MyWaukee January/February 2023

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all.

This is the time of year when many of us reflect on the past and reset our priorities as we head into the next twelve months of our lives. Personally, I’m going to make a better effort at encouraging those around me to remember to talk, and talk as in have an actual conversation—not just the “how was your day?” “good,” and then going back to flipping channels or chopping up that head of lettuce for dinner. I mean really listening and learning about those around us—especially the younger people and kids in our lives. We have to pour into them and build them up.

Our family has taken a couple of 3-hour drives in the past month, between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Speaking of that, someone needs to point out where exactly those Jasper County speed cameras are located. In the meantime, I hope those folks hit their quotas.

The holiday visits seem shorter than they once did, at least at my age and where I’m at in life. We don’t see our extended families over the holidays quite like we used to. It’s a bit less running overall, but the trips there and back are really refreshing for me. I am away from my computer, phone and all of the devices that, most of the time, get too much of my attention. Fewer distractions and no walls between any of us, as we sit just two or three seats apart, makes it easier to share stories and talk about how things have been and are.

Our family has also made an effort to nix the negative. It’s so easy to look at and focus on the negative things around us—what’s not great, who’s done something wrong? Who really cares? People are not perfect, after all.

Things would be far better if everyone could focus on the good and have gratitude for those doing great things around them.

Jason McArtor

CITY OF WAUKEE: LIBRARY COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The library is on the move in Waukee! Bringing books to schools, festivals, senior homes, and more.

FEATURED STORY: NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

We took a deep dive into three popular gyms in the area to get insight into exercise resolutions, what makes people want them, dump them, and everything in between.

On the COVER AMBER ROBINS

Amber is the owner of Krave Gym and is passionate about fitness and sports, and wants to help others develop an "athlete's mindset."

- Photo By Vanessa Lewis

A REWARDING JOB: SPECIAL EDUCATION

ASSOCIATE - WAUKEE WCSD

Michelle Ryan talks through her experiences as a special education associate and the rewards of working with the students.

SENSORY SPACES RETURNS TO THE LIBRARY

Reviving from the pandemic, this special event is heading to the library for all those with adaptive reading needs.

Let

You know that feeling—that 6 AM, ready to take on the world, TGIF, unstoppable, Super Dad, nailed the presentation, mic drop feeling! You CAN take on whatever life throws your way, but it all starts with taking care of yourself and eating a balanced diet. So before you start eliminating carbs or entire food groups, be informed and consider a health tune-up from a reputable source.

The grocery store is truly the best place to turn your health goals into action, and Hy-Vee Registered Dietitians are here to help provide inspiration, motivation and clarification on what foods are best for you. Not all diets are meant to be a long-term solution. Solidify more positive nutrition habits in 2023 and consider these 3 RESOLUTIONS ACTUALLY WORTH MAKING.

1. MEAL PLAN- We’ve all heard it. “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” Let us take meal planning off your plate!

• Try Healthy Habits: Try a 4-week meal plan program with simple recipes and snacks, itemized grocery lists, and weekly 1:1’s with your dietitian to track progress and stay motivated.

Dietitians Help You Separate Health from Hype FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE HY-VEE DIETITIANS, now on Instagram AND Facebook! @HyVeeDietitians

2. MEAL PREP- Help reduce stress among hectic weekday schedules with our helpful healthy eating workshop.

• Freezer Meal Prep Workshops (virtual): In under an hour, prepare 5 freezer meals to feed 4-6 people. Registration includes a link to Aisles Online with all the ingredients grouped together, so you can easily shop for everything you need.

3. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS- Get your blood labs drawn with your Hy-Vee dietitian, and find out how much damage you did (or didn’t do) over the holidays.

• Biometric Screenings: In less than 15 minutes, learn your total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and blood glucose with one simple finger stick.

