Ava Thomas
Verified
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ava Thomas
Ghost Mannequin Photography: Guide for Modern Apparel Brands
In the highly competitive world of fashion eCommerce, product images often determine whether a customer clicks, explores, or purchases an item. Since online shoppers cannot physically touch or try on garments, brands must rely on high-quality visuals to communicate fit, structure, and design details. This is where ghost mannequin photography has become one of the most valuable techniques in apparel product imaging.
Ava Thomas: Last call for Inspire nominations Original
Every year, without fail, someone stops me and says, "I need to get my Inspire nominations in." Yep ... you do. Then there are the people who tell me, "I'm going to nominate someone next year." The time is now. The deadline for nominations for the 2026 Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards, presented by UBT is Friday, July 17, at 11:59 p.m. And if history tells us anything, we’ll end up with a flood of nominations in the final days.
YorkNewsTimes.com visitors will have free access this weekend
This Fourth of July, our nation celebrates a remarkable milestone: America's 250th anniversary. For two and a half centuries, our country has been shaped not only by historic moments, but by the everyday people, businesses and communities that make America strong. Here in York, those stories are written every day. They're found on the streets of York, in our schools, on the ballfields, in our churches, and around kitchen tables.
Ava Thomas: These are the women who helped shape my story Original
Every year when we open nominations for Inspire, I find myself thinking about the women who shaped me long before Inspire ever existed. And with this column running on Mother’s Day weekend, that feels especially fitting. My mom is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever known. This past Christmas, she celebrated 40 years of sobriety. Forty. Years. That milestone represents resilience, perseverance, humility, courage, faith and grit. It represents getting back up when life knocks you down.
York's young artists invited to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through art
We and our 79 IAB TCF partners store and access information on your device for the following purposes: store and/or access information on a device, advertising and content measurement, audience research, and services development, personalised advertising, and personalised content. Personal data may be processed to do the following: use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification.
York's young artists invited to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through art Original
Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts k5:G 4=2DDlQ"g%rr JJ*"! @H2|2:=r@>A@D6t5:E@C$4C@==r@?E2:?6C 4FDE@>$4C@==q2CQ 52E2\2AA\D64E:@?lQxE6>r@?E2:?6CQ 52E2\:D\D4C@==23=6lQECF6Qmk5:G 4=2DDlQH:56\4@?E6?E\9@DEQmk5:G 4=2DDlQ7F:\u=F6?E!C@G:56C 7F:\u=F6?E!C@G:56CC4@= 000d?hc:E_ 7`h?_6d 7bC>EG2 78FD8J4 7<e7@F4 7<9;d_g 7:8D@<e 7JE5Fa6Q 5:ClQ=ECQmk5:G 4=2DDlQ'>b6d A:?x@Qmk5:G 52E2\E6DE\:5lQ>2:=|6DD286q@5Jr@?E2:?6CQmk5:G 4=2DDlQF=3ab...
Just Food is sprouting food sovereignty in Ottawa
At a community farm in Ottawa’s Greenbelt, residents are learning how to grow their own food, share knowledge and reconnect with what they eat. Organizations such as Just Food are using urban agriculture, including community gardens and shared farm spaces, to strengthen local food systems and expand how people engage with food beyond the grocery store.
Ava Thomas: 15 years later, Lincoln's Choice Awards continues to evolve
Fifteen years ago, Lincoln’s Choice Awards started with a simple idea: Let the community decide. No judges. No backroom conversations. Just the people of Lincoln showing up, voting and celebrating the businesses, people and places that give this city its character and heart. Fifteen years later, that idea has grown into something truly powerful. This year alone, you delivered more than 89,000 nominations and 369,000 votes. That’s not just participation. That’s pride. That’s ownership.
Ava Thomas: 15 years later, Lincoln's Choice Awards continues to evolve
Fifteen years ago, Lincoln’s Choice Awards started with a simple idea: Let the community decide. kAm}@ ;F586D] }@ 324<C@@> 4@?G6CD2E:@?D] yFDE E96 A6@A=6 @7 {:?4@=? D9@H:?8 FA[ G@E:?8 2?5 46=63C2E:?8 E96 3FD:?6DD6D[ A6@A=6 2?5 A=246D E92E 8:G6 E9:D 4:EJ :ED 492C24E6C 2?5 962CE]k^Am kAmu:7E66? J62CD =2E6C[ E92E :562 92D 8C@H? :?E@ D@>6E9:?8 ECF=J A@H6C7F=]k^Am kAm%9:D J62C 2=@?6[ J@F 56=:G6C65 >@C6 E92?
Skin cancer in Canada: Experts urge sunscreen use as warmer weather approaches
With warmer weather approaching, health experts are reminding Canadians that protecting their skin from the sun is more important than ever. Skin cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and experts say many cases are preventable with proper sun protection. “Three to four people in Canada are dying every day from melanoma,” said Melanoma Canada CEO Falyn Katz.
