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www.iowalivingmagazines.com/waukee Waukee Living NOVEMBER | 2015

LivingWaukeenovember 2015

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SLOW-COOKER STEWRECIPE

MEET AMY SHAWEDUCATION

DELIVERY TO EL SALVADORFAITH

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH WAUKEE’S FUN WINTER TRADITION

PRSRT STDECRWSS

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

BIG GREEN UMBRELLA MEDIA

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BIG GREEN UMBRELLA MEDIA

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Winterfest!WAUKEE

novvember 220015

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enee

NOVEMBER | 2015 Waukee Living www.iowalivingmagazines.com/waukee

Office address: 80 SE Laurel Street, Waukee, IA 50263

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www.iowalivingmagazines.com/waukee NOVEMBER | 2015 Waukee Living 3

WELCOME

LivingLivingIowaIowam a g a z i n e sm a g a z i n e s

Darren TromblayEditor515-953-4822 ext. [email protected]

Becky [email protected]

O ur seasonal calendar is divided up equally, for the most part. We have about three months each of spring, summer, fall and winter. But summer seems to be Mother Nature’s favorite

child in this neck of the woods, that is apparent by all the festivals and events that happen during the summer months. Fall takes a close second with its harvest festivities and Oktoberfests. Even spring has numerous

celebrations including ones for moth-ers, fathers and even bunnies. But win-ter, complete with the great holiday of Christmas in its midst, just doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Is it because the outside tempera-ture is just too darn cold, and we don’t want to go outside? Maybe, but it doesn’t seem to keep the kids out of the snow. Or is it that the inside temperature it just too darn comfortable, and we don’t want to leave the couch? Possibly, but with all the sniffy noses and con-gested coughs, who would want to be cooped up near that?

It might just be that our biological clock puts us in a hibernation of sorts during this time of year. The lesser amount of daylight hours may subliminally tell us that it’s time to cuddle up in a warm corner. Whatever the perceived reason is, we simply have to do better at enjoying the great outdoors of winter. And some great folks here in Waukee are making that a bit easier with WinterFest. This snowtime festival has a wonderful history with many people volunteering efforts through the years. If you have not yet experienced it, make this year the time. Look inside for details on the open houses, Santa’s arrival, the tree lighting, ice sculptors, a soup supper, a tour of lights, a scavenger hunt and much more. I hope to see you on the triangle on Dec. 4. You can hibernate later. Thanks for reading.

Shane GoodmanPublisher

No need to hibernate

Grimes150 SE Gateway Drive

986-2000

Johnston5526 NW 86th Street

331-2265

Waukee455 - 6th Street987-1000

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4 Waukee Living NOVEMBER | 2015 www.iowalivingmagazines.com/waukee

By Ashley Rullestad

FEATURE

Jenn Hoffmann, Danae Edwards, Cindy DePond, Corby DeBord and Lyn Schafer all members of the Waukee WinterFest committee, are getting ready for Santa’s arrival in town.

M ore than 20 years ago, the Waukee Women’s group and the Waukee Fire Department began the tradition

of WinterFest. Now the Waukee Parks & Recreation Department heads up the event with the help of the Downtown Business Association and Waukee Area Arts Council

and other area organizations. Though it has evolved and changed hands since those early days, it’s always been a fun event for Waukee families to kick off the holiday season. Be sure to don your gay apparel and head on over to the Waukee Triangle on Friday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. for all the festivities.

The event kicks off with the Downtown Business Association’s open house. Charter Bank, Classic Floral, Waukee Hardware, Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe, Schnoes CPA, Heartland Co-op and Jane & Friends will be open that night from 4-6 p.m. Stop by and see all that downtown has to offer. A few

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH WAUKEE’S FUN WINTER TRADITION

Winterfest!WAUKEE


FEATURE

businesses will offer early holiday shopping opportunities, and it will be a fun way to support the local establishments in town. When you’re done shop-ping, gather at the holiday tree in Triangle Park at 6 p.m. for Santa’s arrival and help him light the holi-day tree to kick off WinterFest. A local ice sculptor will also be out-side creating three unique sculp-tures. They will stay in Triangle Park for everyone to enjoy as long as the weather cooperates (or until they melt so much they fall over!). Then it’s time to head over for the soup supper provided by the Downtown Business Association at the community center. There will also be cocoa and sugar cookies for kids to dec-orate. After being outdoors in the cold, it will be a fun way to warm up and sample some tasty eats. Santa will also be at the commu-nity center, so you can give him your list and tell him what you want for Christmas. Hopefully

everyone has been good this year. After visiting Santa, hop aboard the express shuttle to the Waukee Area Arts Council facility provided by Iowa Realty. It will shuttle people back and forth from Triangle Park in front of the Ice Cream Shoppe to the Waukee Area Arts Council. This is a great way to check out the WAAC building and see what they have to offer. When you arrive, there will be crafts and things for kids to do, including special paper product crafts this year. Local business Kil’n Time Studio will be donating ceramic ornaments that the kids can glaze and get fired. See all that Waukee has to offer when it comes to the arts. An old-time trolley will also be taking people on a holiday tour of lights. Neighbors in the downtown area will decorate their homes in jolly holiday style, and the most bedazzled winner receives a traveling trophy. The enclosed trolley will take people

WinterFest promises something for everyone this year, from treats to tours and plenty of holiday fun.

Visit Valley West Mall’s

Santa Hours:November 14th-December 23rd

Mon.-Sat: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Christmas Eve: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ride the train!Take pictures with Santa!

FREE coloring book and crayons for kids!For more information and photo packages pricing,

visit www.valleywestmall.com

WINTER WONDERLAND!WINTER WONDERLAND!NEW


around to showcase residents’ holiday lights. The trol-ley will pick up and drop off at the community center. New this year will be a scavenger hunt for the kids to make sure they get to visit all of the great events that are going on. Those who fill out a complete scav-enger hunt form will be entered to win gift cards to various local businesses. Kids can pick up scavenger hunt clues during the open houses, at the community center or at the Waukee Area Arts Council and return them to the community center after they’ve found everything. Clues might include something like, “How many snowflakes are hanging in the Classic Floral win-dow? What ice cream flavor are they serving at the ice cream shop?” While you’re out and about enjoying all the fes-tivities, top hat carolers will be spreading Christmas cheer by singing for all to hear. Kids can also have their pictures taken with several new snowman cutouts this year. Also, don’t forget the food and toy drive. To participate, bring non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for the Christmas drive. All items will be donated to the Waukee Christian Services food pantry. For more information about WinterFest, visit http://www.waukee.org/476/WinterFest. Organizers also want to emphasize that due to traffic and road closures, people are encouraged to park at the Vince Meyer Learning Center or at Heartland Co-op. “To me, it’s a great community event with the

