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www.iowalivingmagazines.com/westdesmoines West Des Moines Living JULY | 2015

LivingWest Des Moinesjuly 2015

50265/50266

GUTTENBURGERSDINING

A TIME OF RENEWALFAITH

GREEK YOGURT MUFFINSRECIPE

THE ROLE PETS PLAY IN PEOPLE’S LIVES

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THE ROLE PETS PLAYTHE RROROLE PETSPETS PLAPLAYYAY

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JULY | 2015 West Des Moines Living www.iowalivingmagazines.com/westdesmoines

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www.iowalivingmagazines.com/west-des-moines JULY | 2015 West Des Moines Living 3

WELCOME

LivingLivingIowaIowam a g a z i n e sm a g a z i n e s

Darren TromblayEditor515-953-4822 ext. [email protected]

Becky [email protected]

H er name was Tinker. She was an overweight, 14-year-old, mis-marked Boston terrier. Admittedly, she wasn’t much to look at, but she was a good dog in every sense. I realize that nearly every

10-year-old boy says his dog is a good dog, but mine truly was. My mom taught her well, and Tinker worshipped the ground she walked on — liter-

ally. She followed Mom’s every footstep all day, every day. More than once, Mom tripped over Tinker in the yard with a basket full of clean laundry that was about to be hung on the clothesline. Those were not good moments for Tinker. But most were. Tinker set the bar for me in determining what good dogs should be, and I cried my eyes out the day she died. Fast-forward 30-plus years. Running my own business, I thought it would be nice to bring a small dog to work. That didn’t work out so well. This dog, a miniature pinscher named Roxy, followed me like Tinker did my mother. After tripping over her a handful of times,

I decided that Roxy was best suited to be at home. Before she died, we found another min pin, and I gave him a try at work, too. Max proved to be neurotic. One of his most annoying habits was his continual howling over the sound of a ringing telephone. This was not a good thing in a business. Max now comfortably howls at telemarketers who call our home during the day. Our third min pin, Colby, is a good dog. At 4 years old, he loves to play and to inspect everything. But when he accompanies me at work, I shut my office door and he relaxes in his dog bed next to my desk. It’s not an everyday thing, and he joins me in the office more often after regular business hours, but he is a good work dog all the same. I just don’t have the courage to let him roam the office, as he would scoot out the front door with ease. As much as I like this dog, he is more interested in exploring new territory than he is in following in my footsteps. In this month’s cover story, we share examples of people who have made their canine — and other furry or scaly companions — part of their family. Thanks for reading.

Shane GoodmanPublisher

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4 West Des Moines Living JULY | 2015 www.iowalivingmagazines.com/west-des-moines

West Des Moines Living magazine is a monthly publication of Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., an Iowa corporation. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without permission of the publisher. West Des Moines Living magazine is mailed free of charge to every household and business in the 50265 and 50266 ZIP codes. Others may subscribe for $18 annually. Copies of past issues, as available, may be purchased for $3 each (plus shipping if required).

5 Cover story Pets and the family

9 Finance Identity theft

10 Calendar A comprehensive list

14 Health Q & A Advice from professionals

16 Library Be a hero @ the library

17 Faith A time of renewal

18 Garage Through an artist’s eyes

19 Insurance State-at-home parents

20 Recipe Greek yogurt muffins

22 Education Meet Jeremy Mikesell

23 Dining Guttenburgers

Page 5

Page 22

Page 23

ADDRESS: 5619 N.W. 86th St., Suite 600, Johnston, IA 50131PHONE: 515.953.4822EDITORIAL: ext. 304ADVERTISING: ext. 319DISTRIBUTION: ext. 316DESIGN: ext. 313ACCOUNTING: ext. 316FAX: 515.953.1394WEB: www.iowalivingmagazines.com

PUBLISHER: Shane GoodmanEDITOR: Darren TromblaySALES TRAINER/RECRUITER: Jolene GoodmanADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Ashley SohlSR. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Brooke Pulliam Julie DowningACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Shelli Pulley Beverly Thompson Molly Catron Becky Sidles Rebecca Morford Linda Jennings

DESIGN MANAGER: Celeste JonesGRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Karen Ericson Tyler NashEDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Kathleen SummyCONTRIBUTORS: Dawn Sagario Pauls Elaine Lenz Dan HodgesBUSINESS OFFICE MGR: Brent AntisdelDISTRIBUTION: Brent Antisdel DIGITAL: Brian Olson

Circulation and readershipaudited by

INSIDE

On the cover: Rebecca Armes, Keira Hauser and Neil Hauser. Photo by Dan Hodges.

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By Dawn Sagario Pauls

FEATURE

Rebecca Armes, Keira Hauser and Neil Hauser with Stitch (left kitty), Sorry (right kitty) and Wilbur, Bill Nye and Goblin (the rats). Photo by Dan Hodges.

T hey are our companions, our confidantes and much-loved members of our families. Furry or scaly, tiny or large, pets are a

central part of many people’s lives. And the fol-lowing West Des Moines residents wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Even though they’re not people, they do occupy a huge part of your heart.”

Rebecca Armes has a full house. But here, the animals outnumber the humans. Their family includes cats, rats, hamsters and an anole (a kind of lizard). They’re joined by Armes, her husband, Neil Hauser and their daughter, Keira Hauser. “They’re very, very much family,” Rebecca Armes says of their pets. And, they also rule the roost.

