Orange cones sprouting like dandelions

Good morning Ankeny! In honor of Chuck Norris’ life, we’d like to encourage you to adopt the message from his final Instagram post (a video of him sparring just a week before his death at 86): Don’t age. Level up.

In today’s digest:

Lets get started.

— Chance

Lexi Frederick, a 16-year-old from Ankeny, is one of nine finalists nationwide for the American Stroke Association's 2026 Voter's Choice Hero award. She was selected from over 300 nominations across the country.

Lexi was diagnosed with a stroke at 6 weeks old, which doctors still can't fully explain. The stroke left her with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and she experiences stiffness on her right side that makes everyday tasks challenging.

Despite the limitations, Lexi has become a national voice for pediatric stroke and disability awareness. She participates in pageants, does public speaking, and works with the International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke to educate students of all ages. She's won awards like 2025 Vision Supreme and has pushed for proclamations and practical education in communities. She also helps train service and therapy dogs with her family. (Details)

The Wiedenman Family Foundation is hosting its annual Champagne and Dreams event on April 2 in Ankeny. The celebration raises money to grant dreams for children facing physical, mental, or financial challenges.

Children are nominated through an online application process, and the foundation's board selects recipients and determines which dreams to grant. The event draws nearly 500 community members each year.

In the five years since the event started, Champagne and Dreams has granted seven dreams and grown into a signature community event. Mason Marler was the first recipient in the inaugural year, and last year, the board awarded three dreams. Raffle tickets are currently on sale.

An Ankeny-based youth crisis organization, is one step closer to expanding to Newton. Founder Darnell Loatman told the Newton City Council this week that the organization secured another $50,000 from a private donor in Des Moines, leaving just $50,000 needed to acquire the Newton facility.

The organization's crisis team responds when youth are in trouble, takes them out of the situation, and provides guidance to help them avoid similar issues in the future. They can hold teens for up to 23 hours while building coping skills plans. If they determine the teen is ready to go home, they release them with a plan rather than sending them home with nothing.

Loatman says the Newton location is needed because calls from Jasper County have increased significantly. When he first approached the Newton City Council last December, the crisis team had responded to Newton about 40 times in just three months. He also noted that some Jasper County parents have difficulty getting to Polk County to pick up their children after the 23-hour hold. (Details)

Sneak peak for Ankeny Digest readers only!

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. Hitting market later this week.

Schedule a private showing before it goes live.

We know its Spring time in Iowa when oranges cones start multiplying. Don’t they say the two seasons here are Winter and road construction? Several major road projects are now underway or starting soon.

NW 9th Street is closed from about 60 feet west of NW Logan Street to just east of the school's southern entrance for the next 3 months. Crews are reconstructing pavement, widening the street, upgrading stormwater systems, adding ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, and replacing some water mains.

If traveling on East First Street expect periodic lane closures (inside or outside lanes, both directions) on East First Street between Ankeny Boulevard and Delaware Avenue.

NW Irvinedale Drive & NW 18th Street intersection improvement project. Work includes pavement patching, permanent sealing, pavement markings, and backfilling/grading. Expected completion: 5 weeks, weather permitting.

This is a big one. The City and Iowa DOT are replacing all utilities (storm, sanitary, water, fiber) and pavement (street, driveway, sidewalk) from SE Peterson Drive to First Street over the next two years. Dedicated turn lanes will be added at major intersections. Expect lane closures. (Details)

Barry Rutter @ Cabaret Bar & Grille | 8PM

Kenny Frette & Friends @ 1850 Homestead | 7-10PM

Brian Herrin @ Wine Styles | 5:30-8PM

Robbie Michael @ Cabaret Bar & Grille | 8PM

Meet Dug, a goofy, loyal pup who's named after the dog from Up—and he absolutely embodies that energy. He took a couple days to settle into his foster home, but once he relaxed, he became the king of blanket piles and recliners.

Dug's daily routine: breakfast, back upstairs for a nap, then get hyped for his walk. He loves walks and will spin around in excitement when it's time to go. He can be a puller, so a harness works best, and he's got a strong chase drive for anything that moves fast—squirrels, birds, you name it.

Ideal home: calm environment, no cats, no small animals, mature household (busy kids are too much for him). He's been living with another dog in his foster home and does okay with slow intros to neutral, easygoing dogs.

Dug qualifies for ARL's 7-day Foster-to-Adopt program. Interested? Email [email protected] or visit the Animal Rescue League to meet him.

🎲80’s Trivia @ B&B Theaters | 7:30PM | Grab your hairspray & join in at B&B for 80's Trivia. This one is all about the entire era: movies, music, pop culture, and more. (Details)

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

🎨Crafting For A Cause by Foster Squad | 6:30PM | March Madness sugar cookie decorating! Decorate 4 march madness themed sugar cookies. (Details)  

🍓Fresh Citrus & Strawberries @ Fleet Farm | 12-1:30PM | Reserve your favorites online with no payment due until pickup! Stop by the truck to shop. (Details)  

🍺Helpful Humpdays @ Uptown Garage Brewing | 4-6PM | Every last Wednesday of the month, Uptown Garage Brewing highlights a local nonprofit and this month it's the Sparkle Run! Stop in, grab a draft beer, and $1 from every pour goes straight to the organization. (Details)

🛍️Bloom & Browse @ Funky Zebras Boutique | 10AM-7PM | Better start spring cleaning in your closet to make some room! Shop new spring arrivals and give your wardrobe a nice update! (Details)  

🎭Macbeth Show @ DMACC Campus, Building 5 | 🕰️7:30PM | Free performance of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, adapted by Carl Lindberg. (Details)

🍷Wine Education @ Wine Styles | 6-7:30PM | This month's education class is a myth-busting tasting that challenges everything from what wine "legs" actually mean while working through a selected flight that proves the best rule in wine is to trust your own palate. (Details) 

🎉CopperWood Social Series @ CopperWood Senior Living | 3:30-5PM | CopperWood is hosting an evening of live music, chef-prepared hors d'oeuvres, and specialty cocktails (or mocktails if that's your thing). Open to anyone curious about the community or just looking for a nice night out with good food and music. (Details)

🐰Easter @ Firetrucker Brewery | 12PM | Family-friendly Easter celebration featuring an all-day adult egg hunt with 100 prize-filled eggs hidden around the taproom. Kids get free candy at the bar, and The Outside Scoop will be on-site slinging homemade ice cream. (Details)  

🍨Stuff Your Stanley @ Uptown Dairy | 8AM-8PM | Stuff your Stanley or any other tumbler with 4 scoops of ice cream! 32/40oz tumblers work best, make sure they are clean and empty. (Details)  

🎉Westwood Family Fun Night @ Westwood Elementary | 3-6PM | An evening packed with inflatables, games, and activities for kids to play and explore throughout the school, with prizes and plenty of good times with the community! (Details) 

Thanks for reading this weeks digest. If you learned anything interesting please share this with the best baker you know.

See you next week,

Chance