myWaukee May/June 2020

MAY / JUNE 2020

COMMUNITY CONNECTED The pandemic may have put a major damper on our lives, but it didn’t diminish Waukee’s sense of community.

Also

FACES OF WAUKEE WAUKEE LIBRARY SCHOOL DISTRICT CHAMBER NEWS

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5

Underrated Foods THAT DESERVE

A SPOT IN YOUR CART

Edamame What good is a party if you’re too tired and stressed out to enjoy it?

Let edamame save the day! For effortless entertaining, this tasty finger food is an easy crowd favorite. Simply heat and season with salt to taste.

Beets Skip the pre-workout mixes and energy drinks! This natural,

energizing food helps relax your blood vessels for easier blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout your body. Enjoy beets in your salad, blended into your smoothie, or simply by themselves hot or cold.

Eggplant

Move over, eggs. There’s another incredible, edible EGGplant in town! While they may look like large, pear-shaped eggs, eggplants have a savory flavor with sweet notes. Erin’s tip: Peel the skin to avoid bitter taste, slice into half-inch thick coins, toss with olive oil and Italian seasoning, and roast at 400°F until tender.

Lentils There are endless ways to eat more lentils besides just lentil soup!

These little gems are part of the legume family (along with peas, chickpeas, beans, and peanuts). Legumes are rich in fiber, helping stabilize blood sugar levels and decrease food cravings. Combine lentils with ground beef for a spin on sloppy joes!

Mango

Although bananas and apples are the most widely consumed fruits in the U.S., mango rank #1 in many other parts of the world.

Simply season diced mango with chili powder and fresh lime juice for a sweet-heat treat!

*For more dietitian-approved food ideas, contact Erin at egood@hy-vee.com to schedule your own personalized, free nutrition tour today!

SICK OF KALE? HAD YOUR FILL OF CELERY?

Healthy eating shouldn't be dull. If you're bored with your meals lately, it's a good time to switch things up!

Before your next grocery run, add these five nutritious MVPs to your list, picked just for you by Hy-Vee Dietitian Erin Good.

FROM The Publisher Back Together This article took me a while to determine the direction and the overall tone. I’m not going to make an attempt to fake anything, and I’m certainly not an authority of any sort, on this or any type of health matter.

MAY/JUNE 2020

I’ll leave those conversations and recommendations to organizations and individuals who have a far greater understanding than I do. I hope this finds you in good health and in good spirits.

These are unprecedented times, and I’m not going to suggest to someone how they should choose to live their life.

Still, I would encourage everyone to take personal measures to be as responsible as possible for their safety and the safety of others.

SINCE MARCH It’s probably safe to say the past couple of months have been months that have tested us all in many ways, personally and professionally.

Not to mention culturally and financially — or fill in the -ly word of your choice and multiple areas have likely been affected since mid-March.

They’ve been months that have proven the human species is meant to be TOGETHER. While some of us have been at least moderately effective performing our jobs remotely, and some people may be “ok with being left alone,” at least at times, being in the company of others isn’t something that’s easily replicated despite the Zoom meetings.

Most all of us have had losses, to some degree or another – God forbid the possible loss of a family member or someone we love. Some have had careers altered in various ways. Business owners have had difficult decisions and unforeseen challenges.

I feel for anyone who lost the opportunity to walk the aisle with their cap and gown. People who’ve committed to athletics and academics have had events or seasons suspended – or canceled, and kids who were unable to thank their teacher before moving on to the next grade. The list would go on and on, here, but these are a few.

WHAT’S NEXT? Along with the chaos of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus – many of us have a lot of questions.

This, compounded with the impact and immediacy of social media, is often a “race to post” whenever one of us sees a bit of information that we may find enlightening, agreeable, or objectionable. Our media outlets are even faster – as this is how they generate viewership, engagement, and ultimately how they pay their bills.

I think preparation and moderation is the best approach in any of these cases. Our healthcare officials are the ones who find themselves in the most precarious position, so I would look to the people on the front lines, in our hospitals and clinics, managing the overall need, day-to-day, to advise on how to proceed.

Publisher & Partner Jason McArtor

Creative Director & Partner Zachary Kern

Content Elyssa Appleton

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

As someone who grew up in the 80s & 90s, I hope we don’t move to an entirely remote world – building relationships through the screen of a computer or iPad. These are exceptional devices for filling in the gaps, but they can’t replace true contact, collaboration, and in-person communication.

The coffee pot at my office and watercoolers around the metro certainly have not been the same since mid-March.

Jason McArtor MyTown Magazines P u bli she r & Partne r j a s o n@ mytow nm a g azine s .c o m / 5 1 5-3 1 4 -1 3 21

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May / June 2020

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 May/June 2020

09 16 HIG H L I G H TS

06 CITY OF WAUKEE

National Public Works Week

This May 17-23 marks the 60th annual National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association. The week celebrates public works professionals who focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities.