“I think they’re the head of the household most of the time,” she says. Pets were always around Armes growing up. Their collie mix would follow her as she rode her bike to her grandparents’ house, eight blocks from where they lived, Armes recalls. Their cat would patiently let her dress him up. When she left home, she continued to have pets. Armes had a cat who was with her for all

THE ROLE PETS PLAY IN PEOPLE’S LIVES

familyPets

and the


of her big life changes, including meeting her hus-band and having her daughter, she says. Armes had Tommy for 14 years before put-ting her down about four years ago because of cancer. Her passing left their other cat, Sorry, and Armes sad. That’s when Stitch, a cat from the Animal Rescue League, came into the picture. The cats, she says, “are definitely the queen bees. They’re spoiled rotten.” They also have a host of little pets. Their six rats all came by way of an animal shelter where Armes and her daughter volunteer. There’s Wilbur, Goblin, Bill Nye and Hercules, who are 8 years old. Kato and Lupin are 2 months old. Hercules sleeps in Armes’ daughter’s bed. “They all have lots and lots of personality,” Armes says of the rats, who will ride on their shoulders and sit with them on the couch when they watch movies. “They spend as much time with us as the cats do. They’re definitely very active and definitely very interactive.” The hamsters, Chewie and Eric, were adopt-ed through the same animal shelter as the rats. The two are cute and low maintenance, sleeping most of the day, she says. “They’re both friendly little guys,” says Armes. “They’re not very demanding.” They won Slimy through a raffle. Armes says he has a surprisingly calming effect and describes

him as “a little Zen lizard.” “He’s so relaxing,” she says. “You just sit there and watch him, and I think he lowers your blood pressure. He reminds me of a hippie surfer guy.” So is living with so many creatures under one roof chaotic? Actually, it’s quite the opposite, according to Armes. Their pets are the reliable constant in their lives, friends that greet them at the door when they come home, ready to cuddle, have their ears scratched or sit on their shoulders. And no mat-ter your faults, Armes says, they still love you. “Even though they’re not people, they do occupy a huge part of your heart,” she says.

Machin: A “sweetheart” of a dogGrowing up, Barb Linderbaum had a beagle mix she named “Machin.” A former neighbor’s dog had the name, and she liked it. When Linderbaum had her own family, they decided to give their schnoodle — a cross between a schnauzer and poodle — the same name. (Machin means “little girl” in German, she explains, but they spell their dog’s name phoneti-cally instead of the traditional spelling.) Now 11, Machin has become a central part of their lives, a much-loved family member that is easy-going and extremely friendly. While she

likes both dogs and people, she much prefers humans. “She loves workmen,” Linderbaum says. “She’s so excited when workmen come. If a thief would ever come in, she’d be like, ‘Yes, come on in, here’s the silver.’ ” They had held off getting a dog because their son was allergic to them, she says. When he left home, Linderbaum and her daughter really wanted one. They ended up getting Machin from a breeder on a farm. “She’s always been a good dog,” says Linderbaum. A few months ago, they discovered Machin was diabetic. While they were out of town visit-ing family, their pet sitter told them their dog was drinking a lot of water and urinating all over the house. Linderbaum, a retired nurse, knew these were signs of diabetes. She hoped Machin didn’t have the disease — but, unfortunately, she did. Shots of Vetsulin — an insulin specially made for dogs and cats — have been able to control Machin’s diabetes, Linderbaum says. They also have to make sure she eats at certain times, and they try to give her dog treats with less sugar. “She’s back to normal now,” and is as active as she was before the diagnosis, Linderbaum says. “It didn’t take long. She’s been real good

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about it.” Ensuring that Machin is well cared for is a priority for them because she plays such a big role in their family. She’s a companion that Linderbaum, an empty nester, talks to all the time. She enthusiastically greets Linderbaum and her husband whenever they come home, tail wagging, showing how much she’s missed them. Machin even joins in on Skype sessions, sitting in Linderbaum’s lap so her daughter can catch a glimpse of her. Machin’s attentiveness, loving nature and laid-back demeanor are some of the things Linderbaum loves most about her dog. “She’s been lots of fun to have,” she says. “She’s just a sweetheart.” But Linderbaum has already begun thinking about the future and the inevitable goodbye she’ll have to say to her dog. “I know I’m going to miss her a lot when she goes,” she says. “It’s going to be tough. That’s why I said I’m not going to wait around too long to have another doggy, because they’re just so central to our lives.” Caring for their “furbabies”Jess and Corey Evans are parents to a brood of seven — three cats and four rats.

FEATURE

Corey (left) and Jess Evans pose with their “furbabies,” as Jess likes to call them. Corey holds Zelda (gray) and Nola, while Jess sits with Chloe. Their rats are Bodie, Bubbles, Margot and Molly. Photo submitted.

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“Our cats and our rats are our children,” says Jess Evans. “We wouldn’t consider them any less than that. We’re all just one big, happy family. We call them our ‘furbabies.’ ” Their cats are Chloe, Zelda and Nola. They have two male rats, Bodie and Bubbles, and two females, Margot and Molly. The couple decided not to have kids because of the possible impact on Jess’ health. She’s had diabetes since she was 8, and they worried about possible complications of pregnancy. Jess says she was also concerned she wouldn’t have the energy needed to devote to a child. So they’ve opted to nurture their animal compan-ions, all of which are from shelters. “She is my little shadow,” says Evans, who got Chloe before she was married. “She is a mama’s girl.” Evans wanted her husband to experience the same kind of companionship Chloe offered her. That led Corey to Nola. Evans fell in love with Nola while working at the animal shelter she volunteers at. Neither of Nola’s back legs work properly, she explains. One of them is twisted up to her stomach; the knee joint in the other is twisted out a little bit and doesn’t work like a normal limb. The couple was concerned that the cat would be unable to find a suitable home, so they decided to

take her in. They initially thought they would have to do things like carry her upstairs. But she’s surprised them with her ability to run, climb and clean herself, Evans says. Using her front legs, Nola is able to move around kind of like a bunny. “Nothing holds her back,” Evans says. “She is truly a blessing. I would say she’s just a ‘wonder cat.’ ” As for the rats, Evans had known little about the creatures until working with them at the shelter. She was impressed by their intelligence and social nature and wanted them to be a part of their family. “I would never have known this, but a rat is just like a dog,” she says, as they’re also very loyal and rely on human interaction. “Don’t say anything bad about a rat until you actually meet one. They’re not rodents. They’re not vermin. A lot of people mistake domesticated rats with ones in the street or sewer system. They’re amazing creatures.” It is the unconditional love from all of their ani-mals that Evans appreciates the most. “No matter what, they’re always there through good and bad, almost like marriage,” she says. “If you’re a good pet owner and treat them the way they should be, then they’re going to give that back to you. If they’re able to trust in you, then you can do the same with them. It’s that bond.”