Creating space to move: A dancer's mission to make dance accessible in Ottawa
At age nine, Manhattan MacLennan walked into her first competitive hip-hop class and felt something shift. She had started dancing at three, though not always willingly, and remembers kicking and screaming before ballet class. But hip-hop felt different and it was then that she really fell in love with dance. “I enjoy all parts of teaching, but I also really love performing,” says Manhattan MacLennan says, explains why she helped found Give Dance a Chance, a mobile pay-what-you-can workshop.
Ottawa set to expand community grants program to include waste diversion
An expansion of Ottawa’s community grants program to include projects designed to reduce or reuse waste now has the support of the city’s environment committee, though some councillors question whether the funding amount is adequate. Community groups could apply for funding in 2026 if the committee decision is supported by city council. Ottawa’s Community Environmental Projects Grant Program (CEPGP) has provided support to small-scale initiatives since 1995.
We Serve. Coffee to close
View Page in Progress We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please visit my profile to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, disable notifications and hide this message.
Journal Star, Husker Auto Group offer free digital access
It’s a season for rivalries, Friday night lights, and the stories that bring us together. And our team is proud to offer just that. As the leading provider of local news and sports — in print and online — we never run out of stories about the grit, pride and people who define our community. From Husker headlines to prep highlights to the issues that shape our neighborhoods, we’re committed to giving readers the trusted information they need to stay connected.
Page A1
Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In Account processing issue - the email address may already exist User information Username (Optional) This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! * First name * Last name * Email Address Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else. * Password Create a password that only you will remember.
Letter from the President: Finalists announced for 2025 Inspire Women’s Leadership Awards
This year, we’ve received a record-breaking number of nominations for the Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Leadership Awards — 370 to be exact. That’s 100 more nominations than last year, which was also a record. This speaks volumes about two things: the incredible women in our community and the people who are proud to lift them up. Nominations come from the public.
Ava Thomas: Nominations close soon for 2025 Inspire Awards
Don't miss your chance to nominate the women in your life who inspire others. The deadline to submit nominations for the 2025 Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Leadership Awards is Monday, July 28. This is your opportunity to honor women whose leadership, resilience and passion uplift our community. The Inspire Awards is celebrating its 11th year of shining a spotlight on women across all sectors — from business and government to education, health care, philanthropy and athletics.
Ava Thomas: Help us recognize extraordinary women leaders in Lincoln
The 11th annual Inspire Women’s Leadership Awards are just around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited to invite you to help us recognize the extraordinary women making a difference in Lincoln. Having seen firsthand the incredible impact these women have on our community — and knowing how inspiring their stories are — there’s no better way to celebrate their achievements than by nominating the inspiring women in your life.
Exam Stress? No Problem: Here Are 5 Wellness Tips to Keep You Balanced
Finals season can be brutal, but you’ve got this! Between endless notes, too much caffeine and a lack of sleep, it can be easy to put wellness on the back burner. But taking care of yourself is just as important as your exams. Maintaining proper wellness is much needed for your mental and physical well being to help stay focused and energized. Here are five wellness tips to help you keep that exam stress in check.
The searchers: Young Ontarians struggle to find work in current economy
Marcus Habtom has been sending out job applications for almost a year. “What makes me better than someone else, when all they have to look at is a piece of paper to compare one to another?” he told Capital Current. The 20 year old isn’t the only young person struggling to find work. The unemployment rate for his age group is more than double that of the overall population. While Ontario’s unemployment rate is 7.3 per cent, the unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 years sits at 15.5 per cent.
New dog park in Barrhaven to feature separate runs for big and small pooches
Barrhaven West, a fast-growing suburb in south-end Ottawa, is slated to become home this year to a new, inclusive dog park for residents’ furry friends to enjoy. Construction on the Gregory Casey Dog Park is scheduled to begin this summer. Currently, there’s a lack of dog parks in the Barrhaven area and adding the new one is intended to better serve pet owners and promote an active community.
New dog park in Barrhaven to feature separate runs for big and small pooches
Barrhaven West is slated to become home this year to a new, inclusive dog park for residents’ furry friends to enjoy. Construction on the Gregory Casey Dog Park in the fast-growing suburb in south-end Ottawa is to begin this summer meeting a need in the area where there is a lack of such parks. The new one is intended to better serve pet owners and promote an active community in 0.67 hectares southwest of Strandherd Drive.
OCDSB to offer wider range of French-language learning options to students
Ottawa’s largest public school board is proposing sweeping changes to French Immersion that would give more students more entry points in early grades to learn the language. The changes are based on a belief among Ottawa Carleton District School Board officials that the current learning model is not meeting the needs of all students. The changes are being proposed for the 2026 school year.
