MyWaukee Sept/Oct 2021

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DES MOINES, IA PERMIT NO. 5107

SEPT / OCT 2021

m o re th a n B B Q

SFoARUthcEE Cause "Big Al" Laudencia made his mother a promise before she passed away that he would help to find a cure.

He may not have became a doctor like he had wanted, but there is no doubt he tirelessly works to keep that promise in his own way.

also FACES OF WAUKEE

HALEY BECKNER CITY OF WAUKEE WAUKEE LIBRARY SCHOOL DISTRICT WAUKEE CHAMBER

trick or treat, Feed Your Gut Something gluten-free to eat !

Get the Facts About Gluten-Free

You’ve likely heard of the gluten-free diet and have seen a lot of different gluten-free products on the shelves at Hy-Vee. You may know someone who doesn’t eat gluten or have heard it recommended for a variety of reasons. It’s only natural to wonder if eating gluten-free will improve your health. But, there are many myths about the gluten-free diet! Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian, Erin Good, sets the record straight!

wheat-free means gluten-free

False! Gluten is the generic term for protein contained in certain grains such as wheat, barley, rye and their derivatives.

People who have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance must follow a gluten-free diet because when they consume gluten the villi in their small intestine become damaged, which can lead to problems with malabsorption of nutrients.

gluten-free diets are good for weight loss

Wrong again! There is no evidence that removing gluten from your diet will improve your health, especially for weight loss. In fact, many foods that contain gluten also provide important nutrients, including fiber, B vitamins and heart-healthy fats.

You should always work with a physician and get tested to make sure you have the correct diagnosis.

Celiac disease is diagnosed with a blood test and small intestine biopsy. The only effective treatment for celiac disease is adherence to a strict, lifelong, gluten-free diet.

at waukee hy-vee

Saturday, October 16th from Noon – 2 PM Visit with Erin and learn more about gluten-free products, enjoy samples and coupons!

You're kidding right? Hy-Vee has a large selection of gluten-free products and our dietitians are here to help with label reading and product selection.

Get help with label reading and gluten-free product selection by attending our virtual gluten-free nutrition tour.

Visit to www.hy-vee.com/health to find upcoming tour dates and times.

tr y th is glu ten-fr ee r ecip e:

save the date gluten-free health fair

there’s nothing to eat that’s glutenfree and tasty!

peanut butter pumpkin bars

tastes so good, it’ s scar y

Wishing you all a “grape” day & healthy Halloween!

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

FROM The Publisher SUMMER FUN We’re turning the corner into Q4 in what seems like the fastest year of my life—the older I get, the more that seems to be the case. Summer has come and gone, the days are getting shorter, the nights are cooler, and even the hotter days are much more bearable. This is a very active time of year with school back in session and all the fall activities. More people are getting out to events and seeing one another.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Publisher & Partner Jason McArtor

Creative Director & Partner Zachary Kern

Content Kellyn Pappas

For our family,it’s been a pretty on-the-go last couple of months. We took a family vacation down to Orlando at the end of July, or the time I may forever refer to as “the few days my Cubs went from looking like what they did then, to what it is now,” but nothing lasts forever. Baseball people will understand what I’m talking about here.

We trekked over 70 miles in eight days across Disney and Universal Studios theme parks. I guess I can get one of those 26.2 stickers now, because we pretty much did a marathon,or 2.5 of them. It’s probably the last time my wife and I will be able to experience that with our three kids.

The parks were buzzing every day—aside from a few downpours that left us a bit soggy. Our feet stayed pretty dry,though.(If you’ve never used NeverWet, give it a try.) Space Mountain was as great as I remembered and still the best ride at OG Disney. Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest is tough to top, and Tower of Terror went over way better this time around with my oldest daughter, as she’s now 16, and the last time we went, she was just three.

Photos / Creative / Layout FARMBOY Marketing & Web Development

Copy Editor Marjorie Sandner

Jason McArtor P u b l i s h er & Pa r tner j a s o n @ mytownm a g a z ines.com / 515-3 14 -13 21

Advertising 515-314-13 2 1

Distributor Goldfinch Media

CONTENTS September / October 2021 HI GHLIGHT S

Address 8527 University Blvd Suite 7 Clive, Iowa 50325

Email info@myTownMagazines.com

04 CITY OF WAUKEE

Residents and visitors of all ages can find something entertaining and enriching in Waukee this summer.

