myWaukee May/June 2018

May/June 2018

ON THE PATH TO

ADVENTURE

Pierson FACES OF Joni & Jim Miller WAUKEE Get Ready to Rock LIBRARY This Summer Dinner & Auction CHAMBER Annual HISTORY Remo “Ray” Nizzi

WE CARE

?

CUSTOMER CARE

W H Y

B U Y

F R O M

SHOTTENKIRK

The Shottenkirk Automotive Group realizes that our customers choose our dealerships for a variety of reasons.

We understand that volume pricing and selection are key to attracting customers but it’s our commitment to the great ownership experience that has built such long term relationships with our customers.

TIRE & WHEEL

FLAT TIRE COVERAGE Provided repair of flat tires caused by a road hazard.

TIRE REPLACEMENT Provides for a replacement should your tire become non-repairable due to impact breaks, cuts or punctures caused by a road hazard.

WHEEL/RIM PROTECTION Provided repair/replacement of covered wheels if rendered serviceable due to a road hazard.

WINDSHIELD REPAIR

DENT & DING REPAIR

This plan provides for the repair of chips and/or cracks caused by propelled rocks or road hazard debris while driving on public roads, streets, and highways, stress cracks or breakage caused by highway potholes or road hazards.

PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR

EXCLUDES Damage from collisions, hail or weather related hazards, factory defects, preexisting conditions or windshield damage other than that listed.

Paintless Dent Repair helps maintain the value and beauty of your vehicle and protects against resale or trade-in-value.

Permanently removes door dings and minor dents.

This process will not harm your vehicle’s factory finish.

VIEW OUR SHOWROOM ONLINE AT

NITROGEN FILLED TIRES

EVERY VEHICLE SOLD HAS NITROGEN FILLED TIRES

ADVANTAGES OF NITROGEN FILLED TIRES INCLUDE: • Increases Fuel Economy • Improves Steering • Improves Handling • Improves Breaking • Reduces Tire Oxidation • Eliminates Interior Wheel Corrosion • Reduces Running Temperatures • Decreases False Alarms From Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

WAUKEECHEVY.COM

755 W. HICKMAN RD., WAUKEE | (515) 987-8575

MoreIowansDriveChevy.com

Celebrate Summer Rockets Glare Rose®— sweet rosé with cherry on the nose, bright red cherries on the palate, and green apple on the finish; pair with your favorite spicy foods. Serve chilled.

Star Spangled White®— sweet white wine offering delicious tropical fruit notes. Pair it with apple and pear desserts and blue cheese or enjoy it alone as a sipping wine.

Serve well chilled.

Red, White, & Blue®— traditional sweet red Concord-based blend with lots of grape flavor reminiscent of grape jelly.

It is an outstanding sipping wine. Serve chilled.

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

3

FROM The Publisher THE TRAIL AHEAD I was born in a small town… almost sounds like it could have been lyrics to a song, doesn’t it?

Actually, I was raised on a farm just outside of a small town called Winfield in the Southeast corner of our state. A rural, farming community, with a small school and around thirty kids in the average graduating class. I graduated high school from that small town 24 years ago and have made Central Iowa my home ever since, and have enjoyed living and working here with my wife, and three young children. I’ve been fortunate to make many friends through the work that I do, and the organizations I’m involved with and I’ve met many great people from throughout our entire state.

When I think about the roads and paths many of us have travelled, it always intrigues me in the number of people I meet that have migrated from the various corners and outskirts of Iowa to the western suburbs of Des Moines and Central Iowa that many of us now call home.

That’s one of the great things about our community, we bring a lot of little pieces of those many small towns here in the big city…and we get better at driving after a few trips across Interstate 235 through downtown, and the fellow motorists are typically pretty friendly, even before we grow accustomed to roads with more than two lanes. The individuals from these outlying towns each bring their own stories, and that’s something that makes our community unique.

As we enter the 5th year of this publication, issue number twenty-five, I would like to thank all of the people who have made myWaukee Magazine a success — of course we couldn’t do this without the continued support from our fantastic advertisers and the businesses who have taken this journey with us – many from the very beginning. Also, a special thanks are also due to Melinda Behn and the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce, Summer Evans and the staff at the City of Waukee, Sue Ellen Kennedy and the Waukee Historical Society, Leah White and the Waukee Public Library and the Waukee School District.

Finally, I want to thank the people of the Waukee community. Your stories have helped to shape the publication that we have loved to produce over the course of these first four years, and we’re excited to bring you future stories of more great families, business owners, restaurateurs, organizations, community leaders and people making a difference in Waukee.

MAY/JUN 2018

Publisher & Partner Jason McArtor

Creative & Partner Zachary Kern

Content Kellyn Pappas & Elyssa Shapiro

Layout & Photography Riley Glenn

Copy Editor Marjorie Sandner

Magazine Distributor Goldfinch Media

Address 8527 University Blvd Suite 7 Clive, Iowa Email info@myTownMagazines.com

Jason McArtor, Publisher 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. ©2018 Goldfinch Media

4

May/June 2018

CONTENTS May/June 2018

06 17

HIG H L I G H TS

14 FACES OF WAUKEE

Jim Miller

Biking Adventures

Learn about all the biking options in Waukee. Whats new, what is to come and what you might not have known about in the past!

22 FACES OF WAUKEE

22

21

30

SECTIONS

Meet Jim, and find out more from the passionate biker that helped make Trailhead happen!

17 STORY

14

0 4 F rom th e P u bl i sh er 0 6 You r Ci ty of Wau kee 2 1 You r Wau kee Ch amber 2 4 You r Wau kee L i brary 2 6 C ommu n i ty Spotl i gh t 3 0 O u r Wau kee Hi story

Joni Pierson

ON THE COVER (From left) Robert, Georgina 11, Amelia 9,

Meet Waukee's newest artist! Fid out more about her before you see her at the Waukee Art Festival.

Adelaide 2, Elloise 6, Alisha Orton

Sitting on one of the many tables at Trailhead in Waukee. On page 17. Photo by Riley Glenn

Clean house…FREE TIME!

Hiring a cleaning service today can help you get your life back! It’s well worth the small cost and you won’t regret the time-saving benefits… » No supplies to buy or store. » Experts do your cleaning.

www.MWBestClean.com

» Pay only for what you need.

Why over pay? » A REALLY clean home!

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION (515) 771–8758 5

Summertime in Waukee is shaping up to be full of fun in the sun, exciting annual events, family activities and more!

YOUR G UI DE TO

Residents and visitors of all ages can find something entertaining and enriching in the city this summer. Be sure to mark your calendars, and check Waukee.org/summertime over the next few months for updates and more information.

The Waukee Public Library’s Summer Reading Program Registration is open now!

“Rock & Read” at the Waukee Public Library this summer! Children of all ages, teens and adults can read or listen to books and earn prizes from June 1-July 31. This year’s theme is focused on music, though you don’t have to be musically gifted to participate. There will be many fun programs and events held throughout June and July; be sure to check the library website for events that require registration. These activities are made possible with generous support from mi-fiber, LLC. Please visit waukeepubliclibrary.org to register for the program or for more information.

Movies in the Park Friday, June 1 and Friday, August 10 Join Waukee Parks & Recreation and the Park Board for free screenings of Hollywood’s biggest hits under the stars at Centennial Park. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and snacks.

Friday, June 1 - Turbo (PG) Dusk (Approximately 8:45 p.m.)

A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500. PLUS - join Iowa State University as they present the Insect Zoo in conjunction with the movie from 2:30-4 p.m. and also from 6:45-8:15 p.m.

Friday, August 10 - The Greatest Showman (PG) Dusk (Approximately 8:45 p.m.)

See the original movie musical inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman.

Waukee.org/moviesinthepark

Celebrate Waukee: Saturday, June 2 The Waukee Community Festivals Committee is gearing up for Celebrate Waukee! Saturday morning festivities begin with the Rotary’s Club of Waukee Pancake Breakfast and a 5K run. Activities continue at Centennial Park where attendees will find a wide range of activities for all ages, including a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, inflatables, food, drinks, live music from bands Dick Danger and 5 Below, fireworks at dusk and more! celebratewaukee.com

Waukee Downtown Farmers Market Wednesdays: June 6-Sept 26 • 4-7 p.m.

Presented by the Waukee Triangle Businesses, the Farmers Market is held in the Downtown Triangle every Wednesday evening during the summer and features local food vendors, fresh produce, handmade items and live music waukeedowntown.com

6

May/June 2018

BACooN Sizzles Waukee Friday, June 15

Waukee Public Safety Day Tuesday, August 7 • 5-8 p.m.

