Good Summer For The Jaguars

Good morning Ankeny! It’s a good thing Father’s Day was on the longest day of the year this year… Have you ever seen a Dad tell a short story or actually do a “quick” Home Depot run? Exactly.

In today’s digest:

Lets get started.

— Chase & Chance

Two weeks in, the lawn watering ban is still in effect. This is only the second time Central Iowa Water Works has ever issued a mandatory ban. The first was last summer and ran June through August. This year is worse: nitrate levels in the Raccoon River, Des Moines River, and the underground Infiltration Gallery have been elevated since January, well outside the normal April-July window. Lawn watering alone accounts for around 40% of the region's summer water demand, which is why that's the first thing cut when the system serving 600,000 people hits its limits. (more)

Six Prairie Ridge Middle School students kicked off their summer on a high note. Leah Broadston, Ava McGrath, Meia Aleman, Aubree Smith, Leah Rotert, and Maggie Herzmann put in months of work on a large canvas painting for Blank Children’s Hospital, sneaking in time before school, over lunch, and during study hall to get it just right. What began as a WIN (What I Need) pay-it-forward project snowballed into something much bigger. They wrapped it up this summer after several months, and on June 4, the girls and their families hand delivered the finished piece.

This crew has a track record of using their art for good. They've previously lent their talents to On With Life in Ankeny and pitched in on community art projects at the Grimes Public Library. Six middle schoolers making an impact with good ole fashioned kindness and hard work. Well done, ladies. (more)

Jordyn Kennedy is 10 home runs away from Iowa's all-time career record. The Ankeny Centennial senior and Minnesota commit has 11 this season alone, significantly contributing to the total 46 home runs Centennial has through their first 18 games. The team is on pace to shatter the single-season state record of 61. "I'm glad I don't have to be the coach that has to pitch against this lineup," said head coach Brett Delaney. The rest of the state probably agrees. (more)

If you didn't know both Ankeny schools had competitive trap shooting teams, now's a good time to find out. And if you have no idea what that means, trap shooting depicts a variety of shotgun sports, where athletes shoot clay targets, or "clay pigeons," launched into the air. There are many formats within the sport, but the three main ones are Singles (one target at a time), Doubles (two targets at once), and Handicap (like singles, but shooters stand further away).

More than 120 teams and nearly 5,000 athletes competed at the Iowa State Trapshooting Homegrounds near Cedar Falls in early June for the Scholastic Clay Target Program's State Championship, and the Centennial squad came home with a boatload of hardware: first place in Doubles Trap, plus runner-up finishes in both Handicap and Singles Trap. Lily Jennings, Avery Clover, and Dirk Winkel all earned All-State honors individually. Not a bad (or surprising) week for the Jaguars. This program has been a powerhouse for years. (Full results here.)

Purple Splash Bash @ Independence Village - Wear your purple and come make a splash. An outdoor give-back event featuring a dunk tank, purple-themed treats, and fun activities, all raising money for the Alzheimer's Foundation! A donation of any amount gets you in on the fun, and every dollar goes directly to the cause. 2pm (info)

Summer Kids Club @ Buff City Soap - Bring the kids in for a fun, hands-on bath bomb making experience. Hand-make 2–3 mini bath bombs and take home a free kids soap bar for just $25 per seat! 11am - 1pm (info)

Art Camp Week @ AR Workshop - Perfect for kids ages 7–12, The Art of Watercolor Series dives into watercolor techniques through five colorful, creative projects. From painted notecards and a watercolor map to a custom tote bag and framed piece they can take home and show off! 9:30am - 12pm (register)

Parents Night Out @ AR Workshop - Drop the kids off at for an evening of crafting, games and fun while you enjoy a date night, dinner with friends, shopping or simply well-deserved time to yourselves! 5-8:30pm (info)

Community Band Performance @ Ankeny Bandshell - Settle in at 7:30pm for a free concert, with the band warming up on-site starting at 5:45pm if you want to arrive early!

DJ Bingo @ The Other Place - Free, weekly bingo with… A DJ! 7pm (info)

Beats & Eats @ Market & Pavilion - A fun-filled Thursday evening featuring live music from Black Top, inflatable axe throw/basketball, pink stew balloon twist, parkour with Paul Hubbard, and activities with the Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library. 5-7:30pm (info)

NASH Nights @ The District - Josh Ross with special guests Loess Hills taking the stage. Gates open at 5:30pm and general admission is completely free! Grab your crew, grab a cold drink, and get ready to dance under the summer sky.

Show & Shine @ Huxley - Head to Railroad Park/Main Street for dozens of cool vehicles on display with custom awards, live music, and food trucks, all free to attend! Got a ride worth showing off? Enter your vehicle for just $10. 5:30-7:30pm (info)

Movies Under the Stars @ Wagner Park - Grab a blanket and head outside for a free showing of A Minecraft Movie. Bring your lawn chair, pack your snacks, and settle in as the movie starts at dusk! 8:45-11pm (info)

Sips & Songs @ The District - Bring your crew and rock out to Justin Goodchild and TrainWreck. Gates open at 5:30pm, free to attend, all ages welcome, and takeout from District restaurants is encouraged!

🎸Yubu Band @ Soggy Frog Marina - 6pm

Yoga @ Uptown Garage Brewing - Roll out your mat for a free all-levels outdoor yoga class at Uptown Garage Brewing Co. Then stick around after for community, drink specials, and great food! Bring your own mat, towel, and water bottle, and pre-register on the website or app. 9am (info)

🎸Nick Hermann Entertainment @ Cabaret - 8-11pm

Comedy For Charity @ Ankeny Community Theater - Laugh for a cause, with a night of comedy, live music, and a local business gift card raffle with 100% of proceeds benefiting Iowa Safe Schools! 7pm (info)

🎸Casey Peasley @ 36th Street Tavern - 7pm

🎸Driving Blind @ Good Times - 9pm

🎸Willi Vanilli @ Soggy Frog Marina - 2pm

🎸Sister Sara @ Soggy Frog Marina - 7pm

Thanks for reading today’s Digest. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who should go on the Parents Night Out on Wednesday.

See you next week.