BUILDING BRIDGES WITH BOOKS

Waukee Public Library community outreach

By Heather Behrens

Whether you stop by every week, or weren’t aware our city had a library until this article, you’ll be surprised (and impressed!) at how much time Waukee Public Library staff spend out in the community. Not everyone can easily get to the library, so staff members bring books and a helping hand to patrons of all ages through events, pop-up libraries and other programs.

Jen Beyers, the children’s programming and outreach specialist, visits some of the youngest patrons to spark an early love for reading. She dazzles tiny humans in more than 30 storytimes each month at 12 daycares and preschools around Waukee. In addition to being fun for the kids, this program gives teachers songs and rhymes they can incorporate in their lessons to build early literacy skills.

how excited kids are for a visit from the library and getting to read together. Books that make students an active part of storytime are especially fun and engaging.”

Jen Beyers Children's Programming & Outreach Specialist

Library staff also bring the library to young patrons through school events, including STEAM and ESL Nights, Sharpen the Saw Day, Back to School Night and teen volunteer fairs. Teens recruited at these events have turned volunteer experiences into part-time or seasonal jobs at the library. In the summer, staff delight kids and parents by handing out free books and crafts at Waukee Community School District’s Picnic and Play free lunch program.

You might spot the Wandering Library, the library’s book bike, at the Waukee Arts Festival or other community events. You’ll also see library staff leading a fun activity at FamilyFest in January. With nearly seven new residents coming to Waukee every day, community events are a great way for those new to the city to learn about the many library services they can take advantage of.

“All these outreach programs let people know we exist, giving them a chance to see us in a different light than the stereotype of a stuffy librarian shushing them,” said Keri Weston-Stoll, Youth Services Manager. “We get to answer people’s questions and break down barriers to access—letting people know a library card is free, how to get to us, or the many programs they can participate in for little or no cost.”

“I love

Once a month, staff members take fun and saucy reads to residents of several senior living communities for a pop-up “Library in the Lobby” with new and popular large-print books to peruse. Amish fiction, mysteries, historical fiction and romances are popular genres. For those who want a curated experience, staff offer custom book bundles based on a profile the patron fills out with their likes/dislikes. More than 100 seniors participate, including those who wouldn’t be able to get to the library due to mobility restrictions or a lack of convenient transportation.

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT THE LIBRARY?

01. Use the library. Check out a book, participate in a program or join a reading challenge. Partaking in library services is the first step. Check out programming and more at WaukeePublicLibrary.org or turn to page 14 for upcoming events.

02. Share the fun. Tell a neighbor about the program you completed, or encourage them to download the library app. Share a post from Waukee Public Library with your network on your favorite social media platform.

03. Get involved. Apply to be on the Library Board of Trustees or join the Waukee Public Library Friends Foundation. Even small things—like purchasing a book from the book sale area at the front of the library or donating some money to the foundation— can make a big difference when it comes to making books and services accessible to your fellow Waukee residents.

There are more exciting chapters to come as the library continues to expand its reach through these programs. A big boost will be an adorable outreach van for which the Waukee Public Library Friends Foundation is currently fundraising. Staff will be able to pack more supplies and books in for every visit. Bonus: less pedaling than the Wandering Library.

By the Numbers:

5000+

People reached in the last fiscal year.

450 Free books & 300 activity packs handed out over the summer.

100

Patrons served at senior living communities.

12 Daycares and preschools served with storytimes (30+ per month!).

Scan the QR code to check out the Waukee Public Library's events, news, resources and much more!

Future book mobile for library outreach

“By visiting seniors where they live, we not only make it easy for them to access library materials, but also get to know their names and individual reading interests. It’s so fun and rewarding for us as librarians to hear their stories and build those personal connections.”

Alex Coggeshell

Adult Services Librarian

“NEW YEAR, NEW YOU” STARTS NOW

By Vanessa Lewis and Renee Watkins

For many of us, New Year’s Day symbolizes a fresh start—a magical opportunity to reinvent ourselves and begin living the life we’ve always dreamed of. We make resolutions that require major routine changes and long-term commitments. Unfortunately, many people find their resolutions hard to stick to. It’s common to give up only months, weeks, or days into a resolution.