09 STORY

Community Connected

Life as we knew it changed on Sunday, March 15— one day before spring break. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds recommended closing all schools for four weeks, at least initially, and began an incremental shutdown of many businesses, while altering how some operated.

16 FACES OF WAUKEE

Sara Kappos

Get to know Sara Kappos, who works for the city of Waukee. She leads the city’s engineering, GIS and stormwater teams, and oversees the construction of the development and capital improvement projects within the city.

18 18 WAUKEE SCHOOL

S E C T IONS

A New Reality

Although we are not physically together, we have continued to make connections via staff parades through neighborhoods, read-alouds online, and Google Hangouts. We want to express our sincere gratitude to our staff for their outpouring of support and understanding during this difficult time.

21 CHAMBER

21

0 4 F rom th e P u bl i s her 0 6 You r Ci ty of Waukee 1 8 You r Wau kee School D istric t 2 1 You r Wau kee Cham ber 2 3 You r Wau kee L i brary

About the Chamber

Members have the chance to give back to the community and gain exposure in the marketplace by volunteering on one of our seven committees: Membership, Community Development, Ambassadors, Government Affairs, Economic Development, Waukee YP and Scholarship.

23 WAUKEE LIBRARY

Summer at the Library

This summer, we encourage everyone to Imagine Your Story with fairytales, mythology and fantasy. With the library currently closed due to COVID-19, this year’s program will be held completely online and will run from June 1 until July 31. All ages are invited to participate!

ON THE COVER A Community Connected 5

CITY OF WAUKEE

City of Waukee Celebrates

NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

Snowplow team

The Gas Department works to install gas service to a new home.

This May 17-23 marks the 60th annual National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association.

The week celebrates public works professionals who focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities. The City of Waukee is one of thousands of cities to celebrate public works accomplishments during this week.

“Public works staff across the country are always doing their part to make communities safe and enjoyable places to live,” said Waukee Public Works Director Rudy Koester. “Recognizing our hard-working, dedicated and humble community service men and women is really important. It means a lot to everyone in the department to hear that their attention to detail and passion in serving Waukee residents is valued.”

The Waukee Public Works Department has 35 full-time employees who serve the community’s gas, sewer, streets and water systems, and more. The 2020 Public Works Week theme is “The Rhythm of Public Works” which aims to challenge citizens to think about their communities as a symphony of essential services, working in concert to create a great place to live.

“The Public Works employees are really sort of the unseen symphony of the City, if you will,” said Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke. “The department features all of these very specific divisions and skillsets that most people don’t think about too often. Your toilet flushes. Your furnace kicks on. Streets are maintained. Public Works teams work in harmony to deliver these essential functions in high-quality ways.”

With the Waukee community growing by roughly 2,000 people annually, keeping up with the demands on infrastructure and services is a big job. But, Waukee Public Works is rising to the occasion.

IN 2019, DEPARTMENT STAFF: • Installed 600 new water meters • Flushed 600 fire hydrants and 150 dead end water mains to ensure reliability • Replaced 2,700 water and gas meters • Installed 270 individual gas services • Installed 38,065 feet (7.2 miles) of gas main • Received and responded to 155 gas leak calls • Responded to 9,370 Iowa One Call locate tickets • Completed 52 full-depth concrete patches • Cleaned and televised 92,000 feet of sanitary sewer main, checking for problems • Maintained and mowed 75 acres of roadway right-of-way • Issued 37 COSESCO stormwater permits for sites/subdivisions and 190 for individual lots • Provided construction oversite and inspection services on both public and private improvement projects

“The Public Works employees are really sort of the unseen symphony of the City, if you will.”

Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke Crews jet City sewer lines.

6

May / June 2020

“Public works staff across the country are always doing their part to make communities safe and enjoyable places to live.”

Waukee Public Works Director Rudy Koester.

Engineering Technician Scott Campbell inspects a project.

Looking at the 2019 numbers, Assistant Public Works Director of Operations Tim Royer said that things look quite different since he started with the department nearly 30 years ago.

“Things have changed dramatically,” said Royer. “The population in 1990 was around 2,700, and we had only four full-time staff members. We each did a little of everything – you might have installed a water meter in the morning and then graded gravel roads in the afternoon. Now, employees have their areas of expertise and really only cross over for tasks such as snow removal.”

While a lot of things have changed in the Waukee Public Works Department, Koester said that delivering top customer service is a constant that remains. And, for the spring and summer months, the department typically beefs up staffing to get even more done while warm weather persists.

Wastewater Laborer Kevin Patterson maintains water valves.

“We hire about 20 seasonal workers each year. We are hoping to still be able to go through with that for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing a bit of a delay,” said Koester. “Hopefully we can soon bring the additional staff on board to assist with right-of-way mowing, concrete patching, flushing hydrants, jetting sewers, GIS data collection and gas service installations.”

