The King and Queen of Green — This and more in this week's issue!

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June 24-30, 2025

Practical repurposing

Repurposing is one of those trendy words used today to describe something that has been going on since the beginning of time. Basically, we find stuff we once used and then re-use it for a purpose that it was not originally intended for. Simple enough.

Sometimes, this repurposed stuff comes from items we find or that were handed down to us. Other times, they are things we saved years ago and suddenly found again. But, more often than not, repurposing is a result of a spur-of-the-moment decision to use stuff simply because it was available. Sound familiar?

Of course, some folks create works of art out of old stuff. Those people are truly impressive. My repurposing is clearly more practical than artistic.

I built a work bench out of an old deck I tore off our house. It seemed like a good use of the lumber, and, so far, the bench is still standing.

I took the top off an old desk and now use it as a writing platform that I placed on top of a bumper pool table to give me a place to proof the printed pages of our publications in my home office.

My daughter Abby gathered my high school and college wrestling T-shirts and made them into my favorite quilt.

I recently found an old piece of heavy conduit in my garage that I used as a pole to string lights around on my deck. Looks like it was made for it.

I found a few old kitchen cupboards and installed them in my garage, along with some unwanted office file cabinets. They work great for tool storage.

On a much simpler scale, I saved several heavy, porcelain knobs off an old dresser and use them as weighted handles on my shop light strings.

Today, I am working on an old pole my neighbor gave me and trying to piece together pulleys and string to make this thing into a working flag pole. And, as my wife would attest, I have a few other items waiting to be repurposed, too. I just haven't figured out exactly what to do with them yet.

Have a great week, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

Green Days royalty

An official ceremony was held on Friday night of Green Days, June 20, to crown the King and Queen of Green, Zach Grandon and Paula Bierle, in appreciation for all they do for Green Days and the Johnston community.

Movies on the Yard

Experience the magic of summer evenings at Movies on the Yard. Prepare for a lineup of popular films under the stars at 6245 Merle Hay Road. Mark your calendars for the Fridays of July 18 and Aug. 29. Grab your blankets, lawn chairs and gather your loved ones for an outdoor movie experience. Snacks and drinks are welcome, making it the perfect picnic opportunity. Admission to Movies on the Yard is free, ensuring everyone in the community can enjoy this summer's entertainment. Screenings begin around 8 p.m.

Tunes at Twilight

Experience live music in the Yard. Concerts will be from 7:30-9 p.m. on the Thursdays of July 10, Aug. 7 and Sept. 11 at The Yard, 6245 Merle Hay Road. The lineup includes: May 29, The Squares; July 10, Jordan Beem; Aug. 7, The Sons of Gladys Kravitz; Sept. 11, Damon Dotson.

Retirement Celebration for Fire Chief Jim Clark

The public is invited to celebrate the retirement of Fire Chief Jim Clark on Thursday, June 26, at Crown Point Community Center, 6300 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston, from 1-3 p.m. Chief Clark has dedicated 42 years to the fire service, with the last 8.5 years spent at Johnston-Grimes. A brief ceremony will take place from 1-1:25 p.m., concluding with a final call.

The Mayor’s Run for the Trails 5K + Kids Fun Runs

The Mayor's Run for the Trails 5K + Kids Fun Run will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Terra Park, 6300 Pioneer Parkway. The registration fee includes a short-sleeve (performance blend) shirt, post-race refreshments and raffle prizes. If you register after July 11, your shirt size is not guaranteed. Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/IA/Johnston/MayorsRunfortheTrails2022KidsFunRun.

Farmers Market

Stop by Tuesdays for the 2025 Farmers Market at the Johnston Town Center, 6245 Merle Hay Road. The vendors will be open on the south side of the Town Center from 4-7 p.m.

Jack Black Attack with MuVChat

The Teen Space will host a different iconic Jack Black movie at the library, 6700 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, utilizing MuVChat, an online platform that enables you to post comments directly on the screen about the movie, Fridays in June, from 3-4:30 p.m. And, of course, there will be snacks with Jack. Enjoy “School of Rock” on June 20, and “Kung Fu Panda” on June 27. A limited number of devices will be available for those who need them. Register at https://johnston.librarycalendar.com/event/jack-black-attack-muvchat-super-mario-bros-movie-2023-18108.

