myWaukee March/April 2019

W H A T

W A U K E E

R E A D S !

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MARCH /APRIL 2019

TEEN TECH Challenge) Pathfinders, Learn about the FTC (FIRST Tech in Waukee. an award-winning robotics club

PARK ICE RINK FACES OF WAUKEE Also SPRING CLEAN-UP WAUKEE HISTORY STEM LEARNING IMAX SNAPSHOTS

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FROM The Publisher Free Time Today was free. I hope for many more free days—free decades would be even better. Just over a year ago, I nearly died from a heart attack. It’s been 50 weeks and counting. These are free weeks. Free years.

An event like that can change your perspective to some degree. It can force you get better, more flexible, more efficient. It’s helped me to focus better and prioritize my time.

I still get involved in A LOT of things, but I try to pay attention to the little things, and slow down at least a bit.

Since then, I’ve looked at things differently. I’ve handed off responsibility and haven’t tried to do everything myself. In a way, I’ve been blessed to have many great clients and a reputation that has allowed my team to grow our business, hire more employees and then delegate responsibility among us.

It changes your perspective on things. It changes how you value relationships. Relationships are one of the few things that matter a lot to me these days. How can I impact someone and make what they’re doing, or experiencing, better? How can I help someone?

I believe that if you live and work with those philosophies, the right people and the good work will find you. I value the opportunity to work for people. We’re really good at the work we do. I love to develop relationships with people through the work we do—not only learning what makes their businesses go, but what makes them go as individuals.

When you look at every day as a free day, even the no-so-great ones are still pretty good. You get to go home to your family, wife and kids.

MAR/APR 2019

Publisher & Partner Jason McArtor

Content Director & Partner Zachary Kern

Content Kellyn Pappas & Elyssa Shapiro

Photos / Creative / Layout FARMBOY Marketing & Web Development

Copy Editor Marjorie Sandner

Advertising Jennifer Samuels 7 12-215-1347

Distributor Goldfinch Media

Make the most of every day—the people you meet, the work you do, the time with friends.

Don’t get hung up on the little things. Will it matter tomorrow? Will it matter next year?

In the meantime, check up on your health. I was just 42 years old and about 180 pounds with a “preferred select” insurance rating. I’m a farm kid, so I probably ate more bacon than some people. That day, something didn’t feel right. Thankfully, I got help just in time.

Jason McArtor, Publisher

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March / April 2019

Address 8527 University Blvd Suite 7 Clive, Iowa 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. ©2019 Goldfinch Media

CONTENTS March/April 2019

15 18 22 25

HIG H L I G H TS

06 CITY OF WAUKEE

S E C T IONS

Spring Clean-Up

Spring Clean-Up events are coming up soon for City of Waukee/ASI garbage customers. Here are some tips to help you make the most of the opportunities provided.

11 SCHOOL DISTRICT

STEM Learning

At Waukee Community School District (CSD), students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade are introduced to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM learning concepts early on in their education journey.

15 STORY

Centennial Park Ice Rink

For the second year in a row, area residents can take advantage of a great opportunity for outdoor winter activity at Centennial Park Ice Rink in Waukee.

18 FACES OF WAUKEE

Clint Robinson

"As the Fire Chief for the city of Waukee, I am responsible for all operations of the fire department— including response, budgeting and personnel."

20 CHAMBER

Annual Dinner & Silent Auction

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Annual Dinner and Silent Auction was held on Thursday, February 21st at the Sheraton. Our guests enjoyed networking, presentations from Chamber leadership, award recognition and a fantastic presentation by McKenna Haase.

22 FACES OF WAUKEE

0 4 F rom th e P u blisher 0 6 You r Ci ty of Waukee 0 9 Sn apsh ots 1 1 Wau kee Sch ool D istric t 1 2 You r Wau kee Library 2 0 You r Wau kee Cham ber 3 0 O u r Wau kee History

Kevin McCormick

“Waukee is a small city with a big heart, and I truly mean that. We also love its top-notch school system and its great swim program for our kids.”

25 STORY

Teen Tech

It’s a Friday evening, and we’re gathered in the basement of Owen Scott’s home. He’s one of eight members of the FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) Pathfinders, an award-winning robotics club in Waukee.

(FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” and is the parent organization of robotics clubs across the nation.)

ON THE COVER All eight members of the FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) Pathfinders, an award-winning robotics club in Waukee.

5

SPRING CLEAN-UP & Hazardous Waste Disposal Tips Spring Clean-Up events are coming up soon for City of Waukee/ASI garbage customers. Here are some tips to help you make the most of the opportunities provided.

CURBSIDE SPRING CLEAN-UP WEEK April 29-May 3, 2019 During the free, curbside portion of Spring Clean-Up Week, City garbage customers can place large items on the curb for disposal on their normally scheduled garbage collections days, Monday through Friday. Bulky items such as furniture, oversized electronics and other large items up to five feet in length should be on the curb no later than 7 a.m. Smaller items should be bagged or boxed.

The following items will not be accepted at the curb: »» Appliances »» Broken-up concrete/asphalt or demolition materials »» Hazardous materials »» Loose shingles and lumber »» Anything longer than five feet »» Paint »» Propane tanks »» Tires »» Yard waste (collected only on Mondays in April-November) »» Items too heavy for a two-person team to reasonably lift If you live in an apartment, condo or townhome with private trash collection, you may not be a part of the Spring Clean-Up events. Please contact your association or management to find out.

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March / April 2019

HAZARDOUS WASTE, APPLIANCE & TIRE DROP-OFF SITES Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to Noon (12 p.m.)