As the nation pays tribute to public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees, Koester said the Waukee team continues to maintain existing infrastructure while making data-driven decisions to prepare for further population growth and development. Thank a Public Works employee today!

NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK MAY 17-23, 2020

R hythm THE

OF

PUBLIC WORKS

The Streets Department doubles staff each summer to tackle its patching program.

7

HOME BUILDING Tanzanite Homes You Can Afford A New Home & The Time Is Now With interest rates at all-time lows, it’s a historic time to buy your forever home. Your buying power is $38,106* greater today than it was just one year ago. You’ll now be able to afford more home than you might’ve originally thought. At Tanzanite Homes, we want to show you how affordable your dream home can be.

Our team reached out to our preferred local lender, HomeServices Lending, to answer common questions first-time buyers have about the lending process.

AMANDA MICKELSEN Tanzanite Homes Co-Own e r

How much money should we bring to the table?

I have bad credit. How can I improve it?

On a conventional loan, 3% is a good number to keep in mind. If you buy a home for $230,000, you’ll need to bring at least $7,000. New homes, such as Tanzanite Homes, have the advantage of not being assessed right away, so you’ll save money on taxes. You’ll need to bring 1 year of home insurance upfront, which usually runs $700-800.

Sit down with your lender and review a full credit report. Your lender will examine your debts and see what is causing your low credit score. Maxed out credit cards or credit cards with a high percentage of utilization can be the cause.

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What is PMI?

Our company culture is built on expertise, accountability, and customer-focus, because we know we’re building so much more than houses. With over 15 years in the industry, our mission is for you to have the ability to tailor a new home to your needs, no matter the price point.

Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is insurance payable to a lender when a homebuyer cannot afford a 20% downpayment. PMI costs between 0.5-1.0% of the mortgage annually are included in your monthly payments. It can be removed once you’ve paid down enough of your mortgage’s principal.

That’s why Tanzanite Homes is proud to offer three distinct home series, each tailored to fit the lifestyle of the buyer.

If you’re putting down less than 20%, you’ll likely need PMI but there are options. You could use a smaller loan to cover the down payment, which is known as piggybacking.

We recommend paying credit cards down to 20% or pay them off entirely. Make other debt payments on time and pay more than the minimum if you can.

Consider this - last year a monthly payment of $1,100 would’ve gotten you a $220,000 loan, but right now you can get up to a $250,000 loan for the same amount. The rates are that good!

Come talk to the Tanzanite team about your forever home, tailored to your family’s lifestyle. We believe that every homebuyer deserves the same level of guidance and care, regardless of your budget. *BASED ON FHLMC’S WEEKLY AVERAGE 30 YEAR FIXED RATE FOR THE WEEKS ENDING MAY 9, 2019, AND MAY 7, 2020.

You Deserve A Great Homebuying Experience.

Buying a home is a big investment. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an empty nester building your forever home, your home buying experience should be an enjoyable one.

That’s why we’re proud to offer three distinct home series.

Perfect new construction home for first-time homebuyers or individuals looking to downsize.

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STORY By Elyssa Appleton

A COMMUNITY

C O NNE C TED

Life as we knew it changed on Sunday, March 15—one day before spring break.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds recommended closing all schools for four weeks, at least initially, and began an incremental shutdown of many businesses, while altering how some operated.

The pandemic may have put a major damper on activities, but it didn’t diminish Waukee’s sense of community.

Residents and organizations came through with donations that helped provide necessities from food to personal protective equipment. Together, schools, city government and businesses transitioned to offer the best services possible under the circumstances.

Top to Bottom/Left to Right Mayor Courtney Clarke and City Council Members Charlie Bottenberg, Chris Crone and Ben Sinclair encourage all Waukee residents to mask-up and practice social distancing when out running errands in high-traffic areas like grocery stores.

CONTINUED>>

9

STORY By Elyssa Appleton

I am a vice president.

A volunteer. I know 12 ways to wear a scarf and I can check profit and loss statements in my sleep.

I rock heels. Running shoes.

And pink fuzzy slippers.

SCHOOLS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT “When Waukee staff and students left for spring break, we were filled with excitement and ready for a break,”said Amy Varcoe, the school district’s director of communications.

The prospect of relaxation, she said, was soon replaced by “daily, sometimes hourly, updates our district was providing to staff and families” in an uncertain time.

Teachers, counselors, building leaders and others “worked hard to pivot from inperson instruction to an at-home instructional model.”

By March 23, when students were scheduled to return, the district had taken a technology survey to gauge the need for internet hotspots and devices in homes. Its Internet Technology department worked with Apple on an iPad order, while schools did an inventory of available devices on hand.

Varcoe said the district “deployed approximately 900 computer devices, along with approximately 100 data hotspots to families, and helped students and families navigate a new way of learning.”

It was an unprecedented undertaking. “Our staff implemented an online learning strategy in a matter of days, when it takes districts years to develop and implement online learning,” said Varcoe.

