MyWaukee Jan/Feb 2021

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

Cheers

TO THE NEW YEAR

Toast 2021 with local craft beer from Kinship Brewing

Apart Together Find new ways to keep the family engaged over the winter

Also

CITY OF WAUKEE WAUKEE LIBRARY SCHOOL DISTRICT WAUKEE CHAMBER

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FROM The Publisher Slow Down Ok, this is something I’ll admit that I have a hard time doing. I feel like if I’m not always running at 100 miles-per-hour that someone may start to catch me, but I think it’s important to remember to take time to slow down – my wife and the people who are around me every week may have to read that twice, probably with a raised eyebrow, or two.

One thing the Governor’s pre-Thanksgiving proclamation did was cut about half of my scheduled events out of my calendar. Whoa, some time to breathe, at least a few nights a week?

Business was still how I like things – busy – but the typical 8-6 schedule, followed by an evening of youth-related activities and weekends of running from one gym to another, got put on hold for a bit. It was a little weird sitting down for a meal with my wife and three kids without having to drop everything and run out the door at 5:45 to get to practice by 6pm.

Don’t get me wrong, these are all things I’ve enjoyed since my oldest picked up her first tee-ball bat, and I’m looking forward to getting back into the gym with schools re-opening their doors, but the slow down gave us some time to knock out a project or two around the house, show my kids how to build or cook something, try to snag a PlayStation 5 for the 20-somethingth time all the stores have had a “restock,” and started playing chess on a new app I found.

Heck, even sitting down with a bucket of popcorn to pull up a movie with the family on Netflix…or Hulu, or YouTubeTV, or HBOMax – popcorn with Hot Tamales – if you haven’t done that before, you gotta try it.

Maybe some of you have taken advantage of some of the extra time at home, as well?

If nothing else, I hope everyone was able to catch a better part of A Christmas Story, at least a half-dozen times. Happy New Year & best wishes to you & your family!

Jason McArtor MyTown Magazines P u b li sher & Pa rtne r j a so n@ mytow nma g azin e s .c o m / 5 1 5-3 1 4-1 3 21

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January/February 2021

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

Publisher & Partner Jason McArtor

Creative Director & Partner Zachary Kern

Content Kellyn Pappas

Photos / Creative / Layout FARMBOY Marketing & Web Development

Copy Editor Marjorie Sandner

Advertising Darby Brincks 515- 306 - 0 5 0 8

Distributor Goldfinch Media

Address 8527 University Blvd Suite 7 Clive, Iowa 50325

Email info@myTownMagazines.com

myWaukee Magazine is published bimonthly, six times annually, by myTown Magazines, a division of Goldfinch Media. For subscription and advertising information, go to myTownMagazines.com. ©2020 Goldfinch Media

CONTENTS January/February 2021

19

09 HIG H L I G H TS

06 CITY OF WAUKEE

14 Waukee Fire Department

For years, the Waukee Fire Department’s community outreach activities have taken them to classrooms, senior living centers, festivals and more. In a typical year, they welcome dozens of groups into the fire station for tours and fire safety lessons.

09 STORY

Winter Games/Activities

Often, once the festive cheer from the holiday season has died down, January and February can feel a little bleak. This could be particularly true this year, as we’re all still spending more time at home in the midst of the pandemic. But staying home during this unusual winter doesn’t have to mean boredom.

There are plenty of games and activities to keep even the most difficult-to-entertain family busy this season. Here are some options!

14 WAUKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Vivian Le

These two words have come to life throughout the Waukee Community School District (WCSD) as our staff, students and families navigate this everchanging and uncertain world. The current year has been full of challenges and uncertainties, but it’s also been full of kindness, connection and intentional care for one another.

17

17 STORY

Kinship Brewing Company

One might think a global pandemic would be just about the last time during which anyone would want to open a brewery. With restaurants and bars still operating at reduced capacity, plus masks and social distancing, an owner could be forgiven for thinking twice.