09 STORY 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. ©2021 Goldfinch Media

Guide to Summertime

More Than BBQ Sauce

13 FACES OF WAUKEE

Haley Beckner

"I was faced with hardships. However, my situation helped me remember that I’d always wanted to help people and protect those who can’t protect themselves. I couldn’t think of a better career than law enforcement to fulfill that calling in my life."

"Big Al" Laudencia made his mother a promise before she passed away that he would help to find a cure. He may not have became a doctor like he had wanted, but there is no doubt he tirelessly works to keep that promise in his own way.

SECTI ONS

0 3 F ro m th e P u bl i sh er 0 4 Yo u r Ci ty of Wau kee

07 You r Wau kee Sc hool D istric t 15 You r Wau kee Cham ber 18 You r Wau kee L i brary 3

CITY OF WAUKEE

Fall for the

Waukee Public Library All Over Again

The Waukee Public Library is back to its typical “school year” hours for the first time since March 2020. Throughout a year of pandemic-related modifications, Library staff pivoted to serve the community in new ways through online programming for all ages, curbside pick-up, custom Book Bundles, Dial-a-Story, craft and STEM activity to-go bags, and much more.

“I am proud that we were able to adjust our services relatively quickly, and that many of those online and curbside adaptations will continue to be offered in some capacity after we return to full services,” said Youth Services Librarian Keri Weston-Stoll. “We will end up having even more services than we did prior to 2020.”

Weston-Stoll said Library activity has increased in recent months, which is typical as the summer is always the busiest time of year. The amount of Library visitors and the quantity of materials checked out by patrons have more than doubled since spring.

And, more than 2,000 youth, teen and adult readers participated in the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge.

“That’s nearly back to our pre-COVID Summer Reading Challenge numbers, which is great,” Weston-Stoll said.

Coggeshell already celebrated some new fan-favorite adult programs this year such as Yoga with Cats at Coffee Cats café in West Des Moines and a Cupcake Decorating Class with Crème . Now, she will welcome back the Afternoon Book Club, Books on Tap and adult crafting workshops, among others.

Youth fun-seekers will have lots of fall options as well.

“We will offer Stories Outside at Windfield Park, a special Elementary Early-Out STEAM program and a Teen Escape Room event. We will also be restarting our in-person Teen Advisory Board for students in 7th-12th grades,” said Weston-Stoll. “There will be weekly Storytime At Home packs for toddlers and preschoolers, and a monthly activity pack for elementary-aged students and teens.”

With summer 2021 in the books (pun intended), it’s time for the fall chapter. While in-person, online and take-home youth programming will be offered, ALL youth activities will require advanced registration.

High-attendance adult programs will be kept online, while smaller events such as Movie Matinees, book clubs and others requiring registration, will shift back to in-person as guidelines allow.

“We are excited to see and interact with our patrons face-to-face again!” said Adult Services Librarian Alex Coggeshell. “It’s been too quiet in the Library this past year. I’m excited to talk about what books patrons are reading, answer questions at the front desk and hear laughter in our building again.”

The Library is located at 950 Warrior Lane.

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September / October 2021

Readers of all ages had great fun with the Summer Reading Challenge.

“It’s been too quiet in the Library this past year. I’m excited to talk about what books patrons are reading, answer questions at the front desk and hear laughter in our building again.”

Alex Coggeshell The Library will continue to offer the Digital Scholar partnership for students and teachers in the Waukee Community School District. With only your school ID number, you can access the Library’s online resources, including e-books and free live-online tutoring.

Staff members were busy this past year handing out at-home activities.

“The Library offers resources and services to meet the information needs and wants of community members,” said Coggeshell. “For some, these resources and services are not otherwise accessible or affordable, so the Library is a vital source.

The Library also serves as a gathering place with the Waukee community and as a place to inspire the free exchange of ideas.”

Meeting rooms and study rooms are now available for patron use, as are new computers, wireless printing and a new flatbed scanner. Library visitors will also notice that the parking lot has doubled in size, and new stormwater management features have taken shape.

Come see for yourself – enjoy all the Waukee Public Library has to offer this fall!

Please note that hours, procedures and programs are subject to change due to public health conditions.

Please visit waukeepubliclibrary.org or call 515-978-7944 before visiting for the latest updates.

The new Yoga with Cats program was a big hit.

Waukee Public Library Hours Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: 1 to 4 p.m.