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Teachers made Zoom calls and created Google Hangouts to connect with families and provide students with feedback on academic tasks. Online “read-alouds” were used to connect with elementary school students.

“Our staff didn’t get into education to send curriculum to students from a computer,” said Varcoe. “They’ve spent countless hours and years developing curriculum to be taught in person, making connections, and building relationships. They want to be in the classroom surrounded by students, not emailing lessons each week.

However, they went right to work creating curriculum for our students to continue learning. Our staff is, simply put, amazing,” she said.

“There were discussions behind the scenes about what would happen if COVID-19 made its way to us, but we were hoping that wasn’t going to happen.”

10

May / June 2020

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Outside of the classroom, the nutrition department had served 25,000 meals by midApril, she added, with the community donating both food and money.

Meanwhile, three teachers were helping provide health-care workers with personal protective equipment. Andrew Hauptmann, a Timberline industrial technology teacher, coordinated with South Middle School teacher Cole Kleinwolterink and Prairieview teacher Jonathan Galli to make face shields after the district let them take home eight 3D printers.

“Waukee printed a key component of face shields—the bottom plastic part that keeps the shield curved,” said Varcoe. “Another Iowa company mass-produced the top part, and a company out east offered recycled X-ray film cut to the specs of the shield design.”

By mid-April, the network helped produce 2,295 components. When completed, teachers took them to a Des Moines area drop-off site for assembly and distribution.

The Waukee Community Schools Foundation contributed grant money to purchase the filaments needed for printing.

Varcoe said the district has so much compassion for students who didn’t get to say goodbye or experience their “lasts” of the school year.

“We wanted to say goodbye, too,” she said. “To our seniors, we can’t express how much our hearts ache for you. You didn’t get your ‘lasts,’ and for that, we are so sorry.

Graduation, prom, spring sports, concerts, events, the list goes on.”

Other community businesses and organizations are doing what they can to thrive and show up for the community, too.

CONTINUED>>

What Waukee Reads Advertise W it h Us

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STORY By Elyssa Appleton FIRE TRUCKS GET FESTIVE The Waukee Fire Department helped by throwing 107 “birthday parades”—honking and waving—from March 23 through April 12 alone. Waukee Deputy Fire Chief Tomme Tysdal said crews also made special trips by daycare centers and the Legacy Pointe senior living residence.

“It is so great to get out in the community—from a distance—and see people enjoying life," he said. “These outreach efforts are not only beneficial for the families, but seeing kids with smiles on their faces helps keep our morale up during this very trying time.”

THE LIBRARY LEANS IN Waukee Library Director Kristine Larsoon closed the building, which served 600 people daily, while staff worked from home.

“Our library staff did what they do best, they were resourceful and creative,” said Larsoon. “They came up with ideas on how to offer online story times and other online programming, created a webpage for helpful educational resources, extended due dates, suspended all fines, created a digital library card so everyone could have access without physically signing up for a card, and created a Spring Reading Challenge and other fun activities to help patrons get through this trying time.”

“These outreach efforts are not only beneficial for the families, but seeing kids with smiles on their faces helps keep our morale up during this very trying time.”

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That ranged from the Social Distancing Egg Hunt to purchasing more ebooks, which are available on the Libby app (with a library card number). In-person book clubs were virtually transformed, too.

On April 15, the library donated 800 books to be given out through the school district’s free “Grab and Go Meals” program—similar to the program coordinated with free summertime school lunch locations.

“It’s still important to get physical books into kids’ hands,” said youth librarian Keri Weston-Stoll. “Not every home has reliable internet access or enough devices for each family member to be online. Many children prefer print books, and it’s important to give kids’ eyes a break from screen time. It’s one of the best ways to keep up learning without a formal lesson plan.”

In the interim, she noted that residents can access the library’s online resources at waukeepubliclibrary.org and stay connected to the library via Facebook and Instagram.

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“I think we will reopen slowly and build back up to programming and outreach when it’s safe,” said Larsoon. “We do want to be able to provide books and DVDs, library space for meetings, tutoring, and networking, and provide public computers as many patrons will now be looking for jobs. We’re planning a robust Summer Reading Program completely online with live performers and other fun activities all summer long.”

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STORY By Elyssa Appleton A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART The Waukee Parks and Recreation Department developed virtual games and activities for residents while shutting down outdoor activities.

“Closing our playgrounds was probably the hardest decision we had to make, because they were such a great escape for confined residents,” said Summer Evans, Waukee’s marketing and communications director. “That decision was made in partnership with our metro neighbors as a safeguard against the virus.”

In order to keep other city functions “business as usual,” Evans said they’ve been able to use technology and drop boxes to practice social distancing while also still serving utility bill customers, local builders, library patrons and others.

The community has been doing its part, too, according to Mayor Courtney Clarke.

