Ankeny's newest business owner is in high school

Good morning Ankeny! Drop your socks and grab your crocs (and rain jackets) - because Iowa spring plays by its own rulebook. We're coming off a record-flirting 87° Monday before the rain moves in, getting a running start on those April showers. Either way, there's plenty going on in our corner of the world, so let's get into it:

In today’s digest:

Lets get started.

— Chase & Chance

Hi everyone! My name is Chase - Born and raised right here in Ankeny, I'm a recent college grad who made the classic move of leaving… only to realize there's no place quite like home. I'm back in town and excited to be joining Chance in putting together the Ankeny Digest each week. As I get up to date with the happenings of Ankeny, I figured there’s no better way than to keep you all up to date as well. Let’s do this!

Ankeny has a new drink shop in Uptown, and the owner hasn't even graduated high school yet. Sydney Rider, a junior at Ankeny Centennial, recently opened Syd's Sweet 'N Sips, serving up lemonades, dirty sodas, energy drinks, and to-go drink kits.

Since school comes first, hours vary week to week - she's typically there a couple hours after school and open on weekends. She's also got a pop-up this Saturday at I Do Pretty from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. if you want to check it out. Go show her some love. (More)

This 2 bed, 2 bath ranch-style townhome at 2818 NW 35th Ln offers easy, low-maintenance living in a great north Ankeny location. Featuring a 2-car garage and single-level layout, it’s a perfect fit for anyone looking for comfort and convenience.

View photos & schedule a showing!

Ankeny schools are getting a major upgrade. The Ankeny Community School District is moving forward with an $85 million bond following voter approval last November, with plans to fund a new secondary education building, upgrades to both high schools, and improvements to athletic and fine arts spaces.

The bonds will be repaid through property taxes over the next 20 years - consider it a long-term investment in the kids who will one day be running this town… (More)

Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 11. The Ankeny Chamber just announced the SummerFest with free live music all day, at the Entertainment Garden. Music should be running from 1 PM to 11 PM with five acts:

What’s better than free admission and live music all day?

West First Street has long been a thorn in the side of Ankeny drivers. The existing four lane roadway is narrower than current design standards, lacks a dedicated turn lane, and is sitting on underground infrastructure that in some cases is over 50 years old. The result has been traffic backups, potholes, and safety concerns.

Phase 2 of the West First Street improvements started on Monday. Eastbound lanes are currently closed from Cedarwood Drive to NW College Drive, with traffic sharing the westbound lanes head to head. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained throughout the two year project, hopefully with more ease than we witnessed with Ankeny Boulevard. When the dust settles, West First will expand to five lanes, gain a center turn lane, a new traffic signal at NW/SW Linden St., and aproximately 13 new streetlights. Short-term pain for long-term gain. (More)

The Ankeny Hawkettes headed to Kansas for the Emporia State Relays and made the trip worth it. Sophomore Morgan Fisher broke a school record in the 200 and won the 100, while senior Makenna Madetzke swept the 800 and 1,600 to help the Hawkettes comfortably claim the team title. Not a bad way to open the season. (more)

The Ankeny Centennial Jaguars rolled into Iowa City for the Sherwood Relays just two meets into their spring campaign and left with the team title. Ava Barten won the 400 hurdles and Ellie Blevins took the 800 individually, with the Jaguars edging out defending champion Cedar Falls by a single point thanks to a first place finish in the 4x400 relay to seal it. Early days, but this team looks like one to watch. (More)

Royce Johns @ Outside Scoop | 5-7PM

Fret Noise @ Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille | 8PM

🎵90’s Music Bingo @ B&B Theaters | 7:30-8:30PM | If you can sing “No Scrubs” by TLC this is probably an event for you. It's free to play, all ages welcome, and prizes for the winners who actually paid attention in that decade! (Details) 

🎲Bingo Night @ Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille | 7-9PM | Bingo night with drink and food specials. (Details)

🐣Easter Egg Hunt @ Independence Village | 5:30-6:30PM | Hop on over for an Easter Egg Hunt full of colorful eggs, sweet treats, and good times with family and friends. (Details) 

🍷Winery Spotlight @ WineStyles | 6-7:30PM | This exclusive tasting is your chance to dig deeper into what makes a 200-acre Washington estate so special! Tickets are $15/person ($5 for club members) and RSVP is required. (Details) 

👗Color & Style Event @ Mainstream Boutique | 5-8PM | My girlfriend swears by this color thing. So take her advice and try it out. Perfect timing for graduation, Easter, and wedding season. (Details) 

🌧️Rain Barrel Workshop @ Outdoor Education Center | 5:30-7PM | Learn how to build your own rain barrel and take it home the same night at this hands-on workshop. Registration is $75 and covers your 55-gallon barrel. (Details)

🍦BBQ Invasion @ Outside Scoop | 5-6PM | Your favorite BBQ meets your favorite ice cream by Whatcha Smokin’ & Outside Scoop. Pre-order your $40 box by April 1st (no joke!) at whatchasmokinbbq.com/bbq-invasions and pick up from 5–6PM! Stick around for live music on the patio from Royce Johns from 5–7PM. (Details) 

Saturday

🐾Easter Egg Hunt @ Brown Dog Bakery | 10AM-6PM | Bring your furry friend for an Easter Egg Hunt with 50 hidden eggs packed with pet surprises and keep your eyes peeled for the golden egg worth a $100 gift card. (Details) 

🐣Uptown Easter Festivities @ Uptown Ankeny | 10AM-2PM | A morning packed with Easter fun — follow the Easter Bunny to six stops across Uptown for a photo and a filled egg. Explore the Eggsplore Scavenger Hunt and enjoy balloon animals, a bounce house, crafts with the Ankeny Art Center, and trolley rides on the Uptown Ankeny Express! Pick up your scavenger hunt sheet at Porch Light or Uptown Dairy for your chance to win. (Details) 

Thanks for reading today’s Digest. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who calls it "spring cleaning" but just moved everything to the garage.

See you next week.