The Waukee Community Festivals Committee invites bacon lovers to unite! BACooN Sizzles Waukee is the pre-party and community event held at Centennial Park the night before BACooN Ride 5: Ride for the Cured! Residents, friends, bacon enthusiasts— everyone is welcome to enjoy delicious bacon delicacies from vendors, a beverage garden and live music from Pie in the Sky.

The Waukee Police and Fire Departments will join forces again for Waukee’s Public Safety Day. The popular annual event will feature activities and demonstrations including tours of the Waukee Public Safety Building, the chance for kids to use a fire hose, the opportunity to try Fatal Vision Goggles (which simulate what impaired driving feels like) and a child ID station. Meet members of the departments and feast on grilled food and ice cream.

waukee.org/bacoonsizzles

Waukee.org/publicsafetyday

Fourth of July Celebration Tuesday, July 4 • 3-10 p.m.

The Waukee Ten

Each year, Waukee Parks & Recreation hosts an all-day celebration of our nation's independence. Activities start at 3 p.m. with a parade from Triangle Park to Centennial Park. After the parade, bring your friends and family to Centennial Park for inflatables, live music from the band Mud Dogs at 5 p.m., food vendors and a great fireworks show after dusk (usually beginning shortly after 9 p.m.). Note: The Boys Scouts will also host their annual Fourth of July Fun Run at 8 a.m.

Just Go Faster welcomes runners to take a 10-mile run through Waukee in the Second Annual Waukee Ten! The race route boasts 10 beautiful miles of fast flats, challenging climbs, cheering neighbors and a triumphant finish at the Waukee Stadium. If you are preparing for a half-marathon distance, there's no better test of your fitness than this race! This event is open to anyone, and it will offer a 5K route, as well.

Waukee.org/fourthofjuly

Saturday, Sept. 15 • 7 a.m.

waukeeten.com

Waukee Arts Festival July 13 & 14

Bar-B-Kee Bash Saturday, Sept. 15 • 3 p.m.

Sponsored by Stivers Ford Lincoln and held at Centennial Park, the Waukee Area Arts Council’s annual event will kick off on Friday evening this year with a free concert by The Nadas from 6-9 p.m.! On Saturday, enjoy 90+ artists and exhibitors, a Waukee student art exhibit, food truck vendors, kids’ activities, a beverage garden and live music. Artist booths will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Rotary Club of Waukee presents the inaugural Bar-B-Kee Bash! This day-long event features a barbecue contest and tastings from some of the best cooks in the Midwest, entertainment for kids at Centennial Park and the popular band Pork Tornadoes live at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the gate; admission is free for children 10 and under. Proceeds from this community event benefit Major's Army to fight Cystic Fibrosis and the Rotary Club of Waukee.

waukeearts.org

barbkeebash.com

Sundays in Centennial Sundays in July from 6:30-9 p.m.

Join the Waukee Area Arts Council for these free concerts held in Centennial Park: Saturday, July 21 – The DM Project (Singer/songwriter) Saturday, July 28 – The Host Country (Fusion of folk, rock and blues) These concerts are sponsored by Stivers Ford Lincoln and the Waukee Public Library. waukeearts.org

Have an event you’d like to submit to the “Summertime in Waukee” calendar?

Visit Waukee.org/summertime for more information.

REAL ESTATE RE/MAX REAL ESTATE GROUP

A Closer Look at Real Estate Commissions Nobody wants to pay more for something than absolutely necessary. In real estate, the latest money-saving tactic is advertised as a flat-fee real estate listing, intended to save you money on real estate commissions.

Several local real estate companies offer a full-service, flat-rate listing. Some have escalating fees based on the list price of the home, while others offer a flat fee regardless of the list price.

Using a flat fee listing agent as opposed to a traditional commission-based agent will absolutely result in a lower cost to sell your home. So it’s a no-brainer, right?

The answer might surprise you. I compared the sales price data of all homes sold by our brokerage and those of this area’s leading flat-fee broker

RALPH STONEHOCKER (L) RE/MAX REAL ESTATE GROUP

between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018. To be fair, I limited the search to pending sales and closed sales for homes with a list/sale price between $250,000 and $500,000. This resulted in a sample size of 290 transactions for RE/MAX Real Estate Group and 176 transactions for the area’s leading flat-fee broker.

The only thing all homes have in common is that they can be measured by square footage. The data revealed that our median sales price was $176.91 per square foot versus theirs of $162.21!

ralph@dsmrealestate.com 515.778.8711

***Based on a 2,000 Square Foot Home***

DOUG STONEHOCKER (R)

Sale Price Listing Fee 3% to Buyer's Agent Total Commissions Congratulations,You Saved Commissions!!!!

Or Did You? What’s the net?

Uh Oh! You gave up how much?

RE/MAX REAL ESTATE GROUP

doug@dsmrealestate.com 515.240.6794 It’s not just about the homes. It’s about the people who will live in them. After nearly 30 years in real estate, I take great pride in the homes I sell. But I take greater pride in the people I’ve helped buy homes. It’s those long-term relationships with my clients that keep me so enthused about my work. Whether you’re interested in new construction, buying your first home or acquiring land, I’ll work hard to be your realtor for life.

RE/MAX Real Estate Group Sale Price Per SF $176.91 $353,820.00 $(10,614.60) $(10,614.60) $(21,229.20) $332,590.80 $20,398.40

Real estate commissions are negotiable.

Let’s assume we are both listing a 2,000-square-foot home and our brokerage would be willing to do so for a six percent commission. Half of that commission would be shared with the buyer’s agent. Let’s also assume that the area’s leading flat-fee broker would charge their advertised $2,495 to list it PLUS the three percent that is not advertised in their flat fee to be shared with the agent that brings the buyer.

The math looks pretty simple!

Leading Area Flat Fee Sale Price per SF $162.21 $324,420.00 $(2,495.00) $(9,732.60) $(12,227.60) $9,001.60 $312,192.40

What happened? In the face of competition, flat-fee agents and brokers become dependent on volume to fuel profits and growth.

Because there are only so many hours in the day, flat-fee brokers have to provide the same service, but to more clients.

With RE/MAX Real Estate Group, you get more for your space. If you’re considering listing your home, let’s talk!

MOVE UP TO A

HIGHLAND H O M E

»Timeless Quality

»Functional Design

See the difference at

515.259.0594

www.dsmrealestate.com SOLD EXCLUSIVELY BY RALPH STONEHOCKER 8

May/June 2018

BANKING CENTRAL BANK Getting Prequalified for a Mortgage Loan MATTHEW KLEIN Central Bank

A ssist ant Vic e P re sid e nt , B u sin e ss Deve l o p m e nt O f f icer 5 15-9 8 7-229 9 Our small-town roots and dedication to the communities we serve push us to help our customers and communities to accomplish great things. We’re family-owned and decisions are made locally.

Whether it’s a mortgage, a small-business loan, operating funds for an ag operation or a new checking account, our people go above and beyond to make Central Bank work for you and the community we all live in.

CENTRAL BANK IS THE KEY TO YOUR

New Home

In many markets across the country, there are more buyers searching for homes than there are homes for sale. This has been the case in Iowa, and it has led to a competitive marketplace in which buyers often need to stand out. One way to show you are serious about buying a home is to get prequalified for a mortgage before beginning your search.

It’s highly recommended that you work with your lender to get prequalified before you begin house hunting. Prequalification will tell you how much home you can afford and it can help you move faster, and with greater confidence in competitive markets.

What goes into the mortgage loan process? Start with the 4 C’s!

Capacity: This is your current and future ability to make your payments. Lenders will look at your income, employment history and monthly debt obligations to ensure you can make your mortgage payment comfortably.

Capital: The money and savings you have on hand, plus investments, properties and other assets. Having these reserves proves you can manage money and have funds, in addition to your income, to make your mortgage payment.

Collateral: The home, or type of home, you would like to purchase, and ensuring it’s worth what you are willing to pay for it is important, because it’s often used for security against the loan.

Get Started!

Apply using your smartphone, www.centralbankhomeloans.com or contact Vicki today!

Credit: This is a history of paying bills and other debts on time. Having and maintaining a strong credit rating is vital to securing a competitive interest rate for a mortgage or any other debt.

Getting prequalified shows sellers that you are serious about buying, and it often helps speed up the process once your offer has been accepted. If you have any questions about getting prequalified, don’t hesitate to contact Vicki Davis or visit our online mortgage center at centralbankonline.com for additional information and payment calculators.

Vicki Davis NMLS ID #406039

Download Vicki’s Home Loans app! http://mtgpro.co/bss9n Calculate monthly payments, compare lending scenarios, apply using your smartphone...and much more.