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HOME IMPROVEMENT Home Solutions of Iowa Kick Off Your Fall Project With HSI Fall season is upon us. The kids are heading back to school, football Saturdays are back, temperatures are dropping, and the leaves are starting to fall. While it is nice to take time to enjoy all the fun activities Fall has to offer, it also means it is time to pull out that ladder and clean out your clogged gutters.

While this may be a task you are putting off or still deciding on what gutter contractor to choose for a maintenance free solution, Home Solutions of Iowa is here to explain what LeafGuard® Brand Gutters can do for your Waukee, Iowa home.

JOSEPH SMITH

Home Solutions of Iowa Own e r

515-954-3555 Home Solutions of Iowa has established itself as a trustworthy and reliable source for homeowners looking for all sorts of exterior remodeling solutions. We’re a full-service exterior remodeling company specializing in LeafGuard® gutter protection, seamless gutter systems, rain barrels, roofing, insulation, windows, doors, siding, and decking. We started as a one-man show at the Iowa State Fair in 2003 and have since grown to have more than 50 employees serving the entire state of Iowa.

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September / October 2021

Maintenance Free LeafGuard® is a seamless aluminum gutter system that features a curved cover that is part of the gutter itself. This curved cover will deflect the leaves and debris while effectively channeling the water, allowing a maintenance free lifestyle.

Enhances The Homes Curb Appeal This sleek gutter system features an aesthetic appeal for each home. With an array of colors to choose from, it will easily complement your home’s color.

Superior Damage Prevention LeafGuard® will never rust or deterioriate like other gutter systems. It is made up of aluminum 20% thicker than regular gutters. LeafGuard® will also protect the foundation of the home from any sort of water damage keeping it safe.

Say Goodbye To Climbing Ladders Forever With LeafGuard® being a one-piece gutter system, you don’t have to worry about getting up on a ladder to fish out the leaves and debris. With the curved cover that is part of the gutter itself, the leaves and debris will be deflected allowing you to put the ladder away forever.

Start off the Fall season with LeafGuard® Gutters.

With unlimited benefits, this system will surprise you with how well it works, how sleek it looks, and how great it is to never have to worry about your gutters again.

WAUKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT Kristin Chavez, WCSD

Kicking Off the 2021-22 School Year The start of every school year is always exciting, and 2021-22 is no different.

We are excited about all that lies ahead for our staff, students, families, and community. There is much to celebrate as we move forward into a future of growth and opportunity, while still remaining united as one Waukee.

How would you sum up this past year for the district? How did you keep students/staff safe?

This year has been one of growth and adaptation.

Our team is amazing and has stepped up to help accomplish during times of crisis, while also keeping our eye on future growth and opportunities. Every member of the Waukee Community--students, staff, parents, and community members--both gave additional effort and made individual sacrifices to support a successful school year. Additionally, we relied on grace and reinvigorated the word “pivot!”

We were able to keep students and staff safe using a layered approach to our mitigation strategies, and our nurses, in particular, were on the front line of communication and contact tracing. It is also important to note how well our students responded to the responsibilities of wearing masks and adhering to social distancing and other safety-related expectations.

What are some exciting things planned for the district in 2021-22?

This upcoming school year will be history-making when we open our second high school in the Waukee Community School District. Waukee Northwest High School, home to the Wolves, will welcome approximately 1,300 10th-12th grade students through the doors in August.

We will also open our centralized preschool center, located in a new addition to the Vince Meyer Learning Center. This program will take our previously decentralized programming (3-4 locations throughout the school district) and bring all WCSD preschool students to the same location.

What are some of the district's goals in the coming year?

Implementing our strategic plan over the next several years and introducing our new core values, vision, mission, and strategic outcomes will establish Waukee Community School District as a leader for generations to come.

This past year was our first year of implementation for our District strategic plan and our 10 year financial and facility plan. The priority areas in the strategic plan focus on student learning and social/emotional outcomes, supporting learning experiences for our staff, ever-improving communication, financial health, and operations that are centered on customer service.

The facility plan keeps us on track to have schools and other learning spaces ready to go as our enrollment continues to increase.

How is the school district planning for huge growth?

The implementation and evolution of our 10-year facility and financial plan will be crucial as we map out a future of continued enrollment increases and success for our District.

We frequently connect with our demographers to predict growth within our district boundaries, work with civic leaders to better understand residential housing expansion and community planning, and then adjust accordingly for future schools and boundaries.