FEATURE

Decorting Christmas cookies is one of the activities at Waukee’s Winterfest.


season coming up, and it makes everyone gather together and share in its traditional and festive holiday environment,” says Danae Edwards of the parks and recreation depart-ment. “People love the tradition, just getting together with your neighbors and meeting new people in town. With Waukee growing so fast, it’s great way to celebrate together and meet new people.” Waukee mom Melody Ridout has been attending the event with her family for the last seven years. She says they all love it, and it’s definitely a big part of their holiday traditions now. “We’ve attended every year but one because we were out of town,” she says. “We come out because we like the small-town feel of what they do here in Waukee. It’s big now, but you get that ritual and tradition that you have growing up in a small town. The kids love to go on the trolley and look at lights.” Ridout jokes that her kids love to com-pare the holiday tour of lights home to their own. The family begins decorating in early November for the holiday. “It takes us about two or three weeks to get everything up,” she says. “We mostly decorate outside. We like to have it for

everyone to come see and enjoy and bring the Christmas spirit.” Last year her family got a big surprise after they attended WinterFest — a gift from Santa himself. The family has a long-standing tradition of going to a family event the second week in December, and while they are there, Santa comes and each child gets one present from Santa. But last year, they didn’t attend,

so the kids decided that they would write their letters to Santa and give them to him at WinterFest. “Then he turned around and sent us a big tube of candy,” she says. “I was totally not expecting that, and the kids loved it. That’s another thing that makes you think that’s something a small town would do. It’s that personal touch.”

A food and toy drive will be held during Waukee’s WinterFest.

FEATURE

Your local hometown hero . . .As your local independent agent, we’re your

neighbor - someone you can trust and someone who’s here for you 24/7!

T E LEARNING PO T

Nov 26th (Thanksgiving) – Moonlight Madness5pm-10pm

Nov 27th (Black Friday) 8am-8pm

Nov 28th (Small Business Saturday) 8am-8pm

The Learning Post

MEET LEARNING

POST LARRY!


LEGAL BRIEFS

T here are two types of child custody in Iowa. A court must make separate deci-

sions about each type, and a deci-sion about one does not necessar-ily mean the same decision will be made about the other. The first type of child custody is legal custody. Legal custody of a minor child means that a parent has legal custodial rights and responsi-bilities toward that child. A parent with legal custody of a child must make important decisions about things such as medical care, educa-tion, religion and extracurricular activities. Legal custody can be granted to one or both parents. If legal custody is granted to only one parent it is called sole legal custody, and that one parent is given the opportunity to make decisions on

his or her own. If legal custody is granted to both parents it is called joint legal custody. When joint legal custody is awarded, both parents have equal rights and responsibili-ties toward the child, and neither parent has rights superior to those of the other parent. The second type of child cus-tody is physical custody, which is also known as physical care. Physical care relates to which par-ent the child lives with for most of the time. There are two options for physical care — joint physical care or physical care by only one parent. In a joint physical care situation, the minor child lives with each parent for approximately the same amount of time. This could include spending one week liv-ing with one parent and the next

living with the other parent, or could mean that the child spends two days with one parent and the next two days with the other parent. Alternatively, when only one parent has physical custody, the child spends most of the time at that parent’s house. However, the parent granted physical care is responsible for encouraging the child’s relationship with the other parent.

When deciding which legal custody arrangement is appropri-ate, the court considers factors such as whether the parents are able to communicate with each other, whether both parents have actively cared for the child and whether each parent can support the other parent’s relationship with the child. While legal matters of this type can become quite compli-cated and emotional, it is important to remember that a court makes decisions on these issues based on what is believed to be in the best interests of the child.

Information provided by Chandler Maxon, attorney at law, Hopkins & Huebner P.C., 2700 Grand Ave., Suite 111, Des Moines.

Decisions based on the best interests of the child

By Chandler Maxon, attorney at law

Child custody basics

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I t’s unanimous: 100 percent of emergency room doctors in the United States and Canada sur-

veyed by Home Instead Inc., fran-chisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® network, say it’s important that adult children dedicate one day a year to perform a safety check of their senior loved one’s home. Yet in the last year, less than half (44 percent in the U.S. and 41 percent in Canada) of family caregivers sur-veyed had done so. The research suggests a lack of knowledge and attention to poten-tial home safety issues that could lead to danger and the risk of acci-dents and falls in an older adult’s home. Each year, more than 1.6 million older U.S. adults go to emer-gency departments for fall-related

injuries, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that falls account for more than half of all injuries among Canadians age 65 and older. Emergency room doc-tors are often on the front lines of the action when it comes to senior safety. Dr. David John, cochair-man of emergency medicine at Johnson Memorial Medical Center in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, and a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), has worked in emergency medicine for more than 20 years. The effects of aging can take a toll, leaving older adults vulnerable to falls doing a variety of everyday tasks, noted John. The risks at home also can be a

safety trap, with the most common issues identified in the research as:

-tial tripping hazards.

shower).

high or low. Families can improve safety for

their senior loved ones with these five quick, inexpensive fixes.

-cets.

closets and pantries.

-er heads with handheld versions. Some regular attention by loved ones and a few quick modifications can turn a loved one’s house from a potential hospitalization to a space that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Information provided by Bob Baumgart, Home Instead Senior Care, Waukee, 978-7991.

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CALENDAR

Thursday Nov. 26No school, Thanksgiving holiday.

No school, all day, St. Pius X Catholic School

Thanksgiving

Friday Nov. 27Alcoholics Anonymous Talking

Circle Meeting, 7 p.m., Waukee Public Library 950 Warrior Lane

No school, Thanksgiving holiday. No school, all day, St. Pius X Catholic School

Saturday Nov. 28Saturday Night Cards, the Plus

50 Club gets together for games and cards. Any senior is welcome. Contact Dolores Betzold at 515-987-5981 with questions. 7:15 p.m., Waukee Community Center 675 Walnut St.

