32

myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

It's the Culinary Kickoff issue! College football starts in September so we catchup with a few High School players who now play college ball. Staying with the kitchen spirit we delve into the college accredited ProStart program at Waukee High School.

Citation preview

Page 1: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014
Page 2: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

$1199 $1599$1399

Pizza Packonly $17.99 • Any Large Pizza • Choice of 2 small sides*

chicken Pack only $17.99 • 8 pcs Crispy Ranch Chicken ®

• Choice of 2 small sides*

combo Pack only $27.99 • Any Medium Pizza • 8 pcs Crispy Ranch Chicken®

• Choice of 2 small sides*

*Substitute 2 small sides for any family side including mashed potatoes and gravy.

Waukee & Des Moines Buckles Ad .indd 1 6/24/14 4:01 PM

Page 3: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

3

STORIES SECTIONS

05 From the Publ isher

11 P inpoints of Interest

22 Your Waukee Library

24 City of Waukee

28 Waukee Chamber

30 Community Sect ion

06 Fired Up!ProStart is a two-year high school curriculum program that unites the classroom and industry to develop tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders, and is currently taught in 18 Iowa high schools. We take a peek inside a wonderful program for culinarily inclined Waukee students.

10 Under ConstructionNew businesses are cropping up like crazy around Waukee. This ongoing series will keep you posted on the new businesses and hot spots coming to town. We profile Saints Pub + Patio.

16 & 26 Faces of WaukeeYou live in Waukee. You might work in Waukee. Join us as we interview our friends and neighbors who live and/or work here to see what they do and what they love about Waukee. ON THE COVER

Former Waukee football stars (now playing college ball) AJ Allen, Trevor Volk, Ryan Glenn, and Ryan Fogt strike poses next to some tasty tailgate foods.

Photos by Laura Wills

CONTENTS

1806 1610

AUgUst/september 2014

Grass Fed: Friends. Food. Football.For many, tailgate season is about the food; for some, it’s about the friendship.

Page 4: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

*Disclaimer

12345678901234567

*Sales ranking based on 2013 car and truck sales report of the Kansas City Region of Lincoln Motor Company.

Iowa’s #1 Lincoln Dealer* - Since 1980

1450 E HICKMANWAUKEE IA 50253515.987.3697 www.stiverslincolniowa.com

ExperienceLincoln Date Night

CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE ANO OBLIGATION

24-48 HOUR TEST DRIVEPLUS! $100

RESTAURANT

GIFT CARD

Contact Erik Trabert, email: [email protected]

Stivers#10711MyTown.indd 1 8/13/14 5:55:41 PM

Page 5: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

TO OUR WAUKEE FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS,While it’s not known who said it originally, many have used the saying, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” myWaukee magazine is certainly growing. Our website, myWaukee.com, is getting a tremendous amount of traffic and the feedback from the community and advertisers on our print piece has been phenomenal. Consequently, we’ve expanded our mailing to every residence in Waukee and we have plans to expand further very soon.

Humans by nature are keen to learn. It’s our hope that myWaukee is helping you learn about our community’s activities and opportunities. To learn more, sign up for our mailing list on our home page at mywaukee.com. While you’re online, hop over to Facebook and “like” our page to stay connected with us through social media.

We also hope you’ll send us your feedback on past issues and ideas for future issues. Your feedback matters to us. Do you fancy yourself a writer or blogger? Share with us your interest on myWaukee.com. We’d be thrilled to have you join our team.

The myWaukee team has certainly been savoring the success of our first two editions, along with the launch of our website. In this edition, we hope you’ll enjoy the delicious pieces highlighted in our Culinary Kickoff story. In addition to the culinary tips, we highlight some recent Waukee grads that are savoring their successes from the Waukee High School football team and taking their talents to the collegiate level here in Iowa. It’s all about friends, food and football.

Now for an “oops” on our part. Last month, in our story on the Waukee Leadership Institute, we mistakenly omitted a graduate in the list of non-pictured graduates. Kurt Schade, owner of Schade Creek Winery in Waukee, graduated from the 2014 Waukee Leadership Institute program. We regret the error and extend our apologies to Kurt. He was a great addition to the program, and we congratulate him along with the others from this year’s graduating class. You can learn more about the Waukee Leadership Institute at waukeeleadership.org.

Chad C. Airhart, Publisher

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

PublisherChad Airhart

f facebook.com/chadairhart

Creative DirectorJason McArtor

@JasonMcArtor

Photo DirectorLaura Wills

@laurawillsphotography

Art DirectorZachary Kern @ZacharyKern85

Advertising DirectorJodi Gilson-Schrage

ContributorsSara Stibitz

Mackensie SmithDeborah Mikelson

Copy EditorMarjorie Sandner

myTown Magazines Distributor

Goldfinch Media

AddressPO Box 1202

Waukee IA, 50263

[email protected]

Hello and Welcome

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. ©2014 Goldfinch Media

Reach thousands of Waukee residents and businesses for as little as 5¢ per door! Contact me and let our award winning creative team help you achieve your marketing goals!

5 1 5 2 3 8 - 8 6 8 [email protected]

Jodi gilson-schrage

Advertise with us

Page 6: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 20146

Dishing up a Tasty Future from Waukee High School Amidst clean countertops and polished cutlery, the tastes of future careers are being created in the Waukee High School kitchen.

Like a recipe, the teenage students enter the class as singular ingredients. They emerge from the class steaming with knowledge and able to interact in the bigger world, making up the diverse dish that is the culinary arts.

The class is called ProStart, and much like a trade school, it’s an intense exposure to a career field. Being a ProStart student is like pulling back the veil on the extensive world of flaming pans, white aprons spackled with sauces and all of the numbers that go into making a restaurant, venue or catering company run as smooth as butter.

Those Who Can, TeaChLaura Calvert is the friendly face behind ProStart. A Waukee High School alumna, she returned to her old stomping grounds four years ago to combine her passions for teaching and cooking.

“I’ve always naturally gravitated toward the culinary arts,” Calvert said. “I’ve really gotten passionate about helping students realize that no matter what they want to do, they can be successful. It’s exciting see the light bulb go on.”

She teaches ProStart and also Culinary I and II, the prerequisite courses for the program. From there she can tell which students would benefit and enjoy ProStart. Calvert is not just good, but great at teaching the tricks of proper dicing, dough rolling and dressing mixing. In 2013, she was named Iowa’s 2013 ProStart Educator of Excellence by the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

W o r d s M a c k e n s i e S m i t h P h o t o s J a s o n M c A r t o r / s u b m i t t e d

“i’ve really gotten passionate about helping students realize that no matter what they want to do they can be successful...it’s exciting see the light bulb go on.”

L a u r a C a l v e r t

Page 7: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

WhaT is ProsTarT? ProStart unifies the food service industry with the classroom. Consider ProStart the fresh-faced look of family and consumer science (FCS) class, zoomed in and taken up a notch. It features a college-level textbook, hours in the field and competition. Run by the Iowa Restaurant Association, it is sustained by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Waukee was in front of the trend as the third school to implement ProStart program back in 2007. It’s now in 23 Iowa schools.

When ProStart students graduate, they receive another mark of education to frame on the mantel: the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement. To earn this coveted signifier of competency, students must pass the National Restaurant Association’s Year One and Year Two exams and complete 400 hours of work experience.

If that’s not intimidating enough, there’s also a knife skill technique contest...