A popular resolution is to make health a priority—with vows to go to the gym, lose weight, drink more water, and eat better food. More often than not, though, we give up. So, how can we set ourselves up for success when striving to live a more active, healthy lifestyle in the new year?

We had the opportunity and privilege to discuss fitness resolutions with three Waukee area experts: Michael Slomczewski, Manager and Head Coach of Farrell’s Gym, Amber Robins, Co-Owner of Krave Gym, and Valerie Ruby, Studio Lead at Power Life Yoga Barre Fitness. They shared their thoughts on the benefits of their gyms, the motivations behind fitnessrelated resolutions, how to turn the best intentions into realities, and what they believe stands in the way of achieving fitness goals.

FARRELL’S EXTREME BODYSHAPING

Walking into Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping in Waukee, your first thought might be, “Where are the machines?!”

With a word like “eXtreme” in the title, one would expect comically-sized barbells and rows of pull-up machines. Instead, you can expect to be greeted with a soft, black mat, free-standing punching bags, and a rainbow array of resistance cords.

Slomczewski explained that instead of machines, Farrell’s uses kickboxing and strength training for its programs. Farrell's specializes in body-transformation challenges, which last 10 weeks. He showed off some impressive before and after pictures of winners from past challenges.

Fitness has always been a hobby for Slomczewski, and now it’s his career. He moved to Waukee from Peoria, Illinois, after he was offered the opportunity to manage Farrell’s Gym. When he isn’t motivating his gym members or leading one of the many classes that Farrell’s Gym has to offer, he enjoys listening to music and reading non-fiction history.

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR RESOLUTION:

Slomczewski believes that a key factor to a successful resolution is to set realistic goals.

“It’s okay to have long-term goals, but set shorter goals to check off along the way,” Slomczewski suggests.

Stay motivated and have fun tracking your progress by setting small goals to check off as you work toward reaching a larger goal. These smaller accomplishments of progress are empowering.

“It’s super satisfying when you reach a goal,” he says. Success with smaller goals helps stave off the disappointment of not having achieved the longterm goal in an unrealistic amount of time.

Nutrition is often overlooked when it comes to seeing progress at the gym, and Slomczewski stresses its importance. Farrell’s offers nutritional education and meal plan assistance to those who wish to optimize the way they eat. Farrell’s uses macro-based nutrition plans that determine what your body needs based on weight, gender, activity level, and more. His key advice is to “avoid added sugars, and eat in moderation.”

With a monstrous sweet tooth (Vanessa’s diet is embarrassingly similar to Buddy’s in the movie Elf), and “hollow leg syndrome” (Renee can put away an extra large cheeseburger with fries and still be hungry for dessert), we’ll admit that nutrition is where we often fall short while trying to live a healthy lifestyle. However, we know we are not alone—even Slomczewski admits that physical fitness is already an ingrained part of his lifestyle, but nutrition is where he occasionally struggles with staying “on track.”

WHAT MOTIVATES PEOPLE TO MAKE FITNESS-RELATED RESOLUTIONS:

Slomczewski thinks the idea of a “fresh start,” as well as someone’s desire to change the way they look, are major inspirations for fitness-related resolutions.

People always want to “start on a Monday. That happens 52 times a year, but this is the big one,” says Slomczewski, in reference to the New Year.

He also thinks people start exercising because they want to look better; it’s easy to “check Instagram and think, ‘I want to look like this person,’ which motivates people to start a fitness program.”

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE GIVE UP ON THEIR RESOLUTION:

Slomczewski gives a common example of why someone might give up on their fitness resolutions. He says if your long-term goal is to have 6-pack abs, it may take months before you begin seeing physical progress. Putting in hard work without seeing results is discouraging to anyone, and makes it easy to give up. Setting weekly goals, such as being able to do a certain number of sit-ups in a minute, can help track progress and keep you motivated.