19 WAUKEE LIBRARY

S E C T IONS

22

0 4 F rom th e P u bl i s her 0 6 You r Ci ty of Waukee 1 4 You r Wau kee School D istric t 1 9 You r Wau kee L i brary 2 2 You r Wau kee Cham ber

Brainfuse HelpNow

Brainfuse HelpNow is a resource designed for K-12 students and beyond. Live tutoring is available in English and Spanish from 2 p.m. - 11 p.m. to provide homework help for core subjects, including mathematics, science, and English language arts.

22 WAUKEE CHAMBER

2021

The Waukee Chamber Annual Meeting & Silent Auction will be held Thursday, Feb. 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in a virtual setting. Join the Chamber for an evening to celebrate the Waukee business community!

ON THE COVER Kinship Brewing Company 5

CITY OF WAUKEE

WAUKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Left to right is Waukee Fire Prevention Specialist Jason Fife and Waukee Fire Marshal Justin Frederick.

Fire Department Adjusts Outreach Efforts During the Pandemic For years, the Waukee Fire Department’s community outreach activities have taken them to classrooms, senior living centers, festivals and more. In a typical year, they welcome dozens of groups into the fire station for tours and fire safety lessons.

2020 was not a typical year, but the department pivoted to provide outreach beyond the usual faceto-face approach. They performed 310 of their very popular drive-by birthday parades, and they relied heavily on technology to reach people.

“Grasping change during the pandemic meant that most presentations and interactions went virtual,” said Waukee Fire Marshal Justin Frederick. “We provided presentations and interacted online with platforms such as Zoom. We tried to provide more handouts, flyers and brochures where possible. Social media has also been a key tool for sharing safety messages.”

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January/February 2021

Video outreach became important during these times of social distancing as well. Frederick and Fire Prevention Specialist Jason Fife have been brushing up on their camera presence.

“Like so many departments in the U.S., we too have turned to recording our safety messages and posting them online,” said Fife. “We’re working on a fire station tour video which will allow viewers to feel like they’re walking around the station themselves. In the fall, we shared a grilling and cooking safety video. We have some other ideas in the works, too.”

Fife joined the Waukee Fire Department in August of 2020, after moving his whole family to Iowa from Washington state. The Fire Prevention Specialist position was newly created after years of discussion, as calls for service continue to increase and so does the need for fire and injury prevention awareness.

“Although duty crews do a great job with outreach, they’re getting busier with emergency calls, frequently having to leave or cancel fire prevention visits,” said Waukee Fire Chief Clint Robinson.

“This new position allows for consistency and someone to focus on teaching.

When the world turns back on, Jason will visit with seniors about fall prevention, work with businesses on fire prevention, teach first aid and lead Stop the Bleed classes.” Fife also assists Fire Marshal Frederick with building inspections.

One other “remote” way the Waukee Fire Department plans to provide outreach to residents amid the pandemic: This article! Ready?

“Working smoke alarms are so important,” said Fife. “In any type of home, there should be one smoke alarm on each level of the home, as well as one in each bedroom and one outside of the bedrooms. Test smoke alarms often, and have a plan with household members so everyone knows what to do if the alarms sound.

The plan should include a meeting place so everyone in the home knows where to go once they’re outside. Property owners should also replace smoke alarms every 10 years.”

Jason Fife handed out first aid kits and fire safety information at the October Paint-a-Pumpkin event.

As for advice for business owners? “The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that more than 90 percent of businesses fail within two years after being struck by a disaster. Fire safety needs to be a top priority,” said Frederick.

“Be aware and minimize hazards within the workplace. Create and practice emergency plans. Also, an automatic fire sprinkler system inside your business will prevent injuries and save lives all while lessening the damage of a severe fire incident.”

Members of the Waukee Fire Department look forward to getting back out there to provide in-person education opportunities, once COVID-19 concerns decrease.

If you are interested in a visit or presentation, please reach out to Fire Prevention Specialist Jason Fife at jfife@waukee.org or 515-978-7998.

And, remember, virtual options are available!

“In any type of home, there should be one smoke alarm on each level of the home, as well as one in each bedroom and one outside of the bedrooms.

Test smoke alarms often, and have a plan with household members so everyone knows what to do if the alarms sound. The plan should include a meeting place so everyone in the home knows where to go once they’re outside.

