A Library Card Can Take You Places!

September 11, 2018 by admin

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month

By Leah White

There are many different cards that you have in your wallet—credit cards, insurance cards, gift cards…but do you have a library card?

This September, the Waukee Public Library joins libraries across the U.S. in celebrating National Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you don’t have a library card, now is the perfect time to get one! Signing up for a library card is easy – and best of all, it’s free!

Here are just a few ways you can use your library card:

Borrow up to 50 items at a time, 10 of those can be movies
Download e-books and audiobooks with Overdrive
Access to popular magazines on your phone or tablet from Flipster
Request items for pickup at the library
Access dozens of research databases and online resources
Use online research tools for students, business owners and more
Take online design and technology classes through Lynda.com
Use online language learning tools with Pronunciator
Research your ancestry online
STEAM kits are available to checkout and explore
Wi-Fi hotspots can be checked to use wherever you need internet

To find out more about the Waukee Public Library go to waukeepubliclibrary.org or contact us at askme@waukee.org or (515) 978-7944

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

TERRIFIC TREES WITH ISU EXTENSION

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 | 4:30 p.m.

Kids in grades K-5 are invited to hear a story about a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) topic followed by a related experiment. Registration required and will open 3 weeks prior to the event.

LUNCH AND LEARN : ESTATE PLANNING 101 @ the Waukee Community Center

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 | 11:00 a.m.

Presenter Ron & Molly Anderson of Howes & Anderson, P. C.

No time to attend an evening or weekend program? Try our new Lunch & Learn series! Bring your brown bag lunch and we’ll provide the dessert! Stick around afterwards for Waukee Parks & Recreation’s bingo at 1pm.

This program is brought to you in partnership with Waukee Parks & Recreation.

Estate planning is important for everyone. Anyone who has assets, no matter how small, or wants their medical wishes carried out should have an estate plan. Come learn the ins-and-outs of putting a well thought out estate plan in place, and with peace of mind get back to the business of living and enjoying your life.

ADULT CRAFT WORKSHOP: FELT TERRARIUMS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 | 1:30 p.m.

Some people may believe that there is nothing cuter than a terrarium, but they are sadly mistaken! Handmade felt terrariums are even more adorable and so easy to make. Perfect for plant-killers and others who prefer low maintenance flora, after this class you’ll never water again! No felting experience needed. Registration required. This craft is intended for Adults. Registration begins 3 weeks before the event.

LOCAL HISTORY SERIES:

JACK TRICE & THE HISTORY OF IOWA STATE FOOTBALL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 | 1:00 p.m.

Iowa State University archivist, Bradley Kuennen, will present about the life and legacy of Jack Trice, as well as, the history of the football program at Iowa State University.

WELCOME TO MEDICARE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 | 5:00 p.m.

This free seminar offered by the State of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) will cover Medicare Parts A & B benefits, Prescription Drug Benefits (Part D), Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Supplement Insurance. To register, call (800)-351-4664. Registration is required.

ELEMENTARY PIRATE YOGA

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 | 10:00 a.m.

Children ages 6-11 years are welcome to bring a towel or yoga mat and enjoy pirate-themed yoga games and instruction. Parents staying in the room for the program should plan to participate as well! Registration is required and will open 3 weeks prior to the event.

EXLPORING THE WILDERNESS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 | 2:00 p.m.

Did you know that Iowa is one of only 5 states that has no designated Wilderness areas?

Dallas County Conservation Board (DCCB) naturalist, Chris Adkins, will examine what wilderness is, why we need it, and how wilderness areas are designated, managed and protected. Naturalist Adkins has led treks to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness of north-central Idaho for the past 25 years. Attendees will get to view images and learn about the logistics of backcountry travel and about DCCB’s upcoming Summer 2019 trek.

INTRODUCTION TO GENEALOGY

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 | 6:00 p.m.

