Thursday, October 20, 2011
N/Warren Town and County News
Page Seven
r
( BUSINESS REVIEW
POLK COUNTY CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
Going Batty: Do not believe everything you see in
the movies! Bats are often a grossly misunderstood ani-
mal and feared by many humans. However, did you
know that bats actually provide many environmental
benefits such as eating thousands of insects each night
and pollinating some of your favorite foods? A Polk
County Conservation naturalist will present a public bat
program Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the
West Des Moines Public Library (4000 Mills Civic Park-
way).
Learn the truths and dispel the myths that surround
these little creatures of the night. Find out what you can
do to protect these unique species.
Call Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300 or
visit their website at www.leadingyououtdoors.org for
more information. Pre-registration is not required for
this free public program. All ages are welcome.
Pre-registration is not required for this free public
program. All ages are welcome.
Family Halloween: Celebrate Halloween at the Jester
Park Equestrian Center Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m.
- 2 p.m. Visit the Little Goblins Halloween Trail go on
a pony ride in the indoor arena and enjoy a horse-drawn
wagon ride.
Horse-drawn wagon rides are $5 per person (3 and
under ale free). Pony rides are $5 per child. The Hal-
loween Trail is free to children 10 and under. Wear a
costume if you choose, bring a camera, and scare your-
self silly.
Reservations are not necessary. For driving directions
to the Equestrian Center, go online to www.jesterpark
ec.com.
Walk for Wildlife: Support Polk County's wildlife
habitat by participating in Polk County Conservation's
annual Walk for Wildlife Saturday, Oct. 29. All ages are
welcome and family participation is encouraged.., pets
too! The event:will take place at Chichaqua Bottoms
Greenbelt. Participants may take part in a 5 or 10-kilo-
meter Volkssport route.
Participants can take part in a Halloween costume
contest, Minute to Win It games and refreshments if they
choose. This event is a unique chance for you to get in-
volved in helping protect Iowa's remaining habitat. All
proceeds will be used to improve the cLuality and quan-
tity of Polk County's habitat. A $2 registration fee is pay-
able at the event. Pre-registration is not required.
Walkers can begin between 8 - 11 a.m. When arriv-
ing at the park, participants should report to the
Longhouse facility. Call 515-323-5300 for detailed direc-
tions to the park or log on to the Conservation website
at www.leadingyououtdoors.org. This walk is co-spon-
sored by the Greater Des Moines Volkssport Associa-
tion.
Invasive Species Volunteer Workday: The battle
against invasive plant species continues in Polk
County...buckthorn and honeysuckle beware! Help re-
store our woodlands Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9:30 - 11:30
a.m., at Jester Park.
Invasive plants like honeysuckle and buckthorn are
taking over our woodlands and degrading wildlife habi-
tat. Spend a crisp fall morning working up a sweat clear-
ing invasive species at Jester Park. This public workday
is open to all ages.
Wear gloves, long pants and dress according to the
weather. Tools will be supplied. Meet at Two Dam Pond
.(across from Shelter #5). For more information, contact
Polk County Conservation Volunteer Coordinator, Pat
Spain, at 515-323-5280.
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PO Box 325, Norwalk, IA 50211
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MPO Meeting
The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Orga-
nization (MPO) will host a public meeting to receive
input and comments on an amendment to the Federal
Fiscal Years 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program
(FFY 2012-2015 TIP) 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, at
the West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic
Parkway, West Des Moines. The West Des Moines Pub-
lic Library is accessible via the Des Moines Area Regional
Transit Authority (DART) Route 11.
The City of West Des Moines and Warren County
each request amendments to the FFY 2012-2015 TIP to
add new projects, as follows:
City of West Des Moines-SW Connector-Phase III:
Move the project from Federal Fiscal Year 2010 to Fed-
eral Fiscal Year 2012.
Warren County-SW Connector Interchange/Corridor:
Move the project from Federal Fiscal Year 2010 to Fed-
eral Fiscal Year 2012 and update the project termini to
"Southwest Connector Corridor from the existing IA 5/
SW Connector interchange to the southwest, crossing 1-
35 and westerly to the proposed 105th Street corridor."
The Iowa Department of Transportation considers the
addition of projects to the TIP to be amendments. The
• TIP is updated annually and at the request of member
governments and participating agencies. The TIP iden-
tifies regionally significant projects and contains four
years of projects the MPO member governments and
participating agencies anticipate implementing using
federal transportation dollars.
The MPO staff will host the meeting using an open
forum format to encourage attendees to express their
views and opinions and to ask questions regarding the
proposed amendments. One may share their opinion
with MPO staff in three ways: 1) orally at the meeting;
2) in writing via forms available at the meeting; or, 3) by
submitting written comments to the MPO after the No-
vember 10, 2011, meeting but prior to the close of the
comment period on November 28, 2011. The FFY 2012-
2015 TIP is available on the MPO website, http://
www.dmampo.org/. If anyone has questions or com-
ments, contact the MPO staff by telephone at 515-334-
0075 or via email at lparris@dmampo.org.
Free Driver Safety Classes for Veterans
The AARP Driver Safety Program has a profound
respect and admiration for the members of the United
States Armed Forces. AARP Driver Safety is pleased to
give back to our nation's service members by offering
free, defensive driving classes to all Iowa Veterans and
current members of the military, regardless of age or
membership in AARP, during the month of November.
The four-hour classroom course, normally offered for
a fee of $14 ($12 to AARP members), covers the latest
news on changes in vehicles and roads, as well as state-
of-the-art driving techniques taught by most major em-
ployers who employ drivers to prevent crashes and re-
duce injury in crashes. A certificate of completion is
given at the end of the course which may be used to
obtain a discount from many insurers.
Veterans are requested to present proof of Veteran
status when they attend the course. A VFW, American
Legion, AmVets or other Veterans organization card is
adequate proof. Lacking those, a DD-214 or Discharge
Certificate is proof of service. Spouses are el.igible to
take the classroom courses free of charge also, as long
as they present a valid military ID. All. current mem-
bers of the military are also invited.
Classes are being held throughout Iowa with at least
two in the Des Moines area. It is necessary that veterans
attend during the month of November to receive the
free admission. A listing of all classes in the state is avail-
able at www.AARP.org/drive.
In addition, if an Iowa Veteran's group would like to
schedule a class for their members and spouses, Iowa
Driver Safety instructors will be glad to set up a private
session. Contact AARP Iowa State Driver Safety Coor-
dinator Larry. Neppl at 319-773-0888 or email him at
ridgetill@yahoo.com to organize a special session for
your group.
//__- 7
The blue-footed booby is so called because it lands on
shops and often lets Itself get caught. Booby comes from
"bobo;' Spanish for stupid.