Property owners should also replace smoke alarms every 10 years.” Jason Fife

Firefighters were met with waves and smiles as they offered birthday parades during the pandemic.

Frederick showed how grills can be troublesome when placed too close to houses or decks in this video released in October.

7

FACES OF WAUKEE Skyler Olson Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Central Iowa. I grew up in the Huxley and Slater area and attended Ballard High School before studying exercise science at Iowa State University.

Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married to my beautiful wife Taylor for five years. We have two little girls, Kennedy (3) and Logan (8 months). We live in the country just outside of Ankeny.

What do you do for a living?

I help people of all ages and abilities better their lives by increasing the effectiveness of their workouts and nutrition. As a personal trainer, I wear many hats. Most days it involves being part friend, therapist, coach and business owner. I’ve trained and helped high school athletes, stay-at-home moms, busy business owners and 85-year-old retirees reach their health and fitness goals.

How has the pandemic affected your job?

A lot of people started to realize how important exercise is to their overall health, while others were too high-risk to come into the gym.

The pandemic has kept me having to adjust week-to-week and even day-to-day. Some clients have continued to train and others have decided to stop in the middle of their program. I’ve also branched out into training via Zoom, which is always an adventure.

Optimistically, what changes in personal training do you foresee when we finally come out the other end of COVID? I think COVID has helped trainers realize all the ways we can reach out and help people get healthy, such as social media, Zoom, using apps and not having to just wait for people to come to the gym.

Another positive that I hope we can keep going is helping people realize how important exercise and healthy habits are to staying healthy and fighting viruses naturally.

It’s that time of the year. What advice can you give to those who want to get healthy without burning out after a month or so?

Don’t try to take on all the changes at once. Pick one goal and take consistent small steps to accomplish that goal. It’s a process that will not change overnight. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a professional. We can help in so many different ways. Just ask!

How can readers reach you for more advice?

Email me at SkysTheLimit515@gmail.com or message me on my Facebook page (Skyler Olson-Personal Trainer). Please reach out with ANY questions!

8

January/February 2021

STORY By Kellyn Pappas

APART TOGETHER ONLINE GAMES & CONTENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Often, once the festive cheer from the holiday season has died down, January and February can feel a little bleak. This could be particularly true this year, as we’re all still spending more time at home in the midst of the pandemic.

But staying home during this unusual winter doesn’t have to mean boredom. There are plenty of games and activities to keep even the most difficult-to-entertain family busy this season. Here are some options!

CONTINUED>> 9

STORY By Kellyn Pappas Waukee Public Library Although the Waukee Public Library (WPL), like other metro libraries, is currently closed to the public, they are offering curbside pickup for library materials. Patrons can place holds on items online or by calling the library at 515-978-7944. When your items are ready, you’ll be notified via email, text, or phone, and you can schedule an appointment to pick up your materials.

In addition to books, the WPL is offering numerous craft and online activities for kids, teens, and adults alike.

One popular activity for kids and teens, according to WPL Creative Services Librarian Leah White, is the library’s activity packs for Pre-K, Elementary, and Teen Makers. Register each month to pick up a bag of supplies to use to make various crafts and activities, designed for your child’s grade level. Kids and teens can complete the activities on their own using the provided instruction sheet, or they can save the supplies to do along with online videos featuring library staff twice each month. Recent activities have included making a straw pan flute and exploring the science of sound (elementary level) and making your own winter scene luminary in a mason jar (teen level). Patrons can pick up maker bags curbside as well!

The WPL also has various online and phone story resources through their Storytime Online and Dial-A-Story programs. Each Wednesday, the library shares a new online storytime for kids and families to enjoy, which includes a book reading, songs, and an activity to do at home. Patrons also now have the option of simply calling the Dial-A-Story phone line at 515-981-7800 at any time to hear a selection of books read aloud by library staff.

New selections will be recorded each month, designed for infants through elementary-age students. Listen for as long or as little as you want! White notes that the Dial-A-Story theme for January will be winter, and February will be about feelings.

And for adults, the WPL features three different book clubs, all currently “meeting” online. Virtual Books on Tap, the Online Afternoon Book Club, and the Introvert Book Club all have Facebook groups for updates and discussion opportunities for each selection.