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T he more business we do and information we share online, the more identity

theft becomes a growing threat to our financial security. There are ways you can help protect your good name and credit. Here are a couple of tips to help keep you and your family safe. accounts. This goes for every-thing you have financially — credit cards, banks, brokerages, credit unions — as well as email and social networking accounts. You should also monitor your phone bills (both cell and landline), as thieves can “piggyback” on your plans. But above all, be sure to check your monthly financial statements

carefully. If you notice something strange — even if it is just for a small amount — call the issuing financial institution immediately and report it. Sometimes identity thieves test, or “phish,” stolen account numbers by running a small charge or debit — often of a dollar or less — to make sure the account number is legitimate. Most accountholders don’t notice the transaction or don’t think it’s worthwhile to alert their financial institution. That is, until a few weeks or months later when thieves wrack up big credit card purchases or drain a bank account. Bottom line: If you see something “fishy,” no matter how small, report it right away.

Vigilance is the word for your email and social media accounts. The more information you share with the world — say, by posting your birth date to your Facebook profile — the easier you are making it for thieves to find that information. Check your priva-cy controls and keep checking. Facebook for one is notorious for changing its policies with little or no notice. Finally, you should Google yourself periodically to see what type of information about you or your family is pub-licly available. You may be in for a surprise. -ments. You don’t have to shred every piece of mail you receive, but anything with account num-

bers or other personal data should be shredded. You should also be sure to shred certain piec-es of junk mail — especially those unsolicited pre-approved credit card offers that seem to show up in your mailbox on a weekly basis. You can further reduce or even eliminate these nuisance offers by opting out of the lists aggregated by credit bureaus, who then sell your name to lenders. Go to www.optoutpre-screen.com or call 888-567-8688 to get your name off these lists.

FINANCE

Information provided by Matt Stahr, president, VisionPoint, 1601 Westlakes Parkway #200, West Des Moines, (800) 282-4032.

Tips to keep yourself and your family safe

How to help keep identity thieves awayBy Matt Stahr

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SUCCESSYOURDeter. Detect. Defend.


Thursday July 9

Drop-in Family Storytime. For all ages, no registration required. 10:30-11 a.m., WDM Public Library

Civil Service Commission Meeting, 8:30 a.m. City Hall

Open Computer Lab, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., WDM Public Library

Doctor Who Party, for ages 10 and up (adults are welcome, too) Registration is required. 6-8 p.m., WDM Public Library

VHS Baseball: Varsity vs. East, 5 p.m. @ Valley

Farmers Market/Music in the Junction, 4-8 p.m., Music in the Junction is held from 5:30–8:30 p.m., Historic Valley Junction

Friday July 10

Friday Flicks, Popcorn and water will be provided, or you may bring your own snack and covered drink. 10:30 and 1:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Beatles Cartoon Pop Art Show featuring animator Ron Campbell, noon-4 p.m., Heartland Gallery West

Fridays at the Fountain with Toaster, family friendly, free. 6:30-9:30 p.m., West Glen Town Center

VHS Baseball: 9th vs. Urbandale, 11:30 a.m. @ Valley

VHS Baseball: JV/V vs. Lincoln, 5/7 p.m. @ Valley

Scrapbook & Cardmaker Club, $1 donation requested. Registration required. 5-11 p.m., West Des Moines Library

DCHS Baseball: 10th vs. DCG, 5 p.m. @ Dowling

Saturday July 11

Writer’s Group, 10 a.m., WDM Public Library

Yoga @ the Glen, free. 5-8 p.m., West Des Moines Town Center

VHS Softball: Varsity vs. Lincoln, 7 p.m. @ Valley

Iowa MUFON, UFO News and Education. 12:30-4 p.m., West Des Moines Library

DCHS Softball: Varsity Regional vs. Roosevelt, 7 p.m. @ Dowling

Sunday July 12

Yoga on the Lawn, free. Bring a water bottle and yoga mat. 9-10 a.m.,

north lawn @ City Hall

Monday July 13

City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. City Hall

Graphic Novel & Comic Art, For ages 5 and up. Registration required. 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., West Des Moines Library

Mini Comic-Con, 10:30 a.m. -2 p.m., West Des Moines Library

DCHS Baseball: 9th vs. Fort Dodge, 10:30 a.m. @ Dowling

DCHS Baseball: Varsity vs. Valley, 3 p.m. @ Dowling

Tuesday July 14

Mother Goose, children 6 months old through 2 years with an adult. Registration required. 9:30/10/10:30 a.m., WDM Public Library

VHS Baseball: Varsity vs. Indianola, 5 p.m. @ Valley

VHS Softball: Varsity Tournament, 7 p.m. @ Valley

DCHS Baseball: Varsity vs. North, 3:30 p.m. @ Dowling

Wednesday July 15

Al-Anon, 12-12:45 p.m. Al-Anon Service Center

VHS Baseball: Varsity vs. Mason City, 3 p.m. @ Valley

Board of Adjustment Meeting, 5:30-7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers

Finance & Administration Meeting, 7:30 p.m., West Des Moines City Hall

Shake, Rattle & Roll, ages 1-4. Registration required. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., WDM Public Library

Comic Treasure Box, using old comic pages and a metal tin, learn how to make a decoupaged storage container. Registration is required. 1:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Talk About Curing Autism, 5:30-7 p.m., WDM Public Library

Thursday July 16

Drop-in Family Storytime, all ages, no registration required. 10:30-11 a.m., WDM Public Library

Dev & Planning City Council Subcommittee Meeting, 7:30 a.m., City Hall Training Room


Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m., City Council Chambers

Dino O’Dell, for all ages. Registration required. 1:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Friday July 17

Friday Flicks, popcorn and water will be provided, or you may bring your own snack and covered drink. 10:30 and 1:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Open Computer Lab and Gadget Zoo, Practice your computer skills and test out e-readers at your own pace. Ask questions and learn from experience. 1:30-2:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Sizzlin’ Sidewalk Sale, 10 a.m., Historic Valley Junction

Saturday July 18

Sizzlin’ Sidewalk Sale, 10 a.m., Historic Valley Junction

Dough-Nuts, Investment Club, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Sahaja Yoga, 2-4 p.m., WDM Public Library

Sunday July 19

Yoga on the Lawn, free. Bring a water bottle and yoga mat. 9-10 a.m., North lawn @ City Hall

Monday July 20

Public Works Council Committee Meeting, 11:30 a.m., City Hall - Training Room

Plan and Zoning Commission, 5:30-7 p.m., City Hall

Storm Chasers, registration required. 1:30-2:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Tuesday July 21

Mother Goose, children 6 months old through 2 years with an adult. Registration required. 9:30/10/10:30 a.m., WDM Public Library

CALENDAR


Human Services Advisory Board Meeting, 5:30-6:30 p.m., WDM Human Services Community Room

Wednesday July 22

Al-Anon 12-12:45 p.m. Al-Anon Service Center

Twirl into a Tale, ages 2-4 with an adult, registration is required. 10 and 10:45 a.m., WDM Public Library

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party, ages 10-18. Registration required. 2 p.m., WDM Public Library

Thursday July 23

Drop-in Family Storytime all ages, no registration required. 10:30-11 a.m., WDM Public Library


Public Arts Advisory Commission Meeting, 5:30 p.m., City Council Chambers

Open Computer Lab, 11:30 a.m., WDM Public Library

Kids Club Read, Join us for discussion and activities related to this month’s book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J K Rowling. For ages 8-12. Register by calling 222-3405. 2-3 p.m., WDM Public Library

Checkmates Chess and Boardgame Club. Registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. 6:30-8 p.m., WDM Public Library

Friday July 24


Open Computer Lab and Gadget Zoo, 1:30-2:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Saturday July 25

Writer’s Group, 10 a.m., WDM Public Library

WDM Public Library Final Party! Jason the Juggler. Please pre-register for each person attending, both children and their caregivers. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Valley Southwoods Freshman High School

Junkin’ in the Junction, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Historic Valley Junction

Sunday July 26

Yoga on the Lawn, free. Bring a water bottle and yoga mat. 9-10 a.m., North lawn @ City Hall

Monday July 27


Tuesday July 28

Mother Goose, for children 6 months old through 2 years with an adult. Registration required. 9:30/10/10:30 a.m., WDM Public LibraryWednesday July 29



First Children’s, Child care provider training, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Thursday July 30

Drop-in Family Storytime all ages, no registration required. 10:30-11 a.m., WDM Public Library




Civil Service Commission Meeting, 8:30 a.m., City Hall

Scooter Night in the Junction, 4-8:30 p.m., Maple Street in front of Finding Iowa

Friday July 31


CALENDAR

Tango, Children & Families of Iowa invites you to enjoy dining, dancing to live music, and bidding on great live and silent auction items. Proceeds benefit Children & Families of Iowa’s programs. Cost: $125 per guest, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Sheraton Hotel 1800 50th St., West Des Moines.

Plexus Health and Wealth Event, RSVP. https://plexusdesmoines.eventbrite.com. 6-8 p.m., Willis Lexus

Happy Birthday Harry Potter! Celebrate the birthday of the world’s most famous wizard at the library. Registration required, for ages 7-12. 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., WDM Public Library

Saturday Aug. 1

Jazz in July presented by Metro Arts Alliance. The Patron Part will start at 5 p.m. on the outdoor patio of Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant. Also at 5 p.m. Valley High School Jazz Combo will perform followed by the Betsy Hickok Group, West Glen Town Center

Saturday Writers, Writers group. 10 a.m., WDM Public Library

Sunday Aug. 2

Yoga on the Lawn. Bring a water bottle and yoga mat. 9-10 a.m., north lawn at City Hall

Monday Aug. 3

Public Works Council Committee Meeting, 11:30 a.m., City Hall - Training Room

Plan and Zoning Commission, 5:30-7 p.m., City Hall


CALENDAR

Have a calendar entry for the next issue of West Des Moines Living? Send your information to: [email protected].

Promote your event!

Tuesday Aug. 4

Open Computer Lab, 10 a.m., WDM Public Library

Club Read Social. Newcomers welcome. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share. 6:30-8 p.m., WDM Public Library

Wednesday Aug. 5


Omega Poetry Group, Workshop to discuss and critique our poetry, 6:30-9 p.m., WDM Public Library

Thursday Aug. 6



Bicycle Advisory Commission Meeting, 5:30 p.m., City Council Chambers

AARP Fraud Prevention

Presentation, 5:30-7 p.m., WDM Public Library

DSM Vintage Bike Night at Farmers Market, 6-8 p.m., 300 block of 5th Street Between Elm & Walnut Streets

Saturday Aug. 8

Saturday Writers, Writers group. 10 a.m., WDM Public Library

Scrapbook & Cardmaker Club, $1 donation requested. Registration required. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., WDM Public Library

Sunday Aug. 9

Yoga on the Lawn. Bring a water bottle and yoga mat. 9-10 a.m., North lawn @ City Hall

Monday Aug. 10


Tuesday Aug. 11

Open Computer Lab, 10 a.m., WDM Public Library

VHS Golf: JV/V Meet, 10 a.m. @ Willow Creek

Lapsit Lambs, Using rhymes, stories, music and puppetry, Amy will engage baby and caregiver in language-rich activities designed for prewalking babies (1 month-18 months). Registration is required. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., WDM Public Library

Wednesday Aug. 12

Al-Anon 12-12:45 p.m. Al-Anon Service Center

VHS Golf: JV/V Meet, 6:30 a.m. @ Willow Creek

Finance & Administration Meeting, 7:30 p.m., West Des Moines City Hall


Library Play Time, ages 2-6. Registration required. 10-11 a.m., WDM Public Library

Thursday Aug. 13



Civil Service Commission Meeting, 8:30 a.m., City Hall

VHS Golf: Boys 9th Meet, 6:30 a.m. @ Willow Creek

WDM Human Rights Commission Meeting, 4-6 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers

Teen Craft Night: Dry Erase Boards. Registration is required. 6-8 p.m., WDM Public Library

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Information provided by Dr. Patrick Sullivan, total joint surgeon, 6001 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, 224-5208.

HEALTH

Q: I have severe knee arthritis. Should I have a total or partial knee replacement?A: Total and partial knee replacement can give equally good results if used in the proper situations. Typically, of all the knees requiring replace-ment, only 10 to 20 percent will qualify for partial knee replacement. The knee is made up of three compartments. If the arthritis involves only one compartment, the patient may benefit from a partial knee replacement. Either a partial or a total knee replacement performed by an experienced surgeon for the appropriate situation can result in a 98 to 99 percent success rate.

A partial knee replacement can result in a more rapid recovery and feel like a more natural knee once recovered. It can also eliminate a patient’s pain and restore function appropriate for the patient’s age. The decision regarding which option is right for you should be made with a surgeon is proficient with both techniques and should be tailored to the patient’s individual needs.

Information provided by Stephen Ellestad, D.O., age man-agement medicine, 2910 Westown Parkway, Suite 305, West Des Moines, 225-7900.

Q: Do certain exercise programs affect hormone levels?A: Yes. Many hormones come into play during exercise and with proper resistance training, the four major hormones increased are testosterone, GH (growth hormone), lGF (insulin-like growth factor) and cortisol. Testosterone is elevated more if large muscle group compound exer-cises, such as Olympic lifts, deadlifts and squats are performed early in the workout. GH and lGF also tend to increase with progressive resistance training. Cortisol, which is a catabolic hormone also tends to increase with weight training and stimulates the lipolysis of adipose tissue (breakdown of fat cells).

HIlT (high intensity interval training) also increases testosterone and GH levels. HIlT also helps to increase insulin sensitivity/decrease insulin resistance. After a brief warm up, HIlT consists of short bursts of intense exercise (such as sprinting) for 10-30 seconds, followed by low to medium intensity exercise (walking/jogging) for 45-90 seconds. This cycle is then repeated five to seven more times followed by a four- to five-minute cool-down period.

Proper exercise programs with adequate rest and good nutrition will go a long way to promote ideal body composition and health. Recent exercise physiology studies show that too much prolonged exercise, particularly long bouts of cardio such as marathon and triathlon training can do more harm than good.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

DO YOU HAVE AGE RELATED HEALTH CONCERNS?

Fatigue

Difficulty recovering

from exercise

Difficulty losing weight

Increased body fat

Less muscle mass

and strength

Hot flashes

Low libido (sex drive)

Poor concentration

DR. STEPHENELLESTAD

CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT OR ASK FURTHER QUESTIONS

STEPHEN M. ELLESTAD, D.O.Specializing in Age Management Medicine

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®


T he West Des Moines Public Library will host its first-ever Mini Comic-Con on

July 13, and you and your family are invited to take part. In case you don’t know, a comic-con is a con-vention of comic book enthusiasts, many of whom dress in costumes representing their favorite comic book characters. Very hip.

At our comic-con, we’ll have fun and games — some of which involve prizes — and local artist Adam Van Wyk will host drawing sessions where he works with the audience to create a superhero, sidekick, secret lair and a villain, then put them all together in a comic. The Justice Corp of Iowa and Fairytale Friends will bring superhe-roes and fairytale princesses to life. Capes Kafe and Beaverdale Books will be on hand with merchandise if you want to take some superhero mementoes home.

July eventsHere are some events or programs that do not require registration or should not be completely full by press time:

ChildrenDrop-In Family Story Times (Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m.) Children of all ages are welcome to join us for these action-filled, inter-active story times complete with music and movement. No registra-tion required.

Friday Flicks, Jr. (Fridays in July, 10:30 a.m. - noon.) Selections for younger viewers, chosen for those with the shorter attention spans of toddlers and preschool-aged children. Come see how sick stuffed animals get medical atten-tion and how Captain Hook is dealt with when Peter Pan is otherwise engaged.

Friday Flicks (Fridays in July

1:30-3:15 p.m.) A grab bag of popu-lar children’s movies shown through the end of July. No registration is needed, though space is limited. Movies average about 90 minutes. Popcorn and water will be provided or you may bring your own snack and covered drink (Please avoid bringing peanut products to protect our patrons with allergies). Parents and guardians are responsible for determining if each movie is appro-priate for their children. A list of the movies we’re showing is available at the children’s desk or call 515-222-3405.

All ages/familyGadget Zoo (Friday, July 17 and 24, 1:30 p.m.) Sign up for the West Des Moines Public Library’s Open Computer Lab. Practice your com-puter skills and test out e-readers and other devices at your own pace. Ask questions and learn from experience. Staff can also dem-onstrate some of the e-readers and tablet computers available, using equipment donated by the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation. Pre-registration is recom-mended but not required. Individual appointments can also be made. Register below or contact the library’s reference desk, 222-3403. Basic computer/mouse skills are assumed. http://tinyurl.com/gadgetzoo1 http://tinyurl.com/gadgetzoo2

LIBRARY NEWS

West Des Moines Public Library4000 Mills Civic Parkway222-3400Hours: Sunday: ClosedMon. - Thur.: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 pmSaturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mini Comic-Con set for July 13

By Darryl Eschete, library director

Be a hero @ the library

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FAITH

R enew. That’s the theme this year at Ashworth Road Baptist

Church, as God has been renew-ing their congregation, church leaders say. It includes a building renovation, redefining their core values and a making a major push for discipleship. These are just some of the things the church is doing to move forward during a period of much change and transition, particularly in the last few years. “We’re just trying to be the church that God wants us to be, period,” says Brent Clark, who became lead pastor about three years ago. “We’re not trying to hold on to the past. We’re saying, ‘God, what do you want?’ And we just want to be a part of it.”

One change has been an increase in diversity in the con-gregation, as more immigrants have moved into West Des Moines, church leaders say. Clark says about 15 percent of their congregation is non-white. “I think that’s a great step forward,” he says. They’ve seen an influx in new families as well, he adds. But one thing that makes their church unique is that it also boasts a diversity of ages — one woman will be turning 90. This enables older members to pass along their knowledge and experience to the younger generation, Clark says. The congregation as a whole has been able to enjoy the recent-ly renovated foyer and Worship

Center, which were completed in April. They also redefined their core values this year, breaking them down to five main points:

-thing.”

-ter together.”

next steps toward Jesus.”

and community.”

better than being religious.” The church is also mak-ing a very intentional step to help encourage discipleship with its new “core groups,” which they plan to roll out in the fall. Clark says groups of three to five people will meet to read the Bible and discuss how it fits into their lives. They’ll share what’s going on personally and help hold one other accountable in how they live their lives. They’ll also encourage each other to reach out, letting people know about Christ. “To become more Christ-like is ultimately what we’re hoping for,” Clark says.

God is bringing new life into a West Des Moines church


A time of renewalAshworth Road Baptist Church5300 Ashworth Road223-0914www.ashworthroad.comWorship servicesSunday, 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Ashworth Road Baptist Church lead pastor Brent Clark speaks in the newly renovated Worship Center.


S ometimes there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the contents of a garage. In fact, in one West Des Moines

garage, there is some original art being cre-ated by a young fellow that is definitely, in his own right, more than what anyone sees before them. Devin McMillen, 23, of West Des Moines, is that guy. He is a local artist on a mission to fulfill his dream of becoming recognized for his passionate love of painting. “I first found that I love art when I would color in ‘Star Wars’ coloring books with my dad,” he says. “My style and agenda has changed vastly since I graduated high school, and in the five years since I’ve tried different exposures. Art is something of a gateway for me; either the subconscious plays, or it is a means of relief. Either way, it is the experience received while in the moment that I love. At the end I have a product, but during the creation process I am free.” McMillen has found inspiration in his work

by admiring several of those who came before him — Salvador Dali, Alex Grey, Picasso and Jackson Pollock, to name a few. “A lot of the inspiration comes within the moment. In fact, that is the direct means for inspiration; I could never recreate a movement or idea, only embellish, so I find each brush stroke or throw of paint to be its own piece,” he says. This gifted artist delves into more than one type of paint choice, depending on mood and mindset. “It varies on my paint choice. Oil was something I’ve fallen in love with over and over since I graduated, but recently I’ve been doing a lot of use with spray paint, watercolor and and other mixed media pieces,” he says. The amount of time McMillen spends on a piece has an impact on the price he can fetch for any one of his creations. “Two Sundays ago I painted four canvases within an hour, yet I still have a piece I don’t touch until major life events come into frui-

tion. That’s been worked on four times within the past year. But for the most part I produce within the day. I don’t normally go back into a painting once I’ve stepped away,” he says. McMillen’s work has been featured at the Galaxies of Art show and The Village Bean in the East Village. “I’m always looking for new places to hang my work,” he says. “I would love to be remembered for my art, or shake up the art community, or bring new light to people’s eyes; but I really just enjoy the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had. I’d say I just want to meet and experience others who find wonder in the moment of silent clouds and misty roads. Maybe to give to a struggling artist so we don’t feel so alone whilst projecting ourselves for strangers to see.”

Contact Darren at 953-4822 ext. 304 or [email protected] to rec-ommend someone for an upcoming issue of “What’s In Your Garage?”

Two of Devin McMillen’s original works and the artist himself (inset). Photos by Devin McMillen.

McMillen unleashes creativity in his garage

By Lisa Verhey-Budding

Through an artist’s eyes

WHAT’S IN YOUR GARAGE?


I magine the cost of hiring a part-time housekeeper, a personal chef, a day care provider, a nurse

and a driver. You’d have to be pretty wealthy, right? Stay-at-home parents perform all these jobs, and they do it without getting a paycheck. Sometimes they don’t even get to take a sick day. Imagine how much money a stay-at-home mom or dad would make if she or he was paid for the work. Think about the amount of time spent on housework, cooking, trans-portation and childcare. According to a recent study by Salary.com, the average amount of time spent work-ing as a stay-at-home parent is 94.4 hours per week.1 That would be a lot of overtime compensation if this job actually paid. The value of a stay-at-home parent is often overlooked, even among the parents themselves. The situation could turn into a huge financial stress when surviving family members realize the cost of replac-ing those duties is too expensive. Losing a loved one is bad enough. You shouldn’t have to suffer financial pain in addition to the emotional pain. Even if stay-at-home parents earned the money they’re worth, chances are they wouldn’t get ade-quate insurance coverage. A 2011 Country survey shows that nearly 40 percent of Americans express uncertainty in the ability of their families to maintain their quality of life if they were to die or become disabled. Other costs associated with death like funeral expenses,

attorney fees and final medical bills can also weigh heavily on families of the deceased. The average funeral alone can cost between $6,500 and $10,000, not including cemetery fees.2 One of the most important things you can do to protect your family is to make sure a stay-at-home parent is insured. If a stay-at-home parent in your household dies, will your family be able to afford the expenses of childcare, housekeep-ing and cooking while the surviving parent works outside the home? Meet with a knowledgeable financial representative for an insurance and financial review, and take charge of your family’s financial security. If you would like more informa-tion on how much life insurance is right for you and your family, please contact me. 1Salary.com, May 2008 2AARP.org, “Preplanning Your Funeral Arrangements” Policies issued by Country Life Insurance Company® and Country Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL.

INSURANCE

Information provided by Pablo Castillo of Country Financial, 650 S. Prairie View Drive, Suite 200, West Des Moines, 515-223-7182.

Take charge of your family’s financial security

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RECIPE

H appy summer, everyone! My husband and I are now in the chicken “business.” We have 25 laying hens (although we have a few “laying slackers”). We consume quite a few eggs and try

to share with our kids when we can. Chickens are interesting creatures. Two of our grandchildren came to stay at Grandma and Grandpa’s a couple of weeks ago. They love to bake with me and usually ask for pancakes for breakfast. This time our 5-year-old granddaughter had definite ideas about the breakfast menu on Sunday morning. She decided that banana muffins were in order, and her 3-year-old brother agreed. I was on the hunt for a banana muffin recipe that would be on the healthy side and worthy to serve these precious grandbabies. I found a perfect recipe that uses plain Greek yogurt, oatmeal, bananas, our farm-fresh eggs and blueberries. They have very little refined sugar, which is some-thing I liked about this recipe as well. (You could replace the brown sugar with honey if you wish.) They loved them. I sent the remainder of the 12 muffins home with them, and I think there were only four or five in the care package that was sent home.

Banana oat Greek yogurt muffinsIngredients1 cup plain Greek yogurt2 ripe bananas2 eggs2 cups rolled oats1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 cup brown sugarblueberries

Directions1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and pre-pare muffin pan by spraying with cooking spray or lining with cupcake liners. (You

may want to spray cupcake liners with spray so they don’t stick to the liners). 2. Put all ingredients except blueberries into a blender or food processor and process on high until oats are broken down and it becomes a smooth and creamy batter. 3. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins. Push 5 or 6 blueberries into each filled muffin cavity and bake for 15-20 minutes until tops are set and a toothpick comes out clean. Let muffins set 5-10 minutes before removing and placing on a cool-ing rack. Makes 12. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container or baggie.

Breakfast treats pack plenty of protein

By Jan Allen

Greek yogurt muffins

OUT AND ABOUT

Tom Wheeler, Susan Dunn and Koda Snyder at Fareway’s grand opening on July 1.

Maggie Worrall and Whitney Packebush at Fareway’s grand opening on July 1.

Randy Tennison, Laura Robertson and Katie Fencl at Fareway’s grand opening on July 1.

Store Manager Will Golberg cuts the ribbon for Fareway’s grand opening on July 1.


Yoga @ the Glen for

FREE YOGA TO LIVE MUSICWEST GLEN TOWN CENTER | 5-8:30PM (YOGA 6-7PM)

SATURDAY The Hannah Geneser Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, was founded in 2011 to honor the memory of Hannah Geneser and to promote the safety and well-being of children through public advocacy and education. 100 percent of proceeds from corporate sponsorships and personal donations go to the Hannah Geneser Foundation.

YOGA LED BY CARYN LEE MEEKS | MUSIC PROVIDED BY BRAD SEIDENFELD

Proudly sponsored at:Hover over the QR Code to RSVP to the event on Facebook!

2015

JULY

11FAMILY-FRIENDLY | FACE PAINTING | BALLOON ART


EDUCATION

J eremy Mikesell came to Walnut Creek Campus six years ago. It was a move that changed his life,

professionally and personally. He previously taught in Osceola for 12 years, where he was also the varsity volleyball coach. When a coaching position opened up at Valley High School, he was inter-ested in taking on the challenge, he says. Valley’s athletic director suggested he consider teaching at Walnut Creek, the alternative high school for West Des Moines Community Schools. It was a new environment for Mikesell. But after the job inter-view, he felt Walnut Creek was where he wanted to be. “That’s what I liked about this — it’s about the relationships first, and the curriculum second,” says Mikesell, a language arts teacher. He’s learned that when you do that, you get more out of your students. It’s been a philosophy shift for him. Before Walnut Creek, he was “Mr. Mikesell.” He stood in front of the class, teaching subjects to kids. Today, students call him “Jeremy,” and he sits among them, plays with them and knows more about them personally. “I’ve laughed more in the past six years than in the previous 12,” Mikesell says. “We’re always trying to infuse fun into learning because we do believe in relationships first.” At Walnut Creek, there are smaller classes and more flex-ible deadlines and schedules, he explains. Students are given grades of “A,” “B,” “C,” or “in progress,”

which gives them the opportunity to pull their grade up to a “C.” It’s an environment that can help different populations of stu-dents, including those who are par-ents or who need more one-on-one attention than would be available in a bigger school, says Mikesell. Creating a safe environment where students trust their teachers is important, he says. Finding out what level each student is at helps open up that “highway” of learning, leading to better communication between student and teacher. Professionally, his experience at Walnut Creek makes Mikesell want to be a better teacher, learning more about students’ personal lives and how it affects them in school. But it’s also taken an emotional toll on him, he says. Even after 18 years of teaching, he still finds that it’s engaging and fun. “It doesn’t feel like work,” Mikesell says.

Jeremy Mikesell is a language arts teacher at Walnut Creek. Photos by Dawn Sagario Pauls.

Build relationships first, then learning will come


Meet Jeremy Mikesell

What do you like about Jeremy?

Colton Zimmerman: “He’s pretty fun. He connects with the students.”

Bruen Sims:“He’s got a pretty good sense of humor.”

Mauri Castro:“He’s very friendly. If you need help, he’s always there to help.”

OUT AND ABOUT

Randy Tennison welcomes Will Golberg, store manager, and Mike Lensch, meat manager, to the West Des Moines Chamber at Fareway’s grand opening on July 1.

Jeff Cook, Andrew DeGroote, Jake Jurgens, Mike Lensch, Will Golberg and John Cramer at Fareway’s grand opening on July 1.

Whitney Packebush and Caitlyn Lines at Fareway’s grand opening on July 1.


I smelled the goodness of Guttenburgers before I was able to enjoy it. I had been in the

area with my kids one day, and we could smell the yumminess waft-ing through the air. Knowing my husband would love a place that specializes in burgers, I decided to suggest it for a date night one evening. So on a lovely Tuesday evening we headed to the new restaurant to see what we were missing out on. We were immediately able to find a table near the front and were seated by a smiling, happy waitress. We were given menus and ordered sodas before we pored over the vast array of meal options. On the drink menu were some unique beer options, one from a local brewery, and

some great soda, wine and coffee choices. There are both chicken burgers and traditional hamburg-ers on the menu as well as a few other non-meat options. There is a small kids menu that includes ice cream at the end of the meal. Naturally, I gravitated towards the traditional burgers and ulti-mately chose the Guttenburger with extra grilled onions. For my side, I was torn between the glazed apples and the macaroni and cheese, but when I saw that the macaroni had bacon on top, I was sold. My husband chose the Arson Fire Burger which has something mysterious called, “accelerant sauce” on it and chose the Hawkeye fries for his side. After putting in our order, we perused the many ice cream

options near the counter. There are lots to choose from and each one looked creamy, thick and deli-ciously fattening. With interesting names such as Yippee Skippee, Superman and Heaps of love, you have to try some to see if you like them. However, there are others such as the maple nut, Ultimate Oreo and blueberry cheesecake that tell the flavor in the name. Our food arrived at our table quickly, and we could not wait to devour every bite. The smell

overwhelmed our senses. I took a big bite of my burger and was incredibly impressed. The burger was perfectly cooked, delicious and juicy. The lettuce was crisp and the onions were piled high, soft and fragrant. I loaded it all up with mayonnaise and finished it quickly. My macaroni had thick, delicious noodles and lots of crispy bacon on top. My husband also devoured his and even shared one of the won-derful seasoned fried with me. After finishing every bite, we both ordered ice cream and paid our bill. This restaurant is not only new, but different and a welcome choice for diners. It is a great place with wonderful service and deli-cious, crave-able food.

DINING

Guttenburgers9250 University Ave.518-3419Hours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.Seven days a week

The Guttenburger with a side of bacon-topped macaroni and cheese. Photo by Elaine Lenze.

Ice cream and tasty sides round out the menu at Guttenburgers.

Not just a burger jointBy Elaine Lenze


Dan York, Melissa Schulz, Sonya Miller and Lisa York at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.

Alex Taylor, Dave Schwartz and Mike Williams at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.

Aaron Kerr and Daniel Siedenburg at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.

August Ehlers, Angela Lagasse, Jennifer Howell, Barbara Hokel and Amanda Starner hosted the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.

Nathan Finley and Holly Haywood at the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.

OUT AND ABOUT

Kyle Stanley, Tabetha McCormick, Ashley Sly and Jenny Beeler at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.

Kayli Mermka, Maryna Rath and Emily Gutknecht at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.

Mandy McWherter and Danielle Botting at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.

Todd Christeson and Ross Freedman at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.

Mischa Odell and Alie Garrels at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.

Lindsey Pollock and Melissa Worley at the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.

Kelsey Bayer, Kristin Clayton and Jasmina Alicic at the Chamber’s Meet at the Creek hosted by Jordan Creek Town Center on June 18.


Caleb Warner and Kirsten Anderson at the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.

Brian Vu and Monica Wojciechowski at the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.

OUT AND ABOUT

Bill Reed and Colleen Reed at the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.

Jessy Hamawi and Derek Sadler at the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.

Graduates of Anita-based statewide online public school Iowa Connections Academy celebrated their successes at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 16 in West Des Moines. The Class of 2015 spans the state. Iowa Connections Academy currently serves more than 400 students throughout Iowa.

Tony Bohnenkamp at the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.

Fusion Boutique owner Sara Jacobson, cuts the ribbon at their grand re-opening on June 4.

The Reds 10U baseball team placed second in the gold brack-et of the USSSA NIT Classic at Holiday Park on June 20-21.

Back row: Coach Terry Kofron, Coach Brett Tarlton, Coach David Pulliam and Coach Mark Decker. Middle row: Shane Tarlton, Gage Decker, Noah Seamer and Wil Kofron. Front row: Bradley Kofoed, Jamison Patton, Nick Pulliam, Anthony Diaz and Carson Bougher

Mireille Paquett and Nathan Leezer at the West Glen Town Center Keystone Development open house on June 4.


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www.iowalivingmagazines.com/westdesmoines West Des Moines Living JULY | 2015

Cinderella recital

FALL CLASSES BEGIN AFTER LABOR DAY!Sign Up Now!

AGES 3-18:

OPEN HOUSE / FREE CLINIC DAY

FREE

FREE

SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES

DANCEWEAR SHOP

See full class and clinic schedules at www.Dance-a-Cross.com

HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

10am–8pmSaturday

10am–3pm

COME SEE OUR SUMMER STUDENTS PERFORM AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR!Sunday, August 23 at Noon

There are still openings for our summer session

of classes that run July 13 to August 13.

Call the studio or go to our website for more information

JULY | 2015 West Des Moines Living www.iowalivingmagazines.com/westdesmoines

916 Main Street, Adel, IA515-993-4287

Monday - Friday 8-6Saturday 8-2

224 Hwy. 92, Winterset, IA515-462-2939

Monday-Friday 9-5Saturday 9-2www.adelwintersettv.com

CAN’T BEAT THE HEAT?

CALL US FIRST!

Lifetime Unit Replacement Limited Warranty*

Your Amana® brand Air Conditioner comes with a Lifetime Unit Replacement Limited Warranty*. Should the compressor on this unit ever fail on the original, registered homeowner, a new unit will be provided for free for as long as you own your home.

(Insert Dealer Info Here)

Rest Assured. It’s an Amana® brand.

Amana is a registered trademark of Maytag Corporation or its related companies and is used under license to Goodman Company, L.P., Houston, TX, USA. All rights reserved.

* To receive the Lifetime Unit Replacement Limited Warranty (good for as long as you own your home) and 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty, online registration must be completed within 60 days of installation. Online registration is not required in California or Quebec.

Complete warranty details available at www.amana-hac.com

55 YEARS EXPERIENCE, AND STILL FAMILY OWNED.

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