In the spring, nerves run high as practice begins for the Iowa ProStart Student Invitational. Students take to the culinary competition in teams of four. Armed with just two butane burners, they are tasked with creating a three-course meal in one hour. The meal must include an appetizer, a main dish (including a protein, grain and vegetable) and a dessert. Calvert said that the students practice this task many times before going into competition.

If that’s not intimidating enough, there’s also a knife skill technique contest. The judges’ panel is comprised of local chefs who donate their time, tips and expertise.

Just like in the real world, there is a flipside to the creative wonderment of cooking. Cue the management portion of the competition. Teams present a business plan to a panel of “investors” (local food service business owners and managers) to prove that they are the best investment. The high school proposals feature floor plans, interior design plans, marketing plans, concepts and budgets.

First place winners advance to the National ProStart Invitational to compete against other high schoolers nationwide; Havel’s 2014 spring semester students swept the state competition and represented Iowa at the national event in Minneapolis.

Unlike fruits and vegetables, you cannot grow money in an organic garden, so the class caters local events to raise the funds necessary to attend competitions.

“We’ve done the Waukee Rotary silent auction event, the Waukee High School music department’s Festival of Peace, parent-teacher conferences, Waukee Chamber luncheons...we really have done a lot of things,” said Calvert.

TasTe of success As the idiom says, the proof is in the pudding...or in this case, it’s in the real-world work experience and continuous education that ProStart graduates are pursuing.

Jessica Havel graduated from Waukee High School in May. She started working at the charming Caché Bakery in February. It was a move to help her reach the 400 work-hour requirement for completion of the ProStart class and to make money in a field she loves.

“After taking Culinary Arts I and II, I knew I wanted to have a career in the field,” Havel said.

“I think that if you have the interest in the culinary field, you should definitely go for it into ProStart”Havel was part of the culinary team that won the Iowa ProStart competition this past spring.

Caché Bakery is a small shop with a staff size that allows her to do a little bit of everything from decorating to order preparation.

This fall, she’ll head to Iowa State University (AKA the birthplace of the Rice Krispie Treat) with her fellow class of 2018 to study the physical and chemical interactions of food as a culinary science major.

“I think that if you have an interest in the culinary field, you should definitely go for it into ProStart,” Havel said. “It’s a lot of work prepping for competition, but it’s not as scary as being in the workforce and having to work up that experience.”

Fletcher Tingle III would have to agree. The 19-year-old packed his bags five days after his high school graduation in 2013 and flew to New York City to put on the gloves at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.

“The program definitely piqued my interest in the culinary arts as a career,” Tingle said. He is currently pursuing an associate degree in culinary arts and will graduate in 2015. He has already been accepted into the bachelor’s degree program for culinary arts management.

Incoming students, note that this is not a class in which you can fly under the radar. “ProStart is definitely not for people who want to fill their schedules,” Tingle said. “It challenges you and gets your feet wet in the field.”

The next time you take a seat at your favorite restaurant, consider the next generation of great minds that speak through the tastes, texture and appearance of nourishment, and know that a sprinkling of them started it all in Waukee High School’s ProStart kitchen.

Jared Holiday

Jessica Havel

Lindsay Greifzu

Zach LohnerFletcher Tingle

Ben Dickerson

Page 8: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 20148

CYBER LIABILITY

MArK CurrIe INSPRO InsuranceAccount Execut ive mcurr ie@insproins .com515-226-9565 ext 1 106

INSPRO Insurance represents a wide variety of insurance carriers.

Maintaining quality business relationships with our carriers is an

agency priority and INSPRO has earned “Preferred Status” levels

with many of them. INSPRO Insurance continually strives to

cultivate relationships with financially strong insurance carriers

for the benefit of our clients.

2501 Westown Parkway Suite 1104

West Des Moines, IA 50266P/ (515) 226 – 9565 F/ (515) 226 – 9443

www.insproins.com

INSPRO Insurance is an independent, multi-line agency representing a wide variety of insurance carriers.

We are 100% employee owned, by your friends and neighbors, serving Waukee and Central Iowa for over 50 years.

PEOPLE YOU KNOW

BUSINESS | PERSONAL | BONDING | HEALTH & MORE...

Your Hometown Insurance Agent!

2002 WHS Graduate, Football,

Baseball, Wrestling & Track.

Brian Conway

Gary LewisMark Currie Joe Meyers

For many years, it’s been widely known and accepted that companies should be accountable for the private records they handle or control. One law that raised awareness of this issue was the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. In 2003, a privacy rule went into effect for the private healthcare information protected under HIPAA. Since then, 46 out of 50 states have amended their state laws or codes to also address how companies and state agencies must respond to leaked personally identifiable information (PII).

Insurance that protects you in case of cyber attack may seem like something only large corporations would need or be able to afford. But believe it or not, cyber liability insurance makes a lot of sense for small companies as well.

h e r e ’ s W h y:

1. IT’S MORE AFFORDABLE THAN YOU THINK.Policy premiums can be as low as $2,000 a year. You can get coverage as high as $30 million and deductibles as low as $10,000, depending on your needs and how much you’re willing to pay.

2. IT CAN COVER MORE THAN YOU THINK. Many policies offer “first party” coverage – that is, they’ll pay for things like business interruption, the cost of notifying customers of a breach, and even the expense of hiring a public relations firm to repair any damage done to your image as a result of a cyber attack.

3. YOU PROBABLY DON’T HAVE A RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM. Big corporations have entire departments devoted to analyzing the risks the company could face and helping set policies and procedures to protect against them. Many smaller companies don’t – but a good insurance broker can perform a similar function.

4. EVEN IF YOU DON’T HOST YOUR DATA YOURSELF, YOU’RE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. Is your website and/or any of your data hosted or stored in the cloud? Take a good look at your contracts: You’re still legally responsible, which is a significant risk.

5. YOUR GENERAL POLICY WON’T COVER YOU.Typically, a general liability policy specifically excludes losses incurred because of the Internet. A good cyber liability policy will pick up where your general policy leaves off.

Contact INSPRO today for assistance in selecting the best policy for your business.

Page 9: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

9

rAin CoUldn’t stop tHe sHinewAukEE fEst 2014

Donna Stall of Iowa Realty

Waukee High School Band

Citizen of the Year Geoff Warmouth of Waukee Hardware

Same Day and Next Day AppointmentsClinic Open Monday-Friday

iowaclinic.com

DEDICATING OUR L IVES TO TAKING CARE OF YOURS

120 NE Dartmoor DriveWaukee, IA

Kim Countryman, D.O.

Jon Crosbie, D.O.

Call today to schedule your appointment!515-987-3117

M o r E p h o t o s o n p A g E 1 3 !

Page 10: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201410

Scott Anderson and Marc Mundt, lifelong friends from the Ottumwa area, are the masterminds behind the Saints concept, which has grown to nine locations throughout Des Moines, Omaha and Kansas City. “We’ve been looking for a Waukee location for some time,” said Anderson.

Formerly Legacy Sports Bar & Grill, the space is undergoing a complete renovation, both inside and out. The parking lot has been expanded to 265 spaces and a pass-through has been added to the neighboring Taco John’s. A traffic signal was approved at the intersection of Dartmoor Drive and Hickman Road and will be completed by the fall of 2015.

Inside, a new main bar was built facing the inside wall with a granite top and real brick. Seventeen 60-70'' flat-screen TVs will line the walls. The outside wall is transformed into an open-air community patio bar with seating both inside and outside with a bar height 40''-wide granite top and features two glass garage doors that will lift up from the center.