The Dancer’s Theatre Summer Camps

The Dancer's Theatre is a nonprofit youth performing arts center located in Johnston. Themed camps are offered throughout the summer for students in preschool through middle school. The theatre’s mission is to provide a safe, inclusive, educational and nurturing environment for young artists to create and thrive. Detailed information can be found at thedancerstheatre.org/camps.

June 30 - July 2: Hooray for USA!
July 7-9: Wonderfully Wicked!
July 10-11: Lilo and Stitch
July 14-17: Fairy Tail Fun
July 14-17: Dinos and Dragons
July 22-23: Broadway Bootcamp
July 24-25: Wonderfully Wicked!
July 28-31: Intro to Dance and Theatre
Aug. 7-8: Level Up! (Gamers)
Aug. 11-15: C.A.M.P. (Create a Musical Play)
Aug. 18-20: Wild Robot

Yoga by the Lake

Enjoy a fun-filled summer of Yoga by the Lake. On Saturday mornings, you can relax and unwind at the Terra Lake Amphitheater, located at 6300 Pioneer Parkway, with a free hour of outdoor yoga from 8-9 a.m. IGNIT provides certified yoga instructor Natalie Henriksen for each session. Come and enjoy the benefits of yoga while taking in the beauty of nature. Register at www.cityofjohnston.com/1268/Yoga-by-the-Lake.

Johnston Partnership needs

The Johnston Partnership provides food and personal hygiene products to those in need, as well as children’s seasonal clothing. The Partnership also has a Friday food bag program. They are currently delivering around more than 800 bags per month to all nine Johnston schools. This program supplements food insecurity over the weekend when school breakfast and lunch aren’t available and is open to any family at any time (contact the school office). Items needed are individual packages or cups of peanut butter; individual shelf stable milk; fruit and applesauce cups; granola bars; easy Mac and ramen noodles.

The Partnership is open normal hours during spring break for families needing extra food assistance.

Donations can be dropped off at 5870 Merle Hay Road, Suite C, Johnston, during open hours. For more information, visit https://johnstonpartnership.org/donate/.

Community greetings

Johnston Community Greetings would like to welcome anyone new to Johnston with a welcome bag including discounts at local businesses and city information. Contact Missy Shepherd by phone, text or email at 515-991-5014 or mshepherdgreetings@gmail.com.

Raymond ‘Ray’ Wesley Davis

Raymond “Ray” Wesley Davis was born Aug. 3, 1945, in Davis County and died on June 10, 2025, at Brio WesleyLife in Johnston after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Ray grew up in Bloomfield and graduated from Davis County High School in 1963. Ray attended the University of Iowa on a wrestling scholarship and as an Iowa letterman. He met his wife-to-be, Vicki (Dillon) Davis, there.

After graduation, Ray was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force through the ROTC program and was stationed at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. After being honorably discharged as a captain, Ray spent his career in Des Moines as a stock broker, a trust officer at Bankers Trust, and 31 years at EMC Insurance Company, where he served as senior vice president/treasurer. In addition, he served on several boards of directors over the years. As a chartered financial analyst, he was a past president of the CFA Society of Iowa. After retirement in 2010, Ray and Vicki spent winters at their home in Bonita Springs, Florida, where they participated in tennis, golf, bridge and bocce with many fellow snowbirds. They enjoyed hosting Iowa friends who were suffering from “cabin fever.”

Ray is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vicki; son, Bryan Davis (Patrice); grandsons, Jackson Davis and Colby Davis; granddaughter, Marisa Davis; and a brother, Russell Davis. Ray was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Davis.

A celebration of life will be planned for friends and family later this summer. Memorials are suggested to WesleyLife Hospice-Urbandale or to the Good Samaritan Promise at Brio to help with residential care for seniors in need, at www.wesleylife.org/foundation/impact-areas. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. Arrangements were by Iles Westover Chapel.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Urbandale Fourth of July Celebration
July 2-4
Lions Park, 72nd Street and N.W. Aurora Avenue, Urbandale
Enjoy one of the area's largest Fourth of July parades, a carnival, and much more at Urbandale's Fourth of July Celebration. The parade is July 4 at 10 a.m. The carnival is each day of the celebration. Enjoy live music and a beverage garden, as well as many games for adults and children. For a complete schedule of events, visit https://urbandale4thofjuly.org/.

