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🚲 Welcome back to Rolling with Ankeny!
Thanks to everyone who read and shared our first issue last week. If you know someone who'd love staying connected with what's happening in our community, send them our way.
With February temperatures hitting the 50s this week (Praise the Lord!), it's feeling more like Spring than Winter around here. Perfect timing to get caught up on what's happening in our community.
This week we're spotlighting Crystal's amazing doula services for local families, plus updates on road construction that affects your daily commute, and some exciting business developments around town. Let's roll!
🚗 Roads updates that matter
🚨 I-35 CLOSURES THIS WEEK
TONIGHT (Feb 17):
🚧 I-35 NORTHBOUND CLOSED
9:00 PM - 5:00 AM Wednesday
• Between: Exit 96 (County Road F22/Ankeny) and Exit 102 (Huxley)
• Reason: Nighttime construction work
• Action: Follow Iowa DOT detour signs
WEDNESDAY (Feb 18):
🚧 I-35 SOUTHBOUND CLOSED
9:00 PM - 5:00 AM Thursday
• Between: Exit 102 (Huxley) and Exit 96 (County Road F22/Ankeny)
• Reason: Nighttime construction work
• Action: Plan alternate routes
🌊 FOURMILE CREEK PROJECT
Ongoing through 2026
• Location: Between NE 47th-54th Streets & NE 36th-47th Streets
• Purpose: Reduce erosion, improve flood safety
• Impact: Tree removal for equipment access, bank restoration
🛣️ NORTH ANKENY BLVD IMPROVEMENTS
April 2025 - Summer 2026
• Reconstruction: 1st Street to 11th Street
• New features: Right turn lanes at 5th, 9th, 11th Streets
• Includes: New traffic signals, storm sewers, landscaping
Stay informed, plan ahead, and drive safely Ankeny!
👶 Support Ankeny Families
Meet Crystal: The Doula Helping Ankeny Families Through Life's Biggest Moments.
Pregnancy and childbirth can be overwhelming. That's where Crystal Feldman comes in.
As a certified birth doula and childbirth educator, Crystal provides personalized support for families in the Ankeny and Des Moines area through Crystal's Doula Care. With her background as a registered nurse, Crystal brings both medical knowledge and compassionate care to one of life's most important experiences.
What sets Crystal apart? Her nursing background means she can spot potential concerns early while providing evidence-based education to help families make informed decisions.
"I've seen how the right support can transform a family's birth experience," says Crystal. "It's not just about the delivery day - it's about feeling confident and prepared throughout the entire journey."
🐣 Book your FREE consultation here.
💡 Local Gems worth Discovering
Atlas Games — Since opening in 2022, Atlas Games has become a premier destination for board and card game enthusiasts. Cole Newhart's shop hosts tournaments and events while providing space for open play. Their experienced team can recommend games perfect for date nights, family time, or introducing friends to new hobbies.
📍 502 N Ankeny Blvd Suite 9 | 515-443-3944
Sweet Swirls — Iowa's original rolled ice cream shop brings a unique dessert experience to Ankeny. Perfect for treating your Valentine (or yourself) to something special, Sweet Swirls creates Instagram-worthy treats that taste as good as they look. It's a fun twist on traditional ice cream that kids and adults both love.
📍 303 SW School St | 515-964-2111
🏢 City Updates
Ankeny City Council Meeting - Yesterday, Feb 16, 5:30 PM
Ankeny Library Council Chambers, 1250 SW District Drive
💰 Big Infrastructure Investments
• $525K street maintenance project - Crack and joint filling across the city (awarded to Parking Lot Specialties)
• $661K storm sewer improvements - NW 17th Street flooding prevention (awarded to All Star Concrete)
• Major water tower design work - $88K payment for new water infrastructure
🏗️ Development & Growth
• Corporate Woods Business Park expansion - New urban renewal plan for business development
• Multiple urban renewal amendments - Supporting economic development in key areas
📰 This Week in Ankeny Schools
Ankeny Schools: Mid-Year Progress Report
February 17, 2026
🎓 Student Performance Update
Ankeny Community School District is hosting a Student Learning Progress Update meeting to share how our kids are doing this school year.
What they'll cover:
• 📊 Iowa School Performance Profile results for the district
• 📈 Elementary student progress - how our youngest learners are advancing
• 🏫 Secondary school data - middle and high school achievement updates
• 🌟 Success stories from both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial High Schools
🎯 Why This Matters
The district is celebrating progress and sharing concrete data on student learning. As parents and community members, this gives insight into how well our schools are preparing students for the future.
ACSD Mission: "Engage all students in an educational experience that equips them with the skills to flourish in and contribute to an ever-changing world."
General Obligation Bond Update: Innovative Hub Proposal
On February 17, 2026, the Naming Committee will present its formal recommendation to the School Board for the district’s new innovative facility. Following extensive outreach—including focus groups with students, staff, and administrators, as well as a community survey—the committee has selected Ankeny Innovation Hub (“The Hub”): Where learning connects to what’s next.
The "Hub" designation reflects the center’s role as a connection point for applied learning and real-world partnerships that supplement the district's comprehensive high schools. This recommendation is supported by ongoing work from various Action Teams focusing on 6-12 academic alignment, master scheduling, and strategic partnerships to ensure the facility is ready for its integrated role in the district's future.
🌻 Exclusive Deal Alert!
🌻 Rooted Resplendence Farm is offering Rolling with Ankeny readers 10% off a U-Pick flower session this June. They're located just north of Ankeny in Elkhart with 15+ sunflower varieties — perfect for a day out with friends or family.
Supporting Rooted Resplendence means supporting sustainable, local agriculture right here in our community.
📦 SendIt Iowa — Need a quiet, professional meeting space? Their meeting room is perfect for client meetings, trainings, or interviews. Starting at $30/hour. Reserve here.
🥋 Martial Arts America — Central Iowa's premier traditional Taekwondo school, right here in Ankeny. Classes as low as $40/mo with family rates. Great for kids and adults!
📰 From the locals
Things I like about Ankeny
One place in Ankeny that I love is the Cascade Falls swimming pool where I spend my summer with my cousins and having fun in the sun. With awesome slides and yummy snacks this is a great place for summer fun.
Another place is Camp Sunnyside! A day camp that has activities that include canoeing, horseback riding and swimming. They have super cool activities and counselors from all around the world. This camp is super accessible and is made for kids and adults with disabilities. This camp is made so everybody can come whether they have a disability or not. This camp is where I spend most of my summer having fun and living it up. Come to camp this summer!
-Lily, 10
Ankeny History Museum
The Ankeny History Museum (or Ankeny Area Historical Society) is one of the best places to visit in Ankeny. It has plenty of fun things to do and plenty of things to learn! Whether you’re a history buff like me, or you are just curious about Ankeny, you should totally go and visit the museum.
-Ellie, 12
Rolling with Ankeny proudly supports local business owners who make our community thrive. Want to share your story with Ankeny families?
Email: info@rollingwithankeny.com
Let's grow together.
What kind of stuff should we write about in this newsletter?
That’s it for this week.
That’s it for our first roll. Keep showing up, keep supporting local, and as always—stay rolling!
The Rolling with Ankeny Team
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