The City designates drop-off sites in the community for hazardous waste, appliance and tire disposal, as these items will not be collected from curbs.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Hazardous waste can be taken for free to Vince Meyer Learning Center at 445 5th Street. This includes items such as acid, rechargeable batteries, oil, antifreeze, lawn fertilizer, pesticides, pool chemicals, and oil-based paints or aerosols.

Latex paint will not be accepted on this day.

Cans of dried out latex paint can be placed in garbage bins with the regular trash; non-dried cans of latex paint can be taken to the Metro Waste Authority in Grimes for a fee. Sharps must be contained in detergent bottles or sharps containers (not milk jugs or soda pop bottles). Lids to sharps containers must be taped.

The following items will not be accepted at the drop-off site: »» Ammunition/explosives »» Asbestos »» Dry cement mix »» Fire extinguishers »» Joint compound »» Latex paint »» Medications »» Propane tanks »» Radioactive materials

APPLIANCES AND TIRES Appliance and tire disposal will be available at the former Waukee Public Works Building at 1205 6th Street. Appliances must be cleared of food, hazardous waste and garbage prior to drop-off.

Up to five car tires may be dropped off free of charge. The drop-off fee for each additional car tire will be $1, and semi-truck and tractor tire drop-offs will cost $5 a piece. Rims will not be accepted.

ELECTRONICS Electronics are accepted in the weekly garbage collections or on the curb during Spring Clean-Up Week; there is no designated drop-off site for these items.

MEDICATIONS To safely dispose of expired or unwanted medications, access the Drug Dropbox located at the Waukee Public Safety Building, 1300 SE L.A. Grant Parkway. Lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Waukee Police Department also administers a Drug Take-Back Day once in the spring and once in the fall.

The next one will be held Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Waukee Public Safety Building.

To donate medication for use by Iowans in need of assistance, call the Iowa Prescription Drug Corporation at 1-866-282-5817.

For more information about Waukee’s Spring Clean-Up events, visit Waukee.org/cleanup.

For specific garbage-related questions, call ASI at 515-964-5229.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

The City designates drop-off sites in the community for hazardous waste, appliance and tire disposal, as these items will not be collected from curbs.

7

AUTO REPAIR WILLARD GARAGE

Old-Fashioned Service Meets Today's Car Technology Have you ever wondered when your next service is due for one of your family’s vehicles? We have an outstanding free service to help you.

CARFAX, the leader in vehicle history reports, has been around for many years.

But did you know CARFAX also tracks routine service and repair history from participating auto repair shops? Participation has been growing for over 10 years and now includes many dealers, chain auto shops and independent repair shops— including Willard Garage.

We’re excited that this tool is available to our customers at no charge. The service is very user-friendly and accessible by an account at CARFAX online or via the myCARFAX app on your mobile device. Simply create an account and add your VIN(s) or license plate(s) to view the information. CARFAX receives only the vehicle VIN and repair history from us—no personal information.

You will find an easy-to-navigate tool with many features that provides you with a summary for each visit you’ve made to a participating shop. So even if you’re one of our many new customers, your history from other participating shops will also be included.

CARFAX also includes important safety and recall alerts, vehicle-specific full maintenance schedules, a service and repair cost estimator, helpful reminders for service due, registration renewal alerts, a fuel economy tracker, current vehicle values and a participating shop locator.

We’ve always stressed the benefits of regular service and repair to protect your vehicle’s value—and more importantly, your safety. This tool provides a powerful package of data right at your fingertips to help you stay ahead of your vehicle service needs.

Call us at Willard Garage if you have any questions. We know there’s nothing oldfashioned about an app to track your vehicle history, but at Willard Garage, “OldFashioned Service for Today’s Cars” is all about taking care of you when you trust us to take care of your vehicles.

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March / April 2019

SNAPSHOTS Fridley Palms & IMAX ( now open )

Need Photography & Video For Your Business? We C an Do That Starting in 2019, myTown Magazines

will now be offering the same award-winning professional photo/video services used for myWaukee to local businesses throughout the metro. » Ribbon Cuttings

» Product Photography

» Staff Photos

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Contact Us To Look Your Very Best 515 314-1321

/ info@myTownMagazines.com 9

LAW Masterson & Bottenberg The Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning Do you need an estate plan? Whether you’re a multi-millionaire, living from paycheck to paycheck, or somewhere in between, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

What many people don’t realize is that Iowa, like most states, has a set of default statutes that govern who will receive your assets (possessions and money) and who can make decisions on your behalf both before and after you pass away.

CHARLIE BOTTENBERG Masterson & Bottenberg LLP Par t n e r

cbottenberg@dsmlawyers.com 515-216-0737 Masterson & Bottenberg LLP is a Waukee law firm specializing in Wills, Trusts, Estate, Long Term Care Planning, Asset Protection, Succession Planning, Guardianships, Conservatorships, Corporate Law, and Family Law. We strive to provide excellent service to our community and be “Your Law Firm When Life Happens.”

This is a good thing, because it means that in the event someone doesn’t have an estate plan, their assets will still pass to someone. However, this can also be a bad thing, because the default statutes don’t always line up with people’s expectations.

The good news is that if the default statutes don’t fit your idea of what you’d like to happen, your estate plan—specifically, your will and power of attorney documents—allow you to override the default rules and implement your own, putting you back in control.

How difficult is it to set one up?

If you work with a competent attorney, it should be a completely painless process.

In fact, the most frequent comment I hear after completing an estate plan for a family is “That wasn’t painful at all.”

Our process involves the client filling out an information packet with some biographical information and answering some questions regarding goals, needs and areas of concern.

Then we meet with the client to discuss their answers and map out their estate plan. Finally, the client comes back in a few days to finalize the documents. It’s that easy.

If you’re on the fence or don’t know where to start, give us a call.