And for adults, the WPL features three different book clubs, all currently “meeting” online. Virtual Books on Tap, the Online Afternoon Book Club, and the Introvert Book Club all have Facebook groups for updates and discussion opportunities for each selection.

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Smash Park Online Game Nights ​ OVID-19 has put a damper on most of our large social gatherings, and even just C our nights out with friends. If you’re missing your weekly group trivia night, all is not lost! West Des Moines’ Smash Park offers virtual, 60-minute, private game nights, emceed by Event Manager Ashley Castellano. There are multiple game options, including Can You Draw This? (think virtual Pictionary), Jeopardy!, Trivia (with numerous theme options available, such as 90’s movies or Disney animated films), and Name That Tune!

P​ articipants can divide into teams or play each other individually, using the Smash Park app on their phones or the web app on their computers. Castellano notes that Can You Draw This?, in particular, is a great option for folks who may not be very tech-savvy, as it requires only a Zoom link, a pencil, and paper. Participants still get all the great benefits of in-person game nights -- friendly competition, laughs, and of course, heckling -- with zero contact.

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​ t only $9 per participant per session, Smash Park’s online game nights are a A cost-effective option, too. Plus, all sessions come with a free, recorded copy of your event -- always good for laughs later! Castellano says she’s hosted everything from corporate game nights, to Friendsgiving celebrations, to neighborhood block parties, to a moms’ night in. The top three individuals or teams take home Smash Park gift cards. Smash Park also offers 15% off a curbside carry-out food and beverage order with your session. So if you’re looking for a fun way to bring family or friends together virtually, this could be it!

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STORY By Kellyn Pappas Online Games ​ nother great way to bring family and friends A together, even if you live far apart, is through online board games. Jackbox Games is a great place to start, according to Waukee resident and online game enthusiast Joe Ross, as the site offers a variety of word and trivia games. “One person needs to buy the game,” notes Ross, “but then can share their screen to others, who can play on their phones to answer the questions.” ​ mong Us (pictured left) is a popular game, designed A for 3-10 people, which can be played online or through your phone. Players attempt to repair a spaceship, but be careful, warns Ross, as “some of your friends are not on your side and are trying to eliminate the good crewmates.” If you can catch them, however, you can vote them out -- if you can convince the rest of the crew! ​ oss notes that Code Names and Welcome To are great R options that require little setup to play online. In Code Names, two teams (4-12+ people) compete in a word game that makes participants come up with ways of linking different words together. “There are a lot of different versions of this game, and many of them are great for kids or adults,” says Ross.

In Welcome To, one of Ross’ personal favorites, “each of you tries to build a 50’s style neighborhood, complete with fences and pools.”

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“Roll20.com is one free option that can help make playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons much easier.”

Joe Ross ​ ne game that many people have heard of already is Dungeons and Dragons, a O roleplaying game which has become very popular over the last couple of years, due in part to shows like Stranger Things. Three to six players is the recommended group size, but Ross notes that any number of people can play. All you really need to run a game, says Ross, is a set of dice or a dice-rolling app. “Roll20.com is one free option that can help make playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons much easier,” he says. ​ oss also notes that the Tabletop Simulator can be a great option to incorporate, R as it essentially creates a virtual game board, including game components, for “just about any board game or card game there is.” Each participant does need to have their own computer, which isn’t always possible. But if it is, it can come in handy for virtually any online game night.

So if you and your family have been staring down the barrel of the next few months with nothing to do, don’t worry! With numerous library programs and offerings, plus more online board game (and game night) options than ever before, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained this winter!

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WAUKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT Vivian Le

“Give love.”

These two words have come to life throughout the Waukee Community School District (WCSD) as our staff, students and families navigate this ever-changing and uncertain world. The current year has been full of challenges and uncertainties, but it’s also been full of kindness, connection and intentional care for one another.

The district’s commitment to “give love” continues to be foundational in the way our community members support each other and help each other stay connected, especially in a virtual learning environment.

