Author: Tony Schmitt

Drake Neighborhood News

Volume 26, Issue 2 March/April 2005

FYI: Mark Your
Calendars: April 16
This spring's neighborhood scrub day will be on the 16th of April in the Drake parking lot on 24th and Carpenter.
Due to budget cuts, this may be the only scrub day we have this year. Also, the City is trying to be more careful about keeping commercial haulers and out-of-towners from taking advantage of the scrubs, and so residents should bring identification with them to ensure that they are processed quickly.

Inside this issue:

Info	2
Block Captains#	3
January Board minutes	3,444
News Bits	4
New Board Members / House Sales	5
Des Moines Playhouse	6
Tax Tips	7

Get Ready for the 2005 House Tour

As I watch the snow melt outside my window, my thoughts naturally go to spring, to the flowering gardens my neighbors plant and nurture throughout the spring and summer months, and the long walks I can finally take around our neighborhood admiring our area’s lovely old houses. This is the time when things appear more beautiful than they might otherwise; when our joy at the passing of winter fills our minds with hope all good things to come. One of the biggest rites of spring in our neighborhood is the annual Drake Neighborhood Association’s Tour of Historic Homes.
The tour’s focus this year is the southwestern edge of the Neighborhood, around the upper side of Cottage Grove and surrounding streets. This is a lovely large-tree area with some equally beautiful houses. Some of my favorite houses in the neighborhood are on the tour this year. They share the spotlight with diamonds in the rough, works in progress, and old homes with new owners fresh with grand ideas not yet put into form.
The date for this year’s tour is June 4 & 5, so mark your calendars now. We are still in the middle of the planning stages for the tour and the ticket details have yet to be worked out. However, our next newsletter will come out shortly before the tour and it will have all details then. I can tell you that we are looking at bringing back the horse and carriage rides around the area and a few other surprises to mark this as a very special year for the Drake Neighborhood!
We are still looking for volunteers to help on the day of the tour. We mainly need people to help in the houses, but as the date approaches we may have needs in other areas. We also still have a couple of openings in our tour and are looking for at least two more houses to show off! If you live in the area between 35th & 42nd and Cottage Grove & Kingman or you would like to help out the tour in some manner, please contact me, Deric Gourd, 255-1050, or email me at:
DeitHeimey@Qwest.net.
We hope to see you all at the tour this year!

Volunteers Needed!

The Beautification Committee needs a chair person. Also needed are volunteers to help with planning, planting , and upkeep of new trees this year. If you would like trees planted in your area, or are willing to lend a hand, please contact Dave Courard-Hauri.
Heidi Wessels is chairing the committee for Block Captains. Please contact her for more information. (See related story on page 2 and Heidi’s bio on page 3 for more information
Volunteers are needed for the Drake Farmer’s Market. This year the market opens June 1. It is open from 4 –7 pm every Wednesday in the parking lot at First Christian Church through September . Please contact Ginny Gieske at 277-6951.

Drake Neighborhood News
Volume 26, No. 2 – Mar/Apr 2005
Published by the Drake Neighborhood Association
Subscription is free to members. Annual membership rates:
$20/household, $30 business or organization
President
David Courard-Hauri
277-6885 ~ David.courardihauri@drake.edu
Vice-President
Carl McPherson
243-5914 ~ cjamaicaman@aol.com
Secretary
Bill Lahay
277-6848 ~ blahay@msn.com
Treasurer
Trisha Davis
255-3416 ~ TKEDavis@earthlink.net
Board Members
Dean Blum
279-5364 ~ purplebear.ynot@att.net
Joachim Jonassen
246-0462
jonassenjoachim@netscape.net
Dan Koenig
681-5683 ~ dandydorje@hotmail.com
Jen Lawler
255-6592 ~ jalawler@mchsi.com
Patti McKee
255-7316
Dolph Pulliam
271-3084 ~ dolph.pulliam@drake.edu
Eddie Robinson
255-5630
Michelle Saveraid
271-9148 ~ iowalawyermom@mchsi.com
Jennifer Sayers
255-4880 ~ jen@bijougrafix.com
Tony Schmitt
255-9293 ~ tschmitt@dwx.com
Heidi Wessels
440-5620 ~ hwessels929@msn.com

The Drake Neighborhood Association, Des Moines, Iowa, includes the area within I-235, 42nd Street, Franklin Avenue and M.L. King, Jr. Parkway. Purposes of the association are: to gain awareness and instill pride in our neighborhood; to make our neighbors feel secure in their persons and belongings; to preserve and beautify our neighborhood; to promote a healthy business climate for area businesses; to encourage a self-help attitude in our neighborhood.