We believe that early childhood education is a foundational component in the development of young people, and we look forward to serving our students in this new facility.

We are entering our second year of implementation of our strategic plan, which is further highlighted in this article.

“We envision a future in which all of our students feel a sense of belonging, where the diversity of our student body is considered a strength, and where we appreciate one another for what we bring to the table—without a pressure to conform in order to belong.”

Superintendent Dr. Brad Buck

7

STORY By Kellyn Pappas

m o re tha n B B Q

SAUcE FoR thE Cause

Emblazoned on the wall at both the Adel and West Des Moines locations of Big Al’s BBQ is a passage from the Bible.

Mark 6: 37-44 relates the well-known story of Jesus and his disciples feeding five thousand starving men with five loaves of bread and two fish. The verse is a favorite of “Big Al” Laudencia himself.

Now, with his barbecue sauce soon to be available at HyVee and other area stores -- representing the culmination of a goal that’s very close to his heart -- the passage takes on special meaning. “Taking an idea and making it bigger than myself -- that’s just been my mantra,” he says.

“It’s made me realize my purpose in life.”

Laudencia now calls Adel home with his wife and three daughters, but his story begins in his hometown of Atlantic, Iowa, roughly an hour west of the Des Moines metro area. Raised in a Filipino family, Laudencia learned to cook at a young age from his mother, Emma.

9

STORY By Kellyn Pappas “The relationship I had with my mom was very nurturing but very strict,” he says. “Her attitude was, I’m not always gonna be around, so you need to know how to cook for yourself.”

When Laudencia was still a child, his family received devastating news.

His mother had felt a lump in her breast, and during a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, doctors confirmed the worst: She had breast cancer.

Doctors performed a double mastectomy, and “she was fine, but they hinted there could be complications down the road,” says Laudencia.

By 1986, Emma Laudencia was back in Rochester. Treatments for leukemia that had developed as a complication of her breast cancer were unsuccessful. Laudencia recalls a few pivotal moments with his mother in the hour before she passed away.

“I remember being in that room, holding my mom’s hand, right before she passed,” he says. “I remember telling her, I love you, I'm sorry this is happening, I promise that I will help find a cure. That was my promise.”

At the time, Laudencia was a student at Iowa State. Motivated by his vow to his mom, he aspired to become a doctor. However, “I figured out that I’m not all that scholastically smart,” says Laudencia, who flunked out of college not long after.

But he still knew how to cook.

Laudencia spent the next few years in the restaurant industry, eventually finding his calling in Southern-style barbecue. “When I was in St. Louis, working in a restaurant, my grill cook wanted to bring me some barbecue,” he said. His friend presented him with a St. Louis barbecue standard: a snoot sandwich, made with pig snout. “And I loved it,” says Laudencia. It might sound unorthodox, but that’s part of what drew Laudencia to barbecue.

“The biggest allure for me was how barbecue came about out of necessity,” he says, referring to the cuisine’s origins among slaves in the South, who were given inferior cuts of meat to eat, like pork butt. “They figured, hey, this is what’s for dinner, we’ve got to do something with it.” They found that by using smoke at a low temperature, “you can make that piece of meat just sing.”

That love of barbecue followed Laudencia back to Iowa, where he and his father-inlaw, Hal Chase, eventually decided to go all in and make a career of their fondness for the cuisine. Hal ‘n’ Al’s Q & Catering was born in Laudencia’s garage in 2012.

They haven’t looked back since. Within a few years, the first Big Al’s BBQ & Catering opened on the south side of Des Moines.

A location in Adel opened in 2019, and their West Des Moines location followed in February of this year. This past June, Laudencia was even featured on “Live’s Hometown Chefs Summer Cooking,” an annual cooking series from the popular daytime TV talk show “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”

Through it all, Laudencia says, he was still focused on the promise he’d made to his mother all those years ago. “In the back of my mind, I was still trying to figure out: How am I going to figure out the cure for breast cancer?” he says.

But now, Laudencia had knowledge and resources he hadn’t had as a twentyyear-old college student. “I now knew how to make money, and I knew I could sell things,” he says. “I knew that I could give time and I could give money for the research for coming up with the cure.”

“If it takes three hours, three weeks, three decades -- whatever it takes, I will keep giving until there’s a cure.”

Al Laudencia 10

September / October 2021

He returned to an idea from years before.