From teachers, to those who work in nutrition and technology, to students and families—there are countless examples of individuals and groups showing up with love, innovation and generosity to make our district a place where people come first.

it when her first graders log in every morning. “Their faces and their smiles make it all worth it, and make it easier to step into a day of learning,” she said. Along with many other teachers throughout the district, Mrs. Eikenberry is coming up with new ways to provide an authentic learning experience for all of her students during this time. Whether that’s reading groups, math activities, or playing a short game, the learning and connection go hand-in-hand.

Staying Connected

An important part of the Waukee APEX program includes connection with peers, instructors and business partners. In a virtual environment, some of the opportunities to connect have not been there in the same way. Waukee APEX instructor Mr. Wright discovered from his students that they were missing these connections with their peers.

Teachers like Mrs. Killam (Health, Waukee High School), Mrs. Eikenberry (First Grade, Radiant Elementary), and Mr. Wright (Engineering, Waukee APEX) are thinking outside the box to increase engagement and keep students connected—and they are just a few of many coming up with ways to foster connection.

“Connection is so important. We all need that, and it’s something [students] are not getting right now,” Mrs. Killam shared when talking about different ways she’s helping to facilitate connection within her Health 2 class at Waukee High School. Whether it’s five minutes playing an online game together or just chatting at the start of class, Mrs. Killam is carving out time for students to socialize and connect.

The class recently discussed empathy as part of their unit on mental health and completed an exercise in which students designed a shoe reflecting their own life story. Without assigning their name to the design, they listed different situations, events, hobbies or descriptive words about their personal journey thus far.

The assignment was to spend a few moments “walking in the shoes” of their peers to connect with their stories. What a valuable way to foster connection and promote kindness, even within our virtual world.

Mrs. Eikenberry at Radiant Elementary recognizes the importance of connecting with her students, and part of that is getting to see one another’s faces. She loves

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January/February 2021

“One of my biggest concerns for our students during online learning is disconnectedness and loneliness,” he explained. “While I was checking in on my aspiring professionals, a few of them mentioned they missed the unstructured time meeting with individuals from other APEX sectors. That conversation became a catalyst for the idea of a Virtual APEX Triangle that associates from any APEX team could join.” This virtual meeting takes place during the lunch hour on Wednesdays and is an opportunity for students and instructors to socialize, play an online game or just eat lunch together virtually.

Just as connection is essential for our students, it’s just as essential for our community and staff. The families of Grant Reagan Elementary recognized how important it is to make sure the teachers feel valued and appreciated by the community. Many of the students and parents put together signs and letters for the teachers and posted them on the windows and doors around the school building—a small but meaningful way to bring about connection between families and the school staff.

Finding ways to stay connected in this virtual learning environment is something we can do to practice kindness and give love—for ourselves and others. The staff, students and families of WCSD have continued to show up for one another and do just that.

Putting the “Give” in “Give Love” In the same spirit of kindness and connection, several departments throughout WCSD are going above and beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of students and families within our district.

Our nutrition staff has shown up with a smile to prepare and distribute hundreds of meals each day to families within our district. The Grab and Go meals have been available for students and families since last spring when the district initially moved to online learning, and over 185,000 total meals have been distributed across the district since the start of the school year.

We cannot talk about generosity without mentioning our incredible Information Technology department.

The countless hours spent connecting students and families with the proper devices and offering technology support during online learning have been essential to our success. The IT staff members have generously gone above and beyond to offer resources and support to our teaching staff, students and families throughout the district. We would not have been able to successfully transition to virtual learning without all of their hard work and support.

At WCSD, we are so fortunate to have staff that puts students and families first, and consistently goes the extra mile to put the “give” in “give love.” We would not be the district we are without each and every one of them.

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15

MAKE YOUR HEALTH #1 IN 2021 The average American diet is more unbalanced than ever, resulting in a diet that is low in fruits and vegetables and high in saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. But don’t derail your diet any longer! Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian Erin Good shares her secret weapon for weight loss and better overall health—Operation: Fiber Up!

Fiber is a highly underrated nutrition powerhouse. Think about it: •

Want to lose weight? Eat more fiber.

•

Looking to lower your cholesterol or achieve better blood sugar control? Eat more fiber.

•

Sick of relying on powdery supplements to relieve constipation? Eat more fiber.