“Most have also seemed to follow guidelines such as social distancing and going out only for essential reasons,” said Clarke. “We thank them wholeheartedly for the cooperation. There have also been great displays of good deeds and generosity.”

The same can be said about many Waukee businesses and organizations who have adjusted their operations to better serve Waukee’s residents during the pandemic, such as: The Palm Theatres & IMAX owned by Fridley Theatres, became a drive-up, providing curbside purchases of popcorn and restaurant menu items.

Peoples Trust & Savings Bank began offering drive-up and driveway business, while assisting businesses with disaster relief aid.

Rock Valley Physical Therapy implemented telehealth earlier than expected to accommodate patient needs.

Fresh Mediterranean Express added family meals to its “to-go” menu, and its donation program provided meals to area hospital workers.

Marco’s Pizza offered meals “to go,” and provided eggs filled with prizes over Easter weekend.

Meier Chiropractic lowered its prices to help those who have lost their jobs and insurance.

Home Instead Senior Care was active 24/7, bringing services to clients’ homes so they could be safe and independent.

The Waukee Area of Commerce held Good Morning Waukee on Zoom, including a Q&A with a local speaker. The Virtual Waukee Chamber Networking Luncheon on Zoom encouraged guests to purchase a meal-to-go at a local restaurant. Business After Hours and Waukee YP’s Casual Coffees used Zoom as well.

14

May / June 2020

"While the pandemic has created both challenging and extraordinary experiences for residents and businesses alike, Clarke said the Waukee community has managed to come through and do what it does best—show up and care for each other."

HOME IMPROVEMENT Home Solutions of Iowa Do You Have Storm Damage?

Each year, Central Iowa homeowners experience heavy rain, hail and high winds.

Weather conditions like these can have devastating effects on your home. Do you think you have storm damage? Not sure how to tell? Here are some tips on what to look for before the next storm hits.

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Signs of roof storm damage can include raised or missing shingles, granule loss, and indentations on roof vents and flashing. If you are unaware or postpone repairing any of these damages, big or small, you increase the chances of more damage to your home the next time it rains.

If you discover any dents, cracks, holes or siding pulling away from the home, contact our exterior experts at Home Solutions of Iowa. All it takes is a single crack for water to get underneath the siding and cause serious damage to your insulation and interior walls. You don’t want to put off repairing this and have to deal with mold and rotting boards.

A compromised roof can lead to water leakage, mold, and damaged rafters, ceiling joists and wall framing.

Even fascia boards and exterior trim can become victims of water intrusion.

Gutters If you noticed damage to your roof, you will likely find damage to your gutters (and vice versa). Gutter damage can be tricky to see from the ground. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing a ladder, be sure to contact a storm damage professional and have them evaluated.

Warning signs of damaged gutters include dents, pulling away from the home, and water leakage.

This can all lead to a wet basement, foundation and landscape damage, and roofing and siding issues.

At Home Solutions of Iowa, we pride ourselves on being advanced damage assessment professionals. With a HAAG Certified Residential Roofing Inspector on staff, we can effectively and efficiently inspect and assess damage to your home’s roof.

Home Solutions of Iowa is a full-service exterior remodeling company serving all of Iowa. We are your one-call contractor. Founder Joe Smith has more than 20 years of experience in the home improvement industry and our team members are trained and certified in the products we install.

15

FACES OF WAUKEE Sara Kappos Where did you grow up?

I grew up in rural Boone county, near Ledges State Park, the Iowa Arboretum and the 4-H Camp. I graduated from Boone High School and then got my civil engineering degree from Iowa State University.

You recently started a new position with the City of Waukee. Tell us about that.

I lead the city’s engineering, GIS and stormwater teams, and I oversee the construction of the development and capital improvement projects within the city.

Which projects are you most excited to tackle?

I am super excited for the construction of the stormwater improvements project at the Waukee Public Library this summer. In addition to the replacement and expansion of the library’s parking lot, which is much needed, there will be a new stormwater pond, permeable pavers and bioretention cells to improve water quality in the area.

What do you enjoy most about working in Waukee?

I’ve really enjoyed the positive working environment. Everyone works together as a team to get things done and seems to genuinely enjoy what they do. The days go by fast!

The world is far from normal right now.

How have you and your co-workers adapted to social distancing and other measures during the current pandemic situation?

Luckily, my team is predominantly field-based, so they’re used to working out of their trucks! We’ve transitioned to working remotely, conducting meetings via Zoom, and limiting face-to-face interaction as much as possible.

Part of what I love about my job is my co-workers and the feeling that we’re all one big team. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has limited our in-person interactions and eliminated our large group gatherings at public works, but I’m looking forward to reconnecting as a group when this is all over!

Let’s end on a high note! Do you have any special plans for this summer?

I’m hoping we get to take the family vacation we’ve planned in northern Minnesota in July. It’s something my family has done since I was a kid, and we enjoy lots of swimming, fishing, games and laughter, and just spending quality time together!