DIY Storytime, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Sunday Nov. 29Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday

Night Meeting, 7 p.m., Waukee Public Library

DIY Storytime, 1-4 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Monday Nov. 30Books and Babies, 10-10:45 a.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryTeen Writers NANORIMO

Check In, 3-4 p.m., Waukee Public Library

WHS Bowling: Boys/Girls JV/V vs. DM Lincoln, 3:30 p.m. @ Warrior Lanes

WHS Wrestling: 8th Meet, 4:30 p.m. @ Johnston MS

Tuesday Dec. 1Toddler Time, 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryPreschool Storytime, Ages 3-5,

10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Dallas County Conservation, for preschoolers. 10-11 a.m., Waukee Public Library

Friends Foundation Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

WHS Basketball: Girls 8th vs. Indian Hills, 4 p.m. @ Indian Hills

WHS Basketball: Girls 9/JV/V vs. DM Lincoln, 4:45/6:15/7:45 p.m. @ LHS

WHS Basketball: Boys 10/V vs. Linn-Mar, 6/7:30 p.m. @ Linn-Mar

Wednesday Dec. 2Preschool Storytime, Ages 3-5,

10-10:45 a.m., Waukee Public LibraryToddler Time, 10-10:45 a.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryTeen Program, Sand Art! 3:30-

4:30 p.m., Waukee Public LibraryAdult Board Game Night. Come

play new and classic board games. Bring your favorite games or stop in to join a new game. Snacks will be provided. 6:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

WHS Basketball: Girls 8th vs. Indian Hills, 4 p.m. @ Indian Hills

WHS Basketball: Girls 9/JV/V vs. DM Lincoln, 4:45/6:15/7:45 p.m. @ LHS

WHS Basketball: Boys 10/V vs. Linn-Mar, 6/7:30 p.m. @ Linn-Mar

Thursday Dec. 3WPLFF Tenth Annual Festival of

Trees and Wreaths. Decorate a tree or wreath for the 10th Annual Festival of Trees and Wreaths and help your Waukee Public Library improve the children’s area in the library. Wreaths and trees will be lit at 6:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Books and Babies, 11-11:45 a.m., Waukee Public Library

Reindeer Games. All children are welcome to participate in a variety of games and activities to kick off the Festival of Trees at the library. 6-7 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Mercy West Occupational Therapy Clinic Open House, open to

members and non-members. 3-4 p.m., Mercy West Occupational Therapy Clinic

WHS Swimming: Boys JV/V Meet, 5 p.m. @ Waukee YMCA

WHS Basketball: Boys 9th vs. Dowling, 6:30 p.m. @ Waukee Prairieview

WHS Wrestling: JV/V vs. Urbandale, 6:30/7:30 p.m. @ UHS

WHS Basketball: Boys JV vs. DCG, 7 p.m. @ WHS

Friday Dec. 4Alcoholics Anonymous Talking


WinterFest 2015. Join the Waukee Area Arts Council and the downtown businesses for special holi-day crafts and open houses. 6-8 p.m., Community Center

Sensory Playtime, Ages 3 years and older. 10-11 a.m., Waukee Public Library

Saturday Dec. 5DIY Storytime, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryWPLFF Tenth Annual Festival of

Trees and Wreaths, Decorate a tree or wreath for the 10th Annual Festival of Trees and Wreaths and help your Waukee Public Library improve the children’s area in the library. Wreaths and trees will be lit at 6:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Elves’ Toyland Craft Show, Several vendors will have a wide vari-ety of creative gift items for the holi-days. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Johnston Lions Club

Sunday Dec. 6Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday



Monday Dec. 7Books and Babies, 10-10:45 a.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryCity Council Meeting, 5:30-

6:30 p.m., City HallWHS Bowling: Boys/Girls JV/V vs.

WDM, 3:30 p.m. @ Warrior Lanes




Movie Matinee, “Holiday Inn.” 1:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Breakfast Before Business, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Peoples Trust and Savings Bank

WHS Basketball: Girls 8th vs. Marshalltown-Miller, 4:30 p.m. @ Waukee South MS

WHS Wrestling: 8th Meet, 4:30 p.m. @ Waukee Prairieview

WHS Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Marshalltown, 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ WHS

WHS Basketball: Girls/Boys 9th vs. Marshalltown, 4:45 p.m. @ Waukee Timberline

WHS Basketball: Boys 10/V vs. Marshalltown, 4:45/7:45 p.m. @ WHS

WHS Swimming: Boys JV/V vs. Ames, 5 p.m. @ AHS



Waukee Public LibraryTeen Program, movie and free

popcorn. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Thursday Dec. 10Books and Babies, 11-11:45 a.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryPajamatime, 6:45-7:30 p.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryWest Side Legislative Breakfast,

7:30-9 a.m., Community CenterRibbon Cutting, 3-4 p.m., Insight

VisionWHS Basketball: Girls 8th vs.

Johnston Gold, 4:30 p.m. @ Waukee Prairieview

WHS Wrestling: 8th Meet, 4:30 p.m. @ Ankeny Southview

WHS Swimming: Boys JV/V vs. WDM Valley, 5:30 p.m. @ VHS

WHS Wrestling: JV/V Meet, 5:30 p.m. @ WHS

WHS Basketball: Boys JV/9 vs. Johnston, 7/8 p.m. @ JHS



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National Hour of Code. Beginner level of computer coding for grades 2 - adult. Registration requested. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

WHS Basketball: Boys 10/9/V vs. Ankeny, 4:45/6:15/7:45 p.m. @ AHS

WHS Basketball: Girls JV/V/9 vs. Ankeny, 4:45/6:15/7:45 p.m. @ AHS

WHS Wrestling: JV Tournament, 5 p.m. @ Saydel


Waukee Public LibraryWriter’s Group, 1-3 p.m.,

Waukee Public Library






6:30 p.m., City Hall“Downton Abbey” Tea. You are

cordially invited for an afternoon of tea, refreshments and “Downton Abbey” fun. RSVP. 3 p.m., Waukee Public Library

WHS Basketball: Girls 8th vs. Fort Dodge, 4:30 p.m. @ Fort Dodge MS

WHS Wrestling: 8th meet, 4:30 p.m. @ Indianola MS

WHS Basketball: Boys JV vs. DM

North, 7 p.m. @ NHSWHS Basketball: Boys 9B vs.

Dowling, 8:15 p.m. @ DCHS




Book Discussion, “Spinning Heart” by Donal Ryan. 1 p.m., Waukee Public Library

WPL Board of Directors Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

WHS Basketball: Boys 10/V vs. Dowling, 4:45/7:45 p.m. @ WHS

WHS Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Dowling, 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ WHS

WHS Basketball: Girls/Boys 9th vs. Dowling, 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ Waukee Prairieview



Waukee Public LibraryTeen Program. Winter crafts and

make your own cake in a cup. 3:30-4:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Thursday Dec. 17Books and Babies, 11-11:45 a.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryPajamatime, 6:45-7:30 p.m.,

Waukee Public LibraryOpen Lab, Technology help for

iPads/iPhones/laptops. Registration required. 1:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Waukee Chamber Dec. Networking Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. -

1 p.m., Community CenterWHS Bowling: Boys/Girls JV/V vs.