Unfortunately, fiber isn’t nearly as sexy of a subject as protein, the keto diet, or even your new exercise regimen, but when only six percent of Americans* meet the recommended daily intake of fiber (25 grams for women and up to 38 grams for men), it deserves more attention from nearly everyone!

Fabulous Tasting Fiber: A Delicious Upgrade From Cardboard

ONE Eating more fiber doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming.

Nosh on a fresh pear (6 g fiber), one-third of an avocado (3 g fiber), or half a cup of canned black beans (7.6 g fiber) for an easy daily boost.

TWO

What type of music best describes your eating habits? Hopefully, it’s not “pop.” Become the family “wokstar” in your kitchen and enjoy more homemade stir-fry! Simply pick your protein (such as chicken breast, shrimp or lean beef), pair with brown rice, and pile on the fiber-filled veggies (such as carrots, broccoli or cauliflower). Add a splash of lower-sodium soy sauce, sprinkle red pepper flakes, a squeeze of fresh ginger paste and ROCK ON! You’re now eating more fiber!

THREE Veggies still not your jam? Then go nuts! Eating a one-ounce handful of almonds, pistachios or walnuts daily can easily add around three grams of fiber to your diet. Allergic to nuts? Snack on a serving of pumpkin seeds or steamed edamame for an extra two grams of fiber.

Need more inspiration, motivation or clarification on what foods are best for a healthier you? Ask an expert! Your Hy-Vee Dietitian is highly skilled in providing you with the best tools to kick your old eating habits! Together let’s conquer your health goals! Connect with Erin virtually today.

Erin Good, RD, LD | Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian | egood@hy-vee.com

Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee 16 *Source: ScientificJanuary/February 2021

https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/PartD_Ch1_CurrIntakes_first-print.pdf

Erin Good, RD, LD | Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian egood@hy-vee.com

STORY Kellyn Pappas

Brews for You & Your Kin Kinship Brewing Company

One might think a global pandemic would be just about the last time during which anyone would want to open a brewery.

With restaurants and bars still operating at reduced capacity, plus masks and social distancing, an owner could be forgiven for thinking twice. But while the pandemic may have altered schedules slightly for Kinship Brewing Company—which will be open north of Hickman in Waukee by the time you read this—it hasn’t altered what owner Zach Dobeck and his team envision for their space: a place where residents can enjoy a great beer, let their dog off the leash, and build a community everyone can enjoy.

“That has been the theme of this brewery—doing it right,” said Dobeck.

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DOBECK

, born and raised 45 minutes outside Atlanta, Georgia, had an interest in branding from a young age. “I grew up in a family of storytellers,” he said. “When it comes to branding, that’s what you’re doing.”

After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in political science, he initially considered going to law school. Instead, he ended up at a design agency, where he received valuable experience in advertising, marketing and branding. His path eventually led to a job as a project manager in software development.

By this time, he’d met his future wife, Ann, who hails from Waukee and had moved to Georgia for school, and the two had immersed themselves in the Atlanta community.

But Dobeck, who’d been brewing beer at home with his brother as a hobby and creative outlet for years, couldn’t quite get the idea of opening his own brewery out of his head. “[The idea] was in my mind for probably 12 years,” he explained. Although the company where he worked was growing, Dobeck found himself questioning whether that was what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. “It wasn’t enough for me,” he said.

Finally, on July 27, 2017, after years of kicking the idea around, Dobeck made a bold declaration. “I said out loud to my wife, ‘I want to do this for real. I’m tired of talking about it.’” Ann’s response became the guiding philosophy behind building Kinship Brewing: “Do it right.”

“That has been the theme of this brewery—doing it right,” said Dobeck.

After transitioning out of his job in software development, Dobeck spent time working with several brewing industry mentors in the Atlanta area, supplementing his marketing and branding experience with business acumen. He wanted to gain as much knowledge as possible as he took his brewery— originally named Roots Brewing Company—from a hobby to a business. “You have to understand the business side of it,” he said, adding that he intentionally gave himself time to let a business plan evolve.

He had been impressed by how welcomed he felt on trips to Iowa to visit his wife’s family, and the couple eventually decided to relocate here and open the brewery in Iowa. After establishing contacts at several Iowa breweries, Dobeck set about finding a location.