“The patio is important and we’re more than doubling its size. It will be enormous,” said Anderson.

About half of the patio will be covered by a metal awning, which will be installed by next spring. The uncovered patio space will be lined with 42'' light pillars every eight feet to create a festive atmosphere. Eight patio TVs will be tuned to sporting events, and live bands will perform on the patio at times, as well.

Every Saints Pub + Patio offers a full menu, including burgers, tenderloins, wraps, paninis, salads, appetizers, and the popular Saints Chicken Sandwich. Breakfast will be served on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 am – 1 pm. Each location also features its own daily food and drink specials. This new Waukee location will offer a $1.50 slider special on Wednesdays and $1 taco Tuesdays.

Hours will be 11:00 am – 2:00 am on weekdays and 9:00 am – 2:00 am on the weekends.

Saints Pub + Patio is only one of the concepts owned by Anderson and Mundt’s business, Riley Drive Entertainment (which is named after the street they both lived on just outside of Ottumwa). They also own Tonic Bar (with locations on Court Avenue and in West Glen) and Beaver Tap in Beaverdale. Johnny Robb joined Anderson and Mundt as partners for the Saints Pub + Patio in Waukee and Beaverdale as well as Beaver Tap.

the des moines area’s fourth saints pub + patio will open in early September at 87 NE Carefree Lane in Westwood Plaza. Like the other Saints Pub + Patio locations, it will offer an outdoor patio, numerous flat-screen televisions with expansive sports programming, and a full menu with many made-from-scratch items.

ConstruCtionu N d e R

“the patio is important and we’re more than doubling its size. it will be enormous.”

scott anderson

W o r d s D e b o r a h M i k e l s o n P h o t o J a s o n M c A r t o r

Page 11: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

11

Jethro’s BBQ ‘n Jambalaya

9350 University AveEnjoy slow-smoked meats and homemade Cajun creole creations at this nationally-recognized neighborhood sports bar.www.jethrosdesmoines.com

Pizza ranch448 SE University AveSaddle up the family and head out to Pizza Ranch for lunch or dinner. The menu includes pizza, the Country’s Best Chicken® and a full buffet.www.pizzaranch.com

Mickey’s ir ish Pub1025 Hickman RdVisit Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee for local entertainment, delicious pub grub and a fun atmosphere.www.mickeyswaukee.com

saints Pub + Patio 87 NE Carefree LnCheck out Waukee’s NEWEST pub, opening in early September. Saints boasts a made-from-scratch menu, 20 beers on tap and 17 60-70” HD TVs! www.ri leydrive.com

rube’s steakhouse 3309 Ute AvenueAward-winning steaks and friendly service have earned this “grill your own” steakhouse a nationwide following. Stop by for lunch or dinner.www.rubessteaks.com

YoUr WAUkeepinpoints of intErEst

Want to be a pinpoint of interest? Email us at [email protected]

Page 12: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201412

LeAding the MArketLuana Savings Bank is leading the Des Moines market with compet i t ive interest rates and a “No Originat ion/No Clos ing Cost” loan specia l .

“ Whether you are buying, building or re� nancing, we’ve got super competitive rates and the best � nancing options around.”

Why Luana?

We are leading the Des Moines market with competitive rates and ZERO costs.

Our products go above and beyond other � nancial institutions.

We retain servicing on all loans with local decisions and local processing.

Ask a mortgage specialist for details!

Scott BishopLoan Of� cerNMLS 1021523

www.LuanaSavingsBank.com

515.987.211616390 Holcomb Court, Clive

Waukee side of Clive | Across from Stiver’s Ford

Local People. Local Decisions. Local Investments.

New Since 1908!

ALeTHA LenZ Luana Savings Banksenior resident ia l Loan off icera [email protected]

Founded in 1908 in rural Northeast Iowa, Luana Savings Bank

has created a significant lending presence throughout Northeast

and Central Iowa, expanding to the Metro area in 2008. Luana

Savings Bank is one of the top performing banks in the nation

and maintains stable growth by consistently providing the most

competitive loan products and services in its market areas.

No matter where you are in the home buying process, Luana can help you explore your financing possibilities. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, or you’re upgrading or downsizing, Luana has a variety of mortgage products to fit your needs for a single family home, investment property or condo/townhome purchase.

Our no-cost mortgage special is very popular for both purchases and refinances. This special limited-time offer allows customers to lock in a competitive rate at no cost. Eliminating closing cost fees protects you from being overcharged. Not all lenders are able to offer this type of lending – but we do!

LUANA’S IN-HOUSE OPPORTUNITIES SET US APART FROM OUR COMPETITION

Our lending guidelines go further than those directed by Fannie Mae’s guidelines. We have our own programs and products to meet each individual’s needs. This allows a “common sense” approach and enables us to be more accommodating with our clients’ needs and situations.

WE OFFER LOCAL DECISIONS WITH A LOCAL SERVICE APPROACH

Luana also understands the importance of quick loan approvals and local loan decisions. We’re unique because we approve and service loans locally. We retain the servicing on all of our mortgage loans. Our customers know upfront that their loan will not be sold to another company after the loan is closed. This means our customers make local payments and can call anytime with questions and get the answers they need.

We strive to build close relationships With our customers beyond numbers, Which leads to a much more fulfilling experience for our customers as We Work to meet their needs.

Page 13: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

13

Ken Fritz, Abigail Logan and Tammy Olson from the Village at Legacy Pointe

YMCA ZUMBA

Elliana Behn with Disney Princesses Tim Wolf and Bryan Rowland of State Savings Bank

rAin CoUldn’t stop tHe sHinewAukEE fEst 2014

Page 14: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201414

the hy-Vee store in waukee has a wide selection of breads that can rival

any bakery in the des Moines area. in fact, fresh baked aRtisan bread

can be found in several hy-Vee stores in the Metro.

S p E C i a l S E C T i O NW o r d s S a r a S t i b i t z P h o t o s L a u r a W i l l s

ArtisanThe Art of BREAD

PackaRd’s PhilosoPhy foR excellent bRead is simPle. he uses traditional

processes with the highest quality (and fewest) ingredients possible. take, for example, the

san francisco sourdough. it’s the store’s best seller, and for good reason. the san francisco

sourdough is made with just organic flour, water, sea salt, and sourdough culture. Like the

rest of their bread, the san francisco dough is prepared the day before.

Bakers shape the dough, allow it to ferment, and then place the dough in a cooler overnight

to proof at a lower temperature. Baking starts at 3 AM every morning with a modern

version of a stone oven. the result is perfectly golden, flavorful bread.

As the bakery manager, Charles Packard brings his unique background to work with him. While working on his undergraduate degree at Iowa State University, he took the opportunity to study abroad. He visited the tiny mediterranean island of Malta, where he frequented a bakery in a tucked-away town.

“It was a hole-in-the-wall, family-owned place. They just had one room, and they formed the bread in front and baked it in the deck oven in back.” And of course, the bread was wonderful. When Packard returned to the US, he came back with a newly-formed interest in baking.

