Windsor Heights Blog

REMINDER REGARDING GRASS CLIPPINGS INTO THE STREET

windsorheightsiowa — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:56:22 +0000

When mowing your yard, make certain that you do not blow grass clippings into the street. When mowing, make the first few passes with the lawnmower blowing the grass clippings into the lawn NOT the street. If there are grass clippings on the street or sidewalk, use a broom or leaf blower to blow them back into the lawn. Do not use a hose to wash them into the street or strom drains.

Grass clippings that are blown into the street eventually enter the street storm drain. The grass clippings can form blockages in the storm drains or flow down Walnut Creek. Grass clippings contribute nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous, which cause unwanted and uncontrolled growth of algae and aquatic weeds in the waterways.

Also, please remember that City Code requires the growth of grass or weeds can be not be over 6 inches in height! Thanks!

Do Business Windsor Heights

windsorheightsiowa — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:44:53 +0000

Brainstorm and network with local business professionals about how you can use the Chamber and other resources to do more business.

May 21, 2013, 5:30 p.m.
Mustards in Windsor Heights

Junior Detectives- Be a Detective for a Day (Ages 7-12)

windsorheightsiowa — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:26:52 +0000

The Windsor Heights Police Department is accepting enrollment for our new Junior Detective class. Children will work with Windosr Heights Police Officers to solve a mock crime and are taught criminal investigative techniques. They will learn the difference between theft, burglary and robbery. They will view a mock burglary video, process fingerprints and other evidence found at the crime scene.

The class will be Tuesday, July 23, 2013 from 9am to 11am. The class is for ages 7-12 and the cost is $10.00 per child. The class is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

Please contact Officer Woods at (515) 645-6829 or awoods@windsorheights.org for registration and questions.

Junior Detective Flyer

2013 Sustainable Living – Spring Educational Series

windsorheightsiowa — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:16:37 +0000

Last year the City of Windsor Heights hosted the first ever Sustainable Living Spring educational series at the Community and Events Center in Windsor Heights’ Colby Park. Due to its success we have put together a 2013 Program with the help of a Metro Waste Authority Grant. These educational presentations will be free of charge to attend and will cover a wide variety of topics.

Starting on Thursday, February 21^st and continuing on the third Thursday of each month through May, we hope the information provided will assist home owners in our efforts to become a greener community.

Thursday, February 21^st – 5:30 – 7:00 – MidAmerican Energy- THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO THURSDAY, JUNE 20TH (SAME TIME & LOCATION)presents a conservation class educating citizens on incentives and rebates available through MidAmerican Energy for increasing the energy efficiency of a person’s home. MidAmerican Energy offers free energy audits to residents with up to 12 CFL light bulb replacements. Residents can sign up for an energy audit at the time of the event. MidAmerican to provide free giveaways!

Thursday, March 21^st – 5:30 – 7:00 – Trees Forever presentation on their programs and processes, projects and funding sources. Basic tree care and an introduction to the new Tree Keeper’s program will also be presented.

Thursday, April 18^th – 5:30 – 7:00 – Darren Fife, a resident of Windsor Heights and member of the Walnut Creek Watershed Coalition will show other residents how simple it can be to create your own rain barrel. A rain barrel program will be discussed for Windsor Height’s residents which was made possible through a grant received by Metro Waste Authority.

Thursday, May 16^th – 5:30 – 7:00 – Metro Waste Authority will educate residents on disposal of yard waste, recyclables and hazardous waste. Metro Waste Authority partners with the City of Windsor Heights to provide safe, smart disposal options for residents. A fun, interactive game will be used during the presentation.

Please RSVP your attendance to one or all of these free events, via email to Sheena Danzer, WH City Inspector; sdanzer@windsorheights.org

National Police Week 2013 is Sunday, May 12th through Saturday, May 18th

windsorheightsiowa — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:21:13 +0000

National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community. National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives for the safety and protection of others. Every year during National Police Week, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) promotes blue ribbons being tied on car antennas as a reminder to the public that many law enforcement officers have paid the ultimate price and given their lives in the line of duty. It is also to honor those officers who serve and protect our communities every day. Please feel free to come into City Hall and pick up a free blue ribbon. We hope that you will “fly the blue” all year long!

Join The Windsor Heights Young Professional Group Today!

windsorheightsiowa — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:12:44 +0000

The Windsor Heights Young Professional Group (WHYPro) is a meaningful networking organization of dedicated, talented young professionals who either live, work or are acquainted with Windsor Heights, Iowa. WHYPro started with a simple agenda, to enrich our community by uniting and developing our young professionals. We invite you to help build this momentum by joining WHYPro. For only $35 a year, there are many ways to participate and contribute — review our page on the Windsor Heights Chamber’s website at www.windsorheightschamber.com to learn more about the opportunities.

Join us at 6:00PM for our kickoff event to learn more about WHYPro and mingle with other young professionals on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 515 Brewing Co.