Your family has a story to tell! Come learn the basics to begin your journey of discovery for your ancestral history. Theresa Liewer, from the Iowa Genealogical Society, will give you a road map for researching your family’s history, talk about what tools and resources are available, and discuss what to do if you run into an information brick wall.

COFFEE 101 AT THE COFFEESMITH

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 | 1:00 p.m.

This program will take place at The Coffeesmith (770 Alice’s Road, Waukee, IA).

Celebrate National Coffee Day with us at The Coffeesmith! Nate Kempers, barista and owner of The Coffeesmith, will teach attendees all the coffee basics you need to know to make that perfect cup of joe. Various brewing techniques will be demonstrated and samples will be served!

BIZARRE HISTORY OF IOWA: STRANGE STORIES FROM THE PAST

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 | 1:00 p.m.

This program provides a time portal back to the early days of the state when it was filled with strange deaths, ghosts, sea serpents, peculiar people, medical anomalies, oddities, psychic phenomena, and UFOs! Showcasing over 100 bizarre newspaper stories from Iowa that have not been seen in over 100 years, presenter Chad Lewis will change the way you view the good ol’ days of Iowa.

Youth entering grades 1-5 in the fall are invited to enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and math activities with music. Registration is required and will open 3 weeks prior to the event.

OCTOBER EVENTS

HELPING HAND: ANIMAL SHELTER SUPPLY DRIVE

THE MONTH OF OCTOBER

In honor of National Adopt a Shelter Dog month, the Library will be taking supply donations for the AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport. A complete list of supplies needed can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/IZI5097BIFPN

WONDERFUL WIND WITH ISU EXTENSION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 | 4:30 p.m.

LUNCH AND LEARN : DNA BASICS @ the Waukee Community Center

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 | 11:00 a.m.

Presenter Ron & Molly Anderson of Howes & Anderson, P. C.

This program is brought to you in partnership with Waukee Parks & Recreation.

Whether you’ve had your DNA tested or are thinking about it, this program will give insight into the different test services available, the process, and the usefulness of DNA Testing as a tool to learn more about your health, traits, and ancestry.

LOCAL HISTORY SERIES: SHULER COAL MINE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 | 1:00 p.m.

Presented by Bruno Andreini

CREATURE FEATURE : A QUIET PLACE

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 | 6:00 p.m.

Is there a better way to get ready for Halloween than by watching a monster movie? We don’t think so! Join us for two special Halloween movie nights…if you dare. Movies are free and spooky treats will be available. No registration is required.

PUPPY PARTY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 | 1:00 p.m.

Love puppies? Pawesome! Come hangout with fellow doggo enthusiasts for an afternoon of barking-good fun. Play a canine trivia game and make cute dog crafts. And the best part? There will be puppies! The AHeinz57 Pet Rescue is joining us for a presentation, bringing along some of their adoptable canine friends for a meet-and-greet.

This is an Adult event, however children and teens in 3rd grade and up are welcome but must be accompanied by a guardian. Registration required and will open 3 weeks before the event.

CYBER SECURITY 101

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 | 10:00 a.m.

This short training session by the State of Iowa-Information Security Officer, Alison Radl, will cover the basics of cyber security with tips and techniques for more secure browsing. Come ready to learn and ask questions!

THE DEVIL HAS MY CONSENT

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 1:00 p.m.

In 1692 more than 200 people were accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts and 20 were executed. Why? What happened to create such hysteria? Were the accusers possessed? Experiencing delusions caused by eating spoiled grain? Come discover the real story behind the behind the Salem Witch Trials at this fascinating presentation by historian Kathy Wilson. This event is sponsored by the Waukee Public Library Friends Foundation.

CREATURE FEATURE : HOCUS POCUS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 | 6:00 p.m.

BEASTLY POTTER PARTY

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 | 7:00 p.m.

All ages of Harry Potter fans should attend this enchanted evening. There will be live magical creatures from the Blank Park Zoo and many other beastly and magical activities. The first 100 guests will receive a free magic wand pen. All guests will have the chance to enter a drawing for two free tickets to the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert with the Des Moines Symphony at the Des Moines Civic Center on January 25 & 26, 2019. No registration required.