Page 15: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

15

alongside favorites like the san francisco sourdough, you’ll find quite a few signature selections available only at your Waukee hy-Vee. the country sourdough, made with semolina, whole wheat, toasted flax, and sesame seeds, is a nice alternative to those who seek a heartier bread.

the rosemary sourdough, made with the same dough as the san francisco, has the addition of dried rosemary leaves that have been cold-pressed overnight. the result is a fragrant version of the sourdough, perfect for pairing with your favorite savory dish.

if you’re looking to broaden your culinary horizons, try the miche (pronounced mesh). this loaf is a throwback to the origins of bread. At one time, bread was cooked in a communal oven, and each family in a community got a certain amount of time for baking. As a result, loaves were huge; that way, the bread would last a week.

today’s version is made with whole wheat and rye flour. despite it’s lack of preservatives (other than a dash of salt), miche is shelf stable and is good for seven to nine days. it takes two and a half hours hours to bake this hearty loaf, and it develops a nice thick crust packed with flavor.

The best t a s t i n g b r e a d

Cole Simmonsb a k e R

Elijah Stouta s s i s t a n t b a k e R y m a n a g e R

Kat Nichols b a k e R

LooK foR LoAvES of miChE oN ThE

wEEKENDS AT youR wAuKEE hy-vEE.

Crafted Daily

10 grain

100% hearth

french boule

french baguette

ciabatta bread & Rolls

country sourdough

toscano

Raisin Walnut

Rye caraway

Rye sourdough

settlers bread

cheddar Jalapeno settlers bread

sourdough boule

Roasted garlic sourdough

asiago cheese bread

Rosemary sourdough

grains of the earth

miche

focaccia bread

Delicious variety

Page 16: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201416

FACes oFwAukEE w/ jon CrosBiE

Where were you born?I was born in Ames and lived there for 13 years before moving to Earlham, where I graduated from high school.

Where did you go to college?I received an undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa and then made the decision to go back to school for pre-medical classes after spending a year out of school.

I did my pre-med prerequisites at Iowa State, and my medical school education at Des Moines University. My residency was completed at Mercy Family Practice Residency Program.

tell us about your family. My wife and I have two rottweilers named Newman and Eli. My wife and I met playing rugby – I played on the men’s team and she played on the women’s team.

tell us briefly about your current career.I work at The Iowa Clinic in Family Practice. I particularly enjoy the preventative medicine aspects of my job and helping people lead more healthy lifestyles in general.

What are your hobbies and interests?I love all things football. I also enjoy watching movies and woodworking – in particular, cutting down the trees and milling up the wood myself.

What do you like most about living and/or working in Waukee?

It’s great to be part of a community that is growing so quickly and to serve the communities in which I spent my high school years. Seeing people from these familiar communities is a neat part of my job.

What motivates and inspires you?Seeing people take charge of their own health and take steps to improve their health is a cool part of what I do.

It’s very rewarding when patients come in excited to report improvements in their health – whether they’ve quit smoking, reached a fitness goal, made improvements in their blood sugars, or achieved anything they are excited about.

P h o t o b y L a u r a W i l l s

Know someone we should feature? Let us know! Email us at [email protected]

Page 17: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

17

Standing together, waiting for their picture to be snapped, are two boys wearing gleaming gold medals indicating their spectacular achievement. These aren’t the type of medals given to all participants. These are winners’ medals. They’re evidence of conquered fears, adversities overcome, and races won fair and square.

Like most children, they would rather be outside – playing with friends, making something out of sand and mud, catching bugs, or in this case, swimming.

Brooklyn, 11, and Zachary, 13, used to be fish out of water when it came to swimming in the deep end of the pool. Zachary wouldn’t let the water get up to his shoulders and Brooklyn refused to dive into the deep end of certain pools. Then they met Michelle, the adaptive aquatics trainer at Waukee’s YMCA and a lifelong swimmer with 25 years of coaching experience.

UNIqUE CHALLENGESBrooklyn, with his sporty tennis shoes and athletic wear, was born with a lesion on the left side of his brain that makes his right upper body extremely weak. Epilepsy comes paired with the lesion. Zachary, with his sweet smile, has extremely low muscle tone as a result of living with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Both boys were in need of a unique aquatics program for therapeutic, health, wellness and youth development reasons.

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKEA little over three years ago, Michelle was in the beginning stages of organizing an adaptive aquatics program with Brian Longren, the aquatics program director at Waukee’s YMCA. It was at this time that Zachary’s mother, Edie, was looking for an alternative to group swimming lessons for her son.

“We knew if he [Zach] was enrolled in a regular swimming program, it wouldn’t work out,” Edie said. “We wanted some sort of program where he could safely learn.”

Brooklyn had also tried group lessons but they hadn’t worked well for his swimming development.

“Swimming with Michelle and experiencing the competition have helped Brooklyn take risks, improve his confidence and know that even though he has his differences, he is able to do amazing things,” said Brooklyn’s dad, Brandon.

The physical and cardiovascular exercise is also beneficial for the boys.

“Swimming is one of the best physical activities,” said Edie. “It helps with breathing, puts less stress on the joints than other activities and is a good activity for the whole body.”

SWIMMING BUDDIESAt the Regional Special Olympics Spring Games held at the Indianola YMCA, Brooklyn placed first (and achieved personal bests) in his age division in both of his races – 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard backstroke. He advanced to the state competition where he again placed first and recorded personal bests in both events.

“I get nervous before a race, but when I win, it feels awesome,” said Brooklyn.

Zachary won the 25-yard backstroke in his age division at the Regional Special Olympics Spring Games. This qualified him to converge with nearly 3,000 other athletes at the Special Olympics State Summer Games in Ames. There, he swam to a first-place finish in his age division as well.

Although swimming is an individual sport, Michelle added that camaraderie is another benefit of swimming, noting that YMCA programs encourage teamwork and cheering for one another. “Friendships are built here,” she said.

A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEADNext April at the regional Special Olympics meet in Indianola, look for the boys who are doing their best, competing with the rest – for it’s in these moments that their confidence grows bigger than all of the obstacles placed in front of them.

Swimming for Special Success

MICHeLLe BuSSAnMAS

Y Adaptive swim Lessons instructor

BrOOKLyn PIerCe

ZACH BOGACZyK

( F R O M

L E F T T O R I G H T )

Page 18: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201418

For many, tailgate season is about the food;

for some, it’s about the friendship.

Ryan Glenn, AJ Allen, Ryan Fogt, and Trevor Volk once battled it out together

under the lights of Waukee High School’s home field, and they’re moving on to play

at the college level. Read on to find out what these four Warriors are up to now, and

for tips to spice up your tailgating when you cheer on your teams this fall.

W o r d s S a r a S t i b i t z P h o t o s L a u r a W i l l s

Page 19: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

Ryan Glenn knew at a young age that he wanted to play football for Iowa State University. His dad took him to his first game when he was a boy. They sat on the hillside at Jack Trice Stadium and watched the players battle it out underneath the bright lights. After that game, Glenn decided he was going to be a football player, and has worked toward that goal ever since.

“it’s football from the minute you wake up to the minute you go to sleep.”

This fall, Glenn will be starting his sophomore year of school; he’s decided to major in construction engineering with an emphasis in mechanical engineering. As a kid, Glenn grew up taking things apart and putting them back together again. That makes his choice in studies a natural one. “I always liked figuring out the way things work. Engineering gives you the chance to find that answer. You get to see the end result and watch things take form.”

When asked about whether he’s excited to go back to football camp, he just smiles and says, “It’s football from the minute you wake up to the minute you go to sleep.” As a redshirt last year, he practiced along with the team but didn’t play.

He’s looking forward to using his time at camp to prove he’s ready to play offensive lineman on the field he idolized as a kid. “You go out there and work your butt off every day, and do everything in your power, and hopefully coach recognizes it.”