When Laudencia opened his restaurant on the south side of Des Moines, a manager at a nearby HyVee had inquired whether he’d be willing to sell his barbecue sauce in the store. Financial constraints prevented moving forward on the idea at the time, so the project was shelved. When Laudencia opened his West Des Moines location, he was approached again by HyVee with the same request.

This time, there were no constraints, and Laudencia had an idea for how to make sales go even further. “If Susan G. Komen would let me use them to share my story,” Laudencia says, “maybe I could sell the barbecue sauce and give a portion of the proceeds to them to find the cure for breast cancer.” Laudencia reached out to the well-known breast cancer nonprofit with an offer: Let me use your logo, and I’ll give a portion of proceeds from the sale of my barbecue sauce to your organization.

“They said, ‘How long are you looking to do this offer?’” he remembers. His response was unequivocal. “What I’m trying to do is put you out of a job,” he told them. “If you’re out of a job, that means we found the cure. If it takes three hours, three weeks, three decades -- whatever it takes, I will keep giving until there’s a cure.”

Unsurprisingly, Susan G. Komen took Laudencia up on his proposal and starting this September, customers can find Big Al’s BBQ Sauce on shelves at HyVee. “The barbecue sauce is delicious -- it’s what we use at the restaurant,” says Laudencia. Both the producer of the sauce and the company that makes the labels on the jars are based in Des Moines.

Best of all, fifty cents from every bottle sold goes to Susan G. Komen.

Ultimately, however, “we’re not selling sauce,” says Laudencia. “We’re selling the cure to breast cancer, by way of Susan G. Komen. We’re selling hope, we’re selling the dream, we’re selling the fulfillment of my promise for the cure.

That’s what we’re selling.”

That promise has carried Laudencia through challenging times. “Fifteen years ago, I used to be homeless,” he says. “Couldn’t rub two nickels together. I was down and out, addicted to alcohol – my life was just in shambles.” He credits his faith and the people in his life for helping him turn things around. “I can’t take credit for it,” he says. “It’s all the help and all the blessings I’ve been given. With God, all things are possible.”

Laudencia hopes his story inspires others who may be in similar situations. “ There’s hope for you,” he says. “There is light at the end of the tunnel.” Most of all, he aims to honor his mother’s memory with his work. “I hope by doing this, that she would be proud,” he says. “That’s all I wanted to do, was make her proud of me.”

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HOME IMPROVEMENT Colby's Lawn & Landscape

Temperatures are dropping is your lawn ready?

Keeping your lawn in top shape is one of your pride and joys, so autumn isn't a time to relax just yet. It is the season's final stretch, so now is the time to finish on a high note. By getting a head start this Fall, you can set the bar high for lawn care glory in your neighborhood.

Cool-season grasses peak in growth as temperatures drop in late summer and early fall. Some of these grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall and fine fescues. Fall provides ideal growing conditions for new grass and reinforces existing lawns thanks to its warm days and cool nights. To promote the health of your lawn, Colby’s Lawn and Landscape recommends taking the following steps:

READY TO RELAX THIS FALL & STILL HAVE THE BEST LAWN ON THE BLOCK? C A L L U S T O D AY !

Consider Lawn Aeration Aerating your lawn in the fall allows oxygen, water, and fertilizer to reach the grass roots easily. During aeration, holes are quickly punched into the soil and dirt is extracted. Ideally, aeration should be done on a regular basis - once every 2-3 years.

As a result, the soil does not become too compacted and thatch does not develop.

If your lawn needs aeration, Fall is the perfect time, especially before fertilizing.

When paired with an overseeding to help supplement and thicken your grass for next season, you can look forward to a full, lush lawn come summertime. Colby’s Lawn and Landscape is currently scheduling lawn aeration from now until the end of November.

Winterize Your Irrigation System Don’t let winter damage your irrigation system. If some water remains in your irrigation system, even if you think you’ve fully drained it, the water may freeze, expand, and crack pipes. Ice in the backflow assembly can crack the brass body and damage internal components.

Winterizing your irrigation system minimizes these risks. Someone certified in irrigation system blow-out can fully winterize the system through the end of November.

Blowing out an irrigation system involves pushing compressed air through the system, and is dangerous if not done properly. Compressed air can cause injury, which is why a certified contractor should manage this task.

Colby’s Lawn and Landscape is fully licensed, insured, and certified to complete irrigation system blow outs.

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September / October 2021

Follow Colby’s Lawn & Landscape on Facebook for more lawn care tips and tricks.