Waukee Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4
Centennial Park Open Air Shelter, 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee
Visit Centennial Park on July 3 and 4 for inflatables, live music, tournaments, fireworks and more. Festivities kick off Thursday evening at 4:30 p.m. with yard games and food vendors. There will be a pie-eating contest, bubble gum blowing contest, bingo, an adult coed sand volleyball tournament and Movie in the Park, “Captain America: Brave New World” at dusk.
Saturday features events all day starting with the Waukee Freedom 5K, the Rotary Pancake Breakfast at the basketball court, followed by the parade at 10:30 a.m. starting at the intersection of S.E. Westown Parkway and S.E. LA Grant Parkway near South Middle School and heading north to Waukee Stadium.

Centennial Park will be a hub of activity for the afternoon and evening with food and beverage vendors; inflatables, Wipeout Game and Climbing Wall from 1-8 p.m. (wristband purchase required); adult bags tournament; live music from Cory Waller and The Wicket Things and Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys from 4-9:30 a.m.; the Des Moines Skydivers at 8 p.m.; and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show.

For more celebration details and schedule, visit www.waukee.org/777/Independence-Day-Celebration.

Waukee Arts Festival
July 18-19
Centennial Park, 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee
Visit 140 vendor booths at the largest Waukee Arts Festival to date. Food and beverage trucks, the Waukee Fine Arts Footrace and numerous live bands are planned. For a full schedule of events, list of artists and festival updates, visit www.waukeeartsfestival.org.

Clive Festival
Friday, July 18 to Saturday, July 19
Mark your calendars for Clive's biggest (and best) community event. Enjoy free live music, Thunder Over Clive Fireworks, the Giant Slip-N' Slide, bounce houses, activities for kids, food trucks, Kids Art Expo, the Clive Running Festival, Clive Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Touch a Truck, Cardboard Boat Regatta at Clive Aquatic Center, and more. Check the Clive Festival Facebook page for details.

DMPA Free Outdoor Family Events
Various dates and parks
Des Moines Performing Arts announced the engagements headed to Des Moines as part of its 2025 Free Outdoor Family Events series. These free presentations are designed to engage new audiences and performing arts enthusiasts alike, while also removing the barrier of cost.

July 21-22: Dupont Brass, parks across the metro
July 9, Aug. 13: Storytime Under the Green Umbrella, Cowles Commons
July 12, Aug. 23: Dancing on Cowles Commons

For more information including times and park locations, visit www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/series/free-outdoor-family-events.

Simplify summer with light lunches

(Family Features) Summer days can get busy with trips to the pool, walks around the neighborhood and gatherings with friends and loved ones. Take the hassle out of lunch with these cucumber sandwiches that can be made in advance for afternoon pick-me-ups and visit Culinary.net to find more light, easy meals.

Cucumber sandwiches
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 4 sandwiches

Garlic toast:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayo
2 teaspoons dried dill
2 teaspoons thyme
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 cucumbers
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Directions:

Cut crust off bread and set aside.
In bowl, mix softened cream cheese, mayo, dill, thyme, onion powder and garlic powder. Peel cucumbers then coarsely chop and add to cream cheese mixture. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Spread mixture over bread and cut into triangles.
Tip: Recipe can be doubled, if needed.

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To submit a classified ad, click HERE.

From your Johnston Living magazine:

From newcomer to neighbor

Rohlf has made Johnston home.

By Lindsey Giardino

A few years ago, Ryan Rohlf was ready for a change.

He had been living in Des Moines but found himself wanting something different — something more community-oriented and conveniently located. He began searching across the metro, weighing the feel and functionality of different suburbs. One town stood out from the rest.

[...]

Estimating and updating income through the Affordable Care Act

By Janis Van Ahn

When enrolling in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, being aware of your income is crucial. The amount of income you report not only determines your eligibility for a Marketplace plan, but it also impacts whether you qualify for savings like premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions. Accurately estimating your income ensures that you receive the correct amount of financial help and avoid unpleasant surprises during tax time.

[...]

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8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131

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