Urbandale, 3:45 p.m. @ Merle Hay Lanes

WHS Basketball: Boys 9th vs. Ankeny Centennial, 5 p.m. @ Northview

WHS Swimming: Boys JV/V Meet, 5 p.m. @ Waukee YMCA WHS Wrestling: JV/V vs. Marshalltown, 6:30 p.m. @ MHS

WHS Basketball: Boys JV vs. SEP, 7 p.m. @ SEP




WHS Basketball: Girls JV/V/9 vs. Ankeny Centennial, 4:45/6:15/7:45 p.m. @ ACHS

WHS Basketball: Boys 10/9/V vs. Ankeny Centennial, 4:45/6:15/7:45 p.m. @ ACHS


Waukee Public LibraryLEGO Club, 1-3 p.m., Waukee

Public LibraryWHS Wrestling: Varsity

Tournament, 8:30 a.m. @ WHSWHS Basketball: Boys 10/V vs.

DM Lincoln, 6:30/8 p.m. @ WHS



DIY Storytime, 1-4 p.m., Waukee

Public Library



6:30 p.m., City Hall




Writer’s Group, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

WHS Swimming: Boys Varsity Meet, 5 p.m. @ Waukee YMCA



Waukee Public LibraryTeen Program, Open gaming

on Wii, Xbox 360 and board games. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Waukee Public Library

Thursday Dec. 24Christmas Eve

CALENDAR

Have a calendar entry for the next issue of Waukee Living? Send your information to: [email protected].

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S t. Boniface Catholic Church is on a successful mission to supply edible corn to the

church’s sister parish in El Recreo, El Salvador. The parish is suffering a twofold catastrophe — a dam-aged drinking water pipeline and a drought. The lack of rainfall in the country has decreased crop yields by 50 to 90 percent. Since most families in this area are subsistence farmers with corn being the pre-dominant crop, a poor yield means less or no food on families’ tables this fall and winter. Through the month of October, parishioners of St. Boniface spon-sored the initiative “From Our Heart to Their Table,” a program to raise funds to purchase enough edible corn to last the village of El Recreo until January, when a del-egation from St. Boniface will travel there and reassess the food crisis. Father Vince Rosonke says St. Boniface raised enough funds to supply each of the 167 households in El Recreo with four 100-pound bags of edible corn. Enough funds were raised that the church can even make another delivery in December. “For the church, it was extreme-ly gratifying to see how funds can

be raised one week and then two weeks later, corn is being distrib-uted into the homes of the villagers a half a world away,” Rosonke says. Not only is corn the main food staple to the village, but it can be used to pay land rent and barter for necessities. In addition to helping feed families in El Recreo, the corn enables them to plant a crop next year. “We have visited El Recreo 22 times over the past 11 years and formed a strong bond,” Rosonke says. The movement has inspired more service projects directed toward El Recreo. Marlen Kemmet, the communications coordinator at St. Boniface, wanted to incorporate a project with a personal touch to assist the people of El Recreo during their food and water crisis. Kemmet initiated a wreath-making project with the symbolic meaning of mak-ing wreaths to emphasize generosity and the giving and gathering of loved ones. “We all live in fragile conditions and share many life experiences,” Kemmet said. “No matter what our skill set, we all have the opportunity to provide services in different ways to assist others.”

By Michelle Chalkey

St. Boniface provides corn to El Recreo

Corn delivery to El Salvador

FAITH

St. Boniface Catholic Church is supplying edible corn to the people in its sister parish in El Recreo, El Salvador.

Because we our heroesFor 25 years, the Fisher House Foundation program has provided a “home away from home” for military and veteran families.

This message is provided by your local community publication and PaperChain

Show your support by visiting

Waukee United Methodist Church515.987.4531 ~ 650 Ashworth Drive

www.waukeechurch.org

Join usthis

Christmas!

CHRISTMAS EVESERVICE

Candles, Carols and CommunionThursday, Dec. 24

5:30pm and 10:30pm

CHRISTMAS CANTATASaturday, Dec. 5 ~ 6pm

Sunday, Dec. 6 ~ 9:30am service


CITYNEWS

@CityofWaukee

City of Waukee Launches New Brand The City revealed its new brand on November 17 after a year of research, planning and implementation by a 12-person community committee. Working with Des Moines ad agency Flynn Wright, the group sifted through research and data, considered community feedback and developed

was selected. The goal was to present a new logo that represents Waukee’s rich past, thriving present and bright future. The new City of Waukee logo has rich, bold colors representing the community’s vibrance. The artistic features within the logo show movement and momentum, reminiscent of Waukee’s recreational trail system. And, although the logo was redesigned, the tagline “The Key to Good Living” was such a vital representation of Waukee, the committee decided to keep it as a part of the brand.

Grand Prairie Parkway to Open Soon

stages of the Grand Prairie Parkway project. If the warm, dry weather

roadway and the I-80 interchange will open in early December. The opening

diamond interchange in the state of Iowa. This type of interchange has been shown to increase safety, and it utilizes less land and resources than a typical interchange. Visit DivergingDiamond.com for more

driving on the new interchange.

Snow Ordinance and Nixle Reminder If an inch or more of snow is predicted to fall in Waukee, the City will implement its snow ordinance. If the ordinance is put into effect during overnight hours, the City will give citizens extra time to move vehicles. However, it is very important to move applicable vehicles

Waukee Police Department to instantly connect with residents via text message and email when the snow ordinance goes into effect. Register for free at Nixle.com.

STAY CONNECTED!Visit Waukee.org and sign up for News Flashes and the Monthly E-Newsletter!

/CityofWaukeeIowa

Upcoming Events & Dates Senior TRIAD

Nov. 25, Noon Community Center

All City Buildings Closed Nov. 26-27, Dec. 24-25

10th Annual Festival of Trees and Wreaths Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. Waukee Public Library

WinterFest Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m. Community Center and Downtown Triangle

Struggling to pay your heating bill?LIHEAP can help.

Call the Family Development Center at 515-465-5185.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist low income families in meeting the cost of home heating.


SPONSORED BYSSPPOONNSSOORREEDD BBYY

CONGRATULATIONS!

Back Row: Katelyn Koester, Meredith Wood, Isaiah Thomas, Olivia Perez, Kaijuan Curtis, Jillian Wood, Emily Klement. Middle Row: Erica McClure, Madi Lindell, Peyton Hiscocks, Sarah Ummach, Makenna Micheal, Izzy Wagener. Front Row: Remy Kobernusz, Lainie Jackson, Becka Williams, Tori Goertz, Ashley Lupkes, Jensen Ward, Megan Baldwin


Waukee CoEd CheerleadingCO-ED CHEER STATE CHAMPIONS

NOV. 3, 2015

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S eason’s readings from your library staff. We wish you and yours the joys of the season

and all the best throughout the coming year.