AJ Allen is heading to the University of Northern Iowa. He’s getting an opportunity that few ever see: a chance to follow in his dad’s footprints. His father, Andre Allen, played for UNI and eventually went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. Like his father, AJ is an outside linebacker. He’s hoping the start of his college football career will be the next step in his dream of playing professional football.

Sports have always been “his thing.” As a versatile athlete all his life, Allen played basketball, baseball, and ran track. He was young when he started football. By the time he started in the fourth grade, he was good enough to play with kids one year older.

“it’ll be the hardest thing i’ve ever done, but i’m looking forward to becoming stronger and more mentally tough.”

His time on the Waukee High School Football team prepared him well, and this fall he’ll be entering UNI as a freshman. “When the offers started coming in, UNI just felt right.” He anticipates being a redshirt for the first year, and jokes that he’s been told not to bother bringing a TV or any game systems. “I guess we won’t have time,” he says. “It’ll be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m looking forward to becoming stronger and more mentally tough.” He’s looking forward to the challenge of school, as well, but hasn’t quite made up his mind about what he wants to do.

“One day, I’ll want to be a physical therapist. The next day it’s graphic design. Or maybe I’ll get into coaching!” His excitement is palpable. “It’s a mixture of feelings, nervous, excited, anxious,” he says.

As a kid, Ryan Fogt liked to play all kinds of sports, but by the first grade he was already hooked on football. Like Glenn, his parents took him to a game on the hillside at ISU. “I looked up to those football players, and I looked up to the Waukee players, too.” After seeing his first game, he told himself it would be “the coolest thing ever” to play college football.

Fogt is entering his second year at Central College. He chose Central because the campus felt “the most like home” to him because of the open space and the trees. Those two things were important, because he’s “always been an outdoors guy.”

“i looked up to those football players, and i looked up to the Waukee players, too.”

Though he hasn’t picked a major yet, Fogt is leaning towards a career in physical fitness or strength and conditioning. “Knowing what makes you do high knees, or how the muscles work in a 40 yard dash, that’s all really interesting to me.” He’s thinking of combining his desire to help people with that knowledge and go into an occupation where he can use both.

This year Fogt is hoping to take the field for the first time as an outside linebacker. He plans on using his time at camp to prove that he’s ready. What he really likes about playing for Central is the support of the alumni. The president of the school gets in on the action, too, and leads the student section in cheering. At Central he has the chance to “live the dream of playing college football, be held to a higher standard, and to better myself every day.”

Trevor Volk got his start with flag football. He was four or five years old, and he can still remember how much fun it was. “It was a bunch of friends and our dads. Anyone who got the ball to the end of the field was a superstar, even if you got your flag pulled.”

“they don’t like to redshirt a lot of freshman. they like to get them prepared, get them ready, and get them on the field.”

Volk and his father spent a lot of time tossing the football to see who could make the most catches when he was a kid, and his family is still helping him prepare for his college football career at Morningside College. When he wasn’t busy working this summer, his dad and brother helped him workout so he could be at his best when he joins the team at camp. Although he’s not sure where they’ll want him yet, he believes he’ll be a wide receiver or a safety. And he thinks he’ll have the chance to play his first year. “They don’t like to redshirt a lot of freshman. They like to get them prepared, get them ready, and get them on the field.”

Morningside is just three hours away in Sioux City, Iowa. It was just far enough to get a change of scenery, but not too far from his family. Volk is excited for football camp to start, but he’s most excited about being a freshman at college. He already has a good idea about what he’d like to do with the rest of his life; he’ll major in history and business with a minor in politics.

He’s looking forward to being on his own and becoming his own person.

though all four players are excited to fulfill their dreams of playing college football, they’re also nostalgic for their days on the Waukee field.“i miss playing under the lights on a friday night, with all my friends. ‘cause you played with these guys for years, and then it’s just gone,” says fogt. Volk agrees, and credits his coaches, particularly coach sanders, for shaping him into who he is as a player. allen will miss the atmosphere, the “great coaches, friends, teammates, and even the parents” who were so supportive of the team. they’re all excited for the new direction they’re taking, but no matter how far they roam, they’ll always call Waukee home.

Rush to the next page FoR tasty tailgate tips

W o r d s S a r a S t i b i t z P h o t o s L a u r a W i l l s

Page 20: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201420

What goes together like hamburgers and buns, or ketchup and mustard? Football and tailgating, of course!Whether it’s an all-out party at ISU or a quiet show of support at Central, tailgating is an essential part of football culture.

Allen, Volk, Glenn and Fogt all agree burgers and brats are a must-have item. But perhaps you’re looking for a new spin on the tried-and-true?

Chef Jeff from your Waukee Hy-Vee has some variations that’ll have your mouth watering.

The Warrior Burger and the Mignon Burger are both available for your pre-game gatherings. Made with ground beef, the Warrior Burger (pictured above) comes pre-seasoned with crushed red pepper, hot sauce and jalapeños, and topped with pepper jack cheese. The Mignon Burger is made with ground filet mignon, blue cheese, cheddar cheese, hot sauce and onion. Both burgers are made daily in the meat department of

your local Hy-Vee.

FREAKY FAST DELIVERY!©2013 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

105 N. WARRIOR LANE515.987.4811

iPHONE, iPAD, iPODiDELIVER!

Page 21: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

21

If you’re on the run, the Market Grille at Hy-Vee offers some great options you can grab on the way to your tailgate. The Rise and Shine Burger is topped with Canadian bacon, smoked Gouda and an over easy egg.

The Mac N’Cheese Burger (pictured top left) is a nice change of pace. Open-faced on jalapeño cheddar artisan bread baked fresh in the bakery, it’s topped with white cheddar macaroni and cheese, Colby-Jack cheese, bacon bits and toasted bread crumbs.

Want a place to watch the big game? Check out the PinPoints of Interest on page 11!

In the mood for something different? Try out a recipe from the chefs at Hy-Vee. Chef Adam Finnegan recommends the California Avocado BLT Burger. The patty is mixed with 75% ground beef and 25% ground bacon, then topped with melted smoked mozzarella cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and ripe avocado slices.

Chef Jeff Russell favors the turkey burger topped with Asian slaw featuring a mix of cabbage, peppers, carrots, green onions and quite a bit of heat for that added kick.

chef Jeff’s ReciPe foR: asian coleslaW MAKES: 10

diRections:1. In a blender, blend together the rice vinegar, oil, peanut butter, soy sauce,

brown sugar, ginger paste, garlic paste, and red curry paste. Blend together thoroughly to make a thick and creamy dressing. Set aside.

*Add more or less curry paste depending on how spicy you want the dressing*

2. Cut and shred all cabbages, peppers, carrots, green onions, and cilantro.

3. In a large bowl, mix all slaw ingredients together, and mix with dressing mixture.

4. Evenly toss and coat cabbage with mixture, and enjoy!

dRessing ingRedients:

6 Tbsp Rice Vinegar

¼ Cup vegetable oil

5 Tbsp creamy peanut butter

3 Tbsp Tamari (Gluten Free Soy Sauce)

3 Tbsp light brown sugar

2 Tbsp ginger paste

1 ½ Tbsp garlic paste

2 Tbsp red curry paste

slaW ingRedients:

5 Cups thinly sliced green cabbage

2 Cups thinly sliced red cabbage

2 Cups shredded napa cabbage

2 Red bell peppers, thinly sliced

2 Cups carrots, julienned

1 Cup green onions, diced

1 Cup cilantro, course chopped

Page 22: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

live, leArn, & ConneCt@ Your wAukEE LiBrArY

1,000 Books before KindergartenReading aloud to young children helps to instill important early literacy skills. If you read just one book a day to your child, you can read 1,000 books in less than 3 years! Your child will earn rewards for every 100 books you read together and graduate at 1,000 books. Sign up at the library desk.

