POLK COUNTY ROLLS OUT SAFE BARS TRAINING
In early 2023 the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) completed a Sociable City Assessment, primarily focused on the Court Avenue District. One recommendation under “Actions to Assure Safety in the Social Economy” was to create a sexual violence program for social venues.
Participating in a couple of the RHI roundtables, I learned that Des Moines and Central Iowa communities lag behind peer cities in awareness of sexual violence and preventive programs for bars and restaurants. In other cities, for example, “ordering an angel shot” is code language to a server or bartender that the guest needs assistance.
Fast-forward to this year. The Polk County Supervisors contracted with Safe Bars. The Baltimore-based nonprofit trains hospitality industry employees to identify guests or employees needing assistance, overcome the barriers to taking action, and empower them to intervene.
Managers or owners of Johnny’s Hall of Fame and Annie’s Irish Pub on Court Avenue, plus Wooly’s, Up-Down, and The Blazing Saddle in the East Village, completed the two-day “train the trainer” course. In addition, three Polk County Crisis and Advocacy team members— Tessa Turek, Ruth Thompson, and Eric Alaniz— participated. The three, who work with Polk County Community, Family, and Youth Services, can now lead additional Safe Bars training.
The next step is to train the bar staff! Bryan Smith, one of The Blazing Saddle’s owners, told me that all the security staff had been trained. Recently a staff meeting discussed “safe place.”
Joey Akers, operations manager for the JRS Group that includes Wooly’s, Up-Down, and Ernie’s Boondocks, told me his goal is to have the staff for all three venues trained in the next two or three weeks. “We absolutely plan to finish the program,” he added.
Polk County will provide participating bars with restroom posters promoting additional helpline details.
Addie Olson, Polk County’s public health communications officer (shown above), reports that three other Polk County bars have expressed interest in the training. Contact Addie for more details.
A HELPING HAND TO RESTART LIVING
We bought a new toaster recently, and since there wasn’t anything wrong with the old one, I took it to a place you might consider in case you have gently used household furnishings you no longer need.
It’s the FreeStore, a furniture bank that serves families recovering from domestic abuse, homelessness, or other trauma. Agencies, such as shelters, must refer all clients.
In 2023, the FreeStore provided furniture and other household goods to 500 families, a 25 percent increase in just one year. They’re on pace for similar results this year. Clients pick items they need for their unfurnished apartments, and FreeStore drivers deliver them immediately. There’s no cost to clients, but referring agencies pay a small fee.
The FreeStore—often confused with the ReStore operated by Habitat for Humanity—started in 2001, operating out of a garage and serving seven families. Today it has a large warehouse at 841 11th Street, just off Keo Way. Unlike most charities, FreeStore has no paid staff and receives no public dollars. It depends entirely on donations, grants, and volunteer labor.
Four friends—Laura Sands and Dave Busiek, and Diane and Roger Munns—volunteer regularly. “What I like about the FreeStore,” Dave told me, “is the ability to directly help someone by using my hands. I’ve served on many nonprofit boards where I voted and worked on budgets, and felt completely removed from directly helping someone.
“We’ve all had the experience of delivering furniture to a family where it’s clear the kids have been sleeping on blankets on the floor. Delivering a bed and knowing that kid will be in a real bed instead of on the floor that night gives one a sense of doing meaningful work.
“I also like that everyone is a volunteer. And I like that we pick up donated furniture and household items that otherwise might end up in the landfill. The FreeStore is good for the environment!”
Roger chimed in with a few more high-fives: “For me, picking a charity to support is a matter of three factors—mission, fun, and camaraderie. The FreeStore’s mission of helping people start over is spot-on.
“Given that, is the work fun? Holy cow, what’s more fun than driving trucks and seeing the smiles of families you’re helping? And at the FreeStore, the only people volunteering are people you’d like to talk and laugh with.”
You can bring small items, like my toaster, to the warehouse on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. FreeStore volunteers will fetch oversize items, such as couches, beds, or tables, at no cost to donors. Leave a message at 515-282-3733, and a volunteer will call to set a pickup schedule. For more information about how the process works, see the FreeStore website.
40 NEW BIKE RACKS FOR DOWNTOWN
Curtis McDowell, fleet manager for the Street Collective, installs a new galvanized bike rack on Fourth Street near the Savery Hotel. The City recently ordered 40 ADA-compliant bike racks for downtown streets, and contracted with the Street Collective for installation.
Several racks will be the “hitching post” style, which slides over a post designating parking spaces. More bike racks are budgeted for the next five years. Next year look for a “request a bike rack” form on the City’s website and an expansion of bike racks into neighborhood retail nodes.
I think we can agree: Downtown Des Moines has undergone many changes since the last major installation of bike racks in 2007!
READY FOR WINTER
Keagen Buchda, a DMACC diesel technology student from Garner, checks a car’s oil level during the ninth annual Pre-Winter Car Check, October 19 in the North High School parking lot. This year’s event drew about 150 volunteers, who readied 260 vehicles for the upcoming winter with fluids, wiper blades, tires, lights, headlights, and license plate bulbs. Fifty DMACC auto and diesel mechanic students had a busy day; some cars were low four quarts of oil! It was all free!
Also, Blank Children’s Hospital volunteers installed 20 car seats, while Broadlawns Medical Center staff provided 59 free flu shots. Meanwhile, 29 residents became first-time registered Polk County voters.
Long-time major sponsors included Urban Dreams, Ascendance Trucks (formerly O’Halloran International), NAPA auto parts, DMPD Neighborhood-Based Service Delivery officers, Local 4 of the International Fire Fighters, and Quality Services Corporation. This event has gotta be one of the most heartwarming fall community events.