10th annual Festival of Trees and WreathsThe Festival kicks off the holiday season in Waukee with gorgeous trees and wreaths, a festive light-ing, music, refreshments, children’s activities, and the Teen Advisory Board silent auction on Thursday, Dec. 3. Funds raised will improve the children’s area. You may vote for your favorite tree or wreath for $1 per vote; proceeds benefit the library, so stuff the ballot box. The Teen silent auction is from 5-6:30 p.m., Reindeer Games from 6-7 p.m. and a magical lighting of the trees and wreaths at 6:30 p.m. It will be a fun evening for the entire family. Sponsored by the Waukee Public Library Friends Foundation.

Christmas craftsDrop in to the library, talk to Santa and make as many crafts as you want. Open to kids of all ages Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. - noon.

Winter Family Reading Program - Reading is Our Thing!Sign up and read as a family through January for a fun way to build reading comprehension. For each reading log your family completes, Waukee Public Library Friends Foundation will contribute a book to Waukee Food Pantry, and your family will be entered to win one of three grand prizes. Sign up in person at the library or at the library’s web-site. www.waukee.org/library.

Holiday closingsThe library will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 and 25 and Sunday, Dec. 27. The library will close at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. Check the library’s website at www.waukee.org/library for a com-plete listing of programs. These are only a few highlights of what will be offered during December.

Little Ones Playtime! Instead of children’s programs the week after Christmas, come in for indoor playtimes. The library’s age-appropriate toys will be out for your use. Monday, Dec. 28: Baby Playtime 10-11 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 29 and 30: Toddler and Preschool Playtime 10 -11 a.m. DIY Storytime. On Saturdays and Sundays families are encouraged to drop by during open hours to read some special stories and complete a related activity selected by our youth ser-vices staff. Hour of Code. Beginner level computer coding for second grade - adult. Parent must stay with students in second-fifth grades. No previous experience necessary. Registration requested at http://tinyurl.com/o4rkfj4. Friday, Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m.

LIBRARY NEWS

Waukee Public Library 950 Warrior Lane515-978-9744Mon. - Thur.:9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.Sunday: 1-4 p.m.

Festival of Trees and Wreaths is Dec. 3

By Devon Murphy-Petersen

December events

I t’s not every day you move back in with Dad, but two Waukee siblings say they wouldn’t have it

any other way — at least for now. For Aggie Andersen and her brother Michael, it wasn’t always in the cards to come back home. “I have to admit it was a little strange at first,” Aggie says. “But I was surprised at just how many of my friends had given living with their parents a try for one reason or another.” “In my case, it’s really conve-nient,” says Michael. The recent college graduate and new engineer says he had always been close with his father, Paul, and when he received a job opportunity near his hometown, he couldn’t say no. “Now I have a pool buddy, and Dad has a guy to help him build that deck he always wanted,” Michael says. Aggie’s story is similar: an office assisting position she just couldn’t turn away popped up shortly after her mother’s passing, and she felt it was a good time to focus on family. “We’ve always been close. We were very close through my moth-er’s battle with cancer,” Aggie says. She is continuing the battle of life with her remaining family close by

her side. “I like to give them hell for it, no doubt,” says their father, Paul. He is an electrician and self-pro-claimed handyman extraordinaire, and can put on a front about having his children home, but deep down he enjoys the company. “It’s great to come home to a busy house again,” he says. While things are certainly not how they were in high school, Aggie says she enjoys spending eve-nings and weekends with the two most important men in her life. “It really helps you remember what matters most,” she says, add-ing that “someone needs to teach these boys how to dress.” A typical day at the house could be Aggie cooking dinner while Michael helps his dad work on his truck. “You think that you know everything about your family,” says Paul. “You raise ’em and learn them inside out, but you’d be sur-prised at how much you still have to learn.” And for now — even though both Aggie and Michael promise to get their own places soon — this brother-sister-father trio is con-tent with continuing to learn from one another.

WHERE WE LIVE

For Paul, Aggie and Michael Andersen, a chance to live together again is a chance to learn and grow.

Contact Darren Tromblay at 953-4822 ext. 304 or [email protected] to be featured in a future “Where We Live” column of Waukee Living.

Dad, daughter and son share a home again

By Chris Kelley

Continuing to learn


I t’s that time of year again. The time to reflect and give thanks for all that we have and all

we’ve accomplished throughout the year. It’s not always easy. When you’re struggling — whether it’s keeping up with your exercise routine, your nutrition, losing weight, or just with your regular day-to-day, it can be dif-ficult to be thankful. You really have to search for those things that you have and those things you’ve been given. It’s important to keep things in perspective. Remember, right now you’re living the life that someone else in the world only dreams of having. You have so many things to be thankful for, even when the world doesn’t seem to be spinning the way you want it to. Don’t be so hard on your-self. Look around you. What’s in front of you that really matters and that you’re thankful for? For me it’s my family. My wife. My friends. My home. My dog. My job. The list goes on and on… What if tomorrow you lost everything you didn’t take the time to be thankful for today? Try running through that exercise in your head to cover an entire day. I’ll just run down my morning:

I get to wake up in.

warm.

everything.

see as I rise out of bed.

You get the picture. I didn’t even get through the first five minutes of my day, and I’m sure I missed more than I remembered to be thankful for. I hope you take some time to enjoy your blessings this holiday season. It will help you realize why you’re working so hard to maintain your health and rejuve-nate your desire to keep at it. Happy Thanksgiving! Ben Carstens is a coach at Mission: Fitness in Waukee and was named fifth most inspirational weight loss story of 2014 according to the Huffington Post.

Information provided by Ben Carstens, Mission Fitness, 75 N.E. Venture, Drive, Waukee, 978-7111.

Take a moment to reflect on what you have

Mission: gratitudeBy Ben Carstens

FITNESS

75 NE Venture DriveWaukee515.978.7111MissionFitnessIA.com

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I was looking to get out of a boring workout rut. What I found was a gym that keeps me completely engaged. The endless variety of workouts continue to provide new ways to challenge myself, increase strength and endurance, and see results. I didn’t just get out (and stay out) of that boring workout rut, I found a new favorite way to start my day.

when i came to Mission: Fitness


I f you’ve noticed some new and friendly faces around your neigh-borhood, it’s most likely because

the city of Waukee special census began last week.

A special census is an enumera-tion of the population. When local officials feel that a substantial popu-lation change has taken place, new residential areas and housing units must be canvassed.

Waukee’s Development Services Director Brad Deets emphasizes that residents should respond to census workers appropriately and in a timely, cooperative fashion.

“It is very important to have an accurate count of our population,” Deets explains. “Waukee is poised perfectly for commercial develop-ment, and there is a need for retail and general services for our resi-dents. Businesses depend on roof-tops and population when making decisions on where to locate.”