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

Equal Housing Lender

9

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Under Construction: Holmes Murphy

by Kellyn Pappas

Of all the developments taking shape in Waukee these days—and there are plenty of them—the Kettlestone Development is set to be one of the most prominent. Projected to be a mixed-use neighborhood, encompassing everything from shopping and entertainment to residences and office space, the area is anticipated to be a cornerstone neighborhood in Waukee. When complete, it will cover more than 1,500 acres. One of the area’s first residents is already in place, as insurance broker Holmes Murphy, formerly in West Des Moines, relocated its headquarters to Kettlestone in January of this year.

Deciding on a new location for the growing company didn’t happen overnight. In fact, the process took over two years, according to Holmes Murphy Vice President of Operations Karla Radda.

The company scouted over 50 locations before settling on Kettlestone. “We were ‘thinking ahead’ to the possibilities,” said Radda, referencing one of the core tenets of Holmes Murphy’s philosophy.

“We decided to be at the forefront of that development and be one of the first new businesses to the area, setting the stage for others to follow.”

The company’s new 93,740-square foot building is, unsurprisingly, larger than its previous space and is specifically designed to not only fit the company culture, but to provide a more collaborative space for all employees, according to Radda.

The open-concept space features lots of windows, providing natural light, and there is plenty of green space surrounding the building to give employees the opportunity to get “fresh air and fresh perspective,” she said.

Each team member has a dedicated work space to make their own. There are also numerous collaboration stations throughout the building—each marked with a specific color of carpet—where team members can gather to plan, educate and celebrate. The hub of the building is “7Central,” a space to gather which represents Holmes Murphy’s seven aspirations: Celebrate, Count on Me, Courageous Influence, Health Matters, Leave Good Footprints, Share Abundantly, and Unity Over Uniformity.

Holmes Murphy was open for business throughout the entire transition to Kettlestone, and they are very satisfied with their new location. “What started as a blank canvas has now turned into a Holmes Murphy masterpiece—one we believe will fuel our growth and creativity,” said Radda. “We’re excited to be in Waukee!”

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.

I’M A MOM. NOT A WINDOW / DOOR / CABINET / COUNTERTOP / FLOORING EXPERT.

When I want to update a room in my house I need someone who is honest and smart. Someone who knows exactly what I need. Not too pricey. Definitely not cheap.

Just perfect.

WE PROUDLY CARRY:

VISIT AN IDEA CENTER:

WAUKEE / ALTOONA / CORALVILLE / MARION

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS SINCE 1856.

www.GilcrestJewett.com

10

May/June 2018

INSURANCE FARMERS INSURANCE Insurance Tips Everyone Should Know

Regardless of your insurance provider, here are a few tips to make sure you are getting the best value for your insurance dollar: Create a household contents inventory. Keep a household contents inventory that you can use in the event you need to file a claim. We recommend you use a video camera to document your belongings. Go through your entire house with a video camera and pan slowly over every area. Open drawers, cupboards and closets and film those areas as well. Keep a copy of the video for yourself, and also give a copy to someone you trust or save a copy electronically in case there is a total loss.

This will ensure you have a copy to show your adjuster. Receipts are no good if they burn up or are lost or destroyed!

KARLA RENDALL Farmers Insurance Yo u r Loc al Age nt

krendall@farmersagent.com (515) 727-1661 As your local Farmers® agent in Johnston, IA, I help customers like you identify the insurance coverage that best fits your needs. This process is straightforward and personalized to help make you smarter about insurance.

I have the knowledge and experience to help you better understand your coverage options--whether that’s auto, home, renters, business insurance and more.

Even if you think you have nothing that can be taken in a lawsuit, your wages can be garnished up to 25 percent to settle the suit. The national average jury awards more than $375,000 in vehicle liability cases and more than $400,000 in premises liability cases!

Check your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Ensure your limits are high and that you have an umbrella policy for uninsured and underinsured coverage. If someone hits you and doesn’t have enough coverage, our health plan may cover the medical bills, but it will not provide for lost wages and other costly expenses.

Ensure your policy offers “replacement cost” versus “actual cash value” on your household contents. “Actual cash value” means you may receive garage sale values for household contents you lose in a covered event. This equates to a depreciated amount and you must come up with the difference. “Replacement cost” means you will receive “new for old” for household contents you lose in a covered event. In other words, you will receive the full amount necessary to purchase a new item to replace the one you lost.

Make sure you have adequate life insurance. Ensure that what you have at work will eliminate your outstanding debts and provide for your surviving family members. You might have enough, or you might need to add to what you already have.

Consider juvenile life insurance. This is insurance for your children, and it’s generally VERY inexpensive. You don’t buy this because you think something bad might happen to your children. Juvenile life insurance ensures that your children will be able to have life insurance when they are older, even if they become uninsurable because they have an injury or are diagnosed with a condition that would preclude them from securing life insurance later in life.

Check for specified limits on high-dollar belongings. Items such as jewelry, firearms, art, etc. may have specified limits per item (e.g., $1,000 per item of jewelry). If you want these items to be fully replaced following a loss, you may need extra endorsements to protect you.

If you would like a free, no-obligation review of your coverage, give us a call at 515-727-1661! Whether or not you choose us to be your provider, we’ll let you know where you stand.

Look at your liability limits. Make sure your liability limits are high (250/500 and above) and that you have an umbrella policy in force.

FARMERS GIVES FARMERS GIVES YOUYOU MORE WAYS MORE WAYS TO TO SAVE ON ON SAVE AUTO INSURANCE AUTO INSURANCE

Take advantage of multiple Take advantage of multiple discounts on auto discounts insurance. on auto insurance.

At Farmers®, addition to At in Farmers®, incustomized addition to coverage customized coverage features, we offer a number of discounts to reward features, we offer a number of discounts to reward good behavior (like safe driving and paying on good behavior (like safe driving and paying on time) and show appreciation for your business time) and show appreciation for your business with Farmers. In addition to discounts for going with Farmers. In addition to discounts for going paperless, paying in full, and setting up your paying in full, and setting up your account onpaperless, automatic payment.

account on automatic payment.

Get smart and save hundreds with Farmers Getdiscounts! smart and save hundreds with Farmers multi-policy

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515.727.1661

515.727.1661

Rendall Insurance Agency

Your Local Agent

Rendall Insurance Agency

6165 NW 86th Street Your Local Agent Johnston , IA 50131 6165 NW 86th Street KRENDALL@FARMERSAGENT.COM Johnston , IA 50131 https://agents.farmers.com/krendall

KRENDALL@FARMERSAGENT.COM https://agents.farmers.com/krendall

11

LAW MASTERSON & BOTTENBERG Which Group Are You In? Current estimates suggest that over 55 percent of individuals do not have a will. When you add in people with an old or outdated will, the number jumps even higher. While Iowa law provides for property distribution upon the death of an individual without a will, it doesn’t necessarily match up with what many people would want, and if your will is outdated, it may not reflect your current life situation. Examples include relationships that have ended in divorce, second marriages and minor children.

CHARLIE BOTTENBERG Masterson & Bottenberg LLP Par t n e r

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

The legal effect of a divorce is to eliminate all references to an ex-spouse and the ex-spouse’s family members.

While this is probably what the individual would want in terms of people inheriting property, if those ex-family members had roles to serve in the will, the document may no longer make sense. For example, if an ex-brotherin-law was set to be the Executor, he is removed from the will, leaving a role unaccounted for. This can cause confusion and delay as no Executor would automatically be named in the event of a death. The best way to fix this is to have a new will written to fit the current situation.

In the case of a second marriage, Iowa law assumes you want some of your assets to go to your current spouse, and some of your assets to any children you have from prior relationships. In many cases, this is not what the individual would want. One of the great things about our system is the flexibility to direct where your assets go; however, the only way our court system recognizes the wishes of the deceased individual is when the court is presented with a properly executed will.

The final example is that of minor children. When a single parent or a couple dies with no will and leaves behind minor children, the job of determining who will raise the children and who will safeguard any assets left to them falls to the court. In many cases, whoever the court picks isn’t who the deceased individual would have picked for those roles. Once again, a properly executed will, this time with a trust included, allows people to choose for themselves who will fill those roles.

Even though 55 percent of individuals don’t have a will, most know who they would want their dependents and assets to go to if something should happen to them.

Now is the perfect time to take those thoughts and make them official. Contact the attorneys at Masterson & Bottenberg, LLP to schedule a free meeting to discuss your will.