Saturday Hours extended!Monday – thursday 9:30 am – 8:30 pm Friday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Saturday 9:30 am – 4:00 pm Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 pm (September – May)

By DevOn MurPHy-PeTerSen

NeW – FReeGaL!a free music service from your library! all you need is your library card and PIN number to access over 7 million songs from 28 thousand labels. No software to download and no digital rights management restrictions – and the music is yours to keep. This service is paid for in part by the WPL Foundation. Go to www.waukee.org/library and click downloads and databases on the Services tab.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month and Hunger action Month!during September, WPL will be celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month and working with other area agencies to draw attention to the issue of hunger in Iowa.• New library patrons will receive a reusable book bag.

• Free one-time replacement of your lost library card (a $1.00 savings!)

• Each nonperishable food item will reduce your fine by $1.00; maximum $20.00.

• Photo exhibit, The Faces of Hunger in Iowa, presented by the Iowa Food Bank Association, will be on display September 7 – 13.

• Spend Smart; Eat Smart will be presented by the Dallas County Extension educator Lisa Mickelson on September 11 at 6:45 pm. Learn how to stretch your food dollars while you enjoy delicious, healthy meals you cook at home. No registration required.

dallas County Reads 1 BookThe 12 libraries in the dallas County Library association are banding together to offer our first county-wide reading program from September 22 – October 23. This year’s book is the award-winning novel “Ordinary Grace” by William Kent Krueger. Copies of the book are available for checkout, or for the discounted purchase price of $5. • Books with Becky. Discuss “Ordinary Grace” on Monday, September 22, 7:00 pm.

Light refreshments.

• William Kent Krueger Read & Meet, Hotel Pattee in Perry on October 7 at 5:30 pm; tickets are available at the library. Free author talk at 7:00 pm. Books will be available for purchase.

• How Iowa Met Baseball: the Myths, the History, the Players. Simpson Professor Emeritus John Liepa has spent 50 years collecting baseball memorabilia, primarily items pertaining to Iowa professional baseball players. John will exhibit his extensive collection from 5:30 – 6:30 pm and present a program about the history of baseball in Iowa from 6:30 – 7:30 pm on Tuesday, October 14.

• Book Discussion Group. Meet and discuss “Ordinary Grace” on Tuesday, October 21 at 1:00 pm. Light refreshments.

frEE ipAd Minig i V e a W a y

www.facebook.com/mywaukee

simply “like” us on facebook to stay up-to-date on your hometown.

when we reach 2,000 fans, we’ll draw one facebook friend at random for a fRee ipad Mini!

Page 23: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

23

2480 BERKSHIRE PKWY, STE. B, CLIVE, IA515-987-5188 • URBANEFFECTSMEDSPA.COM

Acne to AgingRxSkin Care and Weight loss

At Urban Effects Medspa, we focus on getting to know you, learning about the results you want to achieve and providing treatment options for your consideration.

We can help you achieve your skin and wellness goals with simple non-surgical cosmetic treatments and professional skin care and weight loss products.

What we treat:Acne/Acne Scarring WrinklesSun DamageSagging SkinCrows Feet

Unwanted Body FatUnwanted tattoosFacialsPeelsMicrodermabrasion

SUSAN CROSS, ARNP, FNP-BC, is a certified nurse practitioner with over 35 years of experience in aesthetic medicine. Her multidiscipline background includes facial plastic surgery, dermatology and endocrinology.

For more information, visit our website to request a brochure or consultation.

MelasmaRosaceaFacial RednessBrown PigmentationUnwanted Hair

UrbanEffects_MyWaukeeMag_ad.indd 1 7/18/14 8:25 AM

Summer is a beautiful time of year. The weather is warm and the days are long. We embrace outside activities with enthusiasm, and our daily routines go by the wayside – including our skin care regimens. It’s no wonder that when many of us see our reflection in the mirror this time of the year, our skin can look a bit haggard.

SuSAn CrOSS ARNP, FNP-BCurbaneffectsmedspa.com515-987-5188

uRBaN eFFeCTS MedSPa treats the face and body as a whole. Its owners have over 35 years of experience in aesthetic medicine. Susan’s multi-discipline background includes facial plastic surgery, dermatology and endocrinology. This has given her valuable skills to personalize the treatments and product recommendations for their guests. Their entire staff is committed to providing outstanding customer service, treatments and products to achieve realistic, healthy results.

Summer sun exposure can cause brown spots, freckling and blotchy discolorations. These pesky pigmentation issues are due to the skin’s barrier defense system. When our skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays and environmental hazards, it responds by sending melanin to the outer layers to protect it from burning. This results in what many refer to as age spots.

During the summer, many people apply sunscreen when they go outside. Unfortunately, some over-the-counter sunscreens protect only from UVB (burning). In addition, most people don’t apply an adequate amount every day, and most don’t reapply every 90 minutes.

It’s important to use a broad-spectrum (also called full-spectrum) sunscreen, which protects skin from both UVB (burning) rays and UVA (aging) rays. Choosing the best sun protection can be a challenge for individuals with sensitivities to ingredients and fragrances commonly found in sunscreens. “I’m one of those people,” says Susan Cross, ARNP. “I’ve made it a priority at Urban Effects Medspa to provide quality sun protection products and I’ve developed ‘Susan’s Sun Bar’ so our guests can experience them first-hand and learn which product is best for them and their family members.”

If you’re experiencing age spots and looking for options to enhance your appearance, first make sure you’re using a broad-spectrum sunscreen – and that you’re using the right amount and reapplying as needed. Next, contact Urban Effects Medspa for a VISIA skin analysis and skin consultation to determine the best treatment plan for you. Recommendations for skincare products, medications and/or laser treatments are based on each individual’s levels of severity, time availability, lifestyle and financial resources.

Contact Urban Effects Medspa today to schedule your complimentary VISIA skin analysis or stop by and visit our new Sun Bar to find the right sunscreen for you!

PESKY PIGMENTATION… what summer leaves behind

Page 24: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

Planning Waukee’s tRail system focuses on connectiVity & communityWaukeeCity of

The Key to Good Living

Waukee is known as an active, family-friendly city with plenty of outdoor leisure opportunities. Parks, outdoor shelters and sports fields provide occasions for fun and a sense of community. And distinctive neighborhoods with nearby schools provide the small-town atmosphere that residents crave. The City of Waukee is working diligently to ensure that eventually all of those outdoor leisure pursuits, neighborhoods and schools are connected by an easy-to-follow and beautifully maintained amenity—Waukee’s trail system.

heaRt of the WaRRioR tRailin 2011, the City of waukee was awarded a $125,000 rEAp grant from the iowa department of natural resources to connect several portions of the heart of the warrior trail. the trail, northeast of Centennial park and running east-to-west through the city, now crosses Alice’s road and connects to Clive’s greenbelt trail in Lions park, thanks in part to the grant. these new connections helped to unify the waukee community and provide a continuous trail through the core of established neighborhoods in the city. And city leaders are just getting started.

“our planning philosophy is based on connecting trails within neighborhoods and then connecting those trails to our schools and parks,” said waukee development services director Brad deets. “getting kids to school safely, families to parks safely and providing regional trail connectivity is the goal.”