Most states also distribute road-use tax funds based on current population numbers. Waukee could receive almost $3 million in addi-tional funding over the next five years from updated census numbers. Deets says the city will put this fund-ing directly into the local roads and transportation system.

Waukee’s census workers were recruited over the summer and officially began duty on Nov. 19. All applicants are required to pass a criminal background check, and many have already staffed a census in one of the neighboring cities.

A census taker will make at least three home visits at differ-ent times of the day in an effort to interview a resident. If the attempts

are unsuccessful, the census taker may try to locate somebody with knowledge about your home, such as a neighbor, a landlord or property manager. This is only to get as much information as possible to complete the census questionnaire. Census workers will never ask to enter your home or ask about Social Security numbers, PINs or immigration status. They won’t ask for donations, your personal income, bank account numbers or other financial information. Census workers will carry a white, government-issued ID card with an official U.S. Census Bureau seal. They will introduce themselves and can provide contact information for a supervisor and local census office. They will only request infor-mation that is included in the ques-tionnaire. Census workers typically ask if the housing unit is owned or rented and how many people live in the house, and for each person the name, sex, age, relationship to the respondent and race. The worker may have a laptop or bag with a Census Bureau logo. Waukee will have all counts wrapped up by the end of 2015. The target areas will include all cen-sus blocks that were not canvassed in 2010. “The biggest challenges we will face will be making sure to catch people when they are home,” Deets says. Correction: In the October Community column of Waukee Living, the name of Summer Evan’s husband was incorrect. Her hus-band’s name is Luke. We regret the error.

A developmental projects map for Waukee.

Residential cooperation is beneficial to the city

By Courtney Keiser

Waukee special census

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I t’s starting to feel like a true Iowa fall around here. As you’re snuggling in front of a cozy fire-

place, make sure to enjoy it with peace of mind. The last thing you’re likely to think about is the condition of your chimney, but that may be short-lived if your chimney is extremely dirty. Why? Dirty chimneys can cause fires, which damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people. While fireplaces are designed to safely contain wood-fuel fires, the chimney portion is what should be routinely maintained. The chimney serves the fire by expelling the by-products of com-bustion — the substances pro-duced when wood burns. These include smoke, water vapor, gases

and unburned wood particles. As these substances exit the fireplace and flow up into the relatively cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The resulting residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney is called creosote. Creosote comes in a black or brown appearance. It varies in form from crusty and flaky, tar-like, drippy and sticky or shiny and hardened. Regardless of the form it takes, creosote is highly com-bustible. If it builds up in sufficient quantities — and the internal flue temperature is high enough — the result could be a chimney fire. Clean chimneys don’t catch fire. Make sure to have your chim-ney inspected and cleaned annu-ally by a CSIA Certified Chimney

Sweep company. LSB Insurance wants your fam-ily to stay warm during this chilly fall and into the cold Iowa winter, but most importantly, we want you to stay safe. It doesn’t hurt

to double and even triple check to ensure you’re fully covered if a house fire or other devastating event were to happen. If you have questions about proper coverage or any insurance questions in gen-eral, don’t hesitate to give me a call. LSB Insurance, a Lincoln Savings Bank company. Not FDIC insured, no bank guarantee, may lose value, not a deposit, not insured by any Federal Government Agency.

INSURANCE

Things to consider while enjoying a nice fire

By Ann Tiernan

Information provided by Ann Tiernan, assistant vice president, Lincoln Savings Bank, 13523 University, Ave., Clive, 777-7979.

Protect yourself and the ones you love this season

MyLSB.com

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W e all have a “blue sky” vision of the way retirement should be,

yet it helps to plan for retirement with a little pragmatism. Fate may alter the course of our retirement in ways we do not currently anticipate. So as we plan for the next act of life, we may want to think about (and plan for) some life and financial fac-tors that are often overlooked. We may retire earlier than we think we will. Some of us envision leaving the workforce at “full” retire-ment age (66 or 67) so that we can receive “full” monthly Social Security benefits rather than slightly reduced monthly payments. Will that hap-pen? It might not, according to data released this spring by the respected Employee Benefit Research Institute. In EBRI’s most recent Retirement Confidence Survey, 21 percent of the respondents thought they would retire at age 65. Another

26 percent expected to retire at age 70 or later.1

These expectations may not correspond with reality. In survey-ing current retirees, EBRI found that only 6 percent had worked into their 70s. Only 9 percent had retired at age 65. Sixty-five percent of the respondents had left work before age 65, up from 61 percent in EBRI’s 2010 survey.1 We may see retirement as an extension of the present rather than the future. This is only natural, as we live in the present — but the pres-ent will not go on forever. Things change, and the costs we have to shoulder five or 10 years from now may be greater than the expenses we face at the start of retirement. As many of us will likely be retired for 20 or 30 years, it becomes essential to take a long-term view of the retirement experience — which is why retirees may want to consider

growth investing and long term care coverage. Age may catch up to us sooner rather than later. Generationally speaking, are we healthier than our parents and grandparents were? Anecdotally, it would seem so: we see people running 10Ks in their 80s, climbing mountains in their 70s, and so forth. Then again, we have diabe-tes and obesity plaguing American health. That means we need to find people we can trust to manage our finances and help us in our daily lives if we become mentally or physically infirm. We may be alone sooner than we assume. Many couples retire with a reasonable assumption that they will be together for some time — but something may happen to leave one spouse alone. As anyone who has ever lived alone realizes, a single person does not simply live on 50 percent of the income of a couple.

Keeping up a house — or even a condo — could be arduous for an 80-old man or woman. Driving is a concern. All this means that we may need someone or some group of people to care for us when our spouse is gone. These are some of the blindspots that can surprise us in retirement. They may quickly affect our money and our quality of life. If we age with an awareness of them and recognize them in our retirement and estate planning, then we may be better prepared when or if they emerge. Citations. 1finance.yahoo.com/news/when-americans-think-they-will-retire-ebri-162344633.html [4/21/15]

FINANCE

Information provided by Matthew Stahr, president, VisionPoint, 1601 Westlakes Parkway #200, West Des Moines, (800) 282-4032.

Retirement blindspotsBy Matt Stahr

Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through VisionPoint Advisory Group, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

plan protect investLPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC Investment advice offered through VisionPoint Adviso

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Anticipate


A ll students are capable of learning,” says Amy Shaw, math interventionist for

Timberline School. But, she points out, not all students learn the same way.

“Some students need addi-tional time, focused and explicit instruction in a small group setting and alternative instructional strat-egies that promote understand-ing,” Shaw says.

Drawing on 29 years of expe-rience in education, Shaw supports identified students in the areas of pre-algebra, algebra, basic algebra and geometry.