FANTASTIC BEASTLY ESCAPE ROOM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 | 9:15 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 10:45 a.m.

Teams of 6 will be magically sealed in a room at the library. Teams will need to work together to solve clues about J.K. Rowling’s magical world in order to break the spell and exit the room. Recommended for fans of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Teens (grades 6+) and adults are welcome to participate in this event. (These will be the same puzzles as the November 7 teen program.) Registration is required.

ADULT CRAFTERNOON

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 | 2:00 p.m.

Adults need crafty time too! Get together with your friends and neighbors to have some crafty fun creating one fun and easy craft. All supplies will be provided by the library.

Registration opens 3 weeks before the event date.

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Biz Kids: Young Iowa Entrepreneurs

July 3, 2017 by admin

Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy. They employ nearly half of our private sector workforce, and in the last 20 years, they’ve created 64 percent of our new jobs.

While it’s wonderful to hear kids speak of becoming doctors, lawyers and engineers, it’s also wonderful to see them taking part in entrepreneurial ventures right here in Iowa. When kids get a taste of what it takes to run a small business, they get an early glimpse into risk, profits and losses, expenditures and costs, customer relationships, and perhaps most importantly, what it really takes to earn a living.

Below are the stories of two local families with entrepreneurial kids. In the first story, you’ll read about how Ben Hughes started his own lemonade business to earn money for a new phone, but ended up getting much more out of it than he expected. In the second story, you’ll read about Iowa lawmaker Rob Taylor and his family of entrepreneurial beekeepers, and how they’re doing their part to support the bee population.

And who knows? Maybe Ben’s Lemons and The Iowa Honey Company will find a way to combine forces.

Ben’s Lemons

Ben Hughes was 10 years old, and he was dying for a new phone. Like many parents, his father told him if he wanted one, he’d have to pay for it himself. Ben and his father happened to be discussing this at a Rotary event, and a fellow Rotarian suggested to Ben that he start a lemonade stand. But Ben knew he wasn’t going to make the kind of money he needed to buy a cell phone by selling lemonade on a street corner.

So he started a lemonade stand of sorts, but he took it a step further—he created a booth at the Waukee Farmers Market.

That was three years ago, and he’s been an entrepreneur ever since.

The lemonade recipe is their own. “My dad and I experimented with sugar water, lemon juice and normal water until we found the right combination,” explained Ben. “It’s not an exact science, and we experiment with it. We keep it mostly the same every year and tweak it just a little here and there.”

Ben makes it every Friday night before the farmers market. Sometimes it’s hard to run a business in the summer, but he gets it all done.

He gets valuable family time, too. “My dad and I can talk, and it’s a good bonding experience,” he said.

For Ben, the lessons he’s learned from the lemonade business have been transformational. “It’s made me proud of what I’ve been able to do with the money, and it’s made me appreciate what I buy, because it wasn’t just given to me,” he said.

His parents have noticed changes, too. “He can talk more easily with people, and he’s developed more social skills. He can have a conversation with people he doesn’t know,” said his mom, Shelly Hughes.

My dad and I can talk, and it’s a good bonding experience

He’s honed his sales skills, too; Ben will sell his lemonade as people walk by, convincing them to stop for refreshment.

Ben’s success is a result taking ownership in the enterprise. “He does all the work, and he’s very particular about the setup and how it goes,” said Shelly. “When I’ve gone to help him set up, I apparently don’t do it correctly—he’s very particular,” she said with a laugh.

The business has also taught him about responsibility. “He has to get a permit and pay taxes, and he’s done it all on his own. He’s learned a lot about business, and that running a business comes with hidden fees,” explained Shelly.

This may be Ben’s last year selling lemonade at the farmer’s market. Since he’s going into the 8th grade and will soon be old enough to get a job, he might try his hand at a more conventional way of making money. But fear not, there’s talk of a familial buyout. Ben’s younger brother, Asher, wants to buy the lemonade stand from Ben—and call it “Better Than Ben’s Lemonade.”