FACES OF WAUKEE Officer Haley Beckner

Where did you grow up?

I’m originally from Waterloo, Iowa.

When did you know you wanted to be a police officer?

During my freshman year at Iowa State, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in criminal justice, and that I wanted to spend my life helping people. With that being said, I didn’t feel called to a specific career path until I had almost finished my master’s degree.

Then 2020 hit, and like the rest of the world, I was faced with hardships.

However, my situation helped me remember that I’d always wanted to help people and protect those who can’t protect themselves. I couldn’t think of a better career than law enforcement to fulfill that calling in my life.

What’s one responsibility of your job that the average resident might not know about?

We truly are here to serve the community in all we do. We want to make connections with the public in any way possible. The Waukee Police Department makes it a priority, and it’s one of the best parts of my career!

What do you like best about working in the Waukee area?

I love the community we serve here in Waukee. As an officer, I can feel the support throughout the community, and it’s nothing to take for granted.

Waukee is a great city. It’s always changing, and I’m excited to be involved in the continuing growth.

Who are you rooting for this football season?

I was born and raised a Green Bay Packer fan. I’m also “loyal forever true” – Go Cyclones!

"I was faced with hardships. However, my situation helped me remember that I’d always wanted to help people and protect those who can’t protect themselves. I couldn’t think of a better career than law enforcement to fulfill that calling in my life."

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INSURANCE Legacy Family Health Insurance Medicare & Affordable Care Act Enrollment is Here – Are you ready?

Each year during Fall Open Enrollment, you have the option to change your Medicare or Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. Medicare open enrollment begins October 15 and runs through December 7th. ACA enrollment begins November 1st and ends on December 15th. Any changes that you make during Fall Open Enrollment take effect on January 1st, 2022. To get you ready for Fall Open Enrollment, Dusty Lane from Legacy Family Insurance has provided answers to his most frequently asked questions about the Fall Open Enrollment period.

I’m on Medicare – what can I do during open enrollment?

During open enrollment, you can join a new Medicare Advantage Plan or stand-alone prescription drug plan (Part D). You can also switch between Original Medicare with or without a Part D plan and Medicare Advantage. The enrollment period is the only time you can make these changes.

DUSTY LANE

Do I have to enroll in my Medicare or ACA plan every year?

Legacy Family Health Insurance L ice nsed I nsu ranc e Co n s u l t a nt (5 15) 681-480 8 Born and raised in rural Iowa, Dusty became interested in the insurance industry after working for a company with sub-par insurance plans.

After researching insurance options independently, Dusty became known as the office go-to guy for insurance information. Realizing that he enjoyed helping people with their insurance needs, Dusty became a licensed insurance consultant. His goal is to educate others and help his clients get the best quality, most cost-effective insurance plan to meet their unique needs. Dusty is an Airforce veteran, has a daughter attending Central College, and a 14-year-old son. He enjoys sports, golf, fishing, and camping in his free time.

Am I eligible for an ACA plan?

Most people are eligible to shop the Marketplace for an ACA plan. If you are a U.S citizen or natural or legal resident currently living in the United States, you’re qualified. If you are offered an ACA-compliant health insurance policy through your employer and choose to opt-out, you can still purchase your own ACA plan, but likely will not qualify for any subsidies. This means you’ll need to pay full price for your monthly premiums.

I’m still lost. Is help available?

You do not have to enroll in Medicare or renew your Medicare plan each year. If you want to make changes and miss the open enrollment period, you may still be able to make changes through a special enrollment period. If you don’t qualify for the special enrollment period, you’ll have to wait till the next year.

For those with ACA plans, you are automatically reenrolled in your current plan for the following year if the plan is still being offered. If it’s no longer an option, you’ll be enrolled in an equivalent plan.

At Legacy Family Insurance, we’re here to help you feel confident in your Medicare or ACA plan choices.

Research shows that shopping plans each year often result in lower costs. Licensed Insurance Agent and native Iowan Dusty Lane believes in traditional service and giving his clients the peace of mind of having an agent on standby 24/7.

If you need more help understanding your Medicare or ACA plan options, contact Dusty at Legacy Family Insurance to discuss which plan best fits you and your needs.

IOWA FAMILY HEALTH INSURANCE TO FIT YOUR NEEDS. Helping you understand your options and find the right insurance plan for you.