Shaw says classroom teachers play pivotal roles in the process as well.

“I consult with other math teachers and offer instructional support strategies for other stu-dents needing extra math support in the classroom,” she says.

In small group settings, Shaw is able to focus on building relation-ships with students and under-standing how they learn.

“We are able to quickly identi-fy strengths and areas of challenge for our students,” she says. This allows Shaw and her colleagues “to provide individualized student support for the students we serve in our program.”

Results are extremely promis-ing.

“More than 80 percent of the students served are demonstrat-ing proficiency on their current math learning standards,” Shaw says. She adds that students have opportunities this year to improve their attention to detail and hone their precision when completing problems.

Shaw and her colleagues have another goal for students.

“Our broader learning goal would be to have our stu-dents be able to be flexible think-ers and complex problem solvers by applying essential mathematical

ideas and concepts to solve real world problems,” she says. Shaw also strives to remove barriers that prevent students from grasping math concepts and reaching their full potential. She stresses the importance of stu-dents feeling connected while they are at school and says, “I want to assist students needing extra sup-port that are beginning high school math courses.” According to Shaw, that early support increases chances for long-term student success. Shaw also shares that parents have countless resources available if they feel their child is strug-gling. The first step, she says, is to connect with the student’s math teacher. “Waukee math teachers differ-entiate instruction for the students within their math classes,” Shaw says. She also suggests students meet with teachers before and after school and for parents to take advantage of online resources as well, including reviewing teacher blogs. For Shaw, working with stu-dents and seeing them succeed in math is a joy. “I have always had a passion for working with kids, and I love mathematics,” she says.

Amy Shaw is a math interventionist at Timberline School. Photo by Morgan Leu Parkhurst.

Early support creates chances for long-term success

By Morgan Leu Parkhurst

Meet Amy ShawEDUCATION

Information provided by Dr. Wes Nyberg, Waukee Wellness and Chiropractic, 710 Alice’s Road, Waukee, 978-6661.

HEALTH

A: Yes, you should be thinking of 2016 goals now. Just like diets and fad work-out programs, resolutions usually never work. How many times have you said to yourself, “This year I’m going to lose 10 pounds and start living healthier,” or, “I’m going to finally take care of those headaches.” Most of us only talk and not enough take action. We have great intentions but somewhere down the line, we get “busy.” This may seem early, but now is the time to make goals for next year. That way when next year hits, you’re ready to go. Make 2016 the year of action. I saw a statistic that said for every $1 you spend on medication you can expect to pay $1 on treating side effects for that medica-tion. Why not invest in yourself, instead of someone else? Your health is a savings account; you must invest early and consistently. This “health account” will grow over time and keep you out of the hospital, off unnecessary medications and functioning at a high level. Living a balanced life and making good lifestyle choices are the keys to a healthier life. You might have all the ideas to get healthy, but are you doing it? 8 Weeks to Wellness is the leading health care program in the U.S. This is not a weight loss program; this is a lifestyle change program. For eight weeks you will receive two chiropractic adjustments/week, one hour massage/week, two personalized training sessions/week, a nutrition program and guided meditation all customized to fit your life and goals. Go to 8ww.com for more information and the nearest 8WW center near you. Do you want to be a burden or blessing to your family as you age? 8WW can save your life.

Q: Should I be thinking about my health in 2016?

“

FREE ORIENTATIONTHIRD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

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CHIROPRACTIC EXERCISEMASSAGE MEDITATION

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WAUKEE WELLNESS & CHIROPRACTIC

710 ALICES ROAD WAUKEE 978.6661www.waukeewellness.com www.8ww.com


Taquitos Mexicanos at Los Tres Amigos Mexican Restaurant. Photo by Kate Berger.

DINING

L ocated on N.E. Carefree Lane, tucked in the corner of one of Waukee’s strip malls,

sits the perfect place to spend a carefree afternoon — Los Tres Amigos. My husband and I decided to visit Los Tres Amigos with some friends on a quiet Saturday after-noon. As we opened the doors, the merry sounds of mariachi music floated to greet us; inside, a host was waiting to do the same. We were quickly led to an out-of-the-way booth, and as we settled in, I found myself distracted by the décor of the restaurant. I felt as though I was sitting in a Mexican village. Archways and hanging streetlamps adorn the walls, and Spanish roof tiles create faux awnings over various parts of the restaurant. The entire décor gives you the feeling that post-meal you could easily wander down a street to see the sights. At the front of the restaurant, a bar is nestled in a corner, and an arch-way to the right reveals additional seating. We started off our meal with complimentary chips and salsa and a round of $2 margaritas — a deal that was too good not to steal. For an additional 50 cents you can add a flavor to your drink, so I chose to switch it up with some straw-berry. In no time at all, our food

arrived and the surface of the table was obscured by fajitas, burritos and my favorite Mexican order —taquitos Mexicanos.

The fajitas were nice and hot, and my taquitos had the per-fect amount of crunch. Upscale Mexican dining frequently comes with an upscale price; but the casu-al atmosphere of this restaurant meant I could enjoy a meal with friends without breaking the bank. The food was a good value, with each entrée ringing in just around the $10 mark. With the fun, casual atmo-sphere and a kid’s menu offering pepperoni pizzas and chicken nug-gets for any picky eaters, I could see it being the perfect place for families to gather and parents to catch up over drinks. Ever find yourself craving Mexican but dying to get home after a long day? Just add 50 cents to any item and you can take it to go. With my margarita empty and my stomach full, I headed home to indulge in some more Spanish culture, with a siesta.

Los Tres Amigos63 N.E. Carefree Lane987-0393Hours: Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.Mon.-Thur: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.Fri. - Sat.: 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Los Tres Amigos offers carefree atmosphere

By Kate Berger

A place to relax

Let our Family take care of your Family!

DES MOINES PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT CLINICBrian L. Waggoner, M.D.

Robert A. Fornoff, M.D.

Amy K. Petersen, D.O.

Sally J. Twedt, C.P.N.P.

Julie A. Waggoner, C.P.N.P.

Sherri M. Chrisman-Batterson, C.P.N.P.

Andrea G. Dettmann-Spurgeon, C.P.N.P.

Samantha K. Schwenneker, C.P.N.P.

2555 Berkshire Pkwy, Suite A

Clive/Waukee location

515-987-0051Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday - Friday

6355 Beechtree Drive, WDM (A few blocks E of Jordan Creek Mall) - - -

Owned and operated by the Thrailkill family Faith Spencer-Hamilton, Director

515.223.1387 - - - www.AlphabetAcademyWDM.com

It’s time you come and see for yourself...