Cities have found that investing funds in trails and greenways makes it easier for people to travel by foot or bike in their own neighborhoods and beyond, fostering a greater sense of community. waukee leaders know that designing the community to support active pursuits through a comprehensive trail system also creates recreational opportunities and safety, while promoting a healthy lifestyle. the waukee trail system continues to grow in that direction.

“our long-term goal is to make a trail system that allows access to every part of the city, while granting passage to neighboring communities,” said deets.

waukee’s growth has put it on the map in iowa as the fastest growing city in the state. And with 19.2 miles of winding trails, the growth of their trails matches that pace. waukee parks and recreation director Matt jermier said the system the city has created with the trails, along with the connectivity, are the most impressive aspects of that growth.

“in the last five years we’ve made connections that have truly made our trails a system,” he said. “the trail system now connects neighborhoods and residents to different parts of the city.”

Residents enjoy the Storywalk along the Heart of the Warrior Trail.

“our long-term goal is to make a trail system that allows access to every part of the city, while granting passage to neighboring communities.”

Page 25: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

25

Raccoon RiVeR Valley tRailhead

the raccoon river Valley trail is an 89-mile-long paved trail beginning at the trailhead in waukee, winding through 14 other communities and looping back to waukee. the trail was built on a former railroad right-of-way and in october 2012, waukee celebrated the completion of new facilities at the trailhead including restrooms, new landscaping, benches, shade structures and other furnishings. these recent improvements at the trailhead have helped to put a greater focus on waukee’s trails while making the city a hot-spot for bicycle enthusiasts from all over Central iowa.

“waukee is quickly becoming known as a bicycle-friendly city and that fits well with our future vision for the community,” said waukee Mayor Bill peard. “Activity, recreation and engaging community experiences are all the result of a well-planned trail system and a bicycle-friendly community.”

the popularity of the raccoon river Valley trail and the gateway the trailhead creates helped to bring the very first bacoon Ride to waukee in june of this year. the event, a unique combination of biking and bacon, was created by rAgBrAi, Baconfest organizers and the iowa Bicycle Coalition. it brought thousands of riders to waukee to experience the community and the trails.

looking to the futuRe the future strategy for trails in waukee shows careful planning and continuous improvement. the 10-year plan includes more than 12 underpasses allowing safe crossing at major roads through waukee like hickman road, and an eventual trail under i-80 that connects to the west des Moines trail system. that planning also includes eight miles of trails through the future kettlestone development that will link the area to regional trails and waukee neighborhoods.

“A series of linked trails in kettlestone will connect all of the open and retail spaces so that once a resident or visitor leaves their home or car, they won’t have to return until they want to,” said deets.

in addition, the City of waukee is integrating three locations where the trails will pass under the future grand prairie parkway—the street that will bisect the kettlestone development. plans for kettlestone to feature green spaces and trails that create a walkable environment will serve to bolster the power and convenience of waukee’s current trail system.

in the immediate future, the sugar Creek trail project continues its incremental steps towards completion with phases one and two recently concluded. the trail, which starts at the intersection of warrior Lane and university Avenue, now connects the southern waukee neighborhood of glynn Village to Centennial park and centrally located waukee schools. the installation of a bridge along the trail is in the final stages and will connect the spyglass neighborhood to Centennial park and beyond. trail enthusiasts are already enjoying exploring the beautiful connecting trail featuring sweeping views of sugar Creek golf Course.

“The impact the Sugar Creek Trail has on our trail system is huge,” said Jermier. “Up until recently, our southern neighborhoods were isolated but now they’re linked to the central community. The trail helps us build a greater sense of community each day.”

Waukee celebrates the completion of the trailhead project in October 2012

Thousands of bicyclists flooded Waukee for the first annual BACooN Ride

A rendering of the future Kettlestone shows what a pedestrian underpass could look like.

View from the Sugar Creek Trail.

Page 26: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201426

FACes oFwAukEE w/ CArriE EMBrEE

P h o t o b y L a u r a W i l l s

Know someone we should feature? Let us know! Email us at [email protected]

“My outlook on life is to fight through the battles and to view the glass as half full, not half empty.”

Where were you born?I was born in Moline, Illinois, but I’ve lived in Waukee since I was in the second grade.

tell us about your family.My husband and I have been married for three years. My parents and older brother live in Waukee, and my younger sister is moving to Indiana in September.

tell us briefly about your current career.This is my sixth year of teaching P.E. at Prairieview School. I’m also the varsity head softball coach, and I give individual youth softball lessons on the side.

What are your hobbies and interests?I’ve always been interested in athletics. I graduated from high school as a four-sport athlete. I was very fortunate to receive all-state honors, and to be part of state championship teams in track and softball.

I played softball for four years while attending the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and took my fifth year of eligibility to play basketball. In college, I received All-American honors and played on two national championship teams. After college, I played on a professional softball team called the New England Riptide in Massachusetts.

In my free time, I love to work out, run, play all types of sports, hang out with friends and spend time with my family.

What do you like most about living and/or working in Waukee?

I like Waukee’s close community feel. Even though it’s growing, it has maintained its small-town atmosphere.

What motivates and inspires you?My faith journey has truly inspired me to push through the challenges I have experienced. My outlook on life is to fight through the battles and to view the glass as half full, not half empty. I try to teach valuable life lessons to my softball girls, because there is so much more to life than just the game of softball. For example, I try to show them that they’re always going to face setbacks and obstacles in life, but if they keep doing the right thing and stay on their path, good things will eventually fall into place.

Page 27: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

27

Hierarchy of Savings Maximizing the effectiveness of your retirement strategy begins with understanding the hierarchy of savings. If you’re like most Americans, the amount you can save for retirement is limited. Consequently, you may want to make sure that your savings are directed to the highest-priority retirement funding options first. For many, that hierarchy begins with a 401(k), followed by an IRA, and after that, taxable savings.

You will then want to consider how to invest each of these savings pools. One strategy is to simply mirror your desired asset allocation in all retirement accounts.

Another approach is to implement the income-generating portion of the allocation (e.g., bonds) in the tax-deferred accounts, while investing in assets whose gains will be from capital appreciation (e.g., stocks) in the taxable accounts.

BrIAn WeCKMAn (L) Actis Wealth Management

presidentbweckman@act iswealth .com

BrIAn M. THOMPSOn (R) Actis Wealth Management

independent wealth Managerbthompson@act iswealth .com

actis Wealth Management was founded in 2001 with the

aim of bringing an institutional-style investing approach

to individuals and businesses. We feel that individual

investors should benefit from the same type of investment

access and asset allocation processes that are utilized by

the world’s largest institutions, including pension funds

and university endowments.

Orchestrating Your Retirement AccountsAn orchestra is merely a collection of instruments, each of which brings a unique sound. It is only when a conductor leads them that they create the beautiful music imagined by the composer. The same can be said about your retirement strategy. The typical retirement strategy is a built on the pillars of a 401(k) plan, an IRA and taxable savings. When the instruments of your retirement planning work in concert, they have much greater potential to create the retirement you desire.

Withdrawal StrategyWhen it comes to living off your savings, you’ll want to coordinate your withdrawals. One school of thought recommends that you tap your taxable account savings first so that your tax-deferred savings will be afforded more time for potential growth. Another school of thought suggests taking distributions first from your poorer-performing retirement accounts since this money is not working as hard for you.