Farrell’s Gym offers many early-morning classes, and Slomczewski notices two categories of people who attend them as part of their resolution—those who believe it’s a lot easier, and those who believe it is more difficult to get here in the winter.

The former commits to a routine because they “feel there's nothing else to do, and they may as well wake up early and go to the gym.” The latter decides that the gym isn’t for them, and quits before they make a routine. They tell themselves, “it’s cold and it’s dark and I’m sore.”

KRAVE GYM

We love the philosophy that Amber Robins has for her gym members. The focus of Krave Gym is to instill an “athlete’s mindset” into its members.

“The mindset of an athlete is what we focus on. We want people who have never played sports, who come in and kick butt during a workout,” she says. “Then they can go out and conquer the world because their mindset is, ‘If I did that hard thing at the gym, then I can do all the hard things in my life.’”

For Robins, teamwork is all she’s ever known. She spent her childhood playing sports, and then played collegiate sports as she earned her master's degree at the University of South Dakota.

Owning a gym of their own was always the ultimate goal for Robins and her husband. She says, “After sports, we kind of lost our identity and who we were because it was such a big part of our lives,” and she wanted to “develop and design something that gave people that feeling again,” referring to the feeling of being an athlete.

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR RESOLUTION:

Robins thinks that a combination of setting realistic expectations and creating a workout plan that fits your lifestyle is essential. She advises you to physically write your goals down and not give up.

In addition, she believes in discipline. “Motivation will start your health journey, but it’s the discipline to do the hard stuff that will keep you going,” Robins says.

Proper nutrition is another key factor. Robins emphasizes that you should not deprive yourself of foods you enjoy, and should instead learn how to incorporate the foods you love into your diet.

“We’re not restricting people from enjoying the things that they like,” Robins says. “If you want a cheeseburger and fries, go eat it!”

WHAT MOTIVATES PEOPLE TO MAKE FITNESS-RELATED RESOLUTIONS:

According to Robins, societal pressure is a huge motivator for fitness-related resolutions. “People join a gym to look better, but don't realize the internal effect,” Robins says. “When you go to your next doctor's appointment and you're healthier, that's bigger and better than anything. But you can't see the internal stuff happening.” It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially in our current digital age.

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE GIVE UP ON THEIR RESOLUTION:

Robins thinks that when people fail to see physical progress, they’re more inclined to give up.

If your goal is to lose weight, she says that if you “step on the scale, but the scale doesn't move, you feel like you failed.” That feeling of failure makes it easy to lose motivation and give up completely. Instead, she encourages you to “dig deeper.” The scale should not be the only tool to measure progress. Weight gain does not equate to fat gain!

Another reason people fail is that “they don’t know their why,” says Robins. They don’t know “why they want to be healthy, or why they want to lose weight. Finding that piece is the hard part.” This resonated with us. It’s so easy to fall into people-pleasing habits, rather than questioning those motivations and deciding to do things that better align with our values.

POWER LIFE YOGA BARRE FITNESS

The practice of yoga seems to have a polarizing effect on people. Mention yoga to someone, and chances are you’ll be met with eyes lit up or rolled up—they either love it or hate it, and very few remain neutral. However, we remain convinced that those who claim to hate it might have a serious change of heart after a trip to Power Life.

For Valerie Ruby, now the Studio Lead at Power Life Waukee, the journey toward Power Life’s style of yoga began at the Kansas City location in January 2020. A friend of hers treated her to a handstand workshop and she was instantly hooked. Ruby moved to Des Moines in April of that same year; she was happy to be invited into the “second family” that many Power Life members are so excited to be a part of.

Power Life offers a safe space to accept yourself as both a teacher and a student of the practice of yoga— neither superseding the other in importance. Yoga is all about mindfulness of deep breathing, posture, and form—the minutiae of adjustments that make all the difference in preserving areas of the body that are vulnerable to injury and strain. All these efforts leave room for modifications, ensuring that even the best teachers have room for improvement.