Discover. Experience. LEARN.

tt ss t time e yoyou u coomem aandnd s seeee f forr y youoursrself.Let your child experience the Montessori experience

Located in West Des Moines, Alphabet Academy believes thateducation is all about enjoying what we learn throughnew discoveries and experiences, while being in the company ofothers in a well-prepared and peaceful environment.

In all children, we foster experiences that help build upon mutual respect We believe that every child is unique and learns at his or her own pace Classrooms are purposely prepared environments that challenge

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T hank you to all Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce members for

your participation and support of the Chamber this past year. Thank you to the Waukee Chamber Board of Directors, staff, ambas-sadors and volunteers for all of your dedication and commitment to help make 2015 a success.

Waukee welcomes U.S. Chamber and local business leaders to luncheonThe Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a regional lun-cheon on Nov. 10 in Waukee. Natalie Masri of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Center for Women in Business, pre-sented on their research report, Advancing Women to the Top and shared best practices of 12 Fortune 1000 companies that excel at promoting and devel-oping women at the board, C-suite, and management levels. Attendees from Greater Des Moines Partnership Affiliate Chambers of Commerce learned six insights that companies of all sizes and across all industries find helpful for increasing women’s leadership. Afterward, five local female business leaders served on a panel, discussing tips for suc-cess, personal brand management, negotiating strategies, mentor-ship and their journey to the top. Thank you to The Village at Legacy Pointe in Waukee for sponsoring the luncheon and to our business panelists.

Shottenkirk Chevrolet declared winnerShottenkirk Chevrolet has been declared the winner of the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2015 Cow Patty Business Bingo event. Shottenkirk Chevrolet wins a full page ad in the Waukee Chamber Directory and Community Guide as well as the Cow Patty Business

Bingo trophy. Cow Patty Business Bingo was created as a fun way to promote member businesses on the grid and provide the chance to highlight a winning business in our annual guide mailed to every resident and business in our com-munity and used to celebrate our business community and market the Chamber all year. Thank you to Timberline Campground for hosting and to all of our bingo sponsors and members in atten-dance for an evening of network-ing, hot apple cider by the campfire and frosting pumpkin sugar cook-ies on a beautiful fall evening.

Congratulations on 10 years, Waukee Area Christian ServicesThank you to the Waukee Area Christian Services, Melissa Stimple and your team for the impact you have made in the Waukee commu-nity over the past 10 years.

Waukee Chamber October Networking LuncheonMcKinney Law Offices sponsored the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Networking Luncheon on Oct. 15 in Waukee. Guests enjoyed catering by Mixed, devel-oped business relationships with membership, received a Chamber update and had the opportunity to provide a brief introduction of their business.

By Matt Klein, Waukee Area Chamber board president

Many worked together to make 2015 a success

A time of thanksCHAMBER NEWSRECIPE

N ovember is a month of transition: cool, crisp weather intermingled with

a handful of warm, sunny days. I love fall — the colors, the smells. What I don’t enjoy are the frigid days of winter coming soon. It’s time for the comforting warmth of soups, stews and the slow-cooker. Coming home from a day at school to a house filled with the aroma of savory meat and vegetables is heavenly, and the recipe I have for you is one you can throw together in the morning, and you will have a hearty, delicious meal ready to eat when you are. You really can’t go wrong with this recipe. You can use canned, frozen or fresh vegetables. You can use any kind of beef — stew meat is called for, but I wanted something very lean. With the price the same per pound, I used an extremely lean cubed steak and cut it into bite-sized pieces. The V-8 juice, along with the instant tapioca, make a rich, won-derful gravy when it simmers with the beef and the vegetables. I have an older slow-cooker that doesn’t seem to get as hot as some of the newer ones, so setting it on high for 10 hours works for me. Some of the newer slow-cookers seem to get hotter than the older ones, so you may need to adjust the time or the temperature. I have also made this in my electric pressure cooker and it turns out just fine. There are a couple surprises that I used in my stew. My husband and I try to limit white potatoes and carrots. One of the surprising vegetables that can be substituted for potatoes are...ready for this? Radishes. Who knew? They have the flavor and texture of potatoes in stews and roasts, but without the carbs. Another surprise: After it was cooked, I stirred in a half cup of pumpkin puree. It gives a depth and richness to the gravy that is so good. I hope you enjoy the warmth and comfort of this stew in these cold months of fall and winter. Enjoy the upcoming seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas, and blessings to you and your families from me and mine.

Easy slow-cooker stew

Cold-weather dish has surprise ingredients

By Jan Allen

Slow-cooker stew

Ingredients1 cup frozen or fresh peas1 1/2 cup frozen or fresh carrots1 1/2 cup celery3-4 potatoes, cubed1/2 cup chopped onion1 package stew meat12 ounces V-8 juice12 ounces water2 tablespoons instant tapiocaSeasonings to taste(I used cut radishes in place of pota-toes, and added a 1/2 cup pumpkin puree.)

Directions.1. Put in peas, carrots, celery, onion and potatoes into the slow cooker. Place meat on top.2. In 2-cup measuring cup or bowl, pour in V-8 juice. Add seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic or anything you like) and tapioca. Stir together. Pour over mix-ture in slow cooker. Pour 12 ounces water overall.3: Cover, turn to high and cook for approximately 10 hours.Note: I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen or canned (either are fine). It makes a wonderful rich gravy.


OUT AND ABOUT

Taylor Crow and Tamara Hopewell Erna Morain and Ashley Grieser

Matt Jermier, Elizabeth Sweers and Juli Accola Jolene Goodman and Teresa Speck Mike DeKock and Terry Snyder

Rick Kievits and Don Frazer Greg Grote and Mark Heffernan Chad Airhart and Jim McKinney

Ashley Grieser, Jim McKinney and Melinda Behn Greg Grote, Becky Sidles, Ashley Grieser, Jim McKinney, Abel Shaw, Erna Morain and Nicole Grove

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce held its membership luncheon at the Waukee Community Center on Oct. 15.

Membership luncheon


OUT AND ABOUT

Amy Smith and Laura Warner Jenifer Mertz and Tracy Smith

Katie Patterson, Natalie Masri and Kim Augspurger Katie Roth and Katie Kuhn Jolene Goodman and Jolene Mchaffey

Kelli Sunner and Molly Smith Andrea Irwin, Nicole Grove and Hassan Atarma Katie Hernandez, Molli Miller and Beth Barker

Shelli Pulley and Karen Goldsworth Don Frazer and Juli Accola Jerry Purdy and Bryan Rowland

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a regional luncheon at The Village at Legacy Pointe on Nov. 10.

Regional luncheon

www.iowalivingmagazines.com/waukee Waukee Living NOVEMBER | 2015

NOVEMBER | 2015 Waukee Living www.iowalivingmagazines.com/waukee

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