☕📰Grandmas, Sprinklers, and a Historic Season

Good morning Ankeny! Somewhere in this town last weekend, a 80-year-old was throwing elbows on a basketball court. Whatever excuse you had for skipping the gym this week is now invalid.

In today’s digest:

Lets get started.

— Chase & Chance

Ankeny's basketball courts saw some serious experience on display this past weekend. The Prairie Trail Sports Complex hosted the 2026 Granny Basketball National Tournament July 17 through 19, bringing together 32 teams and more than 400 women, ages 50 to 94, from around nine states plus a team from Toronto. They played by the same 6v6 rules Iowa girls used back in the 1920s: no running, no jumping, and just two dribbles before you pass or shoot. The uniforms matched the era too, bloomers and elbow-length sleeves included, and showing skin above the forearm still draws a flesh foul.

The tournament, co-hosted by the Iowa Gold Stars and Ankeny Honey Bees, is a fitting homecoming since the whole league traces back to a fundraiser started right here in Iowa over 20 years ago. Proceeds from the weekend benefited the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and last year's national champs, the combined Cedar Rapids/Ankeny "Sizzlin' Bees," came in as the team to beat. Grandmothers throwing elbows for charity. Hell yeah.

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Good news for anyone eyeing their crunchy brown lawn: Central Iowa Water Works has eased up from a full Stage III watering ban to a Stage II alert, meaning Ankeny residents can turn the sprinklers back on. Before you go full lawn dad of the year mode, know this wasn't rain that saved the day. CIWW says it was central Iowans listening and cutting back that brought water demand down to a level the treatment plants could handle, with elevated nitrate levels in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers still the real culprit behind the whole saga. Guess 10+ inches of rain wasn't enough to earn us hose privileges a few weeks ago.

The rules: even addresses can water Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday, odd addresses get Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and Monday is off limits for everybody. Businesses and government properties are next in line for the same 50% cutback as conditions keep improving. Nitrate levels are still elevated enough that CIWW is asking people to only water when the lawn actually needs it, not just because it's an assigned day. Half a sprinkler schedule beats zero. (more)

Facelift For Prairie Ridge

Ankeny is spending $670,872 to reconstruct the baseball infields at Prairie Ridge Sports Complex. The contract was awarded Monday to Iowa Sports Turf Management, coming in about $57,000 over the original estimate of $613,596. Prairie Ridge hosts a significant chunk of Ankeny's youth and recreational sports, so the upgrade is overdue for anyone who's spent a summer weekend out there. (more)

Ankeny Christian Academy baseball made program history this month by reaching the Class 1A state tournament for the first time ever, punching their ticket with a wild 12-10 win over defending state champion Saint Ansgar in the substate final. Getting to Carroll's Merchants Park as a first-time qualifier capped off a season the Eagles earned every step of the way. (more)

The state tournament run ended Monday with a 9-4 loss to Newman Catholic in the quarterfinals, but the season stands as one of the best in school history at 29-6. The loss doesn't change what the Eagles built this year, and it sets a new bar for the program going forward. (more)

Kids Dance Class @ Market & Pavilion - Full of upbeat music, fun dance moves, and big energy. The perfect place for Pre-K through 2nd graders to wiggle, giggle, and get moving! 10-10:30am (info)

DJ Trivia @ Yankee Clipper - DJ Trivia brings the fun with trivia questions, great music, and good vibes all night long! 8-9:30pm

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

Wednesday Social Run @ Fitness Sports - Lace up and meet the crew this Wednesday for a free social run with routes of 2, 4, or 6 miles. All paces, all ages, all abilities welcome! 6:15pm (info)  

Beats & Eats @ Market & Pavilion - A fun Thursday evening featuring live music from the Harrison Ingham Band, inflatable soccer and football, balloon twisting with Pink Stew, spin art, parkour with Paul Hubbard, and activities with Sylvan Learning Center. 5-7:30pm (info)

Karaoke @ The Cabaret - Hosted by The Voice Karaoke & Entertainment. Sing your heart out with food and drink specials running all night long! 8-11pm

Movies Under the Stars @ Wagner Park - Grab a blanket and head outside for a free showing of Sonic 3. Bring your lawn chair, pack your snacks, and settle in as the movie starts at dusk! 8:45-11pm (info)  

Sips & Songs @ The District - Turn your Friday into a summer highlight featuring Taylor King and Oreo Meatwagon. Gates open at 5:30pm, free to attend, all ages welcome, and takeout from District restaurants is encouraged! 

🎸The Sinclairs @ The Soggy Frog - 6pm

Shrek The Musical @ DMACC Theatre - Directed by Sarah Kate Bode with music direction by Dr. James Thompson, this is a full stage production you won't want to miss! Doors open 30 minutes before showtime, tickets are free. 6pm (tickets)

Youth Triathlon @ Cascade Falls Aquatic Center - The longest running youth triathlon in the country is back. The 20th Annual Ankeny Youth Triathlon kicks off at 8am with check-in starting at 7am, featuring swim, bike, and run distances for ages 6–14! Pack your bike, helmet, swimsuit, goggles, towel, and running shoes and come ready to race. (register)  

🎸Micah Wagner & Ted Stockton @ The Soggy Frog - 2pm

Artisans Market @ Uptown Garage - Browse and shop handmade creations from local artisans throughout the taproom and patio. Grab a drink, take your time, and find something one-of-a-kind! 10am - 4pm

Fitness in the Park @ The District - Kick off your weekend with a free outdoor workout, led by the instructors at Legacy Fitness. Covering strength, cardio, stretching, and recovery for all fitness levels! Bring your water bottle, mat, and a friend and get moving. 8am

Thanks for reading today’s Digest. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who wishes they had a baby cow to bring through the Chick-fil-A drive-thru.

See you next week.