"I've really enjoyed the positive working environment."

16

May / June 2020

AUTO REPAIR Willard Garage When Your Brakes Take A Break

The year 2020 will be memorable in many ways. I’d like to highlight some that have nothing to do with one topic many of us are tired of hearing about so it will remain nameless.

Ha! Take that you nasty virus!

There are some things worth celebrating no matter what adversities we face, and as Americans, one of those things is our cars. We take so much for granted in regards to our cars—like the freedom they allow us since they’re so readily available and affordable, and the fun and ease of traveling because they’re so comfortable.

During this time of leaving our cars parked for days or weeks, there are a few reminders we’d like to pass along. If your car is parked outside and not driven for more than a week or two, and if there’s a lot of rain and high humidity, the brake rotors and pads can get pretty rusty, stick, and scrape or grind the next time you drive the car. (This is not likely to be a problem for a car parked inside a dry garage.)

If you experience this with a car that’s been parked outside, make sure your brake pedal is normal—solid and not dropping down too far—and your braking action feels normal. If everything is safe, keep driving and listen for those noises to quiet down. The noises will usually decrease rapidly after the first couple miles and many times, all noises will quiet down entirely within 10-20 miles.

Be careful to ensure there’s no malfunction in the braking system. If something doesn’t feel right, or you’re not comfortable with the noises you’re hearing, give your favorite mechanic a call for an honest assessment of what’s happening. We can always be trusted to give an honest assessment because sometimes these conditions clear up by themselves with no lasting damage.

If you keep a car parked for days at a time while you drive a different one, be sure to switch every so often, or at least drive them in a rotation that keeps each car on the road for some trips each week.

A FEW MORE TIPS: Keep your fuel fresh, keep your tire pressure checked, keep valuables stored out of sight, and tidy up and remove trash to avoid any nasty mold or spoiled food surprises.

17

FROM YOUR Waukee School District

A NEW REALITY Countless hours have been spent pivoting to our new reality of being away from school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every staff member has stepped up and provided our community with their best self during this time of uncertainty. We wish we could be finishing our school year in our buildings, but we will be together again soon.

Although we are not physically together, we have continued to make connections via staff parades through neighborhoods, read-alouds online, and Google Hangouts. We want to express our sincere gratitude to our staff for their outpouring of support and understanding during this difficult time.

More than 40,000 meals have been served during the school closure and will continue as long as necessary.

Nearly 1,330 students have been provided with devices and hotspots.

2,000,000 sq. ft. of buildings have been cleaned and disinfected.

SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF MEMBERS STEP UP TO HELP FIGHT COVID-19 Bille Veach, nutrition purchasing coordinator, is part of the district’s nutrition team preparing free meals for students every Monday-Friday. She quickly realized her team was in need of face masks to help keep everyone healthy, so she reached out to a Waukee High School teacher for help.

Laura Calvert, a family and consumer science teacher, had already recruited her sisters, Kaity Gale and Lacey Calvert, to make masks for local families, and they were happy to make more to help the school district. Calvert and her sisters made 20 masks for the district’s nutrition department, 50 for the operations department, and 26 for families in our community.

“For me, helping is something I’ve always felt compelled to do,” said Calvert. “When times get tough, you roll your sleeves up and help wherever you can. This was one way in which I could help people feel a little safer at the end of the day.”

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY TEACHERS HELP PRINT PPE The Waukee Community School District is participating in a statewide effort to provide healthcare workers with the equipment necessary to fight COVID-19. The district has been asked to use its 3D printers to help produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors, nurses and other frontline workers throughout Iowa.

The Waukee Community Schools Foundation is contributing to this remarkable project by providing grant money to purchase the filaments needed for printing. The Foundation also provided a classroom grant to purchase one of the 3D printers in 2019.

Andrew Hauptmann, an industrial technology teacher at Timberline, is coordinating the effort on behalf of the Waukee Community School District. Area515, a local makerspace, initially had the idea as a way to help. Here in Waukee, Hauptmann, South Middle School teacher Cole Kleinwolterink, and Prairieview teacher Jonathan Galli were granted permission by the administration to take all eight of the district’s 3D printers home with them.

When the printing is complete, the teachers will take the printed pieces to a drop-off site in the Des Moines area for assembly and distribution. The Iowa Department of Education is involved in the distribution, delivering the face shields through AEAs.

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May / June 2020

Hauptmann said he’s already looking forward to sharing this experience with students when everyone is able to return to the classroom. “This is really a remarkable lesson in production,” he said. “We never would’ve guessed that we’d be able to contribute to the effort in this way.”

DISTRICT EARNS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL REPORTING The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded the Waukee Community School District (WCSD) with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE). ASBO International’s COE recognizes districts that have met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability.

WCSD earned the Certificate of Excellence for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year 2019. Waukee Community School District has participated in the COE program for the past 15 years.