We would be more than happy to assist you.

“Your Law Firm For When Life Happens” Jeremy Masterson - Charlie Bottenberg Experienced Attorneys practicing in the areas of: Wills, Trusts, Estate and Long Term Care Planning Asset Protection and Succession Planning Guardianships and Conservatorships Corporate Law Family Law Masterson & Bottenberg, LLP 14225 University Ave., Suite 210, Waukee IA 50263 Phone: 515-216-0737 Fax: 515-216-0104 www.dsmlawyers.com 10

March / April 2019

FROM YOUR Waukee School District

STEM Learning

At Waukee Community School District (CSD), students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade are introduced to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM learning concepts early on in their education journey. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators.

STEM can have different meanings and is open to a lot of interpretation. However, at Waukee CSD education concepts work in conjunction with student learning by applying what they learn in the classroom and extracurricular activities into real-world scenarios. Making connections between school, community, and work enables STEM to become a core component of student growth and development.

According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17 percent, while other occupations are growing at 9.8 percent. STEM degree holders have a higher income even in non-STEM careers.

STEM introduction starts in preschool at Waukee CSD and grows with the students throughout their learning.

Currently, elementary programs include; Bricks4Kidz, Engineering for Kids, TigerLily STEM camps, all offered through our Community Education programming, as well as First Lego League, and technology classes for all students. Elementary teachers use Apple’s Everyone Can Code and Code.org coding curriculums, along with robots that allow students to code on their own as well.

New programming is being introduced each year such as Iowa STEM Scale-Up and progress report statements in 2018 for students. In secondary grade levels, new programming includes; Learn to Code 1 and 2 (Apple), Intro to App Development and App Development with Swift, and First Tech Challenge.

FIRST Tech Challenge is for students in secondary grade levels who compete in robotics. The teams meet Mondays and Wednesdays after school, at the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center.

One of Waukee’s teams, the Circuit Breakers, joined three other Iowa teams at the 2018 FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in Detroit, competing against 30,000 students in countries like Germany, India, Romania and South Korea and from schools across the U.S. The Circuit Breakers placed 15th out of 64 division teams in 2018 and came home with the Rockwell Collins Innovator Award for their robotic design.

"There’s building, there’s programming, but we think of it as a small business, because you’ve got to have marketing, outreach, and people that are working on finance," said Luke Peterson, FTC coach and mathematics and robotics teacher at Timberline School. "There’s a lot of different avenues for people to get involved and grow as students."

FTC has around 90 students in the program, one of the largest robotics programs in the state. These teams build their own business partnerships to support their team.

Robotics needs funding, and the students learn to manage team affairs, writing sponsorship drafts and building mentor relationships, both with community tech leaders and with parents willing to pitch in and help students solve problems.

"They’re getting to see really good robots all the time.

There’s no complacency; they’re constantly pushing each other to get better and improve," Peterson said.

It is important for students to find a mentor, like Miles Burrell, a fourth-grader from Walnut Hills Elementary.

He was able to meet with Dr. Holly Sholwalter, instructor Waukee’s APEX program in Medical and Bioscience Research and Exploration of Health Sciences and Medicine, to learn more about STEM and borrow some amazing books to grow his knowledge base.

School-to-Work experiences are individualized (sometimes paid) internships at single businesses. These experiences are highly professional fields and would be considered a job on a résumé. School-to-Work provides students with opportunities for career exploration and learning outside of the traditional classroom environment.

Students can see what they are learning now is an integral component to their education, creating an interest that will lead them to a successful and innovative future.

Partnerships in the Community Waukee CSD has great business partners in the community and a lot of those are an extension of our APEX and School-to-Work programs.

For elementary and middle-level grades, students can attend summer STEM camp. A week-long, half-day camp that gives exploratory, authentic learning opportunities in our five economic STEM sectors in partnership with APEX business partners. APEX also hosts many other elementary and middle school classes for learning. The APEX program also offers a professional learning workshop for educators once a semester.

Many elementary and middle schools have participated in this training to learn about ways work-based and projectbased learning can infuse with their STEM learning, best practices for developing business partners, curriculum development in work-based learning experiences, teacher certification, and much more.

STEM occupations are growing at 17 percent, while other occupations are growing at 9.8 percent. STEM degree holders have a higher income even in non-STEM careers.

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FROM YOUR Waukee Library

By Leah White

Join Darcy Maulsby, Iowa’s storyteller, as she shares the forgotten history of the noteworthy women who are featured in her books.

The Waukee Public Library’s popular yearlong Local History Series is back for 2019! In partnership with the Waukee Area Historical Society and sponsored by Heartland Co-op, the library will be offering six unique history presentations. All programs will be at the Waukee Public Library.

Minburn Singing Wheels Roller Skaters - Presented by Rod Stanley Sunday, March 3 - 1:30 pm Granger Homesteads Presented by Darcy Maulsby Sunday, April 14 - 1:30 pm 1895 Adel Bank Robbery Presented by Rod Stanley Sunday, May 5 - 1:30 pm Lake Robbins Ballrooms and the Vanishing Ballrooms of Iowa Presented by Darcy Maulsby Sunday, September 8 - 1:30 pm 4th Annual WAHS Heritage Day Our Historic Downtown Various Presenters Sunday, October 6 - 1:30 pm Our Local War Heroes Presented by Rod Stanley Sunday, November 3 - 1:30 pm For more library information, contact us at askme@waukee.org or (515) 978-7944

MARCH PROGRAMS Lunch & Learn: iPad Basics Friday, March 1 | 11:00 AM @ the Waukee Community Center Need some help getting started with your iPad? This class will cover the basic features and functions of your iPad. It is recommended to bring your iPad with you to follow along. No other tablets/e-readers will be discussed.