OCDSB to offer wider range of French-language learning options to students
Ottawa’s largest public school board is proposing sweeping changes to French Immersion that would give more students more entry points in early grades to learn the language. The changes are based on a belief among Ottawa-Carleton District School Board officials that the current learning model is not meeting the needs of all students. The changes are being proposed for the 2026 school year.
Ava Thomas: Thank you Journal Star readers for your patience during difficult time
When folks learn what I do for a living, the most common response is, "I start every day by reading the paper." We know most newspaper readers have a can't-miss feature or section they start with each morning. For my mom, it's "her" crossword puzzle. Some people turn to the sports section to see the latest scores and analysis. Others look forward to the opinion columns. Many start with local news or enjoy community features that highlight the people and businesses shaping our region.
Greek life gives back: UM sororities raise thousands for charity
Sororities at the University of Miami are making waves beyond campus, raising tens of thousands of dollars each year for various causes. From raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House to supporting pediatric cancer research, the seven chapters under the Panhellenic Association are turning their sisterhood into service.
Ava Thomas: Show support for local businesses this holiday season
Turkey Day has come and gone, my Christmas tree is up and the holiday shopping race is well underway. It feels more like an all-out sprint this year, with five fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas compared to 2023. Between the cookie decorating, holiday parties with friends and family, and taking my granddaughters to see Santa, getting my shopping done is at the very bottom of my list.
Payton Capital expands NSW team
Payton Capital, the private debt fund manager, has added three banking specialists to its New South Wales team, strengthening its services in the region. The appointments come one month after Payton beefed up its Queensland office by hiring two directors and a manager. Ava Thomas joins as investment director bringing over 12 years of experience in private banking and financial advisory. In her new role, Thomas will collaborate with the investor services team to work with high-net-worth clients.
7 Ways to Improve Your Company’s Physical Security
Every business owner knows that safeguarding their company’s physical assets is critical. Whether it’s employees, equipment, or confidential documents, a breach can result in significant financial and reputational damage. Here are seven ways to strengthen your company’s physical security and create a safer environment. 1. Install a Comprehensive Access Control System Managing who enters your business premises is vital.
Administration
The accident occurred when the driver lost control of a 2022 Kia Telluride that left the roadway, entered the median, struck a bridge pillar a… Life-saving measures were performed at the scene, and the rider¬† was transported to a Mayo Clinic by Mercy Airmed.
Administration
A Davenport police officer is connected to the deaths of two dogs in separate incidents this summer, according to the dogs' owners. Davenport police were on the scene of a shooting in the 7500 block of Northwest Boulevard Thursday night, where at least two people were repor… Leanne Gott wants you to know a real person who performs sex work to survive. There are times when it has almost cost her life.
Ava Thomas: Deadline nearing for Inspire nominations
A cardinal rule in the news business is don’t bury the lead, so here it goes: Time is running out to nominate the women in your life who inspire others. This Wednesday, July 31, nominations will close for our milestone 10th anniversary of the Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Leadership Awards. For the past nine years, we’ve honored some of the most important and influential women serving in every sector of public and private life. We couldn’t do it without your help.
Ava Thomas: Inspire program adding Excellence in Athletics award
If there was any doubt, Volleyball Day in Nebraska last August drove the point home: The popularity of women's athletics is enormous and growing. The event brought national attention and drew 92,000 fans — a world record for a women's sporting event — to celebrate the long-term excellence of the Husker team and the sport in general. It's not just volleyball.
Ava Thomas: Help the Journal Star celebrate inspiring women leaders
As International Women's Month draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the strides made in women's leadership over the years. Women have been breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings in every field imaginable — politics, education, business, health care, nonprofits, sports — and it's a testament to their resilience, determination and creativity. The Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Leadership Awards program was developed to celebrate these extraordinary achievements.
Shopping local a gift to Lincoln community; help strengthen the place we call home
There's a certain magic in picking out a unique gift from a local business, knowing that each purchase supports the dreams of people who call Lincoln home. Shopping local is an act of heartfelt significance that goes beyond the exchange of goods. It becomes a tangible expression of care, a way to weave the threads of connection tighter within the fabric of our community.
Know an Inspiring Woman? You still have time to nominate her
In the news business, we’re used to working with deadlines. And tomorrow marks an important one. Monday is the final day to nominate for the Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Leadership Awards. There are extraordinary women leading across all sectors of our city. Governmental leaders are making crucial decisions to secure our safety and prosperity — in city hall, from the floor of the Legislature and in dozens of other places. Business leaders are navigating challenging macroeconomic conditions.
Senior Leadership Team
Many have fond memories of Ralston’s Orval Smith Field. But like an aging ballplayer, it had become apparent that the time had come to move on.
Column: Give hope to your neighbors in need
Even as spring brings signs of hope and new growth to the metro, many of our neighbors are still struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families. While we have relatively low poverty rates in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro - unfortunately, our percentage of working poor is among the worst in the country. Data from the U.S. Census shows that nearly 70% of households in poverty in our metro include at least one worker.