FROM YOUR Waukee Library

By Leah White

Summer Y O U R

S T O RY

T H I S

W I T H T H E L I B R A RY !

This summer, we encourage everyone to Imagine Your Story with fairytales, mythology and fantasy. With the library currently closed due to COVID-19, this year’s program will be held completely online and will run from June 1 until July 31. All ages are invited to participate!

Watch the library’s website and follow our social media accounts to get up-to-date information about our upcoming schedule of events, including virtual performances, weekly online activities and pickup times for craft packs and prizes.

FACEBOOK - @WAUKEEPUBLICLIBRARY INSTAGRAM - @WAUKEE_LIBRARY TWITTER - @WAUKEELIBRARY

SUMMER READING PROGRAM FAQS When does registration begin?

May 1, but reading for the Summer Reading Program doesn’t start until June 1.

How do I register?

Register online at waukeelibrary.beanstack.org.

Who can participate?

All ages!

Do I need a library card to join?

Library cards are not required to participate, but if you would like to get a library card, you can sign up for one at waukeepubliclibrary.org/getacard.

How do I earn prizes?

READ! Magazines, audiobooks and eBooks count, too!

To find out more about the library’s Summer Reading Program, go to waukeepubliclibrary.org/summer.

For more library information, contact us at askme@waukee.org or (515) 978-7944.

19

LAW Masterson & Bottenberg WHO IS YOUR DECISION MAKER? We get a lot of questions about wills and trusts, and while those are extremely important documents to have and keep updated, Financial Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney documents get a lot more frequent use, and they are a key component of your will or trust-based estate plan.

At their core, both the Financial and Medical Power of Attorney documents allow you to select who is going to make medical decisions and handle your financial affairs on your behalf if you become incapacitated and cannot make them yourself.

CHARLIE BOTTENBERG Masterson & Bottenberg LLP Part n e r

cbottenberg@mblawia.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, Business and Corporate Law, and Conservatorships. We strive to provide excellent service to our community and be “Your Law Firm When Life Happens.”

Financial Power of Attorney documents can even be structured to allow someone to make financial decisions on your behalf as soon as the document is signed.

Why is it important to have this information down on paper and property executed? While Iowa has a default “will” for everyone written into the Probate Code (Iowa Code Chapter 633), Iowa does NOT designate a default financial decision-maker for those who are incapacitated.

So, if you own a business as the sole signor on the bank accounts or payroll, or if you have an account in your name only (such as a savings account or 401k/IRA), even your spouse cannot access those accounts and those funds in an emergency if you are incapacitated.

If you do not have a Medical Power of Attorney in place, your treating physician will look to your spouse and then your adult children to make end-of-life decisions. For many people, this is not an ideal scenario, especially if they have remarried or if their adult children do not get along.

Additionally, by putting a Medical Power of Attorney in place, you can decide whether you want life sustaining measures, as well as authorize your decision maker to move medical records on your behalf and consent to medical procedures.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to put Financial and Medical Power of Attorney documents into place. A great first step is to contact an experienced estate planning attorney for a consultation on how to handle your specific situation.

“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 Business and Corporate Law Masterson & Bottenberg, LLP 14225 University Ave., Suite 210, Waukee IA 50263 Phone: 515-216-0737 Fax: 515-216-0104 www.mblawia.com

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May / June 2020

CHAMBER Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce

SUPPORT LOCAL As an association of businesses, organizations and individuals, the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity in our local economy.

Members have the chance to give back to the community and gain exposure in the marketplace by volunteering on one of our seven committees: Membership, Community Development, Ambassadors, Government Affairs, Economic Development, Waukee YP and Scholarship.

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce offers opportunities to highlight and promote business at meetings, events and in communications. Our members are able to share business news, job openings and updates in the weekly Waukee Chamber Business Report. Each business member is listed in our official Waukee Chamber Directory & Community Guide and in our membership directory at waukeechamber.com.

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce offers opportunities to highlight and promote business at meetings, events and in communications. Our members are able to share business news, job openings and updates in the weekly Waukee Chamber Business Report. Each business member is listed in our official Waukee Chamber Directory & Community Guide and in our membership directory at waukeechamber.com.

FACEBOOK GROUP: WAUKEE SUPPORT LOCAL

NOTES OF GRATITUDE AND POSITIVE NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES DURING THIS UNUSUAL TIME

Local business is a critical part of the Waukee community, and businesses need our support during this time. Waukee Support Local is a Facebook group that promotes businesses in the Waukee area. Business owners are invited to post business news, alternative hours, curbside pick-up, virtual service offerings and more.

Waukee Support Local is created by the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce, but is open to all Waukee area businesses.

Ankeny Sanitation

VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Life can throw curveballs, and this is one of the most challenging many of us have experienced. At Country Lane Lodge, we’re trying to take this time to catch up on projects around the property and take a little time to get things done at home. We’re especially grateful to our clients for working with us, as we want to host the special events in their lives—and soon, we hope!