Herbal Teas: Mixology 101 Saturday, March 2 | 2:00 PM Learn about the primary types of tea, botanicals used for flavoring, and the process and technique to brewing a good cup of tea. Ryan & Mary Lewellin from Red Dragon Herbs will help you customized a loose leaf tea blend to take home and enjoy. Samples will be served. Registration required for this program.

Girl Power! Lost Stories of Iowa’s Amazing Women Sunday, March 17 | 1:30 PM Entertainers, and Educators—the remarkable women throughout our state’s history have played key roles in shaping the Iowa we know today.

Join Darcy Maulsby, Iowa’s storyteller, as she shares the forgotten history of the noteworthy women who are featured in her books.

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March / April 2019

Rainbow Fairy Tea Party Saturday, March 30 | 10:00 AM

Estate Planning 101 Thursday, April 4 | 6:30 PM

For fans of the series Rainbow Magic, or anyone who loves a tea party, we invite you to create a fairy craft, play games, and dance as only fairies can.

Guests are welcome to come dressed as their favorite fairy from the rainbow. For students in K-5th grades. Registration required for this program.

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.

APRIL PROGRAMS Lunch & Learn: Chair Yoga Friday, April 5 | 11:00 AM @ the Waukee Community Center Come learn about the accessibility and many benefits of yoga for your physical and mental health from certified yoga instructor Jolene de Bruijn—followed by a Chair Yoga session.

Intro to Investment Planning Tuesday, April 2 | 6:30 PM By the end of this presentation you will know: the difference between bonds, stocks, and mutual funds, the effects of inflation and compounding, how to identify financial goals and time horizons, how to measure your risk tolerance, and the relationship between risk and return.

Grown-Up Egg Hunt Saturday, April 13 | 7:30 & 8:30 PM Don’t let kids have all the fun! Teens and adults are invited to bring a flashlight and go on an egg hunt at the library. Lucky egg hunters may win cash, chocolate, gift certificates to local businesses, and other great prizes. The hunt doesn’t last long, so you will want to make sure to arrive on time!

For ages 13+. This event is a fundraiser for teen programs at the library.

Tickets will be available at the library and online starting March 15. Tickets are $10.

Trashion Show Saturday, April 27 | 10:00 AM Where fashion meets function! Our Trashion Show invites participants to come up with their best runway ready look, using only materials that were once destined for the dumpster.

Grab a friend and get ready to make it work! For students in K-5th grades.

Registration required for this program.

TAX EXPERTS INSIGHT TAX & ACCOUNTING Do You Have a (Tax) Plan?

Tax Planning. It’s a phrase that gets thrown around a lot in the accounting world.

But ask yourself: When was the last time you truly had a plan for your personal and business taxes? Not a plan you and your planner came up with the last week of the year, or some ideas to take advantage of what you already did when it comes time to file your taxes. A real plan. Thought out in advance and allowing you to capitalize on opportunities throughout the tax year.

The truth is, it doesn’t happen very often. Too often, tax firms are income tax return filing firms, not planning firms. Why? Maybe the CPA doesn’t feel comfortable offering advice. Or maybe they simply don’t have time because they are overwhelmed with too many returns.

Often, the real reason is that no one wants to do the work to generate a true plan.

SCOTT MANHART

Insight Tax and Accounting Fo u nder/ Pa rtne r in fo rma tio n@insig htwe a l t h gro u p .c o m

515-273-1333 Insight Wealth Group works with a select group of high net worth investors to provide a holistic approach to wealth management. Too often, financial advisors are specialists who have tunnel vision when it comes to the options they bring to bear for their clients. At Insight, we bring together professionals from all aspects of the industry to generate a specific and individualized plan for your financial future.

To be fair, it takes work on both sides. To create a real plan, both the tax advisor and the client need to be committed to the work it takes to generate the plan, and more importantly, the work it takes to execute the plan.

That can’t happen during a last-minute meeting a week or two before the tax filing deadline.

In fact, now is exactly the time you should be meeting with your CPA to discuss the plan for next year and any opportunities that may still exist to reduce your tax burden for 2018. You still have two months to execute any last-minute changes for the current tax year and plenty of time to put new initiatives in place for 2019.

Finally, I should note that any good tax plan cannot live in a vacuum. Decisions you make in tax planning will impact your personal financial plan, your investment plan, and potentially your estate plan. Too often, each of these strategies are kept in separate boxes and never intersect. Like ships passing in the night, each miss opportunities that could be present if only they were working cohesively on your behalf.

When you commit to building a tax planning strategy, it may be a good time to get all your advisors together and on the same page. They are working on your behalf and should want this type of communication. When everyone’s cards are on the table, you can make sure your advisors are all pushing for the same goals.

If you’d like more information on what income tax planning might mean for you, contact Scott Manhart at Insight Tax & Accounting at smanhart@insightwealthgroup.com or (515) 273-1333.

H AV E A TA X S T R AT EGY, NO T A TA X T R AGEDY Too often, the conversation you have with your accountant starts sometime between January 1st and April 15th. It’s a conversation about filing taxes. But at that point, it’s too late to make any changes that might benefit your tax situation. You need a partner in tax strategy – not just someone to fill out the forms. At Insight Tax & Accounting we specialize in working with clients throughout the year to develop and manage a plan that benefits you.

It’s not too late. Reach out today to start developing your strategy and ensure you don’t have a surprise next April.

(515) 273-1333 | www.insightwealthgroup.com 6600 Westown Pkwy #190, West Des Moines, IA 50266 Securities offered through Arete Wealth Management, LLC; Member FINRA/SIPC/NFA Investment Advisory Services offered through Arete Wealth Advisors, LLC. Tax and accounting services are offered through Insight Tax & Accounting, LLC. Insight Tax & Accounting, LLC is not affiliated with Arete Wealth Management or Arete Wealth Advisors.