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR RESOLUTION:

Ruby says that she likes to “build a schedule and stick to it so that it becomes a routine and a habit.” She says it is also helpful to keep in mind that everything feels better after taking time for yourself to step away from everything else, and that is “something that resonates with a lot of students who are beginning their journey.”

Ruby admits that getting yourself out the door, especially when it’s cold outside, can be difficult, but “Power Life is heated, so you’re going to feel better.” Indeed the promise of a heated room is enough to draw us in!

WHAT MOTIVATES PEOPLE TO MAKE FITNESS-RELATED RESOLUTIONS:

Ruby stated, “A lot of people initially come for the Sculpt classes (fun, fast-paced, sweaty), and eventually they walk into a Power 2 class, and all of the sudden they're like ‘I had no idea yoga could be like that!’ They enjoy the energetics and the physicality of movement.”

However, she notes that she fits right into the majority of people who got involved in yoga for the physical aspects but stayed for the surprising mental benefits that she was not expecting.

This metamorphosis of intention represents what a lot of resolution makers experience—beginning an exercise

routine with a plan to improve their physical health, and discovering that their mental health plays a very big role in maintaining it.

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE GIVE UP ON THEIR RESOLUTION:

The very defeatist messages we send ourselves before beginning a new habit can serve the dual purpose of making us give up shortly thereafter. Shaming yourself into making positive changes is not a healthy way to start, and is in fact more likely to contribute to failure. Ruby says that the perceived barriers to entry to yoga are often internal messages heavy with self-doubt, such as “I’m not flexible enough,” or concessions of gender biases that feminize yoga. However, Ruby insists, “Yoga is very inclusive. We’re all here bettering our physical and mental well-being, and there is a style and teacher for everyone. We prioritize a welcoming environment, a second home.”

Power Life boasts an impressive list of class offerings and a broad schedule. The Power Life Waukee location alone has 65 classes, and there are well over 400 classes available in the greater Des Moines area. There is something for everybody and every schedule. If you don’t like one class, try another! As a bonus, Power Life regularly offers a free class called “Restore” on certain nights. We had the sincere pleasure of attending this class recently, and enjoyed the deep, gentle postures and guided meditation offered by one of Ruby’s colleagues, Sarah K.

THE COMMON THREAD

These three gyms place an emphasis on inclusivity, realistic expectations, and overall well-being. Instead of setting a resolution to lose weight or fit into those pants from 5 years ago, a better resolution would be to find what intrinsically motivates you to turn your life into one you enjoy living. Show yourself some grace, go at your own pace, and remember that physical well-being is a journey, not a destination.

Ask yourself difficult questions. Do you want to lose weight to look like the person you believe society will accept, or do you want to lose weight because improved physical fitness will contribute to a confident sense of overall well-being? We are willing to bet that the latter is more likely to push you toward accomplishing your goals because, in that case, you’re doing it for yourself and you’re in it for the long haul.

Whatever your New Year’s resolution is, fitness related or not, we encourage you to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Going forward, remember that you don’t need to let a calendar dictate the changes you make to your life.

Whatever you want to achieve, start now!

WHICH INSULATION DO I NEED FOR MY HOME?

Home Solutions of Iowa

With the harsh Iowa winters underway, nothing is better than being able to retreat from the snow, wind, and ice, and enjoy the comfort and warmth of your Waukee home. However, such is not always the case if you do not have a properly insulated home.

Contending with an inadequately insulated home can be a pain, which is why properly insulating is an absolute necessity. However, this leads to the question, which insulation is best for your home? Check out the best insulation types based on our experienced and knowledgeable opinions.

CLOSED CELL SPRAY FOAM INSULATION: Spray foam insulation expands on the application and is ideal for the floor and roofing assemblies. This foam forms an air barrier wherever it’s applied to diminish air leakage from within the home. This can increase indoor comfort, reduce noise from outside, and lessen the number of allergens that enter your home.

AIR SEALING: Air leakage happens throughout the home commonly through cracks, plumbing/wiring, penetrations, and at the rim joist areas. These areas often lack air sealing, making them ideal for warm air to leak out and cold air to leak in.