He initially had his eye on downtown Des Moines, but “a small part of me was like, ‘Maybe you should consider Waukee,’” he said. Having heard about undeveloped land near the Raccoon River Valley trailhead in Waukee, Dobeck drove out to see it for himself, and said, “The location just felt right.”

At the time, the property didn’t have a road to it other than the bike trail. But Sunrise Drive was being built to the north of Hickman Road, and “that was my timeline,” said Dobeck. “Once that was completed, we bought it—we closed on the land.” After that, construction was able to get underway. “Now,” said Dobeck, “if I stand where I stood that day, I can see my brewery.”

At 13,000 square feet, Kinship’s substantial building sits on just over six acres of land. Most of that space will be dedicated to production. In addition, Kinship’s spacious taproom will hold up to 250 people, and there will also be a private event space. Outside of the taproom, the outdoor beer garden will eventually have 12 tap lines of its own, in addition to the 24 inside, said Dobeck. Also outside will be a dog park where local canines can safely play while their owners imbibe nearby.

The brewery is striking not only in size, but visually.

Kinship tapped a local artist to do an ancient Japanese siding technique on the building’s exterior called shou sugi ban that preserves wood by charring it with fire.

This makes the wood water-resistant and gives it a distinct black color. Once inside the brewery, visitors will see a large, colorful mural on one wall, featuring an imposing black and white tiger, mouth agape. (Fun fact: The tiger’s name is Sheila.) An Atlanta artist named Greg Mike agreed to do the mural after Dobeck, who’d admired Mike’s work while still in Georgia, reached out to him on Instagram. The artist’s message of “Live life loud” resonated with Dobeck, and the same message is featured on the Kinship mural.

“The location just felt right.”

Zach Doebeck

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January/February 2021

According to Dobeck, the nature of the tiger’s expression—she could be yawning, roaring, singing or laughing—was purposely left up to the interpretation of the viewer. That creativity, he said, “is the epitome of what Kinship represents.” Also inside the space is a paint-by-numbers mural on a large canvas on an easel. Dobeck hopes the striking visuals, inside and out, will intrigue and entice visitors. “Hopefully, you’re already sold by the time you get to the beer,” he said.

The beer, of course, is at the heart of Kinship Brewing.

Each of Kinship’s beers is named for a particular person or concept. “It’s fun to play and tell a story through that,” said Dobeck. Oh Billy, an homage to one of Dobeck’s friends, is a lighter beer, at 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV). Dear Annie—a beer that Dobeck describes as “a love letter to my wife”—is a hazy IPA brewed with mosaic hops that comes in at 6% ABV. Off the Leash, a 4% corn lager, is designed to appeal to a broad range of palates. And Kinship’s Russian Imperial Stout, Sheriff Dobeck, is a “big, bold beer” dedicated to Dobeck’s father. In addition to Kinship’s proprietary offerings, the brewery will also offer wine, spirits and cider options from local cideries.

While the brewery’s primary emphasis is on beverages, Kinship’s food concept will lean toward smoked meats and pizza, courtesy of Des Moines’ 515 Pi and Up in Smoke food trucks, which will serve customers in the parking lot through the month of January. Kinship’s kitchen will be open after that. “We want to be able to feed the masses,” said Dobeck.

Kinship will have a series of soft openings during the week of December 26 and is aiming to open its doors to the public for the first time on January 1, 2021.

Dobeck said there’s a certain symbolism to this: “It represents something about having a clean slate, a redemption year.”

He said his experience thus far with Kinship Brewing has reinforced for him that he made the right decision.

“This is something I was meant to do,” he said. “I love the name Kinship. I love what it represents. It’s built on community. Kinship has already proven to me that people want to come drink beer here.”

That emphasis on community, said Dobeck, is what sets Kinship apart. “We want to be something different and change your expectation of a brewery,” he said. “We want people to walk away thinking, ‘Wow, this is something worth paying for.’ And, of course, we want you to come back!”