Notice Of Public Hearing

windsorheightsiowa — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:49:17 +0000

The City Council will meet on Monday, May 20, 2013 at 6pm in the City Council Chambers to discuss the ordinance linked here; this will be a public hearing to discuss amendments to Chapter 160: Construction Site and Sediment Erosion Control and Chapter 161: Post-Construction Stormwater Control of the City of Windsor Heights City Code. Any comments or concerns can be emailed to sdanzer@windsorheights.org or call 515-645-6826 before the meeting.

Most Beautiful Yard Contest

windsorheightsiowa — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:05:15 +0000

A peaceful retreat in the middle of town… an explosion of colors and life in your own backyard… a welcoming space for gathering with friends and loved ones. Our yards are outward expressions of the care and attention that make Windsor Heights such a remarkable place to live.

We all know beautiful yards are the result of hard work, dedication, and attention to detail. And that kind of commitment deserves recognition in this year’s Most Beautiful Yard contest, sponsored by the Keep Windsor Heights Beautiful (KWHB) committee.

You can nominate a fellow Windsor Heights resident, or your own yard, for recognition in this annual contest. The yard selected as this year’s winner will receive a beautiful yard stone, and two runners-up will each receive a $50 gift certificate to Windsor Heights business Wild Birds Unlimited.

This contest is an important way to recognize the hard work we do to keep our community beautiful, and to increase our community spirit. We hope you’ll help make this year’s contest the biggest ever. Entries are due Friday, June 14.

Keep Windsor Heights Beautiful is an offshoot of Keep Iowa Beautiful and its mission is to engage citizens, businesses and governments in Windsor Heights to take greater responsibility for beautifuying and improving the community we all love.

2013 Most Beautiful Yard Nomination Form

Dog Park Temporarily Closed

windsorheightsiowa — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:14:17 +0000

The dog park will be temporarily closed for reseeding. We hope to have the dog park open the first week of June. Once the grass is ready we will re-open the park. We will post it here on the City website as well as the City’s Facebook Page.

July 4 Celebration Seeks Parade, Vendor, and Volunteer Involvement

windsorheightsiowa — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:11:30 +0000

The City of Windsor Heights is proud to host an annual, very popular July 4 Celebration. Anyone interested in becoming involved may participate in a number of ways:

PARADE
An excellent marketing opportunity, parade participants consider it an effective way to bring attention to what they do. This year the parade starts at a new time, 1 pm.
The arrival time to begin lining up is 11:30 am.
Ideas for the parade include:
-Antique autos and street rods
-Drill teams
-Drum squads
-Floats
-Marching bands
-Flag displays
-Youth and adult marchers
-New and vintage farm equipment

The Parade traditionally attracts crowds of spectators from local and surrounding communities. The Parade route is along 73rd Street and University and is approximately 2 miles long, concluding at Colby Park. A parade application may be downloaded here. There is no charge to participate.

VENDOR
Food vendors, craft vendors, businesses and non-profit organizations are invited to apply to participate in the Windsor Heights July 4 Celebration. To download a vendor application, please click here.

VOLUNTEERS
There are many fun ways to become involved with the July 4 Celebration. Volunteers are a critical component to a successful event. To sign up you may call Tracy at 645-6821 or e-mail, tlevine@windsorheights.org. To view a description of the volunteer positions, please click here.

Nominate for the 2013 Citizen-of-the-Year Award

windsorheightsiowa — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:49:43 +0000

Nominations are now being accepted and will close on Friday, May 24.

Do you know a person worthy of the distinction of being selected Citizen-of-the-Year? Criteria include how an individual’s volunteer efforts benefit the quality of life within the City of Windsor Heights. The criteria and application form are available here (Citizen-of-the-Year-Award Application) or may be picked up at City Hall. Think of someone who helps make our city great. Then, share their name for this prestigious honor.

New Yoga Class to be Offered in May and June at the Windsor Heights Community & Events Center

windsorheightsiowa — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:41:33 +0000

New Yoga Class to be Offered in May and June at the Windsor Heights Community & Events Center!

Join Carrie Ellen Giunta for the Spring series on Viniyoga, described as a very friendly, dependable and adaptable form of yoga. The class, VINIYOGA for JOINT STABILITY, will be offered at the Windsor Heights Community & Events Center for six weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays from Monday, May 13 through Wednesday, June 19 (no class Memorial Day). There will be two sessions, 12 noon to 1 pm and 5:30 – 6:30 pm. The cost is $110.

This class is sequenced to build the core strength and coordination to facilitate ease in the movements of the back and the major joints, particularly the hips and shoulders. While the class is appropriate for any level of yoga practitioner, there will be no advanced asanas (postures). The only prerequisites are an open mind and the ability to breathe.

Carrie Ellen Giunta is a graduate of the American Viniyoga Institute in CA. Her approach is that Yoga be accessible and safe for everyone. Preregistration for the class is required. Please feel free to email/call with additional questions. Sit.withme@yahoo.com, 917-723-2467. A minimum of six per session will be needed. Attendees are asked to bring a mat and a firm beach towel or blanket.