BLOWN-IN CELLULOSE INSULATION: Cellulose insulation is made from recycled and environmentally safe materials, making it a great eco-friendly option. Our cellulose insulation resists mold, rodents, and insects. It carries the highest available fire safety rating, making it less of a fire hazard in your home than traditional fiberglass insulation.

When it comes to insulating your Waukee home, there is a wide array of options, each with their own different strengths.

To fully determine what is the best option, it is crucial to call an informative contractor to help you get the affordable and comfortable home you are looking for.

,

FACES OF WAUKEE

Featuring Dusty Lane

Owner, Legacy Family Health Insurance

What is the name of your business?

Legacy Family Insurance.

What type of work do you do??

I help families and businesses find the health, life, Medicare options that work best for their needs and budget. I educate the community on their insurance products and what their policies cover and do not cover.

What other interests do you have in our community?

I am an avid cyclist and enjoy living next to very well maintained paths that we are so lucky to have in our community. I enjoy dining at the unique venues that Waukee has to offer.

What is your favorite thing about our community?

My favorite thing about the community is that it is a growing community that maintains its small town feel.

What is the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is helping folks get into proper coverage and saving them money at the same time. It is very rewarding to see relief in the clients I work with when we are able to do this.

What is the most exciting thing you’re looking forward to in the new year?

I am looking forward to adding more options to what I have available to help folks even more than I can already.

WHY BEING A SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATE IS PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY REWARDING

By Kelly Jellings

Waukee Community School District (WCSD) is the sixth-largest public school district in the state. As a growing district, there’s a constant need for special education associates to serve the students entering our schools. Taking on this rewarding career requires two key characteristics: the ability to connect with students, and a big heart.

“My favorite thing about being a special education associate is watching the students' excitement when accomplishing a new task or goal, " says Special Education Associate, Michelle Ryan.

As a WCSD special education associate at Brookview Elementary, Ryan advocates for students with disabilities and special needs. Her work in schools began years ago, which is how she recognized her future path in special education.

RYAN’S STORY AND ROUTINES

“As my kids grew, I began subbing in their school districts and found a love for the special education area. When we moved back to Iowa in 2020 with my girls in college, I decided to apply for a special education associate position. I was so happy to begin working with students daily, and being a part of the team that helps each student become the best version of the person they can be," Ryan says.

Her typical day consists of helping her students work on academics to reinforce lessons, doing small and large group activities, and facilitating positive and appropriate peer interactions.

Ryan says, "Outside of student interactions, I assist teachers in developing strategies for reinforcing materials and skills based on student understanding and ability, collaborate with the teacher regarding behavior and IEP (Individualized Education Program) plans, and assist with other classroom duties as needed. Each day is a little different, so flexibility is key.”

WHY RYAN RECOMMENDS A CAREER AT WCSD

While Ryan always prioritizes her students, she says this career allows her personal growth, too.

A BETTER MORTGAGE EXPERIENCE

Michelle Ryan Special Education Associate

She admits the job isn’t always easy.

“Being an associate can be difficult at times, but the reward of working with students and a great team has far outweighed any difficulties.”

If you’re looking for a career change, Ryan suggests joining her in the WCSD. “Waukee offers competitive pay and benefits, and as an associate, you have summers off and school holidays to enjoy personal time with your family. Watch out though, because you might just find many of your coworkers become like family here at WCSD!” Ryan says.

Learn more about joining the Waukee Community School District team at waukeeschools.org/careers.

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Matt Klein NMLS ID##446592 300 E. Hickman Rd Waukee, IA (515) 987-2299

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“I love learning new things, and each day provides something new; a new opportunity is a great way to grow and keep learning.”

SENSORY SPACES RETURN TO METRO AREA LIBRARIES

By Sam Bedford

Several Des Moines Metro area libraries are teaming up once more to offer Sensory Spaces, which were paused due to the pandemic in 2020. Sensory Spaces are designated hours for individuals and families to enjoy a sensory-free experience in the libraries.