19

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January/February 2021

Why you shouldn’t take advice from Captain Kirk about who to hire as your lawyer When I started practicing law 25 years ago, Iowa had the strictest rules in the nation about “lawyer advertising.” A lawyer was allowed to have an ad in the phone book with their name, address and phone number and, if they wanted to run a commercial on TV or radio, they had to use a “single, non-dramatic voice” that told people their name, address and phone number.

That was pretty much it.

Fast-forward 25 years and now it seems like every other commercial on TV and radio is a law firm using celebrities and actors to make promises about how much money someone can make if they’re in a car accident or get hurt at work. These ads create the impression that getting hurt is a good thing because the law firm running the ad will transform it into a financial windfall. Some of the ads brag that you can hire a lawyer without even coming in to meet them and some law firms go so far as getting accident reports from police stations so they can send brochures to people who have been in car accidents (once again to tell them how much money they can make).

I think those practices, and the messages they send to the public, are a real disservice. They use smiling, happy actors and fancy brochures to give the impression that getting hurt in an accident or at work is an easy way to make money. They use celebrities to vouch for a law firm’s legal prowess like they would the stain-fighting ability of a laundry detergent or the gas mileage of a car. They make it sound so easy.

But the truth is that getting seriously hurt because of someone else’s negligence is a bad thing. It’s not a winning lottery ticket.

Beyond that, pursuing financial recovery from someone who negligently injures another person is not easy. It’s hard. It takes months—and very often years—and involves many different legal and factual considerations, issues and risks. Anyone, lawyer or otherwise, who tells you differently does not know what they are talking about.

If you or someone you love is hurt by the negligence of someone else, you should contact an attorney that answers their own phone and will take the time to, first of all, listen to you, and after that, tell you the truth about how hard it can be to successfully pursue financial recovery for pain and suffering, lost use of your body and medical expenses. You should not, in my opinion, hire a lawyer who pays other people to brag about how good they are and does everything they can to convince you that getting hurt is an easy way to make money.

FROM YOUR Waukee Library

By Leah White

THE WAUKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS EXCITED TO OFFER BRAINFUSE HELPNOW! Brainfuse HelpNow is a resource designed for K-12 students and beyond. Live tutoring is available in English and Spanish from 2 p.m. - 11 p.m. to provide homework help for core subjects, including mathematics, science, and English language arts. Practice long division, improve reading comprehension, and learn other key skills. Practice for standardized tests. Students may submit papers to HelpNow’s Writing Lab for expert assistance and feedback, or collaborate with peers in virtual study spaces. Live FAFSA help is now available, too!

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21

CHAMBER Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce WAUKEE CHAMBER 2021 ANNUAL MEETING & SILENT AUCTION The Waukee Chamber Annual Meeting & Silent Auction will be held Thursday, Feb. 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in a virtual setting. Join the Chamber for an evening to celebrate the Waukee business community!

The evening will begin with a ZOOM networking social, followed by a video program featuring the accomplishments of 2020, introduction of the 2021 Board of Directors, announcement of plans for 2021 and award recognition of the Member of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Citizen of the Year and outgoing Board leadership. The evening will conclude with keynote speakers Jacob Repp and Beth Shelton.

More information is available online at waukeechamber.com.

Please contact us with any questions at info@waukeechamber.com or by phone at 515-978-7115. We are excited to celebrate the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2021 Annual Meeting & Silent Auction with you!

GOOD MORNING WAUKEE Thanks to the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce members for joining Good Morning Waukee on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The event featured a Chamber update, guest introductions and a conversation with Todd McDonald, Board President of the Waukee Betterment Foundation, who presented on the Waukee EPIC Inclusive Playground, scheduled to open in 2022!

The Waukee Betterment Foundation has made great strides in bringing the allinclusive park to life. The group is in need of $200,000 before February 2021 to qualify for major grants that become available next spring. If you would like to consider supporting this incredible project, please visit: http://waukeebetterment.org/ give/donor-recognition/ The Good Morning Waukee video presentation is available on YouTube for anyone who missed it.

WAUKEE HY-VEE FAST & FRESH RIBBON-CUTTING The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce helped to welcome Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh to Waukee on Tuesday, Nov. 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony!

Waukee Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh offers mealtime entrees, nori sushi, fresh produce, and so much more!

Check out this business online at hy-vee.com.

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