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HEALTH MercyOne Waukee Family Medicine Dishing The Details On Food Allergies LAURA BOWSHIER M.D. MercyOne Waukee Family Medicine Clinic

(515) 643-7000

25 W. H i c k m a n Rd .

At MercyOne, we focus our attention on managing the overall health and wellbeing of your entire family. Our primary care options include pediatrics, family medicine and internal medicine, with seamless connections to expert specialists when needed. We’re in your neighborhood and here when you need us.

A food allergy is an abnormal reaction to a food, triggered by your immune system (the part of your body that fights infection).

Food allergies are estimated to affect 4 to 6 percent of children and 4 percent of adults. Symptoms most commonly present in babies and children, but can appear at any age. In fact, some people even develop an allergy to foods they have eaten for years without problems.

While any food can cause an adverse reaction, 90 percent of all reactions are caused by one of eight types of food: eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat or soy.

Symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe, and typically appear from within a few minutes to two hours after a person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic. The most common immediate symptoms of food allergy include: »» Vomiting and/or stomach cramps »» Hives and/or facial rash »» Difficulties breathing, wheezing or cough

Dedicated to your good health What’s most important to you, is most important to us. Our family medicine and pediatrics care providers listen to you and understand you, offering the care you need so you can live your

»» Tight, hoarse throat and/or trouble swallowing

best life. At MercyOne, we focus our attention on

»» Swelling of the tongue, affecting the ability to talk or breathe

managing the overall health and well-being of

»» Weak or racing pulse

your entire family. And, with same-day and

»» Pale or blue coloring of skin

next-day appointments available, we’re here

»» Dizziness or feeling faint

when you need us.

Some food allergies can be severe enough to be deadly, through a reaction called anaphylaxis, with many initial symptoms of this reaction noted above.

If you’ve had a concerning reaction to a food, see your primary care provider. He or she will review your history, examine your symptoms and get you connected with appropriate testing and treatment.

The primary way to manage a food allergy is to avoid consuming the food that causes the reaction. Carefully check ingredient labels of food products, and learn whether the food you need to avoid is known by other names.

Your doctor may give you antihistamines or steroid medicines if you have a mild reaction (itching, sneezing or rash). Anaphylaxis (the life-threatening reaction) can only be treated with an injection of epinephrine, which should be available at all times to those who have had a previous severe reaction.

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March / April 2019

Visit MercyOne.org/desmoines to meet our providers Call 515-2HEALTH (243-2584) to schedule an appointment

Waukee Family Medicine Clinic Waukee Pediatrics Care Clinic 25 W. Hickman Rd., Waukee

STORY

WAUKEE CENTENNIAL PARK ICE RINK

By Kellyn Pappas

The variety of parks and trails in the city of Waukee makes it easy for residents to get out and about during the warmer weather months.

It’s not so easy to continue one’s outdoor activities in the winter, when cold and snow can make it much less appealing to be outside. But for the second year in a row, area residents can take advantage of a great opportunity for outdoor winter activity at Centennial Park Ice Rink in Waukee.

According to Matt Jermier, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Waukee, the city was approached a couple of years ago by the Iowa Wild and Wells Fargo to partner on an ice rink in the community.

This partnership announced its first community rink in Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines in 2016. With the addition of the rink in Waukee, as well as another in Ankeny, the Wild and Wells Fargo have now donated three facilities throughout the metro.

The rinks provide a nice recreational option to encourage outdoor activity during the winter and to help grow the game of hockey in Iowa. Centennial Park, with its level ground and abundance of parking space, was selected as a good central location for the rink, according to Jermier. “We felt like the close proximity to all of the schools would spur additional interest in using the facility,” he added.

The 80x40-foot rink is constructed each year by the Waukee Parks Department, with help from the Waukee Fire Department.

This year, however, the construction process hit an unexpected snag in December...

CONTINUE READING >>

15

STORY “It appears that someone tried to skate on the ice prior to the ice being thick enough for skating,” said Jermier.

This caused major problems for the base of the rink.

“The liner was cut, which caused us to lose the water that had not frozen. City staff had to order a new liner,” Jermier added. The entire base of the rink had to be redone once the new liner arrived, delaying the opening of the rink.

Although it was a less-than-ideal experience, the incident provided valuable insight for Parks staff for future years. “What we learned is that we really need to wait to fill the rink with water until the long-term forecast calls for multiple days of freezing weather,” said Jermier.

He added that staff posted additional signage at the rink and reminders on social media cautioning residents to stay off the ice until all of the water had frozen and the ice was ready for skating.

“What we learned is that we really need to wait to fill the rink with water until the long-term forecast calls for multiple days of freezing weather.”

Despite the setback in December, the base was repaired and the rest of the rink construction proceeded as scheduled.

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March / April 2019

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Centennial Park’s ice rink officially opened on Jan. 21 of this year, and according to Jermier, it has seen quite a bit of use, even during the polar vortex that descended on the state in late January. “The response has been great,” he said.

When weather permits, the ice is open for hockey from dawn to noon daily, and open skating commences at noon and goes until dusk. Per the City website, a green sign is posted at the gate to indicate that the rink is open; a red sign will be posted when the rink is closed. The rink is not supervised, so patrons should keep in mind that they are skating at their own risk.

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FACES OF WAUKEE Clint Robinson Tell us about your family.

My wife, Jenny, is a nurse. We’ve been married for 19 years, and both of us are from Waukee, although she likes to remind me that I am “a few years older.” We have three kids, ages 16, 12 and 9. We spend as much time outdoors as possible doing things like hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.