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting in-person events virtually.

Good Morning Waukee allows business members to hear from a local speaker from the comfort of their own desk through Zoom. Guests dial in and connect from their computer to speak with others, learn from a local speaker and participate in a question-and-answer session with the speaker.

The Virtual Waukee Chamber Networking Luncheon will allow guests to purchase a “to-go” lunch from a Waukee restaurant and then connect on Zoom to introduce themselves, provide a 30-second commercial and hear from a featured business speaker.

The Chamber will also be holding our Business After Hours as a Virtual Happy Hour on Zoom. Guests will introduce themselves and their business, separate into breakout rooms to discuss business topics and then return to the group.

Waukee YP will continue their Casual Coffees on Zoom. This is a great opportunity for young professionals to provide an introduction, connect with others and learn from a local business speaker.

All Waukee residents and businesses are invited to join us for the virtual meetings offered each month. Learn more and register today at waukeechamber.com.

We’ve had to change some of our in-person meetings to Zoom meetings or conference calls, but because of the new restrictions, we have gotten the chance to speak on a more personal level with our customers.

Country Lane Lodge

Focus Eye Care On a bright note, it’s amazing how a simple act can have huge reward for a small business. We asked our Facebook friends to simply invite all of their friends to like our page, and within five hours we had over 500 more likes! It’s amazing to see people band together and support each other during such a challenging time.

When we come out of this, I hope everyone has realized the importance of personal connections and the good we can do for people in our community.

Fresh Mediterranean Express We are so grateful for the amazing support we have received from the community.

They showed up on day one and have continued to show up throughout the crisis.

Continued>>> 21

CHAMBER Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce

Fridley Theatres

Meier Family Chiropractic

The Palms Theatres & IMAX sold over 500 orders of curbside popcorn “to-go” on a single Saturday!

We are so grateful for the blessing of technology so we can connect with those whom we would otherwise be unable to reach. We are also grateful for our wonderful patients who understand the value of natural healthcare like chiropractic!

Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Company We are grateful that we are allowed to remain open for business and provide continued employment for our employees.

We are so proud of them for their dedication and the sacrifices they have to make. We are also proud of our state, its leadership and all Iowans for locking arms and fighting the fight together.

GIT Insurance Here in Waukee, I’ve seen and heard many stories of people really trying to support local businesses. This is so refreshing, and I’d hate to see any economic growth halted for the long term.

Mi-Fiber It’s been very encouraging to see communities come together in an effort to support local businesses. It shows the kindness and support that our cities are known for.

Miller, Fidler & Hinke Insurance Iron sharpens iron. The power of the Chamber is in the connections and the true value comes from the peer-topeer experience sharing, especially during times like today.

Rock Valley Physical Therapy

There’s been a reduction in traffic accidents and many of the auto insurance carriers we represent are giving refunds or credits to provide some relief. This is a nice gesture, and hopefully it helps the recipients.

We had a goal of implementing telehealth in 2020, and the COVID crisis has accelerated this process. We are currently working with a patient who lives across the state and whose local PT clinic closed. He was referred by a friend from Waukee who was seeing us.

Home Instead Senior Care

This type of word-of-mouth referral assures us that we will come through this stronger than ever!

Our business is still operating 24 hours a day. Home Instead brings nursing home care services directly into people’s place of residence. This allows them to stay safe and independent at home.

Marco's Pizza Once a week, we take pizza to people on the front lines— firefighters, doctor’s offices, ICUs, urgent care or daycares that are supporting those fields. We’ve even had a few people order pizza for those groups as a way to say “thank you.”

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May / June 2020

Vocal Arts Unlimited I see so much good going on around me. People are stepping up to serve and reaching out to others. I see an anticipation within myself of exciting things to come.

I’m embracing growth and creating new programs and business content, and planning a vibrant next experience for myself and my associates that will help us all survive and thrive.

I see a new reality that can be powerful and rewarding for those who embrace their inherent capabilities and natural gifts and talents, and recognize that they have great worth and the capability to determine their future condition.

Waukee Dental We’ve seen so many amazing acts of kindness shine through during these times. Due to being in the healthcare industry, my favorite stories are those in which people are donating personal protective equipment and making cloth masks at home for healthcare providers. I thank everyone who is out there providing assistance in any way!

Waukee Hardware We are most grateful for our customers supporting us and that all of our employees are staying healthy, especially since we are in contact with so many people.

Willard Garage We received a note from Helen, a customer, over the weekend. Dropped in our key drop-box, it read: “To Brian and Peggy and everyone, We LOVE you...”.

Thank you, Helen. That was an amazing, unexpected blessing, and it really struck a nerve in a beautiful way amidst all the fog of how uncertain and upside-down so many things feel right now.

FARMBOYI N C . C O M / 515 -3 0 9 - 9 8 6 9

@ FA R M B OY I NC

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