Izaah Knox, Urban Dreams executive director, looks forward to this annual event. “This is about keeping our community safe in many different ways,” he told me. “By collaborating with partners, we can offer essential car maintenance services at no cost. It’s a true community effort.”
NEW WOMEN AND CHILDREN CENTER OFFERS HOPE
Last week as a big leap for Stephanie Parrish, one of 18 formerly homeless women in Hope Ministries’ Long-Time Life Recovery program.
Stephanie and her two daughters were among the first to occupy rooms in Hope Ministries’ new Women and Children Center at the former Douglas Elementary School site, 3800 East Douglas Avenue. Stephanie’s new 400-square-foot bedroom, complete with colorful quilts—made by Trinity Lutheran Church of Algona volunteers—and a sturdy bunk bed for her two girls (one age 2 and the other age 11) was a welcome addition.
Stephanie started her program at Hope’s facility, at 3333 East University Avenue. The privately funded ($16 million) 50,000-square-foot facility—officially the Steve Lankford Campus—which opened recently, can house 50 women and children for short-term stays, and 50 for the long-term life recovery program.
Stephanie, originally from New Sharon, escaped an abusive relationship and methamphetamine addiction to join the recovery program. “I lost my dad, and things just spiraled out of control,” Stephanie told me.
“But this program picks you up and builds you up,” she added. “I’ve learned there’s a way to get through every barricade.
“Now, I can see the finish.”
Stephanie is six months away from completing her two-year recovery commitment. Her primary obstacle is completing the last of 28 High School Equivalency Tests (HiSET, formerly GED) classes.
Since entering the program, Stephanie has paid all court costs from legal scrapes and completed a driver’s education class. She has a donated 2010 Ford Focus titled in her name—her first car!—and dollars stashed away in an emergency fund. She hopes to get a part-time job before applying for a factory job to support herself and the two girls.
But she won’t be alone. At least three volunteer mentors will check on her progress.
HOW-TO STEPS TO VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME REPORTS
Residents can now generate their own crime reports, which show the same details as those provided by Neighborhood Based Service Delivery (NBSD) officers at neighborhood meetings. The map above shows October crimes in the Drake Neighborhood.
Here’s a quick overview and steps for the Law Enforcement Response Map tool:
·Go to the Law Enforcement Response Map page on the City website.
·Click on the 5-minute Basic Tutorial narrated by Sgt. Paul Parizek.
·The 1-minute Neighborhood Navigation Tutorial guides you through selecting your neighborhood.
·The Advanced Navigation Tutorial guides you in selecting the date range, crimes you want to view, and how to create an account.
Related: The Des Moines Police Department released its eight-page 2023 Data and Statistics Annual Report this month. For a deeper dive, browse information on the link above—911 calls, traffic citations, arrests, crimes cleared, drugs seized, and more.
NEW GRANDVIEW PARK PLAYGROUND
Twenty Parks and Recreation staff members and community volunteers joined forces October 23 to assemble a new Grandview Park playground that replaced the 1992 structure. The playground officially opened November 8, after parks maintenance worker Dan Hejkal completed his safety inspection and crews spread playground safety mulch.
A generous $82,000 grant from the playground equipment manufacturer reduced the City’s outlay to $95,000. Having a volunteer crew eliminated a $54,000 expense for a contractor’s assembly. MidAmerican Energy volunteers, Mayor Connie Boesen, City Council member Linda Westergaard, and I joined in on the ambitious project that required more than 850 bolts and other hardware.
Since 2009, volunteers have assembled 18 playgrounds for City parks.
NEW GREENHOUSE IN OPERATION
Des Moines Parks Superintendent Julie Hempel waters a row of poinsettias under cultivation in the City’s new $4,450,000 greenhouse. The 600 poinsettias will brighten City offices, community centers, and libraries in a few weeks. City staff and volunteers recently moved operations from an inefficient Chesterfield School greenhouse to the new facility at 1553 East Maury Street.
Jim Hoff, the City’s assistant city manager who oversees facilities, expects the City’s adjoining 150-kilowatt-hour solar array to generate 110 percent of the electrical energy needed to power the greenhouse. However, green-thumb volunteers are the City’s real greenhouse power. Julie told me that annually, about 250 volunteers toil in the soil for around 2,000 donated hours.
In March, volunteers will start growing 250,000 annuals from seed for our parks, cemeteries, medians, downtown streets, and neighborhood beds. The City has applied for the greenhouse’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
VETERANS BREAKFAST
Captain Roy’s co-owner Wade Thompson, second from left, was ready for a Veterans Day breakfast crowd at the popular restaurant in Birdland Park. Among the first in line were Paul Lundgren (Marine Corps), Wade (Air Force), Kelly Slaugh (Marines), Mike Snuffin (Army) and Randy Kroeger (Navy). This was Captain Roy’s fourth annual veterans breakfast.
HOLIDAY PROMENADE OPENS FRIDAY
Jingle! Jingle! The East Village’s 23rd Annual Holiday Promenade begins this Friday. Be sure to mark the upcoming five Fridays on your calendar.
Something new: Bring the family for a night of wonder at Santa’s Workshops at several locations. Enjoy crafts and a model train display at The Heritage Center from 5 – 8 p.m., while Mrs. Claus reads stories at Daisy Chain and Santa greets children at Vibrant Coffeehouse + Kitchen from 6 – 8 p.m. Music from Betrunken Messing, a low brass musical group, will add to the festive atmosphere outside Salon W. And the Roosevelt Marching Band will play throughout the East Village.
And don’t miss the annual tree lighting at the Brenton Skating Plaza, scheduled for 6 p.m. A trolley will run from 5 – 9 p.m. each Friday of Holiday Promenade. More details.