Tell our readers what you do.

As the Fire Chief for the city of Waukee, I am responsible for all operations of the fire department—including response, budgeting and personnel. The Waukee Fire Department is a combination department, meaning it employs a combination of full- and part-time firefighter/ EMTs and paramedics in-house.

The department is an all-hazards department, responding to fire, ambulance and rescue calls.

Your team often makes the news for their acts of valor and quick thinking.

To what do you attribute the success of Waukee’s Fire & EMS departments?

The success is 100 percent attributable to the dedication and skill of the employees and the time they spend training and preparing for emergencies. In addition to their initial training, they also spend time training each night in order to keep their skills sharp.

After 27 years in the department, I am still amazed at the dedication of the firefighters.

As winter lingers a little longer and residents spend more time in their homes, odds are increased for fires in the home. Do you have any prevention tips for our readers? »» Keep a clear space around all space heaters. »» Make sure smoke detectors are operational with fresh batteries. »» Have a plan with your family on how to react in an emergency. »» Be sure carbon monoxide detectors are working and appliances are properly maintained. »» Keep a clear area around fire hydrants. »» Check on elderly family members more frequently than you typically would.

Know someone we should feature? Let us know!

Email us at waukee@mytownmagazines.com 18

March / April 2019

HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME SOLUTIONS OF IOWA April Showers are on the Way. Are Your Gutters Ready?

As the weather beings to change and the temperature starts to rise, it is time to get your gutters ready for the spring showers ahead. Over the winter, snow and ice could have caused damage that you are unaware of, so it is in your home’s best interest that you inspect your gutters. Rain gutters serve an important part in protecting your home from water damage by diverting water away from your property. Beware of gutters that don’t function as they should or suffer the following consequences.

Wet Basements. Without properly working gutters on your home, water is not diverted away, which can cause basement flooding. This can be a serious problem that is both time-consuming and costly to fix.

Bowing Driveways. Gutters that work improperly can cause large puddles of water to break concrete down from the surface. This can result in cracking and bowing in your driveway.

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CHAMBER Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce

Waukee Chamber Annual Dinner & Silent Auction The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Annual Dinner and Silent Auction was held on Thursday, February 21st at the Sheraton.

Our guests enjoyed networking, presentations from Chamber leadership, award recognition and a fantastic presentation by McKenna Haase.

The Chamber presented the following awards, recognizing business members making a significant contribution in business and community involvement: 2018 Large Business Member of the Year, Waukee Family YMCA; 2018 Medium Business Member of the Year, Waukee Living Magazine; 2018 Small Business Member of the Year, Terry Snyder Photography. The 2018 Ambassador of the Year was awarded to Jamie Anderson of Fairfield Inn & Suites. A gavel plaque was presented to 2018 Board Chair, Kevin McCormick.

Thanks to all sponsors, members and community residents who helped us to celebrate the Chamber’s 20 Year Business Anniversary! We truly appreciate our Waukee Chamber Community Development Committee, Board of Directors, staff team, interns and volunteers who helped with the auction and dinner details!

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD Groundbreaking & Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies The Palms Theatres & IMAX Grand Opening January 30 Meier Family Chiropractic Ribbon Cutting February 5 Attivo Trail Ribbon Cutting February 7 Miller, Fidler & Hinke Groundbreaking March 8 The Iowa Clinic- Alice’s Road Ribbon Cutting March 14

Waukee Legislative Coffees The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Waukee State Senator Charles Schneider and State Representative Kenan Judge to speak with Waukee residents, Chamber members and guests at the Waukee Legislative Coffee on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the Waukee City Hall.

Please join us at the next Waukee Legislative Coffees on March 9 and April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Waukee City Hall, located at 230 W. Hickman Rd. Waukee State Senator Charles Schneider and State House Representative Kenan Judge will speak to Waukee residents and the Chamber membership about what is happening at the state level and offer the opportunity to ask questions.

Thanks to all sponsors, members and community residents who helped us to celebrate the Chamber’s 20 Year Business Anniversary!

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March / April 2019

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization that is hosting this event as a service to our members and the community.

Thanks to our member West Bank for sponsoring the 2019 Waukee Legislative Coffees!

Greater Des Moines Partnership Annual Dinner The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Waukee were represented at the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s 2019 Annual Dinner on January 17th.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,400 Regional Business Members and 340+ Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes Des Moines as the best place to build a business, a career and a future.

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Unfortunately, that’s still the same primary information used to verify an individual’s identity when applying for a bank account, credit card, job, or even when filing your tax return. As if that’s not bad enough, the choices we’ve made in software and devices connected to the Internet may have invited the digital “bad guys”’ into our devices where they could potentially access our information.

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Next, check your financial statements at least monthly, including your retirement and other investment accounts. For most bank accounts, federal law ensures that if fraud is reported in a timely manner, you generally stand to lose very little, if anything.

Lastly, visit annualcreditreport.com once per year to get a free annual credit report from each of the nationwide credit reporting companies.

If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, obtain a police report. If a criminal has filed your tax refund fraudulently, contact the IRS for a copy of the return BEFORE notifying them of fraud, and then provide documents and details to local law enforcement. Once you notify the IRS of a fraudulent tax return, those records are sealed for the privacy of the criminal, and with budget cuts, only about half of cases are properly investigated.

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Even legitimate websites can infect via malicious advertisements, so limiting web usage in general reduces your risk. Consider purchasing a standalone tablet and connecting it to your guest WiFi for accessing news and entertainment.

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21

FACES OF WAUKEE Kevin McCormick Where did you grow up?

I’m originally from Decorah and graduated from Garner-Hayfield. I attended North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.

Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married to my wife, Marie, for 26 years. We have four children—Cole, Maddie, Bayley and Tanner.

Readers might think you look familiar. Why might that be?

You might know me as the manager of your Waukee Fareway. I started working with the company in Clear Lake over 30 years ago.

Since then, I've worked at stores in Winterset (which is where I met my wife, a Saint Charles native), Ames, Boone, Independence, Ottumwa, Burlington and the south side of Des Moines.

I should probably have a punch card.

2010, I moved back to the metro to manage the Clive store and bought a home in Waukee.

In 2016, I became the manager of the Waukee store.

What do you like most about the Waukee community?

Waukee is a small city with a big heart, and I truly mean that. We also love its top-notch school system and its great swim program for our kids.

Our store has been a part of the Waukee community since 1998, providing great service and competitive prices—in my humble opinion.

We're proud to serve the Waukee community, and will do so for many more years to come. Thanks for reading a bit about me, and I hope to see you on your next visit to Fareway.

“Waukee is a small city with a

big heart, and I truly mean that.

We also love its top-notch school system and its great swim program for our kids.”

22

March / April 2019

Know someone we should feature? Let us know!

Email us at waukee@mytownmagazines.com

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23

EZ-PZ MEATLESS MEALS! ADULT COOKING CLASS ($15/ADULT ) Thursday, March 21st, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Waukee Hy-Vee

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March marks National Nutrition Month, the perfect time to rev up your revolving Plain-Jane recipes.

Join your Waukee Hy-Vee Dietitians during an adult cooking class, and taste a variety of plant-based meals that will keep even the meat-lovers happy.

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WAU KE E 24

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March / April 2019

STORY

By Elyssa Appleton

H C E T N TEE TEEN TECH

FTC (FIRST TECH CHALLENGE) PATHFINDERS

It’s a Friday evening, and we’re gathered in the basement of Owen Scott’s home. He’s one of eight members of the FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) Pathfinders, an award-winning robotics club in Waukee. (FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” and is the parent organization of robotics clubs across the nation.)

We’re there for their weekly meeting. Scott and his teammates—a nearly equal mix of boys and girls—are eighth and ninth graders in the district.

The FTC Pathfinders—named after NASA’s Mars Voyager—are one of seven robotics teams in the district.

The kids are huddled together on the couch as their coach, Shannon Stone, mother to team member Kristen Stone, and mentor Bhooshan Karnik, father to team member Arya Karnik, watch the students respond to my list of questions.

“There’s also the STEM Punks, Enginerds, WaukeeTaukee, System Overlords, Circuit Breakers and ICE,” the students chime in.

In addition to Arya, Owen and Kristen, Sabarish Mogallapalli, Shriya Magatapalli, Sean Eastman, Katie Morrison and Ben Avilez make up the FTC Pathfinders.

First, they begin by reflecting. Each student shares what they accomplished at the last meeting, what they hope to accomplish at this meeting, barriers to reaching their goals and how they can help each other overcome those barriers.

Behind the couch, there’s a large matted area known as “the field.” It’s where they’re fine-tuning their robotics project for an upcoming competition in Sioux City.

They walk me through a typical meeting.

Next, they divvy up duties. Some work on finance and others on the engineering notebook—a record of everything they do throughout the season, including team activities that occur both in and outside Owen’s basement.

And, of course, they work on their robot.

CONTINUE READING >>

25

STORY

N T EC H

“All the people I look up to are in STEM. That’s where everything is headed. There’s so much you can do in it.”

Katie Morrison “Each year, we’re given tasks and awarded point values for completing them. We design part of the robot to complete those tasks,” says Kristen.

The students are given a FIRST manual to follow, and they’re awarded points for whatever tasks their robot is able to do from that manual. The theme this year is space. The students and I walk over to the field to watch the robot in action.

There’s a red and white lander in the middle of the field.

It looks like a miniature version of something you might see in a space exhibition. The robot lifts and lowers itself on and off the lander. Two corners of the square field are taped off, acting as storage depots for the “minerals” scattered around.

The other two corners act as craters. One of the robot’s tasks is to pick up the minerals from the crater and deposit them in specific spots on the lander.

Most team members got their start in an FLL (FIRST Lego League) geared toward fourth through eighth graders.

The FTC teams are for students in seventh through twelfth grade.

During their first season together (2014- 15), there were just two members from the current team. Together, they advanced to the state competition. As others joined, the Pathfinders’ success continued.

One of their most notable projects is an app called “City Recycle Day,” created with input from MetroWest Authority. It lists important dates for taking out trash and recycling receptacles.

In the spring of 2016, the team entered the app in the Verizon App Challenge. They won “Best in State.” They then submitted it to the Congressional App Challenge.

They won that, too, and presented the app to members of Congress at the United States Capitol.

This spring, they’re headed back to Washington D.C. after winning with their latest submission, “FastLane,” which notifies parents and students about district bus schedules and delays.

While there, they’ll present to state representatives and attend talks by tech giants and innovators like Amazon, Microsoft, Southwest and Boeing.

Both apps have a community focus—something incredibly important to the Pathfinders. Outside of their meetings, the students spend time networking with teachers, visiting elementary schools across the district and making connections with local businesses.

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March / April 2019

Out of curiosity, I ask the team which subjects they’re thinking about studying after graduation.

This seems like a group that might know. They answer without hesitation.

“Aeronautical engineering,” says one. “Biomedical or chemical engineering,” says another. “Medical research.”“Software engineer.”

It is evident I am far from the smartest person in the room. I am impressed with how, at such a young age, these students have already found a career path they love. For many, it’s all they’ve known.

“STEM is my life,” says Karnik.

Like many in the group, both of his parents work in the field.