“Your Law Firm For When Life Happens” Jeremy Masterson - Charlie Bottenberg Experienced Attorneys practicing in the areas of: Wills, Trusts, Estate and Long Term Care Planning Asset Protection and Succession Planning Guardianships and Conservatorships Corporate Law Family Law Masterson & Bottenberg, LLP 14225 University Ave., Suite 210, Waukee IA 50263 Phone: 515-216-0737 Fax: 515-216-0104 www.dsmlawyers.com 12

May/June 2018

AUTO REPAIR WILLARD GARAGE

Six Ways You Could be Killing Your Car Owning a car can be a dream or a nightmare depending on how well you take care of your vehicle. The following are six things that many motorists do that can harm their car and their wallet.

1. Ignoring the check engine light. Ignoring an illuminated check engine light can result in serious engine trouble and costly repairs. At the very least, this warning light could alert you to an engine problem that is negatively impacting fuel economy.

2. Failing to change fluids and filters. Many fluids are required for the operation and protection of vehicle systems and components. Checking fluid levels regularly, along with the filters, helps ensure that your vehicle runs dependably and extends vehicle life.

3. Neglecting your tires. Your vehicle’s tires should be checked frequently for inflation and tread depth. Underinflated tires can wear out more quickly, needing to be replaced sooner, and can negatively impact safety, gas mileage and performance.

4. Not following a service schedule. Because many car parts and components wear out or become damaged over time, vehicles need to be routinely serviced in order to perform optimally. Routine inspections and timely repairs will help keep your car running efficiently and will help you avoid more expensive repairs down the road.

5. Keeping a dirty car. Allowing your car to go too long without a wash leads to buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt, increases the potential for rust from road salt and interferes with proper visibility needed for safe driving.

6. Being a severe driver. Whether it’s stop-and-go traffic, extreme weather, rough roads or heavy loads, it can sometimes be difficult to limit severe driving conditions.

However, you can drive smart and improve fuel economy by observing the speed limit; avoiding aggressive driving, including quick starts and stops; not hauling unnecessary items; and keeping your vehicle properly tuned.

“Because auto care isn’t always a top priority for car owners, they might not realize they are doing things that adversely affect the performance, safety and value of their car,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Routine maintenance can go a long way toward saving money, avoiding headaches and protecting your vehicle investment.”

Article courtesy of Car Care Council.

13

FACES OF WAUKEE Joni Pierson Where did you grow up?

I grew up on a farm near Ottumwa. Living in the country provided me with a great appreciation for all of the beauty there is in nature. I moved out of state for 20 years, but like so many, I found my way back, landing in Waukee in 1997. I have been very proud to call Waukee my home for the past 21 years.

You’re a local artist in the metro.

Can you describe your work?

The medium I work in is acrylic painting on canvas.

My paintings consist of modern abstract geometric shapes with hard lines. I’m drawn to the symmetry in shapes and using vivid color to complement my designs.

Aside from your own, what style of art do you admire?

I admire all artists that can create something beautiful from their imagination—artists that make watercolor come to life; potters that make beautiful pottery from a single piece of clay; jewelers that make beautiful jewelry we wear every day; or beautiful metal sculptures that are made from a flat piece of metal.

I’m inspired by many different artist techniques.

You’ll be exhibiting at the Waukee Arts Festival this July in Centennial Park. What excites you most about this event?

I can't wait to show my pieces to the community.

Just meeting all the people that will be there browsing the art, listening to the music and enjoying all the great food is very exciting.

What do you think contributes to the ever-growing enthusiasm for the arts in Waukee and throughout the Des Moines Metro?

As Waukee and the rest of the Des Moines Metro continue to grow, I think everyone is looking for a unique piece of art to adorn the walls of their new home or business. The Waukee Arts Festival will be the perfect place to find the one-of-a-kind, beautiful piece of art from a local artist. I hope to see you there!

Know someone we should feature? Let us know!

Email us at waukee@mytownmagazines.com 14

May/June 2018

FINANCE CHARTERED FINANCIAL SERVICES RFP AND FEE BENCHMARKING Chartered Financial Services, Ltd. is a member of RPAG, a national alliance of accomplished advisors whose precision and ingenuity produce enhanced value for sponsors and participants in qualified and non-qualified plans. RPAG’s acclaimed technology platform outranks the industry in full-view metrics, safety-net compliance and clarity in communication. Today, RPAG is represented by over 400 member firms, serving 30,000 sponsors with over $300 billion in collective assets under influence (as of 01/01/2017).

As a member of RPAG, Chartered Financial Services, Ltd. has access to dedicated Provider Search/Fee Benchmarking resources for investment management, recordkeeping services and fee comparisons, which helps plan sponsors to meet important fiduciary requirements while ensuring a best practices retirement plan.

DEDICATED FOCUS

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Chartered Financial Services, Ltd. Re t i reme nt Pl an Co nsu l t a nt

jasonvos@charteredfs.com 515-224-0596 The advisors of Chartered Financial Services, Ltd. offer fee based and asset management services to individuals and corporate clients. As the first fee-based financial planning practice in Iowa, we seek to become a person’s primary source for financial information by offering a comprehensive review of any financial situation. Our culture consistently promotes the values of integrity, experience, transparency, and collaboration. All of our actions, big and small, are made with these four values in mind.

RPAG maintains an RFP/Benchmarking Department committed solely to performing provider searches. By leveraging RPAG’s intellectual capital and robust consulting tools, Chartered Financial Services, Ltd. can lead plan sponsors through the benchmarking process—from the initial proposal requests to the final analysis, and even conversion management assistance (if and when warranted).

The source of data used to benchmark plan fees, services and investments is proprietary—developed and maintained in-house by full-time provider research analysts. Ultimately, the final report output documents whether current fees, services and investments are competitive with the marketplace, which helps plan fiduciaries meet their responsibilities as set forth by ERISA RPAG’S proprietary RFP Benchmarking process employs both quantitative and qualitative metrics. The final output is titled the B3 Provider Analysis™ to represent the benchmarking of fees, services and investments in one comprehensive report.

Features of the process include an initial needs analysis; RFP questionnaire; response compilation; total cost analysis; investment opportunities ranking; conversion assistance; and provider contract review and negotiation.

KEY ATTRIBUTES »» Since 2011, the RPAG B3 Provider Analysis system has received over 20,000 live pricing quotes from service providers and has produced over 5,000 benchmarking reports. »» On a semi-annual basis, the RPAG RFP Department collects updates from 100+ providers to ensure current data is maintained in its proprietary B3 Provider Analysis database. »» The final report output includes 400+ data points in key areas including recordkeeping, investment management, compliance services, employee education and technology. »» A Total Cost Analysis shows bottom-line dollar amounts of incumbent and bidding providers, and includes revenue sharing analysis for full fee transparency. »» RPAG routinely meets with service providers to stay abreast of product enhancements and conducts site visits to ensure ongoing qualitative due diligence. »» RPAG’s B3 Provider Analysis services can be applied to 401(k), 403(b), 457 and Non-Qualified plans ranging from under $1,000,000 to over $1,000,000,000.

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Jason F Vos, CFP®

Chartered Financial Services, Ltd. 936 Eighth St West Des Moines, IA 50265 phone: 515-224-0596 email: jasonvos@charteredfs.com www.CharteredFS.com

Proud member of RPAG (Retirement Plan Advisory Group) We’re an Independent Consultant and able to serve as a Fiduciary in the capacity of a 3(21) investment advisor or 3(38) investment manager for your retirement plan.

Registered Representative, Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor. Chartered Financial Services and Cambridge are not affiliated.

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&

Cocktails

Mocktails:

Girls' Night Out -

$20 per person

Cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails ("mocktails") are fun to make, delicious to drink and a great treat for any party. Learn easy-to-make drinks the whole family can enjoy this Mother's Day! Mocktails are also the perfect special treat for mothers-to-be. Must be age 7+. Menu will also include some light bites prepared by your Waukee chefs.

Friday, May 11th | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Waukee Hy-Vee Meeting Room

SUMMER BLOATIN’ Happened so Fast

$15/person

Fried pickles, funnel cakes, and ice cream, oh my! The summer months are full of calorie bombs, whether you’re barbecuing in the backyard or basking in the sun. Join Waukee Hy-Vee dietitian Paige, at this hands-on workshop and learn how to enjoy all that summer has to offer while keeping your beach body in tip-top shape.

Ages 15+ welcome.

Thursday, May 31th | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Waukee Hy-Vee Meeting Room

Erin Good RD, LD

Contact Paige at (515) 216-277 or phoyle@hy-vee.com to sign up today!