The additional Sensory Spaces times will offer visitors with special needs quieter browsing, special programming, and other adaptive services that will vary by location. Please check with each library to learn about all times and services being offered.

JANUARY EVENTS

Most programs and events will require registration in advance. Visit waukeepubliclibrary.org/ calendar for more information and to register.

On Exhibit: “Things I’ve Seen” January 2-29

Bricks & Beads Wednesday, January 4 | 2 PM

Dallas County Conservation Friday, January 6 | 10 AM

Stories & Stretches Saturday, January 7 | 10 AM

Sensory Playtime Sunday, January 8 | 2 PM

Teen Advisory Board Mondays | 3:30 PM

Finals Café Monday, January 9 | 6 PM

Pajama Storytime Mondays | 6:15 PM

Movie Matinee Thursday, January 12 | 10 AM

Elementary Food & Games Friday, January 13 | 2 PM

Songs & Stories Saturday, January 14 | 10 AM

Bingo & Hot Chocolate Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 22 | 1:30 PM

Books on Tap Tuesday, January 17 | 6 PM at Mickey’s Irish Pub

Elementary Early Out Wednesday, January 18 | 2:30 PM

BYO-Fabric Snow/Ice Dye Workshop

Saturday, January 21 | 10 AM

Understanding Lunar New Year (Online) Saturday, January 21 | 2 PM

Animal Book Club Thursday, January 26 | 4:30 PM

Elementary Craft Lab Friday, January 27 | 4 PM

Bird Watching Basics Sunday, January 29 | 1 PM

FEBRUARY EVENTS

The majority of events will require registration in advance. Visit waukeepubliclibrary.org/ calendar for more information and to register.

On Exhibit: Sunflower Fine Art Studio Children’s Art Show February 1-29

Toddler Time Tuesdays at 10 and 11 AM | Wednesdays at 10 AM

Preschool Storytime Tuesdays at 10 AM and 1:30 PM | Wednesdays at 10 AM

Bricks & Beads Wednesday, February 1 | 2 PM

Afternoon Book Club Thursday, February 2 | 2:30 PM

Dallas County Conservation Friday, February 3 | 10 AM

Valentine Tea Party Saturday, February 4 | 10 AM

Iowa Civil Rights (Online) Saturday, February 4 | 1 PM

Sensory Spaces Saturday, February 4 | 4 PM

Teen Advisory Board Mondays | 3:30 PM

Pajama Storytime Mondays | 6:15 PM

Bloody Science Monday, February 6 and 27 | 6:30 PM

Movie Matinee Thursday, February 9 | 10 AM

Songs & Stories Saturday, February 11 | 10 AM

Chocolate Spa Party Saturday, February 11 | 1-4 PM

Music Trivia Saturday, February 11 at 1:30 PM | Sunday, February 19 at 1:30 PM

Elementary Early Out Wednesday, February 15 and 22 | 2:30 PM

Pain Management Strategies Thursday, February 16 | 10 AM

Café Learn & Play Friday, February 17 | 10 AM

Elementary Craft Lab Friday, February 17 | 4 PM

Library Closed Monday, February 20 Books on Tap Tuesday, February 21 | 6 PM at Mickey’s Irish Pub

Animal Book Club Thursday, February 23 | 4:30 PM

Elementary Food & Games Friday, February 24 | 2 PM

Macramé Plant Hanger Saturday, February 25 | 1 PM

To find out more about Sensory Spaces go to waukeepubliclibrary.org/sensoryspaces. Watch for additional sessions at Ankeny’s Kirkendall Public Library and the Johnston Public Library to be announced soon.

Get Hip, Don’t Slip: Fall Prevention Thursday, January 19 | 10 AM

Café Learn & Play Friday, January 20 | 10 AM

Stories & Stretches Sunday, February 5 | 2 PM

Babytime Mondays | 10 AM