☕📰Looks Like Growth

Good morning Ankeny! You ever seen a two-hour-old Scottish Highland cow? You should. It’ll make your day.

In today’s digest:

Lets get started.

— Chase & Chance

A Room Worth Having

Two Ankeny middle schools now have Brain Health Retreat Rooms (a dedicated space where students can take a 15-minute break when they're feeling overwhelmed). Northview and Southview both have the rooms now, equipped with couches, hug chairs, coloring stations, fidgets, and snacks. Students fill out a brief survey when they arrive and check in with a licensed social worker on site. The rooms were installed by Iowa-based organization Brain Health Now, which works to reduce the stigma around mental health in schools. "Sometimes there's a stigma to mental health, but it's real," said Northview principal Kevin Biggs. "When they feel comfortable, they're more apt to learn." (more)

Free Branch Drop-Off for Ankeny Residents

After all the recent rain and wind, this one's timely. Ankeny residents can drop off tree branches free of charge at the City Maintenance Facility at 211 SE Lorenz Drive. Branches must be between 1 and 8 inches in diameter (anything larger can't go through the chipper). No stumps, roots, or other yard waste. Bring proof of residency, stack branches cut-end out at the back of your vehicle, and make sure your trailer is clear of ropes, chains, or anything else that could get pulled into the equipment. Commercial vehicles and trucks larger than a pickup aren't allowed. A good excuse to finally deal with that pile in the backyard. 9am-3pm

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200 New Townhomes Coming to Ankeny

Hubbell Realty is bringing a $46.8 million rental townhome community to Ankeny's northeast side. The 200-unit development, called Marlow 35, is planned for the northeast corner of NE Delaware Avenue and NE Ninth Street — 16 acres just west of I-35, near DMACC and several major employers. Units will be one and two-story rental townhomes with a pool, clubhouse, fitness center, dog park, and rentable garages. Construction starts this fall with completion expected in early 2028. Hubbell pointed to Ankeny's 14.3% population growth over the past five years and a multifamily vacancy rate below the metro average as reasons for the investment. Hard to argue with the math. (more)

DJ Trivia @ Yankee Clipper - Put your knowledge to the test at DJ Trivia. Great music, fun questions, and prizes up for grabs for the team that brings their A game! 8-9:30pm

Fire Station Special Needs Open House @ Fire Department Headquarters - A special sensory-friendly open house adapted for people with disabilities, autism, and sensory sensitivities and their families. It will include all the fun activities of Fire Prevention Week in a safe, welcoming environment! This year's theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower," highlighting everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of battery fires. 6-8pm

Firestation Open House @ Fire Department Headquarters - A hands-on Fire Prevention Week open house the whole family will love: meet firefighters, escape a smoke-filled bedroom in the fire safety house, spray a fire hose, try on gear, use a fire extinguisher, and tour the station! A fun, educational night for all ages. 6-8pm

Trivia Night @ Uptown Garage - Grab your crew, order a round, and see who really knows their stuff! 6-8pm

Irreverent Warriors Golf Fundraiser @ Briarwood Golf Course - Tee up for a great cause hosted in partnership with Triplett-Westendorf Financial Group. A full day of golf, raffle prizes, and community connection with all proceeds supporting veteran mental health and well-being through Irreverent Warriors! Whether you're playing, sponsoring, or just showing up to support, this is a day worth being part of. 10am

Karaoke Thursday @ The Cabaret - Come sing your heart out. Whether you're a shower singer or a stage hog, all are welcome. 8pm

Trunk Or Treat @ Uptown Ankeny - Get your costumes ready — Halloween in Uptown is back, presented by Veridian Credit Union! Bring the kids and make your way through Uptown for Trunk or Treat with tons of candy, creative setups, a costume contest, DJ, interactive booths, and plenty of Halloween photo opportunities for the whole family. 4-8pm

Outdoor Cinema: Beetlejuice @ Porch Light Coffeehouse - Grab a blanket and settle into the Porch Light Coffeehouse & Uptown Garage Brewing Co. Backyard for a Friday night outdoor movie series featuring spooky favorites from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Chairs and blankets welcome, no outside alcohol please. 7:30pm

Hocus Pocus @ Wagner Park - Grab a blanket and settle in for a Halloween Movie Under the Stars, presented by Veridian Credit Union. Dessert food trucks fire up at 5:15PM, and the free movie kicks off at dusk! Bring a lawn chair or blanket, coolers welcome, no glass please. 

Ankeny Forks & Folks Festival - A community celebration packed with local food trucks, live music, handmade crafts, artisan goods, boutique shopping, and family-friendly fun for all ages! Free to attend and full of reasons to stay all day. 10am-5pm (info)  

Bingo Palooza 2026: Play for a Purpose @ Uptown Garage Brewing - Grab your daubers and head to Bingo Palooza 2026 hosted by the Rotary Club. 40 games of bingo across two sessions with cash prizes paid out after every game, local food trucks, cold beverages from Uptown Garage, and all proceeds supporting Foster Squad, the Food Bank of Iowa, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace! Doors open at noon, no advance registration required, but seating is limited so come early. 12-7:30pm (info)  

Thanks for reading today’s Digest. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who still takes family photos on vacation where everyone wears khaki pants/shorts and white shirts.

Stay classy, Ankeny.