Yoga has gained popularity all around the world for the mental and physical benefits that it gives practitioners. Not everybody knows, however, that there are different styles of Yoga. Some types can be very intense, while some may focus on gentle patterned breathing while doing the asanas or Yoga postures. One of the latter is Viniyoga.

The Windsor Heights Community & Events Center is located in Colby Park at 6900 School Street, Windsor Heights.

To view the informational yoga poster, please click here.

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO ELECTRICAL PERMITS/INSPECTIONS

windsorheightsiowa — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:15:41 +0000

Effective April 18, 2013, the City of Windsor Heights will no longer be issuing electrical permits for both residential and commercial.
The State of Iowa Electrical Examining Board has approved the City’s request to provide electrical inspections at the state level. The State of Iowa will conduct electrical inspections in accordance with standards established pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 103 (2009).

Permits can be applied for online at iowaelectrical.gov. More information can also be found at this website. If there are any questions about this process you can contact them at the following:

Permits & Inspections
Phone: 515-725-6147 or 1-866-923-1082 (in-state only)
Fax: 515-725-6151
Email: einspinfo@dps.state.ia.us

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. 515-645-6826 or sdanzer@windsorheights.org

Ready, set WHAMM! 2013 Windsor Heights Annual Mini Marathon!

windsorheightsiowa — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:06:54 +0000

Ready, set WHAMM! 2013 Windsor Heights Annual Mini Marathon! Walk, Run, Be Healthy!

On Saturday, May 18th, runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the 2013 Windsor Heights Annual Mini Marathon, better known as WHAMM and a perennial favorite in central Iowa. The 8:00 am walk/race benefits the individuals and families coping with muscular dystrophy and related progressive muscle diseases. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) provides comprehensive medical services to hundreds of people in Central Iowa.

Registration takes place at http://www.getmeregistered.com. Both the 5K Run/Walk (single loop) and the 10K (double loop) start and end at 66th and University and travel through the beautiful neighborhoods of Windsor Heights. Parking is available at the Town Center parking lot, 65th & University. WHAMM brings the community together for a worthwhile cause. It’s a great opportunity to have fun and spend time with friends while helping others.

Last year’s WHAMM raised over $8,000, and it’s hoped this year’s event will beat that total. Individuals and teams are encouraged to participate in this community wide event. Shirt, post-race food, and medals to the top males and females in the 5K and 10K overall. Runners also receive a FREE Ticket to the Windsor Heights Fire Fighter Pancake Breakfast.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, advocacy, and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

For more information about WHAMM, visit www.getmeregistered.com and fitnesssports.com or contact Jacqueline Maher, 453-9494, MDA or Tracy Levine, 645-6821, City of Windsor Heights.

WHAMM 2013
Windsor Heights Annual Mini Marathon
When: Saturday, Mary 18, 2013
Race begins at 8 am
Awards at 9:45 am

Where: Course runs throughout the City of Windsor Heights. The awards ceremony will take place in the RE/MAX parking lot. Finish chute on 66th Street.

What: 5K & 10K Run/Walk to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Run/walk is followed by a kids run, mascot run, refreshments, and the Windsor Heights Fire Fighter Pancake Breakfast.

Jacqueline Maher, Fundraising Coordinator, MDA
515-453-9489, jmaher@mdausa.org
Or
Tracy Levine, Special Event Coordinator, 515/645-682
tlevine@windsorheights.org

Windsor Heights Music in the Park Schedule Set

windsorheightsiowa — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:14:55 +0000

The 2013 Windsor Heights Music in the Park schedule has been set. Sponsored by the Windsor Heights Foundation, the 10 concert series in Colby Park begins Tuesday, June 11. The Ralph Zarnow Orchestra, directed by Dan Hartzer, will open the series.

All concerts are held, with one exception, on Tuesday nights, starting at 7 p.m. The schedule:

June 11, Ralph Zarnow Orchestra (big band sound)

June 18, Java Jews

June 25, Sacred Heart Sax and Brass

July 2, Party Gras Classic Jazz Band

July 9, Bristols (music from the 1960s)

July 16, Urbandale Community Adult Band

July 23, Hold On

July 30, Hot Club of Des Moines

August 6, Greater Des Moines Community Band (includes Night Out Against Crime activities)

August 13, Free Style

All of the concerts are free and will include free beverages provided by Bankers Trust; free snow cones by the Windsor Heights Lions Club; free popcorn, Windsor Heights Foundation. There will be door prizes

Dan Hartzer will again provide a “reprise” of the Ralph Zarnow Orchestra big band sound, using music played by that renowned group.

Music in the Park is being underwritten by donors to the Windsor Heights Foundation annual fund, the Windsor Heights Lions Club, and grants from Prairie Meadows Community Betterment, and Polk County Community Betterment, with in-kind support from the City of Windsor Heights.

If band weather is forecast, call 991-8682 for questions of cancellation.

Donations to the Windsor Heights Foundation will be gratefully accepted at any time.

Windsor Heights Foundation
1133 66^th St.
Windsor Heights, IA 50324

Contact: George Hanusa
ph. 255-6367
email: geojanh@msn.com