EXPERIENCED Licensed Insurance Agent with success helping his clients save money.

(515) 681-4808 14

ACCESSIBLE Get peace of mind knowing you have an agent on standby 24/7.

TRUSTED Airforce veteran, and native Iowan, Dusty Lane believes in traditional service.

legacyinsurance.iowahealth.care

September / October 2021

CHAMBER Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce

UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE WAUKEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

CENTRAL BANK IS THE KEY TO YOUR

Waukee Wake Up Open to members and non-members Zoom - Wednesday, October 6, 2021 / 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Grab a cup of tea or coffee and join Waukee YP on Zoom for morning networking!

Event speaker and RSVP details will be provided at a later time.

NEW HOME

Community Development Committee Open to members only Zoom - Tuesday, October 12, 2021 / 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM The Community Development Committee helps plan the Chamber's signature events including the Annual Dinner & Silent Auction, Annual Golf Outing, and Waukee Restaurant Week. Share your creative ideas and contribute to help make these events successful for our membership and community.

To join the committee, please email info@waukeechamber.com.

Ambassador Committee Meeting Open to members only Zoom - Thursday, October 14, 2021 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Join the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee for our monthly meeting! Ambassadors are active members who help to accelerate connections in the Chamber.

To join the committee, please email info@waukeechamber.com.

GET STARTED

Economic Development Committee Meeting Open to members only

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Economic Development Committee meets monthly to discuss current city, school and business development in Waukee. The committee will also participate in scheduled site tours of current development project in our communtiy.

Apply using your smartphone, www.centralbankonline.com, or contact Matt today!

To join the committee, please email info@waukeechamber.com.

Waukee YP Social Open to members and non-members TBD in Waukee - Thursday, October 28, 2021 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Matt Klein NMLS ID##446592

Save the date to join Waukee YP at our monthly after-hours networking event!

Download Matt’s Home Loans app! https://mtgpro.co/hnh6z

More event details will be provided closer to the event.

Calculate monthly payments, compare lending scenarios, apply using your smartphone...and much more.

300 E. Hickman Rd, Waukee (515) 987-2299

Equal Housing Lender

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12/17/19 9:09 AM

AUTO DIY Car Guy

Save & Shine​​ Have you ever wondered how the pros give your car that showroom shine at a professional detail shop?

For over 30 years, I’ve been pro-detailing detailing cars, trucks, and vans all across Iowa. During the pandemic last year I put my knowledge into a professional kit to teach others how they could become their own pro-detailer.

For about 10 bucks at the DIY car wash, anyone with about an hour can become a pro-detailer using these professional products.

SHAWN FREY DIY CAR GUY Own e r

641-919-9391 My DIY Car Guy is a place to share all things automotive.

We specialize in helping you clean right, sell right and buy right. Shawn has been actively running used car experiments since 1984. It started with the purchase of a 74’ Camaro and it continues to this day. He's met many unique people on my journey and picked up a lot of interesting tips. If you put these tips into action they will help you sell your used car faster and for more money than you may have thought possible.

Give your car that showroom shine without waxing. Bring Weather Tech mats up like new.

Restore faded trim to its glory days and bring your glass back transparent and streak-free.

If you are looking to sell your vehicle sometime soon, you just might be able to sell it faster and for more money than you may have thought possible using my tips and kit.

I’ve helped lots of people do this over the years and will even provide free estimates quickly via web meetings or Facetime.

If you would like to participate in an upcoming live event at a DIY car wash near you, reach out over my site or Facebook, and we’ll detail your car at the event.

Get a free pro-detail and learn how you can do it yourself over and over again.

ONL

$9 THE EASY + 7 AFFORDABLE CAR DETAILING KIT Paying for detailing is expensive! Thanks to DIY CAR GUY, you can do it yourself, again & again, for a fraction of the cost.

WHAT’S IN IT? » Grape Interior Detailer » Tire Shine » Orange Foam Cleaner

» Vinyl & Leather Cleaner » Microfiber Towel Set

» Brush Set » Glass Cleaner Plus

The professional look with the professional kit NOT SOLD IN STORES.

MYDIYCARGUY.COM IOWA OWNED & OPERATED 16

September / October 2021

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Scan with your phone camera to enjoy the shine and protect your ride today!

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

@ FA R M B OY I NC

REACH MORE

CUSTOMERS BOTH ONLINE + OFFLINE GROWING BUSINESS WITH GOOD STRATEGY. We have worked with Farmboy on a regular basis for almost 6 years. We’ve found them to be extremely creative, more than capable, professional, and responsive to our requests (and there are many).