Finally, because many individuals have both traditional and Roth accounts, your expectations of future tax rates may affect what account you withdraw from first. If you think tax rates are going higher, then you might want to withdraw from the traditional before the Roth. If you’re uncertain, you may want to consider withdrawing from the traditional up to the lowest tax bracket, and then withdrawing from the Roth after that.

In any case, each person’s circumstances are unique and any strategy should reflect your particular risk tolerance, time horizon and goals.

Page 28: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201428

From tHe WaUKEE CHaMBERWaukee economic deVeloPment bus touRthe waukee Area Chamber of Commerce’s Economic development Committee will host the second annual waukee Economic development Bus tour on thursday, september 11 at 3:30 p.m.

Guests will start at Access Systems (955 SE Olson Drive) and tour the current development projects in the community. This event is open to the public and there is no cost to participate. The tour will highlight community information, business and residential development and schools. Registration will begin at 3:30 p.m., the tour will begin at 4:00 p.m., and a networking reception will follow the tour at 5:00 p.m. at Access Systems.

“Careful planning and a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to development have put Waukee in a position for great success,” said Dan Dutcher, Community and Economic Development Director. “We are pleased to share some highlights of our community through this bus tour. Our citizens and city council members have worked together to create a dynamic community and I am excited to see what the future brings.”

Space i s l imi ted for th is event , so RSVPs are requi red by Monday, September 8 . Anyone who wishes to par t i c ipate should RSVP by v is i t ing waukeechamber.com and se lect ing event registration under the Calendar tab .

Sponsors of the tour and/or reception include Access Systems, Downing Development, Re/Max Real Estate Concepts and West Bank.

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee works in cooperation with the City of Waukee, economic development partners and the Waukee Chamber members to promote economic growth in the Waukee area.

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses, organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity in our local economy. The Chamber provides value to our members through opportunities to develop business

relationships, connect locally and regionally, make business more profitable, share information, advocate for business and participate on volunteer committees that help make a positive impact in the Waukee community. For more information, please visit waukeechamber.com.

Please contact the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce with any questions at 515-978-7115 or [email protected] .

Capturing life’s best adventuresCapturing life’s best adventures.com

w e d d i n g s I f a m i l i e s I g r a d u a t e s

Page 29: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

29P h o t o s s u b m i t t e d

Rob Taylor is running for re-election in Iowa House District 44, which includes the Dallas County parts of West Des Moines, Clive and Waukee.

Rob Taylor is running for re-election in Iowa House District 44, which includes the Dallas County parts of West Des Moines, Clive and Waukee. District 44, which includes the Dallas County parts of West Des Moines, Clive and Waukee.

Paid for by Iowans For Taylor

[email protected]

Rob Taylor Iowa House District 44

“I ask for your vote this November”

REPUBLICAN Iowa House District 44R e - E l e c t

JOBS & ECONOMY Reduce the size and scope of government Reduce bureaucratic red tape on Iowans Protect the entrepreneurial spirit of

hard working Iowans Promote Iowa’s workforce & protect our

“Right to Work” status

TAXES & SPENDING Fight for property tax relief and reform Streamline government spending Restore � scal common sense in government

EDUCATION Strongly supports parental involvement

in school choice Prepare our children to compete in a

global economy Empower community & parents to

make local decisions

PERSONAL FREEDOM Promote smaller, leaner government Defend your constitutional rights Protect Iowans against

federal mandates

Page 30: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201430

downtown farmers marketwednesdays 4:00pm - 7:00pmThrough September 24th

Pajamatime @Waukee public libraryfamilies with young children of all ages are invited to wear their pajamas and hear stories, songs, and rhymes, followed by a related craft with Miss diana.

6:45 pM - 7:30 pMSeptember 4th

Waukee economic development bus touropen to members and non-members (See page 28 for full details)

registration will begin at 3:30 p.m., tour at 4:00 p.m.September 11th

Writer’s group @ Waukee public libraryAre you a writer? interested in meeting with other writers to compare, collaborate, critique, and expand your abilities? this is the group for you. the writer’s group meets on the fourth tuesday each month.

6:30pmSeptember 23rd

haunted house 2014 @ The Enclosed Shelter at Waukee Centennial parkprepared to be scared! Not suggested for young children.

7:00pm - 10:00pmOctober 24th & 25th

beggar’s nighttrick or treat, waukee residents stock up on those tasty sweets!

6:00pm - 8:00pmOctober 30th

imPoRtant dates: COOL THINGS TO dO IN yOuR TOWN

get outside: FaLL & WINTeR aCTIv IT IeS

Residents guide:NuMBeRS TO KNOW

City of Waukee ............................................................................................515-978-7900

Chamber of Commerce ........................................................................515-978-7115

Dallas County Motor Vehicle/license plates ......................515-993-5812

Dallas County Sheriff ............................................................................. 515-993-4567

Fire: Non-Emergency ............................................................................ 515-987-4712

iowa One Call ..................................................................................................................... 811

library ............................................................................................................... 515-987-1280

parks & Recreation .................................................................................. 515-978-0006

police: Non-Emergency ....................................................................... 515-987-1073

post Office ....................................................................................................... 515-987-9820

public Works...................................................................................................515-987-4363

public Works after Hours (Emergency) ......................................515-249-1212

Waste Management ..................................................................................515-299-2504

Waukee City Hall ........................................................................................515-987-4522

Waukee Community School District ............................................515-987-5161

Waukee parks & Recreation ...............................................................515-978-0007

Waukee Community Center ...............................................................515-978-0007

myWaukee COMMUNiTY SECTiON

fall and WinteR PaRks and Rec PRogRam sign-uPsThey ’re happen ing now, so s ign up before a l l the spots a re gone!

Contact Parks and Rec at 515-978-0007 or visit www.waukee.org/parksandrec for more information.

Page 31: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

31

myWaukee COMMUNiTY SECTiON PICTURE YOURSELF LIVING

YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

Leverage relationships, technology and marketing

Identify potential possibilities and pitfalls

Focus on simplicity allowing you to buy and sell with confi dence

Encourage you to maximize your investment potential

WE CAN HELP REACH YOUR REAL ESTATE G OALS AND DREAMS

WITH AUTHENTICITY & EXCELLENCE WE WILL:

Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated.

5 1 5 -778 -780 1

jeffmullenrealestate.com facebook.com/jeffmullenrealestate jeffmullen.me

30D AY SAVERAGE*

Jeff Mullen Real Estate listings average just 30 DAYS on the market compared to Des Moines Area Real Estate Market of 81 Days!

*STAT IST ICS BY DES MO INES MLS : JULY, 2 0 14

LICENSED IN IOWA. 10200 Hickman Road / Suite 100 Clive, Iowa 50325

“If selling your home an average of 50 days faster sounds good to you…call us today.”

Page 32: myWaukee Aug/Sept 2014

August/September 201432

THE BANK WAUKEE BUILDS WITH

With low cost, easy payment options, we’ll guide you through both your construction and end fi nancing to build the home of your dreams.

PERSONAL | COMMERCIAL | MORTGAGE

& C onstruction Lending

RubenHomeowner

TimState Savings Bank

PHONE (515) 457-95334800 MILLS CIVIC PARKWAY, SUITE 100 | WEST DES MOINES, IOWA 50265

statesavingsonline.com TOP 20IOWA BANK

BRYAN RowlandNMLS # 876365

TIM WolfNMLS # 449902

RYAN NewtonNMLS # 1024230

Your Construction & Mortgage Lending Team…Start to Finish!

State Savings Bank-myWaukee-Full Page-2014_0620-1.indd 1 6/20/14 12:13 PM