Top Services Businesses Outsource in Modern Times
In order to save time and money, organizations are increasingly outsourcing work to outside vendors in today’s digital age. It is preferable to outsource specific services to other businesses that specialize in particular duties because no organization can be good at everything. This not only helps businesses save time but also thousands of dollars over time. When a job needs to be outsourced, it is far preferable to recruit staff and pay them monthly salaries even when they aren’t needed.
Income Inequality Matters For Global Trade And Growth
Browse Articles » Finance » Income Inequality Matters For Global Trade And... by Ava Thomas Content Creator You must know that income distribution within an economy has various consequences, but did you know that the rising inequality (income concentration) in certain circumstances can make society more prosperous? On the other hand, rising inequality can also make everyone and everything worse off.
Letter from the Publisher: Enjoy free access to Journal Star digital content for a week courtesy of UNL
Letter from the Publisher: Enjoy free access to Journal Star digital content for a week courtesy of UNL It’s a season for heartwarming stories and gift-giving. And we at the Lincoln Journal Star are excited to offer some of both. As the leading provider of local news and sports — in print and online — we never have a shortage of stories about the good works and good people of our community. We write about the tough issues, too, the information people need to understand and improve where we live.
Note from the publisher: Enjoy a week of free access to World-Herald digital content courtesy of UNMC
Note from the publisher: Enjoy a week of free access to World-Herald digital content courtesy of UNMC Enjoy a free week of access to Omaha.com from Dec 19th through Dec 26th. It’s a season for heartwarming stories and gift-giving. And we at The World-Herald are excited to offer some of both. As the leading provider of local news and sports — in print and online — we never have a shortage of stories about the good works and good people of our community.
Letter from the Publisher: Everyone wins when we shop local
Letter from the Publisher: Everyone wins when we shop local I have a confession to make. I broke the rule that one must wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas. I just couldn’t resist taking advantage of the recent beautiful weather. By sundown last Sunday, the fall décor had been replaced with the beginnings of a winter wonderland. My daughter came by and admonished me, “What about Thanksgiving, Mom?!” I assured her I wouldn’t be skipping turkey and trimmings.
Mill's Social Epistemic Rationale for the Freedom to Dispute Scientific Knowledge: Why We Must Put Up with Flat-Earthers
Permissions: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact mpub-help@umich.edu to use this work in a way not covered by the license. For more information, read Michigan Publishing's access and usage policy. Abstract Why must we respect others’ rights to dispute scientific knowledge such as that the Earth is round, or that humans evolved, or that anthropogenic greenhouse gases are warming the Earth?
Letter from the Publisher: Program will help community get back to business
Ava Thomas, president and publisher of the Lincoln Journal Star. January 2021. AVA THOMAS Column The goal of the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force, which I co-chaired, was to provide strategic recommendations to help power Lincoln’s economic recovery and foster resiliency amid COVID-19. As part of this process, we surveyed business owners and leaders in Lincoln to determine their challenges so we could address them in our recommendations.
Letter from the Publisher: Help us honor a Star of the State
Despite the challenges of 2020, countless Nebraskans stepped up to help others and create a positive impact for their communities. They didn’t do this for reward or recognition but rather because it is the right thing to do. Grit, determination and compassion are the characteristics that form the foundation and unique character of Nebraskans. The Star of the State campaign was created to celebrate these extraordinary individuals.
Ava Thomas: Shopping local pays big dividends
Ava Thomas: Shopping local pays big dividends It’s about 3½ miles, the trail around the lake where I live. Paving was completed this spring just in time to enjoy gorgeous sunrises, families of deer and sometimes the occasional cranky goose protecting his turf along the bank. Working from home when the pandemic hit made those brisk morning walks around the lake possible. It was late April when I noticed all the cardboard boxes. You’ve seen them, too.
Local View: 1% Pledge can make difference
Local View: 1% Pledge can make difference The coronavirus has had a devastating effect on the city of Lincoln and the state of Nebraska. In order to address the impact of COVID-19 on our local economy, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird appointed us co-chairs of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force. The task force was comprised of 18 individuals from all sectors of our community. The purpose of the task force was to make impactful recommendations to help Lincoln rebound from the pandemic.
A Message from the President and Publisher of the Journal Star
A Message from the President and Publisher of the Journal Star Return to homepage × Please subscribe to keep reading. You can cancel at any time. Already a subscriber? Log in or Activate your account. Loading&hellp; × Sign Up Today and Support Local Journalism Enjoy more articles from Lincoln's Most Trusted Information Source. Subscribers can log in for unlimited digital access A lot has changed in more than 150 years of media in Nebraska. But some things haven’t.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Ava
Contact Ava, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack