December 13, 2010

Woodland Heights Christmas Party - 12/14!

Don't forget the Woodland Heights Christmas Party is this coming Tuesday December 14th at the Mickle Center located at 1620 Pleasant Street.


This is in the Sherman Hill District, just across M L King Parkway from our neighborhood.

PLEASE RSVP to Maxine Watkins at 282-4244 as soon as possible so we can make plans for everyone who attends.

Doors open at 5 pm and the Pot Luck Dinner begins at 6 pm. There are some fantastic prizes being given away also.

We really want to see a lot of our neighbors at the party. This is a great opportunity to spend some time with the people that live in your neighborhood.

We all have a lot of ideas of what should be happening to our neighborhood, this is a great time to share those ideas.

The weather has been perfect for traveling (even a few blocks) so getting there should not be a problem.

If anyone needs a ride call Maxine and we will make arrangements to get you there and back.

Please plan on having a great meal and a wonderful time with all your friends from the Woodland Heights neighborhood.

EVERYONE IS INVITED!!!

BE THERE :)

Call Maxine now at 282-4244

November 16, 2010

Meeting Tonight

Get to know your neighbors and attend our monthly meeting tonight!


From 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. we'll be at Callahan Elementary School (3010 Center Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312).

Hope to see you there!

October 20, 2010

City Selling used Computer Equipment

The City of Des Moines has begun selling its used computer equipment to the public. The prices for availabile equipment are listed below. Not all equipment may be available at any given time. Desktop PC's will include mouse and keyboard. All desktop and laptops for sale have Ubuntu 9.04 (a free version of Linux operating system) installed.
  • Desktop PC: $50
  • Laptops: $100
  • Monitors: $50
  • Printers: $50
All sales are final, as is, and without warranty / support.  To learn more about this offering, go to the Des Moines City website.

October 1, 2010

Ingersoll Theater is coming back to life in Cuban/Caribbean style

From the Des Moines Register .... Blog post by Joanne Boeckman • jboeckman@dmreg.com • October 1, 2010

The old Ingersoll Dinner Theater at 3711 Ingersoll Ave. is emerging from its cocoon with a new life as a Caribbean/Cuban restaurant and lounge.


Refurbishing the place has taken almost a year longer than the developers and owners expected, but the wait will be over Oct. 11 when it opens as the Copa Cavana. (Now try to get the melody of Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana” out of your head.)

The walls of the Copa Cavana have been decorated with wall murals and paintings that give it a tropical feel.

The owners are Americans who have a broad international mix of backgrounds, and include Ankur Amin, Katintha Mwanza, Faisal Samara and Belefia Parks. The chef is Alejandro Alvarado and the bar manager is Dustin Doran. Their goal is to create “the soul of the Caribbean in the heart of Des Moines,” and to create an environment that makes people feel like they’re on vacation, Amin said.

The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner, with a mix of tropical appetizers, such as spicy jerk shrimp, chips with mango salsa, and mariquitas con mojo sauce — sliced, fried plantains with a citrus-based sauce. Cuban sandwiches with a choice of sides will be offered, as will a variety of entrees such as pork, chicken, fish and vegetables.

Lunch prices will range from $8 to $11, and full dinners run up to $16. Sandwiches also will be available in the evening, and a kids’ menu will be offered. Daily lunch and dinner specials not found on the menu will be offered.

A VIP area with a bar has been created in the upstairs balcony area. A house specialty is POG Tai, a creation of light and dark rum, mai tai mix and passion fruit, orange and guava juices.

Total capacity for the place is 393.

About two weeks after the restaurant and bar open, the owners hope to add entertainment that will range from live bands or DJs to plays and musicals. Amin said he is looking for entertainment now.

There is a dance floor in front of the stage. On Sundays, free salsa, tango and merengue lessons will be offered.

Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and the bar is open until 2 a.m. those days.

The facility will be available for rent for special and private events.

The phone number will be 515-277-8000.

September 27, 2010

Share Your Opinon

The City currently has the 6-month “follow-up” survey available for the Ingersoll Avenue Restriping project. Click here or access the survey at the City of Des Moines homepage: www.dmgov.org. There is a link under the “Quick Links” section, and it will be available until Sunday, October 4, 2010.

September 17, 2010

Holiday Greenery

Decorate this holiday season with FRESH pine and evergreens.


All money raised goes directly to the Woodland Heights Organization to help fund neighborhood efforts, such as beautification, community newsletters, events and much more!  Order your holiday decorations by Monday, Nov. 8th and we’ll deliver it to your door before Thanksgiving.

You can help support the neighborhood and have a beautiful decoration for the holidays for as little as $15.00.

Watch for your order form in the next neighborhood newsletter.

August 17, 2010

Des Moines Marathon Coming Soon

The Des Moines Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 15, 2010 and the route is near our neighborhood.  Be sure to watch for road closings the day of the event.  Also, consider going out and cheering the racers on.  The committee noted at our last neighborhood meeting, that one of the best places to view the event will be at the Drake Stadium. 

About the event
"If you like friendly people, fun activities and well organized events, come to the IMT Des Moines Marathon. It should be on every marathoner's to do list," Jeff Galloway, U.S. Olympian and Runner's World editor/columnist.

Race day features the IMT Des Moines Marathon & Half Marathon, Bankers Trust Marathon Relay, Principal Financial Group 5K Road Race and Bankers Trust Kids Run presented by Iowa Kidstrong.


Some quick links:

August 16, 2010

Meeting - 8/17 Moved to Palmers on Ingersoll

Our monthly meeting for Tuesday, August 17th is moving to Palmers on Ingersoll.  The meeting is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

July 21, 2010

Don't Miss a Post

Don't feel like you "need" to check the WHO 'website' to get your information.  You can subscribe to the site's RSS Feed and get the information delivered directly to you. 

Some more information ....
What is an RSS Feed?
RSS is a method for collecting and distributing news and information.

What is an RSS Reader?
You can read the feeds you subscribe to by using a tool called an aggregate feeder or reader.  There are a variety of RSS readers available:
Bloglines
NewsGator
Google Reader
Shrook (for Mac users)

Click on one of the above RSS reader links and set-up an account.  Then start subscribing to our feed!

July 20, 2010

Meeting Tonight - 7/20

Join us for our monthly meeting at Freedom Financial Bank (corner of Woodland Ave and Martin Luther King) from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

July 12, 2010

House Project? Consider ReStore.

ReStore is the place to start all  your home improvement projects

It's located at 2341 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA.  And, it's hours are:
  • Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm
  • Saturday 8am-4pm
  • Closed Sunday & Monday

A little bit about ReStore - you can shop or donate!

Shop!
ReStore sells new and gently used home improvement materials to the public at discount prices.
  • All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.
  • We are proud to provide affordable home improvement materials and be environmentally responsible by promoting reuse.

Donate!
Most materials sold at ReStore are donated from manufacturers, contractors, retailers and homeowners.
  • Donations accepted during store hours.
  • Check our web site or call (515-309-0224) for:
    • - items we accept as donations.
    • - information about scheduling a donation pickup.
    • - ways your business can work with ReStore.
  • Donation receipts are issued for your tax records.

Information taken directly from the ReStore website

July 9, 2010

Yard Waste

If these storms are kicking up some additional yard waste in your yard, consider subscribing to the city's "Premium Yard Waste Program." 

This convenient program allows you to collect your yard waste in a 96 or 64 gallon cart similar to the cart used for garbage and recycling. Yard waste is collected year-round in the City on your regular collection day. The monthly cost for a 96 gallon cart is only $10.42 or a 64 gallon cart is only $8.34 and this service is conveniently billed monthly on your Water Works bill. 

Think of the savings of this option versus using yard bags and stickers. For more information about this service, read here.

To enroll in the Premium Yard Waste Program or if you have additional questions, you can contact the Public Works 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 283-4950.


Information taken from the Des Moines City Website.

July 8, 2010

Getting Bitten?

If you notice too many mosquitos buzzing around, consider contacting the city and requsting the area be sprayed. 

There are two ways you can do this:
For more information about standing water issues and mosquitos, go to the Des Moines city website.

July 7, 2010

Rest Your Car

Rest Your Car is an incentive program sponsored by the Transportation Management Association (TMA) to encourage commuters to carpool, vanpool, ride the bus, bike, or walk to work a few times a month instead of driving alone. Commuters who participate in the program and use an alternate commute option at least four times per month are eligible for prizes such as $1,000 VISA gift cards - two (2) given away each quarter - and monthly drawings for $75 or $20 Downtown Gift Cards.

Commuters who take part in this program are also eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home.

Go to the Rest Your Car website to enroll and for more information!

Information taken directly from the Rest Your Car website.

July 1, 2010

Fun at Gray's Lake

There are a variety of fun classes being held at Gray's Lake,  Check them out!  And, if you're really up for it, take a walk from our neighborhood over to the lake.

 
Canoe Lessons
  • When: Thursday, May 06, 2010 at 10:00:00 AM - Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 10:00:00 AM
  • Where: Gray's Lake Park
  • What: $20/class
A full schedule, description of Canoe lessons and registration information can be found at http://www.dmps-adulted.org/classes.html

 
 Intro to Sailing
  • When: Monday, June 07, 2010 at 10:00:00 AM - Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 10:00:00 AM
  • Where: Gray's Lake Park
  • What: Every Monday of the month
A full schedule, description of Sailing lessons and registration information can be found at http://www.dmps-adulted.org/classes.html

 
Yoga in the Park
  • When: Every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from June 5 thru September 25
  • What: Yoga in the Park
  • Where: Peninsula Area at Gray's Lake Park

 Information found at the City of Des Moines website, (July 1, 2010).

June 16, 2010

We need your help!

The Woodland Heights Organization is trying to do its part to continue making Des Moines a wonderful place to live and work. We need your help!  We rely strictly on donations and grants to make our neighborhood beautiful and safe for residents and visitors. We’re always looking for donations of any kind! Some examples include:
  • Monetary Donations. Due to budgeting issues, we can no longer afford to send residents a monthly newsletter. We’d love to re-establish this newsletter and communicate with our neighbors! Your donations could help go towards printing and postage costs.  Montary donations can be mailed to: Woodland Heights Organization at P.O. Box 12104, Des Moines, IA 50312.
  • Advertisements. Promote your local business or service through an ad in our newsletter or on our blog.
  • Event Donations. Throughout the year we enjoy holding “neighborhood events” to increase loyalty to the area. These types of events could benefit from monetary donations, food donations, prize donations … the list is endless!
  • Volunteer time. We regularly have activities that require the assistance of everyone, such as landscaping, scrub day activities, grant writing and much, much more!
In order to keep the Woodland Heights neighborhood growing in the right direction, we need the help of our neighbors! Please consider making a donation of any kind.