Paige Hoyle RD, LD

WAUKEE

STORY

It’s that time of year. The grass has started to green, neighborhoods have emerged from hibernation and the area’s evolving trail system is ready for use. As residents dust off their bikes, strollers and tennis shoes, let’s walk through the winding trails of Waukee and beyond.

Overview Waukee has three main trails—Heart of the Warrior, Sugar Creek and Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT).

The Heart of the Warrior Trail is three miles long and runs east to west through many of Waukee’s residential neighborhoods.

Parking is available on the east side of the trail at Lion’s Park. Heart of the Warrior connects to Clive’s Greenbelt Trail, which leads to an extensive trail system. Centennial Park also sits along the trail, just across Ashworth Road, and provides a nice place for picnicking and playing outdoor games.

Continued >>

17

STORY

The Sugar Creek trailhead is at the intersection of Warrior Lane and University Avenue and curves through the city’s southern neighborhood of Glynn Village. This trail also runs through Centennial Park by way of a pedestrian bridge connected to the Spyglass neighborhood. Scenic views of the Sugar Creek Golf Course are an added treat.

Similar to the High Trestle Trail bridge, the Waukee Railroad Pergola will be illuminated from dusk until dawn. At least six additional locations along the RRVT loop will adopt aspects of the main trailhead structure, making it the longest linear public art installation in the country.

Racoon River Valley Trail is the area’s largest system, spanning across 89 miles of trail and connecting to 13 additional communities outside Waukee. The trailhead is on the corner of Hickman Road and North 10th Street, where restroom facilities also can be found. Visit raccoonrivervalleytrail.org/the-trail for adescription of attractions and amenities in each community.

In November, a pedestrian underpass that runs across the west side of Alice’s Road was completed along with a sidewalk to the east. “The new tunnel is really cool,” said Andy Walsh, who owns Mickey’s Irish Pub with his wife, Amy—both of whom are major supporters and participants in all things biking. “It’s not a straight shot.

It’s a winding tunnel that goes back and forth. It’s neat.”

What’s New In March, Waukee unveiled a new $1.1 million-dollar public art installation on the RRVT gateway trailhead.

“Waukee Railroad Pergola: In the Shadow of the Rails” was designed by nationally recognized artist David Dahlquist and RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines.

Dahlquist is also the mastermind of the High Trestle Trail bridge lighted superstructure that runs across the Des Moines River between Madrid and Woodward.

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May/June 2018

Grand Prairie Parkway also consists of two pedestrian underpasses. Waukee Parks and Recreation Director Matt Jermier said the underpasses were necessary for safety reasons. “We were getting a lot of comments about how busy that road is, and how dangerous it is to get across.

As you’re trying to develop your trail system, the last thing you want is residents interacting with a six-lane road,” he said.

What’s Ahead What’s next for the Waukee trail system? Jermier said their top priorities are safe commutes and connectivity.

“As we continue to put in more parks and develop new neighborhoods, we’re looking at ways for parents to not have to get in their car and drive to an elementary school,” said Jermier. “A good example of this plan working is the trails in Fox Creek Park that connect to Grant Ragan Elementary. There are many residents who can see the school from where they live and walk from the trail system.”

Safer routes also mean creating more underpasses. “The crossings on Hickman are just way too crazy,” said Walsh.

He has been involved with numerous fundraising efforts for the trail system and says a connector from RRVT to the High Trestle Trail is another project on the list once more funds become available.

“It would be amazing. If bicyclists want to ride High Trestle Trail right now, it involves loading up the back of a truck and unloading in Woodward. With a connector, we could get on our bikes from here, ride to Woodward, curve around the north side of Des Moines and back down. That would be great.”

Raccoon River Valley Trail Events Jermier said there has been an uptick in charity events and 5k runs since completing the north loop on RRVT. “We get usage numbers from Dallas Country Conservation, and those continue to increase year after year,” said Jermier.

One of Waukee’s largest and best-known trail events will take place on Saturday, June 16. The annual BACooN ride covers 71 miles of on the Racoon River Valley Trail and will be presented by the Blue-Ribbon Bacon Festival, RAGBRAI and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Numerous stops along the way will provide tasty bacon treats.

Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee is the official post-party location for the ride, featuring three bands and food and drink specials for riders. Additional RRVT events include the Market to Market Relay for runners on May 12 and live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 7-10 p.m. at Perry’s historic Hotel Pattee.

We’ll show them our network, and they’re blown away by all the paved trails. It’s not a priority for most places, like it is here.

Continued >>

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19

STORY

Side Bars If you’re looking for a pit stop where you can grab a drink and pump some more air in your tires, consider the following Waukee establishments: Mickey’s Irish Pub, Saints Pub and Patio, and Hy-Vee Market Grille (where the tire pump is located at Hy-Vee Gas).

Additional places with food and/or drink near the Waukee trails include 1908 Draught House, Rookie’s Sports Bar and Grill, Kenny’s Garage, Sidetrack Pub, and Broheim’s Indoor Golf and Pub. Walsh, who has owned Mickey’s for 11 years, says bicyclists generally prefer to stop at bars that are known to be ‘bike-friendly.’ “That means the place might be owned and populated by bikers,” he explained. “‘Bike-friendly’ bars put out a station for filling water bottles, provide extra bike racks and create specials for bicyclists—things like that.”

We Have It Good Walsh thinks some Iowans tend to take for granted how good of a trail network we have. “We’ll have people driving across the country who stop here and jump on the RRVT,” he said. “We’ll show them our network, and they’re blown away by all the paved trails. It’s not a priority for most places, like it is here.”

For more information on Waukee’s trails, visit waukee.org.

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May/June 2018

CHAMBER A Taste of Waukee

What’s Cookin’ in Waukee: A Business Expo and Tasting Experience

By Kevin McCormick 2018 board chair MANAGER OF WAUKEE FAREWAY

Thank you to all member booth exhibitors and participants who helped make the sixth annual “What's Cookin' in Waukee” a success! Guests had the opportunity to get to know local businesses and also enjoy food tastings offered at each booth on Thursday, April 5 at Noah’s Event Venue!

A special thanks to our event sponsors, the Chamber’s What’s Cookin’ planning committee and to all volunteers who helped with event details!

Congratulations to the 2018 Best Dish Winners (determined by most guest votes)!

Best Main Course 1st Place: Shottenkirk Chevrolet, Salisbury Steak with Gravy and Golden Homemade Mashed Potatoes 2nd Place: Waukee Hy-Vee, Hy-Waiian Sliders 3rd Place: Waukee Leadership Institute, Pork Burnt Ends Best Appetizer 1st Place: Peoples Trust & Savings Bank, Sweet Piggy Poppers 2nd Place: Smoothie King, Smoothies 3rd Place: Design Alliance, Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes Best Dessert 1st Place: Echo's Cookie Shop, Chocolate Chip Cookies 2nd Place: mi-fiber, LLC, The Coffeesmith Coffee and Muffins 3rd Place: City of Waukee, Caramel Apples Best of Show 1st Place: Shottenkirk Chevrolet, Salisbury Steak with Gravy and Golden Homemade Mashed Potatoes 2nd Place: Echo's Cookie Shop, Chocolate Chip Cookies 3rd Place: Waukee Hy-Vee, Hy-Waiian Sliders

Thank You to Our Member Booth Exhibitors: Achieving Inner Peace LLC, American Trust & Savings Bank, Ankeny Sanitation, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices First Realty, City of Waukee, Design Alliance, Echo's Cookie Shop, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Fareway, First American Bank, Fridley Theatres, Key Potential Chiropractic, McKinney Law Office, Medicap Pharmacy, mi-fiber LLC, Mike Brown State Farm Insurance, Mixed, Optimum Chiropractic, Peoples Trust & Savings Bank, Prairie Fire Phones, Rock Valley Physical Therapy, Rotary Club of Waukee, Sheraton, Shottenkirk Chevrolet, Smoothie King, State Savings Bank, The Village at Legacy Pointe, Timberline Campground, US Cellular Authorized Agent - Cellular Advantage, Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce, Waukee Area Christian Services, Waukee Area Historical Society, Waukee Family YMCA, Waukee Hy-Vee and the Waukee Leadership Institute.

Join the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce to help welcome new businesses to our community at upcoming Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies! Learn more at waukeechamber.com.

21

FACES OF WAUKEE Jim Miller

Tell us about your family.

My wife Deborah is a realtor and enjoys working outdoors when she can.

My daughter Lauren and her husband Jeff live in Omaha and my son Drew is in Waukee.

You seem to have a passion for cycling. Can you tell us where that started?

One of my high school buddies rode RAGBRAI before they started using the RAGBRAI name consistently. He had a blast and we all started going the next year, RAGBRAI III. I’ve been hooked ever since.