“All the people I look up to are in STEM,” says Katie.

“That’s where everything is headed. There’s so much you can do in it.”

“It is evident I am far from the smartest person in the

room. I am impressed with how, at such a young age, these students have already found a career path they love. For many, it’s all they’ve known.”

Stone adds, “There is a significant shortage of engineers.

It’s really important we prepare ourselves for the future.

We have to keep evolving with the world.”

It’s obvious that their coach, Shannon, is proud.

CONTINUE READING >>

Elyssa Appleton - myWaukee Magazine

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STORY

It’s all about

home.

Shortly after they tied the knot, Quincy and Audrey discovered their finances were tangled up, too.

“The team is just a great bunch to be around. They amaze me. They face a lot of challenges, whether it be tech or otherwise, and they always keep a positive attitude and support each other. They keep marching forward,” she gushes.

Not only do the Pathfinders get to practice their STEM skills in robotics club, they also work on fundraising and acquiring sponsorships, public speaking and presentation skills.

They weren’t prepared to buy a home yet, and didn’t want to “settle” as they settled down. Quincy and Audrey turned to American Trust for guidance, and walked away with a plan to straighten things out.

“We’re in a lot of situations where we’re talking to people about our team or projects—from judges, business owners and kids. So, we learn confidence and how to improve our speaking skills. We also learn time management and how to prioritize doing multiple things and meeting deadlines,” says Arya.

Now, with an American Trust home equity loan and mortgage,* Quincy, Audrey, and dog Tank comfortably unwind at home by the river.

They also learn about a concept called “gracious professionalism,” a hallmark of the many virtues FIRST promotes. It’s the idea that despite their competition, teams should collaborate, learn from one another and help each other whenever possible.

For advice and support, trust American Trust, because it’s all about .

“It’s just like good sportsmanship, whether you win or lose, you’re respectful and kind to those around you. That gets returned to you later when others are willing to help out,” says Katie.

The students are regular visitors in the Waukee elementary schools, where they participate in interest groups to discuss the club with prospective team members.

They say teachers are their best advocates for recruiting future FLL or FTC students.

For information on joining a robotics club, visit firstinspires.org or reach out to the Pathfinders at pathfinders13497@gmail.com or email Jeff Longman, Director of Community Education at Waukee Community School District, at jlongman@waukeeschools.org.

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March / April 2019

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HISTORY

H AP PY TR A ILS PA RT TWO P A U L R .

By Sue Ellen Kennedy

HUSCHER

“Each trip has been fun and different,” says, Rick. It takes about a year to map out and plan each stop for the next trip.

Their round trips have been as short as 14 days with the maximum of 23 days. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of Rick’s favorites. This is a 469 mile scenic byway that includes features in North Carolina and Virginia.

Joanie has a few favorites. Route 66 due to the total number of iconic and recognizable places to visit. She loved the Lewis and Clark Trail trip. “It was like walking in the steps of history.” The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail begins in Wood River, IL and extends 3,700 miles to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition began in 1804 and ended in 1806. “This last trip down Highway 101 in California was very memorable, too,” she stated.

Nick’s favorites are Route 66 the trios’ first trip. Moki Dugway which is located in Utah on Route 261.

Also on the top of his list is Monument Valley on the Arizona – Utah border with vast sandstone buttes.

Another Southwestern favorite of Nick’s is Antelope Canyon, it is east of Page, Arizona in Northern Arizona. The last one that Nick mentioned is Beartooth Highway. It is a 68 mile stretch in Southwest Montana into Wyoming that leads straight into Yellowstone National Park.

Now, years later, with Rick’s 1955 International Harvester pickup lovingly referred to as “Rawleigh” and the Hove’s same 1965 Chevy Corvette “Cory” the trio have a huge following of family, friends, and colleagues that look forward to Rick’s nightly updates.

The updates are a mixture of humor, history lessons, people met, music, pictures of scenery and their stops along the way.

Their 2019 trip selection is New England, if all goes according to their plan, Florida will be the only state in the continental US the trio hasn’t been to. In addition to traveling throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico with his friends Nick and Joanie Hove. Rick has been to Belize, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Peru, and Guatemala. Well, my bucket list has a few more items on it, thanks to this adventurous trio.

A Short Time From Now In A Tap House Not So Far, Far Away...

STAR WARS TRIVIA

F U N D R A I S E R March 30 / 2–5pm / Global Brew Tap House, 9500 University Avenue, West Des Moines SIGN UP TODAY

Strong are you with knowledge of the Force?

Impress your friends with your out-of-this-galaxy knowledge in teams of 2-6 players!

Join us at this fundraiser hosted by the Waukee Public Library Friends Foundation and Global Brew.

»» Prizes for the Top 3 teams

»» All ages welcome

»» $10/person

»» Drinks and bar food available for purchase

»» Admission includes trivia and snacks provided by the WPLFF 30

March / April 2019

WPLFFStarWarsTrivia.eventbrite.com Ticket proceeds and donations benefit your Waukee Public Library programs and materials.

Visit us on Facebook @WPLFF The WPLFF is a nonprofit dedicated to providing volunteer and financial support to the Waukee Public Library

a dry rosĂŠ with strawberry, raspberry, peach, and nectarine notes and a slightly drying finish; pair with pork loin, ham, Asian stir-fry, Mexican dishes, or other spicy foods. Serve slightly chilled.

Leighton, IA • www.tasselridge.com Tassel Ridge wines are sold at the Winery and over 400 retailers in Iowa. For a complete list of retailers visit www.tasselridge.com/retail. Order wine by telephone at 641.672.WINE (9463). We offer shipping within Iowa and to select states. Adult signature required for receipt of wine.

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