Spring Forward... Into a Snowbank? 🌷❄️

Thanks to everyone who read and shared Issue #3 last week. If you know someone who'd love staying connected with what's happening in our community, send them our way.

This week we've got diner comfort food that'll warm your soul, a community spotlight worth your time, and big updates from City Hall and the School Board. The weather's doing its March thing — morning showers early in the week, then climbing to 61° by Friday before thunderstorms roll through. Sunday and Monday are looking gorgeous though — mid-60s and sunny. Classic Iowa: just wait five minutes. Let's roll!

Big news dropped last week: U.S. News & World Report ranked Ankeny the #18 Best Place to Live in the entire United States — and #1 in Iowa. Mayor Bobbi Bentz shared the news on Facebook, and honestly, it tracks. Great schools, growing businesses, amazing trails, and a community that actually shows up for each other. Not bad for a city that still argues about the best pizza in town.

📰 Source: U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live Rankings — shared by Ankeny Mayor Bobbi Bentz on Facebook, Feb 27, 2026

Here are some solid meal deals in Ankeny this week you can actually use.

🍳 Ankeny Diner — This Week's Specials

📍 Ankeny Diner | Source: dealmoines.com

🚧 I-35 — Nighttime Lane Closures (Ongoing)

🎉 Milestone: Last week, construction crews set all the beams for the NE 158th Ave bridge over I-35 (about 1 mile north of the Elkhart rest area). That's the last of 5 bridges — including 2 interchanges — that had to be replaced between Ankeny and Huxley. Big progress!

Source: DSMInterstates on Facebook, Feb 24, 2026

🚧 US 69 (N. Ankeny Blvd) — Lane Closures

Source: Iowa 511 Central on Facebook — Iowa DOT, updated Feb 19, 2026

If you’re a decision maker at your company, you need to be on the bleeding edge of, well, everything. But before you go signing up for seminars, conferences, lunch ‘n learns, and all that jazz, just know there’s a far better (and simpler) way: Subscribing to The Deep View.

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🏠 Ankeny Real Estate Spotlight

Home for Sale at 205 SW 48th Street in Ankeny

💰 $329,900 | 🛏️ 4 Beds | 🛁 3 Baths | 📐 1,484 SQFT

Looking to buy in Ankeny — or know someone who is? This FSBO listing just popped up and it's worth a look.

Source: @REEDesMoines on X

Ankeny City Council met Monday, March 2 at 5:30 PM. Here's what was on the agenda:

Public Hearings:

E-Bike & E-Scooter Regulations Discussion

Following the regular meeting, Council held an Action Planning Session to discuss regulations for e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar devices in Ankeny. As these become more popular on our trails and streets, the city is looking at how to address safety and usage rules. Stay tuned for developments.

📋 View the full agenda

The Council held a Budget Workshop on February 23 to review FY2027 enterprise fund budgets. Here's the bottom line for a typical Ankeny homeowner (home valued at $330,000):

Estimated increase: ~$9.17/month or $110/year for city services, broken down as:

Why the increases?

The budget also funds 1 new full-time position (Utilities Operator II) split between sewer maintenance and storm water, and allocates $1.07M in hotel/motel tax revenue toward recreation projects including Hawkeye Park tennis court reconstruction and High Trestle Trail improvements.

Source: City of Ankeny FY2027 Enterprise Funds Budget Memorandum, Feb 20, 2026

School Board Meeting — March 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM

The Ankeny Community School District Board met Monday evening. Key agenda items:

🏗️ Major Construction & Facilities

📊 Budget Season

📚 Other Notable Items

📋 Full agenda: Ankeny School Board Meetings

Helping survivors rebuild — and you can be part of it.

Dorothy's House provides survivors with a safe environment for recovery and restoration. Their programs rely on volunteers from the community, and right now they have several openings where your time and skills can make a real difference.

Current Volunteer Needs:

Whether you want to cook, garden, teach a life skill, or just show up — they have a place for you.

👉 Apply to volunteer | Can't volunteer? Donate money or goods

The Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce is welcoming new members this week!

🐾 Foster SQUAD
📆 Tuesday, March 3 | 4:30–5:00 PM
📍 6950 NE 14th St, Ste 33, Ankeny
🔗 fostersquad.org

📸 Tracy Marie Photography
📆 Thursday, March 5 | 4:30–5:00 PM
📍 Ankeny Area Chamber — 1360 SW Park Square Dr, Ste 104/106/108
🔗 tracymariephotography.org

🍽️ Sugarcane Fusion
📆 Monday, March 9 | 4:30–5:00 PM
📍 Ankeny Area Chamber — 1360 SW Park Square Dr, Ste 106
🔗 Sugarcane Fusion on Facebook

Show up, say hi, and support our newest Ankeny businesses! 🎀

Jesus once told a story about a man who stumbled upon a hidden treasure in a field—a treasure so valuable he joyfully sold everything he owned just to acquire it. At New City Church this week, we explored a profound question: what is the "treasure" of our lives, and what is it worth?

Whether you're actively searching for meaning or just going about your day, we believe the greatest treasure is something to be discovered. If you're in Ankeny and looking for a hope that changes everything, we invite you to join us this Sunday to learn more.

🏡 Real Deals Ankeny — Cute Clothes + Cozy Homes Without the Price Tag

If you haven't walked into Real Deals yet, here's your sign. This Uptown Ankeny boutique has been a local favorite since Lindsey and Jared Foss opened the doors in 2018 — and once you step inside, you'll understand why the checkout line wraps around the store.

The concept is simple: on-trend home décor and women's fashion at prices that won't make you wince. Think Joanna Gaines vibes but more variety — seasonal décor, cozy home refreshes, unique gift ideas, and a clothing section with options that actually work for real life (and real budgets). Plus-size? They've got you covered with trendy, affordable picks.

What makes them different? ⭐

"Real Deals Ankeny is a feel-good local boutique. They have everything for refreshing your home space, holiday decor, unique personal fashions, accessories and gift ideas. You can't go wrong supporting this local shoppe; it's a must-see." — Customer review

A little backstory: Lindsey jokes she has "a degree in HGTV" — she's always had a passion for home décor and finding great deals. Before opening Real Deals, she worked in agriculture PR. The day she and Jared signed the franchise agreement was the same day they closed on the Uptown Ankeny location, the same day she quit her job, and the same day she found out she was expecting. Talk about a leap of faith. Then a pandemic hit a year later. They pivoted, adapted, and grew — and now they're one of the most loved shops in the metro.

When they're not at the shoppe, you'll find them chasing their three kids, enjoying the outdoors, or cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones. 🌪️

📍 315 SW Maple St C, Ankeny (Uptown Ankeny)
🛒 Shop online: ankeny.realdeals.net
📱 Follow them: Facebook | Instagram: @realdealsankeny

Sources: desmoinesparent.com, putzeink.com, themugsusa.com

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Rolling with Ankeny — Local news, local deals, no fluff.