Iowa Honey Company

Rob and Christi Taylor have been self-starters for a long time. Christi is a physician at Iowa Health, and Rob is an entrepreneur in the automotive industry, as well as a legislator in the Iowa house. The couple knew they wanted to get their two kids, Ben (16) and Will (12), involved in business and agriculture in a venture that would give them a taste of both.

“We wanted to do something that would connect our kids to agriculture and teach them how to run a business,” said Rob.

With that in mind, they decided on beekeeping. “Bees are responsible for a third of the agricultural crops in the world,” explained Christi. “If we lose bees, we’re in trouble.”

The whole family took beekeeping classes at the Iowa State Extension Lab. After completing the six-week course, they purchased their first set of bees.

“Believe it or not, you can order bees online,” said Christi. “The first time we ordered, we used pre-made hives. We were brand new at this, so we needed a hive quickly. From there on out, we’ve ordered wooden kits and put them together ourselves,” she said.

In 2015, they had four hives; in 2016, they had 16, and they now have 29 hives. “In 2016, once we had 16 hives, we decided to teach the boys how to start a company,” said Rob.

They named it the Iowa Honey Company. They built a website, got the name trademarked and had a logo made. They created Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, too.

Their hives are scattered across Central Iowa. “We have two hives in our backyard in West Des Moines, 10 hives at our property in Osceola, another 10 on the farm where my dad grew up, and the rest are in Grimes,” said Ben.

The flavor of the honey produced varies between the locations because the bees feed on different flowers at each location.

The whole family takes care of the bees year-round, tending to them in the summer and making sure they have enough food in the winter. Every Labor Day, they process the honey in their once-a-year harvest.

The first year, they pulled 40-60 pounds of honey out of each hive. Now they’re up to 70-150 pounds per hive. The family is careful to leave enough in each hive so the bees can survive the long Iowa winters, and they also put the honeycombs back in the hives so the bees can keep using them instead of needing to build new ones.

Until recently, the company’s sales have been solely through word of mouth. But this summer, they entered into a relationship with Mayberry’s Coffee Shop in Osceola, which now sells their honey on a retail basis. “They love selling it because some of the honey is from right there in Osceola,” said Rob.

Needless to say, the family has learned a lot about bees along the way. “Bees have different personalities, and you have to handle them differently, depending on the personality of the hive,” explained Will.

He also explained that bees don’t like visitors when it’s rainy or stormy, that they don’t like offensive smells, and they prefer the scent of women and children over that of men.

As for Ben, he’s learned firsthand that bees give warnings before they sting. “They die when they sting, so it’s their last resort,” he said. “They’ll head-butt you first, as a warning. If the worker bees start pelting you in the chest, then they’re not in the mood to be messed with,” he said.

Avoiding bee stings hasn’t been the only challenge faced by the Taylor family. Last year, two of their hives were stolen from their location in Grimes. It made statewide and even national news. Fortunately, they were able to locate one of the hives a month later.

Since the beginning, and through all of its ups and downs, Rob and Christi have been sure to involve the boys in all areas of the business. “We do a lot of it along with our parents—the processing, selling, feeding, and caring for the bees,” said Will. “We build and stain the hives. We do almost everything they do.”

“We sit down at the kitchen table and make all of the decisions about the company together,” said Christi.

“They help make financial decisions, and they get to see costs and expenses, and how they affect profits,” explained Rob.

“It’s been a good experience to learn how to manage a business, but also to get a taste of agriculture. It’s given us a better understanding of both agriculture and business in general,” said Will.

Ben agrees. “It’s helped me realize how hard things in life can be, but also how much support we have around us. Not just from family, but from our community. They support our business and buy our honey, and they like our business and want to keep it going. It’s taught me that anything I want to do—with enough hard work, and enough people around me to support me, I can get it done.”