, 51, owner of the Jackson Street Booksellers in the Old Market, was incensed a year ago when the issuer of his business credit card upped the interest rate to 30 percent. He got a bank loan to pay off the balance and now uses a debit card for his business.
Mattson, 43, said she no longer is comfortable carrying a balance on the family's card. They've spent the past year paying down debt, which economists say has become a national trend.
“I would really like to keep a zero balance,'' Mattson said.
Mattson, an educator at Methodist College, feels lucky to have received a raise this year. She knows many workers didn't. And business at Ashford's used bookstore has never been better, he said.
“I seems like people are trying to save some money on books.''
Therapists see effects of downturn
Anyone looking for strategies to cope with economic stress can find a practiced and sympathetic ear on either side of Davenport Street.
Both Julian Fabry, a psychologist, and Lynn Anderson-De Mott, a psychotherapist, have seen the effects of the downturn.
Those effects include people stressed over doing the jobs of three because of cutbacks in the office. Women pulled between new jobs and caring for their kids. Families agonizing over taking children out of a school they no longer can afford.
“You see a lot of secondary effects,'' Fabry said. “A guy will say, ‘I'm having trouble relating to my wife,' and then he'll mention he lost his job.''
Anderson-De Mott said she counsels people to center themselves, relax and remember they've survived difficulties before.
“I do believe we have what we need when we need it.''
Fabry, 65, said he still plans to retire in January.
Anderson-De Mott, 54, still has time to shore up her retirement savings, though for a time she stopped contributing to her 401(k) because she grew tired of watching the money shrink.
“We said, ‘We're not going to do that anymore.'”
Recession reaffirms career choice
It's not that Angela Gardner is young and carefree. Between finishing up her nursing degree and working as a nurse's aide, she just hasn't had time to worry about the economy.
As the College of St. Mary student hits the books and prepares to graduate in May, she's glad she chose a career that's relatively recession proof. Bergan Mercy Medical Center, where she works now, still is hiring nurses.
“I do kind of have my foot in the door,” said Gardner, 25, who in the last year moved away from Davenport Street. “I love it. It's a very good career choice.''
New environment in retirement
Trimmed-down investment savings didn't stop Lubeth Levine from following through with her plan to retire in Florida, where she moved last winter to live with her daughter.
“Not everyone is a Warren Buffett or Donald Trump,'' she said. “The economy has affected almost everyone.''
That's especially true in Florida, where one in 10 mortgaged homes is in foreclosure. Levine, 67, sees the signs of distress all over. Still, after spending her first summer in Florida, the economy isn't her biggest complaint.
“The heat here is terrible. It's hotter than Hades.''
Trucking service proves secure
In a tough economy, Nancy Crawford discovered, it's nice to have a niche. Hers is truck driving.
She works for a company that provides portable showers at events like bicycle tours, walkathons, NASCAR activities and concerts.
While other over-the-road truckers have seen loads harder to come by, Crawford said there's been no drop in demand for her services. She'll be on the road about eight months this year, just like normal.
“Overall, we're doing rather well,'' said Crawford, 56. “But I feel really lucky to have a job.''
Store owner has reason to smile again
Jay Welter spent a long, cold, too-often lonely winter in his cigar shop at 18th and Jackson Streets.
“Dismal,'' said Welter, 60, who opened the shop a decade ago after a career in retail. “Oh, hell, yeah, I was concerned. A lot of businesses went under.''
But by summer, for whatever reason, things got better. He attributes the Cash for Clunkers auto incentive program for helping energize consumers. His last three months, Welter said, have been good.
“The attitude of customers coming in is just very improved. I enjoy what I do, and it's nice to see a smile on people's faces. That's just as important as money to me.''
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