We heard you recently biked across several states.

Tell us about that.

In 2015, I completed the transcontinental southern route, which was 2,900 miles in 27 days. So far, I’ve ridden in 21 states, and across 12 of those. This summer, I will ride from Washington state to Minnesota and add four to the tally.

Can you tell our readers about your involvement with the Waukee Railroad Pergola?

Chuck Offenburger and I had a discussion about doing something at the trailhead while we were both on the Board of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association.

I asked a group of Waukee people to meet and discuss the idea, and the project took off. It was interesting to see an idea grow to a project and now a reality.

My advice to anyone considering a project is to avoid small thinking and dream big!

If you had to choose one local trail you love to bike on, which would it be?

The Raccoon River Valley Trail is my training ground. When I’m on a very long ride across a state, I visualize the trail to talk myself to the finish line. It works, and that’s why the trail will always hold a special place for me.

Know someone we should feature? Let us know!

Email us at waukee@mytownmagazines.com 22

May/June 2018

EDUCATION MATHNASIUM

SUMMER CAMP AND MATH PROGRAMS ARE A GREAT PAIR Summer is just around the corner. Do you know what your kids will be doing? While kids may dream of days filled with swimming, ice cream and too much screen time, parents know that a little structure goes a long way towards keeping kids motivated, happy and safe from the academic “summer slide.”

Consider including a summer math program in your plans to keep kids productive and learning. Many families find that these programs are a great complement to other summer camps.

How Mathnasium Complements All Types of Camps STEM Camps

DAN GEHLBACH

Mathnasium of West Des Moines Own e r/Ce nte r Dire c to r

westdesmoines@ma thnasium.com 515-440-6284 Mathnasium of West Des Moines has been offering math tutoring and enrichment to hundreds of students since 2011.

Our expert math staff is passionate about helping kids in our community improve and excel in math through our year-round math programs. We are located across the street from the Jordan Creek Town Center. Call us today and see how we can help your child!

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) camps include topics such as nature, space, computer science and robotics. These topics require students to apply math skills and reasoning creatively. Your child will have a more enjoyable experience and have more success at these camps if they understand the mathematical concepts that underlie the science, technology, and engineering. Your child will feel like a star at camp!

Performing Arts and Visual Arts Camps Children attending a camp for drama, music, dance or painting benefit from our summer sessions, too. Our math programs promote creative thinking, problem solving and discipline. These same skills lend themselves to the creative process necessary for successful art and design. Many musicians and artists use mathematical concepts like ratios, proportions and fractions as part of their artistic expression.

Sports Camps Many children go to sports summer camps to hone their athletic skills. Studies show that exercise also makes our minds sharper.

It would be a shame to waste the cognitive benefits of exercise.

Athletes who attend math summer sessions have already burned off their excess energy and are able to focus and get results. It’s important to exercise the mind as well as the body over summer vacation!

Multi-Activity Camps Many camps provide campers with a well-rounded experience, with sports, crafts and camping. An entire summer without focused goals, while great fun, may create a sense that something’s missing. The best summer math programs offer kids the opportunity to strive toward the goal of skill mastery. Kids earn a priceless sense of confidence, competence and personal accomplishment when they pass a math mastery check. And that skill lasts well past when camp has ended.

The right summer math program can transform your child’s life with a balance of constructive learning and fun. Mathnasium’s summer program complements all camps, and flexible scheduling means it will work well with every family’s summer calendar, fitting in seamlessly around day camps or vacations.

Mathnasium’s summer programs prevent the academic “summer slide” and set kids up for success in the next school year and beyond. When planning for summer, consider all that Mathnasium’s programs can offer, then contact me at Mathnasium of West Des Moines to start a summer of transformation for your child!

Power Up Your Child This Summer

Mathnasium can transform your child’s summer with a balance of constructive learning and fun. We’ll help you choose one of our Summer Power Workout Programs, which include fractions, multiplication, algebra readiness, geometry readiness, and more.

We help kids avoid the academic “summer slide” and give them an edge for the next school year … and beyond.

For 15 years, we’ve been the authority in math education, growing to over 900 centers worldwide. Teaching math is not just what we do, it’s all we do.

Start your child’s transformation.

Schedule a comprehensive free assessment today.

Changing Lives Through Math Tutoring and Enrichment

SAT/ACT Prep

Homework Help

Mathnasium of West Des Moines

515-440-MATH (6284)

mathnasium.com/westdesmoines

160 S. 68th Street, Ste. 1105 (Across from Jordan Creek Mall) 23

FROM YOUR Waukee Library

Get Ready to Rock This Summer at the Library!

May is a great month for relaxing and revving up for summer at the Waukee Public Library! Join a book club or come to one of our many storytimes! We will also have some great special programs this month for all ages! Then, before we know it, it will be June and the Summer Library Program will be here! This year’s theme is “Rock & Read” and will run from June 1 until July 31. Everyone is invited to participate! By Leah White

Here are some FAQs about the Summer Reading Program:

When does registration open?

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

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ADULTS EASY AS PIE SATURDAY, MAY 5 - 1:00 p.m.

Learn the basics of making a delicious pie from Lana Shope, Iowa State Fair and American Pie Council awardwinning baker, and owner of Pies and Pastries by Lana.

Participants will learn about the magic of making and baking pie! Samples will be served and a drawing will be held to take home the pie Lana prepares during this class. Registration is required and will open three weeks before the event.

LOCAL HISTORY SERIES: INTERURBAN RAILROAD PERRY TO DES MOINES SUNDAY, MAY 6 - 1:00 p.m.

Presented by Rod Stanley TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS AND FALL PREVENTION MONDAY, MAY 7 - 10:30 a.m.

Tai Chi is a holistic form of exercise that has been shown to help improve balance, increase flexibility and reduce stress. Whether you have balance deficits, arthritis or are simply seeking a healthier lifestyle, tai chi will help you reach your wellness goals.

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May/June 2018

How do I register?

You can register online at waukeelibrary.beanstack.org or in person at the Waukee Public Library.

This class will specialize in arthritis and fall prevention, and can be done while standing or seated. This beginner-friendly class requires no prior experience.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes.

Registration is required and will open three weeks before the event.

SMARTPHONES FOR SENIORS THURSDAY, MAY 17 - 10:00 a.m.

Are you getting the most out of your smartphone?

Come learn about it and see some of the informational, educational, utilitarian and FUN features you may be missing and are sure to enjoy using.

PLANTING A HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 2:00 p.m.

Iowa Master Gardener Carly Kelty-Greenfield will teach you everything you need to know about starting and maintaining a vegetable garden at home. Learn about selecting a site, seeds and transplants, preparing the soil, and garden care during the growing season.

Who can participate?

All ages!

DISCOVER! Adults can attend library activities for bonus entries!

How do I earn prizes?

READ! Magazines, audiobooks and eBooks count, too!

BACKYARD BBQ

FOOD PRESERVATION 101

SUNDAY, MAY 20 - 1:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 26 - 6:00 p.m.

ON THE LIBRARY LAWN Take home all the skills you need to achieve BBQ greatness! In this class, Joe Osbrink of the Iowa BBQ Society will go over techniques to smoke chicken thighs, St. Louis spare ribs and pork loin. Trimming, seasoning, grill prep, fuel usage, types of wood and common mistakes will be discussed. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for an annual membership to the Iowa BBQ Society and samples will be served!

Don’t know what to do with your excess garden or farmer’s market produce?

Want to learn how to preserve food safely at home?

Mary Krisco of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will teach safe home food preservation methods including canning, dehydrating and freezing.

Great for beginners, but even seasoned home food preservers will benefit from new recommendations, techniques and recipes.

Attendees will receive handouts and some tasting samples will be provided.

MAGICAL MYTHICAL TOUR: IN SEARCH OF THE BEATLES SATURDAY, JUNE 9 - 1:00 p.m.

Fans, fellow musicians and even their critics were captivated by the Beatles’ formidable energy and held spellbound by their maturing dialogue on love, hope, vulnerability and peace.

University of Iowa music historian Donna Parsons has spent the past 13 summers tracing the sites that influenced their songs and the venues where the Beatles honed their craft and built their fan base. Come learn more about this iconic band’s road to stardom!

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KIDS STEM LIT WITH IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION THURSDAY, MAY 3 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Kids in grades K-5 are invited to hear a story about a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) topic followed by a related experiment. This session’s topic is popping popcorn.

Registration is required and will open three weeks prior to the event.

DALLAS COUNTY TODDLER FEST SATURDAY, MAY 5 - 10:00 a.m.

