☕📰The Farmers Market Is Back

Good morning Ankeny! We'll start with a small act of public humility: we (I) (Chance) forgot to mention the date for Cleanup Day last week. Completely our (my) fault, and we apologize to anyone who planned around it.

Also, Memorial Day is obviously this coming Monday. The Murph Challenge is happening locally if you want to do something that earns the long weekend. Speaking from experience: it's not easy.. at all… which is kind of the point. The challenge is named after a fallen Navy SEAL, it's one of the better ways we know to remember why the day exists. Thank you to every veteran and the ones who didn’t make it back home.

In today’s digest:

Lets get started.

— Chase & Chance

The Ankeny Fire Department’s Annual Hydrant Flushing is underway for the summer, flushing approximately 1,300 fire hydrants across the southwest quadrant of the city. Crews are currently finishing up remaining hydrants in the northeast quadrant before shifting focus to the southwest, so if you haven't seen them in your neighborhood yet, you will soon. It keeps the water mains clean, hydrants lubricated, and fire protection ready when you need it.

If your tap water suddenly looks like iced tea (or something else) - relax, it’s not that & it's safe. Just run the tap for a few minutes until it clears, and maybe hold off on the white laundry. If questions or lingering discoloration, call Municipal Utilities at 515-963-3565.

The Ankeny Community School District recently celebrated its 5th Annual Celebration of Excellence, recognizing those who go above and beyond for Ankeny students. The People of the Year Awards are the district's way of shining a spotlight on the people who make Ankeny schools great, nominated by the community they serve.

This year's honorees were recognized across several categories including educators, support staff, volunteers, and Friends of Education. Lori Bling won Educator of the Year, Megan Filmer won Support Staff Member of the Year, and Dale Rush won Volunteer of the Year. There were five nominees for Friends of Education. A big thank you to everyone who makes Ankeny schools something to be proud of! See the entire list of nominees.

The Northwest corner of 1st & School Street just got a lot cooler, and you have Parkview Middle School to thank! Students recently petitioned city’s art comission, designed the artwork, got the green light, and painted two traffic signal boxes themselves. Butterflies and sunflowers to be exact, which is a beautiful way to spice up some boring infrastructure.

The big reveal happened just this week, and these kids have every right to be proud. It takes guts to petition city hall, especially as a middle schooler! (more)

If you're heading north on I-35 between Ankeny and Huxley late Thursday night, you're going to want a backup plan. Crews are pulling barrier rail from the median overnight, therefore closing northbound I-35 from 36th Street all the way up to Iowa 210 (exit right before Huxley with the Maverick gas station) from 9 pm Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday morning. Ankeny Blvd is the detour! (more)

Spring Ice Cream Social @ Uptown Dairy - Mention Parkview at the register so 10% of your purchase goes straight back to the school! 4-8pm (info)   

Uncorked @ WineStyles - A tasting class focused on understanding wine through the grapes themselves, exploring how varietals express themselves through aroma, structure, and flavor and how growing conditions and winemaking shape what ends up in your glass! 6-7:30pm (tickets)

Steps of Hope Overdose Awareness Walk @ DMACC Pond - 6th Annual Steps of Hope Overdose Awareness Walk. All are welcome; gathering at the gazebo near the pond at 5PM, with resource tables, Naloxone training, and a 1.18-mile walk in memory of those we've lost! If you've lost someone to this epidemic, bring their photo - because they walk with us. (info)  

Star Wars Trivia @ B&B Theaters - Free to play, all ages welcome, and prizes for the team that knows their parsecs from their midi-chlorians! First come, first served, so arrive early and may the best squad win. 7:30-8:30pm (info)

Puzzle Night @ 36th Street Tavern - Grab a team of up to 4 for a friendly competition with cash off your tab for the winners! Only 2 of 5 tables are still available, so reserve yours now by send them a message on Facebook before they're gone. 7pm (info)  

Four Week Guitar Workshop @ Passion Studios - Take a fun, hands-on music workshop where students (age 13-17) learn 3-4 songs in just one month through a play-based approach, all materials included! (signup)

🎸Dan Medeiros @ B&B Theaters - 6:30pm

Field Day @ Prairie Trail Elementary - Field Day is almost here! K-2nd hits the field from 8:45–10:30AM and grades 3–5 from 1:00–2:45PM. Spectators are welcome to watch from outside the fence in the grassy playground area, and volunteers can sign up through Tuesday, May 19th. (valid background check and updated Volunteer Manual required, no late additions). (info)

Uptown Ankeny Farmers Market - Opening Day is at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion (715 W 1st Street) from 8AM–Noon, with fresh produce, local meats and eggs, homemade food goods, and handmade crafts. With live music from Will Hatchet, balloon animals by Twizted Thingz, and a Kid Zone with Wild Things Pet Shop! 

Yoga in the Park @ Wagner Park - An hour of free yoga with certified instructors! 8-9am

Punchlines & Pints @ Firetrucker Brewery - Grab a pint and settle in for a stand-up comedy showcase featuring some of Iowa's top comics for a night of sharp jokes, unexpected twists, and nonstop laughs! Doors open at 7:30PM, show starts at 8PM, tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. (tickets)  

🎸Brody & Cooper Band @ Cabaret - 8pm

Thanks for reading today’s Digest. If you found something useful, please share it with someone whose boat you’re going on for Memorial weekend. Bonus points if this is how they find out.

See you next week.