They come through every time.

CATHI I BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS AGRICULTURAL

+ MARKETING + DEVELOPMENT + WEB DESIGN + SEO / PPC + DIGITAL MARKETING + BRANDING + EVENT MARKETING + MEDIA BUYING + PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY + ADVERTISING

Snap the code with your phone's camera to learn how our RESULTS-DRIVEN MARKETING STRATEGIES can work to GROW YOUR BUSINESS.

D ES M O I NES TO P WEB D EVELO P ERS 2018 BEST OF DES MOINES BUSINESS RECORD 15 17

Waukee Library

By Sam Bedford

Providing Resources to Help Students, Teachers, Parents Succeed with Digital Scholar In collaboration with the Waukee Community School District, the Waukee Public Library has provided all WCSD students and teachers access to the library’s robust online resources without having a physical library card. Students simply use their school ID numbers to log in to the resources while at school or at home.

Here are just a few online library resources you have access to FOR FREE: Brainfuse – Live online tutors provide homework help, and students may also submit papers to the Writing Lab for expert assistance or collaborate in study spaces.

OCTOBER EVENTS The calendar for October is still being worked on, but here are some of our planned events so far! All events will require advanced registration and can be viewed at waukeepubliclibrary.org/calendar.

World Book – Suite of digital publications with unique content and features for students of every age, ability, and interest.

Elementary Maker Packs | Friday, October 1

Explora – Supports student research and classroom instruction with rich, reliable content and easy-to-use functionality.

Babytime | Monday, October 4, 11, 18, & 25 | 10 AM

Teen Maker Packs | Friday, October 1 Teen Advisory Board | Monday, October 4, 11, 18, 25 | 3:30 PM

Pronunciator – Tutorials for over 80 languages. For English speakers or for native speakers of 50 other languages.

Stories Outside | Tuesdays and Wednesdays | 10 AM

Overdrive eBooks – Thousands of e-Books and digital audiobooks to download to your devices. Download the Libby app to get started.

Afternoon Book Club | Thursday, October 7 | 2:30 PM

Teen Early Out Hangout | Wednesday, October 6 | 1:30 PM

TumbleBooks – Animated, talking picture e-Books created from popular picture books.

0-5 Playtime | Friday, October 8 & 22 | 10 AM

Creativebug – More than 1,000 award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.

Stories & Stretches | Thursday, October 14 | 6 PM

Bookflix – Enjoy over 120 animated books, interactive games, and visit related websites with Bookflix!

Book on Tap Book Club | Tuesday, October 19 | 6 PM

Get started today! waukeepubliclibrary.org/digital-scholar To find out more about the Waukee Public Library go to waukeepubliclibrary.org or contact us at askme@waukee.org or (515) 978-7944

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September / October 2021

Movie Matinee | Thursday, October 14 | 10 AM Edible DNA | Monday, October 18 | 6:30 PM Elementary Early Out | Wednesday, October 20 | 2:30 PM Virtual Author Visit: Remy Lai | Thursday, October 21 | 4 PM Mysterious Creatures of the Midwest | Saturday, October 23 | 1 PM Critter Cindy | Friday, October 29 | 10 AM

Don't Do It Alone!

Enjoy the process. Buy, Sell, Invest in your next home with confidence.

G I V E U S A C A L L O R V I S I T U S O N L I N E T O DAY

Scan the code with your camera to visit our site on your mobile device.

Iowa’s #1 Ford Lincoln Dealer*

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CITYVIEW

Y EA RS IN A ROW

Waukee

REPEATEDLY RECOGNIZED FOR A SUPERIOR SALES AND SERVICE EXPERIENCE

New Fords New LINCOLNS Used Car Superstore Service and Parts until Midnight All Makes Quicklane Auto and Tire Center Collision Center-Work Guaranteed. ON THE WAUKEE SIDE OF WEST DES MOINES

Thank You To Cityview Readers For Voting Stivers Ford Lincoln Best Auto Dealer Domestic For Nine Years In A Row.

Scott Politte, President

Stivers Ford Lincoln of Iowa

Waukee

STIVERSFORDIA.COM 515.987.3697

*Sales ranking based on car and truck sales report of the Kansas City Region of Ford Motor Company and Lincoln Motor Company for 2020.