DALLAS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, ADEL, IOWA The 5th Annual Dallas County Toddler Fest will be at the Dallas County Fairgrounds. Families with young children are invited to stop in for a morning of fun. Each child attending will receive a free book, and there will be many educational crafts and activities provided by local businesses at no charge. This event is organized by all 12 Dallas County libraries and is sponsored by 4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa.

BEDTIME STORIES WITH THE WAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT THURSDAY, MAY 10 - 6:15 p.m.

Special guests from the Waukee Police Department will share bedtime stories and talk about being a police officer with young children and their families.

If there is no emergency in progress, attendees may get a close look at a police car!

Registration is required and will open three weeks prior to the event.

READING ROCKS IN WAUKEE FRIDAY, JUNE 1 - 10:00-11:00 a.m. & 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Drop by the library to paint a rock and sign up for Summer Reading. This is a comeand-go event. Then put your rock on display somewhere around the community because Reading Rocks in Waukee!

This program is brought to you in partnership with the Iowa State University Extension & Outreach and Waukee Parks & Recreation.

FAMILY PAJAMA STORYTIME THURSDAYS IN JUNE - 6:15 p.m.

Families with young children are welcome to wear their PJs and listen to songs and stories followed by a craft.

BUGS AND BOOKS FRIDAY, JUNE 1 - 2:30-4:00 p.m. & 6:45-8:15 p.m.

CENTENNIAL PARK Everyone is welcome to sign-up for summer reading and get up close and personal with the exciting world of insects and arthropods in this free come-and-go event at Centennial Park in Waukee.

The Insect Zoo from Iowa State University is a handson, interactive and fun experience that will explore the basics of arthropod form and function. Learn why insects are important to us as you interact with live and preserved insect displays.

The library will be sharing insect stories and taking registration for the Summer Reading Program.

INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO THURSDAY, JUNE 14 & THURSDAY, JUNE 21 - 9:30 a.m. AND 10:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 9:30 a.m.

Youth entering grades K-5 are invited to attend one class to listen and learn about the violin and the cello with Amanda from the Des Moines Symphony Academy. After listening, children will have a chance to handle the instruments. Each class session is the same.

Registration is required and will open three weeks prior to the event.

FRIDAY FAMILY FUN TIME! FRIDAYS IN JUNE - 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Families are invited to visit the library and enjoy a variety of entertainment from a talented series of special guests. Programs are recommended for 4-10 year olds and their caregivers. Registration is required for these events.

Walk-ins will be admitted if there are unclaimed tickets.

Groups of larger than eight people should contact youthservices@waukee.org to determine space availability.

Registration is required and will open three weeks prior to the event.

STEAM WITH MUSIC FRIDAYS IN JUNE - 4:15 p.m.

Youth entering grades 1-5 in the fall are invited to enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and math activities with music.

Registration is required and will open three weeks prior to the event.

25

COMMUNITY SPOT LIGHT AMERICAN LEGION POST

Waukee American Legion Post 737 – Who Are They and What Do They Do? Who They Are The Waukee American Legion has been part of the Waukee community for over 10 years. Their top priority is helping veterans. The Waukee American Legion Family is made up of three organizations: the Waukee American Legion, the Waukee Auxiliary and the Waukee Legion Riders. Each of these organizations expands the American Legion’s reach in supporting veterans—locally, throughout the state and across the nation.

What They Do The Waukee American Legion participates in many events throughout the year. For example, they: »» Take part in many Waukee community events, such as the Memorial Day ceremony, Celebrate Waukee, and the Waukee 4TH of July. »» Conduct U.S. Flag retirement ceremonies in the Waukee Triangle area. »» Serve meals at the Waukee Farmers Market from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. »» Participate in the Celebrate Waukee and July 4th parades and barbecue in Centennial park and provide a playlist of music for the fireworks display. »» Distribute poppies at the Waukee Hy-Vee to raise funds for veterans. »» Participate in veterans’ funerals. »» Collect and distribute clothing for homeless veterans. »» Hold the Legion Riders Annual Toy Run. »» Sponsor local youth through the Waukee Junior Auxiliary and Boy Scouts Troop 182, and by paying the fees of $300 and $400 to sponsor high school juniors that attend Hawkeye Boys State and Hawkeye Girls State each June. »» Hold a Legion Riders Breakfast on the third Sunday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon. »» Hold a Legion Meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. »» Hold an Auxiliary Meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Where Their Money Goes »» They assist veterans with food, money or any other service that he or she may need. »» They help local veterans with specific individual needs.

This past December, members of the Waukee Legion and Boy Scout Troop 182 helped a Waukee veteran family move to a new apartment.

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»» The Legion Riders assist families in need for Christmas.

This past Christmas, they provided over $3,400 giving support to seven families including 26 children and nine adults. The Riders have been supporting families with between $3,000 and $4,500 for several years. »» The Auxiliary organizes events to send care packages, cards and financial donations to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. »» The money from poppy donations has gone to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, a special fund to assist veterans who enter the VA hospital, other non-profit veteran organizations and helping local veterans on an individual basis. »» Members assist veterans in getting their benefits through government organizations in the area. »» They fund improvements and utilities for the Waukee Veterans Hall. This building allows both the American Legion and the VFW organizations to hold their meetings and events. Other community events are held at this location and they also rent out the space. »» They provide support to the local Boys Scout Troops, the food bank and other local groups who partner with the American Legion.

Their Future Plans The Waukee Legion Family would like to expand and add one more nationally sponsored organization, Sons of the American Legion. Membership would be open to boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in the American Legion.

How You Can Help The American Legion is always looking for members who can help with activities, whether that be helping with Legion Family events or just by joining and paying dues to demonstrate your support for their activities.

How To Learn More Veterans and their spouses and children are welcome to become members of the Waukee Legion Family. You can learn more about The Waukee American Legion at WaukeeAmericanLegion.org or email them at WaukeeAmerLegionPost737@hotmail.com.

The state website, ialegion.org, is also an excellent source of information.

Interested community members are also welcome to stop by any of the American Legion meetings to obtain more information.

Anna Bergman isn’t afraid to stand up for Iowa!

When she stood up for what she believed in, Anna Bergman lost her job. Since when did that become acceptable in Iowa?

Standing up for what we believe in ensures our constitutional protections and conservative principles

always have a place at the table.

“Republican Fired for Defending Republicans” (www.iowagop.org)

Meet Anna Bergman, Your Next State Representative “I am running for State Representative because I believe we need bold voices in the capitol who will stand up for what matters to Iowans. I will not be silent about the issues and policies you care about. That is why I am humbly asking for your vote on June 5th.” -Anna An Iowa native, Anna has spent her whole life getting to know the people in our community and understanding their needs.

She serves on the Waukee City Council, gaining important experience in government and connecting with the interests of the people.

Working as a small business owner and attorney has given Anna the chance to stand up and fight for jobs, fair treatment, and growth within the local economy.

Vote Republican Primary June 5

27 Paid for by Friends of Anna Bergman

HEALTH JOHNSON ORTHODONTICS WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST ORTHODONTIC VISIT Many patients ask what they should expect during their first visit to an orthodontist. Here’s what you can expect when you visit our office. **There is NO charge for the records, exam or consultation at our office. We want patients to feel comfortable with our office and our treatment plan for them before they pay anything.

DR. MICHAEL JOHNSON

Johnson Orthodontics Board Ce rtif ie d O rth o d o nt i s t

smile@waukeeortho dontics.com 515-715-0153 We are passionate about providing the highest-quality treatment to each and every one of our patients. Our office is fully committed to providing you and your family with clinical excellence and service with our state-of-the-art technology, first-rate facility, and staff that genuinely cares for you and your dental health.

Welcome It’s important for a patient to feel comfortable with the office setting, staff and doctor. We make it a priority to make our patients comfortable and to provide a fun atmosphere to create beautiful smiles. All of our new patient forms are provided via email before the appointment day. This allows us to look up any orthodontic insurance benefits beforehand in order to make your appointment run more smoothly and help you get back to your day in less time.

Photos and X-rays In order for the doctor to properly diagnose an orthodontic case, orthodontic records must be taken. These records include a set of pictures of the face, smile and teeth. In addition to pictures, two x-rays are taken to help visualize any teeth that aren’t yet in the mouth and to make sure the teeth are healthy. These pictures and x-rays assist the doctor in developing the treatment plan for the patient.

Exam After collecting all of the orthodontic records, it’s important for the doctor to perform a thorough examination of the teeth and how they bite together.

This exam is usually only performed with a mouth mirror.

The exam, along with comparison to the pictures and x-rays, makes sure that the doctor has a full understanding of the patient’s oral health.

Treatment Consultation Making sure the patient and/or parents understand any problems and the options for resolving them is a very important step of the first appointment. The doctor will lay out all of the patient’s orthodontic needs and explain the customized treatment options available.

Financial Conversation Every orthodontic case is different and there is no one set fee for orthodontic treatment. After the treatment plan is discussed, the doctor and staff will provide and explain the treatment costs and any insurance benefits.

Begin Treatment If the doctor recommends treatment, most patients can begin the braces or Invisalign process that same day if desired. This can allow patients and parents to save time and avoid additional time away from school or work.

YOUR SPECIALIST IN CLEAR BRACES, METAL BRACES, & INVISALIGN Complimentary Records, Exam & Consultation We use digital impressions (No more messy molds of your mouth)

WaukeeOrthodontics.com Call us today at 515-715-0153 2355 SE LA Grant Parkway, Waukee, IA 50263

Located just west across the street from Waukee South Middle School

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HEALTH MERCY CLINICS WAUKEE HAVE (SAFE) FUN IN THE SUN

It may not feel like it right now, but summer will be here before we know it. Summer is a great time to be outside, and keeping in mind a few important tips about sun and water safety can help us get the most out of the nice weather.

First things first, anyone six months and older should apply sunscreen when outside. Babies younger than six months are safest in the shade, and the rest of us should be using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15. It’s best to put sunscreen on 30-60 minutes prior to going outside and to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so that may be a good time to bring the fun inside and cool off.

Once we have our sunscreen on, it’s time to hit the water. Every child should be supervised by an adult who knows how to swim, and when it’s our turn to “lifeguard,” it’s time to put away the phone and focus on our swimmers. For those who have a pool at home, it can be a great way to spend a summer day, but for the youngest swimmers, it can be dangerous if the right precautions are not taken.

Having a fence that locks around all sides of the pool is important to keep swimmers out when no one is there to supervise. Families can also add additional layers of protection in addition to a fence, such as an automatic pool cover or door alarms. Inflatable pools should be emptied after use to keep everyone safe—toddlers are smart and have been known to go through pet doors to get to a pool.

SARAH JACKSON, M.D.

Remember that any time we are outside having fun, the little ones should be supervised very closely—rafts and floaties are not substitutes for adequate adult supervision. Also, one thing I always need to remind my daughter is that there should be no running around the pool!

Mercy Clinics Family Medicine Waukee 2 5 W. H ic km a n Rd .

(515) 643-7000

Mercy Clinics is central Iowa’s largest multi-specialty clinic system, featuring an extensive network of primary care and specialty health care providers offering comprehensive care for the entire family. Since 1983, Mercy Clinics has led the way in improving quality through innovative care management practices.

If your family is like mine, summertime means time at the lake. When riding in a boat, everyone should wear a properly-fitting life jacket—even the adults, because, of course, our kids look to us to see how to stay safe. For those of us who are old enough to drink, drinking alcohol and driving a boat do not mix, and it’s good to remind our teenagers about safe boating just like we remind them about safe driving. For kids old enough to dive, remind them not to dive into lakes, since you never know where the bottom is and hitting your head could cause permanent injury.

Remember, summer is a great time to share with family and friends, so let’s grab our sunscreen and life jackets and get ready to enjoy it! For more summertime tips, visit HealthyChildren.org.

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE Welcoming new patients!

MERCY CLINICS WAUKEE

25 West Hickman Rd., Waukee

FAMILY MEDICINE (515) 643-7000

PEDIATRICS (515) 643-7090

HOURS: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, 8 a.m. to Noon

HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PROVIDERS: Laura Bowshier, M.D. Brianne Day, D.O.

PROVIDERS: Christopher Etscheidt, M.D.

Sarah Jackson, M.D.

Adam Kruse, D.O. Julie Sarcone, ARNP

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HISTORY

Remo “Ray” Nizzi:

Civic Servant and Entrepreneur with a Passion for Politics

By Sue Ellen Kennedy

Remo "Ray" Nizzi was born on August 14, 1923 to Bartolo and Maria Nizzi in Bevier, Missouri. Around 1929, Bartolo and Maria, along with their children, were working and living at Shuler Mine. Growing up in the North Camp, Remo was the youngest child of the family, with siblings Americo, Battista, Anita and Alice. Bartolo and Maria would not allow their youngest child to work in the coal mine and insisted that he finish high school.

Remo Nizzi and Lena Pedretti Angaran were the first people from the Shuler Camp to attend high school in Waukee.

Remo was the first in his family to finish high school. “He was very active in school and was our Class President,” said his former classmate Howard Wilson. Howard and Remo remained good friends throughout Remo’s life.

Muriel went on a double date with her roommate’s brother as well as her roommate and the roommate’s brother’s friend, Remo Nizzi. Remo didn't care for his date, but was smitten with Muriel.

Remo and Muriel were engaged in October, married on January 16, 1954 in Waukee, and eventually blessed with five sons and two daughters.

Tragedy struck the family on August 18, 1942, when they lost 31-year-old Americo in an accident at the coal mine.

In 1959, Remo began working for the city of Waukee as City Clerk -Administrator. As our city grew, so did the community’s needs and services, thus increasing Remo's responsibilities and demands on his time. Remo was instrumental in getting running water and the sewer system in place. He also helped get our own gas utility started and streets properly paved. When Muriel and Remo moved to Waukee, our water was trucked in from Adel and stored in water reserves, or residents had individual wells on their property.

Remo was drafted into the Army during World War II. He served as an Italian interpreter for prisoners of war. After requesting a transfer, he ended up at The Battle of Okinawa, also known as Operation Iceberg, sometime between April 1, 1945 and June 22, 1945. It was a major battle during the war, fought on the island of Okinawa by the United States Marine Corps and Army forces against the Japanese Army.

Remo returned home in 1946 and began working at Grocer's Wholesale in Des Moines. Remo and his brother Battista (“Tom”) went into business together in 1950, operating Briardale Food Center on the north side of the Triangle. The duo purchased the land on the corner of Ashworth Drive and 6th Street and tore down the Skelly Station to build a new building. They moved the business and renamed it Nizzi Brothers Grocery in 1953. The store remained open until 1973.

In the spring of 1953, Remo met his future wife on a double blind date.

Muriel Schlabaugh was a nurse living in Des Moines with four roommates. One of her roommates was from Waukee and she wanted to set up Muriel with her brother.

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In 1976, according to an article in the Des Moines Tribute by Gene Erb, “[Remo] serves as Police Chief, water department, gas department, street and sewer as well as animal control. The city’s 11 employees, including its four police officers, report to him.” It was a 24/7 job. According to his wife Muriel, “he would receive several calls at home and he would just go take care of it.”

Hannah Weil, who worked with Remo for 20 years, said he was “very easygoing and hard-working.” Remo retired from the City of Waukee in 1979.

After retiring, he started J & M Snackland, located in Waukee just south of Classic Floral on 6th Street. They served ice cream and sandwiches. It became a gathering place, too, as was the Nizzi Brothers Grocery, for gentlemen of the community to visit about current events and politics.

During the 1980’s, Remo owned and operated the Main Street Cucina in Adel, located on the south side of the Dallas County Courthouse. Remo was not afraid to state his political opinions and thoughts on current affairs. He felt the best way to find an appropriate solution to a problem was through conversation, which often took place with many of his patrons at the Main Street Cucina.

During the 1988 presidential election campaign, many Democratic hopefuls visited the Main Street Cucina to listen to opinions and connect with Dallas County voters.

Remo also found time to participate in the Waukee Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, the Dallas County Taxpayers Association, Booneville American Legion and the Dowling Club.

On November 5, 1987, Mayor Gordon Christianson presented the Citizen of the Year award to Remo Nizzi, declaring November 6, 1987 as Remo Nizzi Day in the City of Waukee.

Remo had a soft spot for people that needed help. He was known to let people carry over their tabs at the grocery store if they were in a tight spot.

He knew what it felt like to be hungry.

On December 26, 1987, Remo “Ray” Nizzi passed away suddenly at 64 years of age. Our community was shocked and saddened by his untimely passing.

The Dallas County Taxpayers Association recognized him for his achievement of service after his death for Outstanding Leadership on April 14, 1988.

Remo Nizzi left a legacy enriched not only by generations of his family, but by the solid ground work he and others completed for future generations and leaders of our community. Without that strong foundation, Waukee would not be the place we proudly call home today.

I would like to thank Muriel Nizzi, Marie Nizzi Kayser and Hannah Weil for giving their time to contribute to this article. For more information on the Waukee Area Historical Society, visit waukeehistory.org or like our Facebook page. We can be reached at 515-782-0025.

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