Anyone interested in Drake Neighborhood Association board positions should contact Dave Courard-Hauri at 277-6885.
You must live within the boundaries of M.L. King, Jr. Parkway, I-235, Franklin Avenue, and 42nd Street and be a current member of the association.

Drake Neighborhood Association
P.O. Box 41128
Des Moines, IA 50311-0503
Info@drakeneighborhood.org
www.drakeneighborhood.org

Newsletter Deadlines for 2005
MAY/JUN issue April 18
JUL/AUG issue June 13
SEP/OCT issue August 15
NOV/DEC issue October 17
If you would like to share information through our newsletter, please be considerate of the above deadlines.
The newsletter is a coordination of volunteer efforts, if you would like to help please contact Denise McAfee @ 274-1910 or mcafee@mchsi.com. Thank you.

“Appreciation” begins at home, and as Block Captain

In my work, I have the opportunity to tour lots of houses. I previously wrote about the importance of rehab’ing the exterior of a home; that the exterior is the number one contribution that we can make to our neighborhood and why our renovation efforts must begin there.
“But”, you ask, “what about this ugly interior? If I work on the exterior first, recognizing that this is how I gain the most long-term benefit, when do I focus on the interior?” Of course you can work there, too, but the point is, don’t completely neglect the exterior nor the neighborhood. If something has to give, IMO, it should be the interior renovation until the exterior is presentable, if not complete.
Whether we live in an elegant Queen Anne Victorian properly maintained for decades, a foursquare, a classic bungalow, or something not quite so classic -- a diamond in the rough that miraculously eluded a wrecking ball? -- when our street is cluttered with litter or debris, the whole neighborhood suffers. Each block needs an advocate to help keep public areas clean.
This is where block captain’s come in and what a great idea! I applied for this recently announced position immediately; because of the great opportunity do something for my neighborhood. Selfishly, I want to do anything I can to drive up the values of homes on our block, but don’t tell anyone.
As block captain, one of my top three goals is to frequently pick up litter. I grab a plastic grocery bag and start with the goal to cover both sides of the block. It takes about 30-45 minutes. If we do nothing else as Block Captains, this effort alone provides a significant service to our community.

What if every block in the Drake Area had a block captain and every block was frequently
policed for litter -- the positive impact would be amazing!
I have faith that one day, we will.
Do you know your “Block Captain”? If not, maybe that person should be you!
E-mail Heidi Wessels at hwesssels929@msn.com for more information. Apply today!
Andrew Lietzow
41st Street Block Captain

DNA Meeting Minutes: January 12, 2005
Board members present: Dean Blum, David Courard-Hauri, Trish Davis, Joachim Jonassen, Daniel Koenig, Bill LaHay, Jennifer Lawler, Patti McKee, Carl McPherson, Dolph Pulliam, Eddie Robinson, Jennifer Sayers.
First Christian Church cancelled all evening activities/events due to threat of bad weather, so the meeting location was switched to Yankee Doodle Dandy Tattoo Parlor. Thanks to owner/member Dan Koenig for hosting on short notice! Meeting called to order at 7:10 p.m.
1: NBSD: Ed Leedom announced that DM police officer Sergeant Jeff Aldridge, the DNA contact for the DMPD Neighborhood-Based Service Delivery program, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Jeff is currently the only NBSD officer to be awarded this rank; he will continue to work with the DNA. Congratulations, Jeff!
2: Ed also announced that on Wednesday, January 19th at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting about the city’s “Weed & Seed” program for neighborhood improvement/community development. This will be an opportunity for the public to offer input about funding allocations for this program. Meeting location is Drake University’s Olmsted Center, in the Pomerantz Room.
3: The DM Community Development Dept. has compiled its 2004 report with data pertaining to housing inspections, code enforcement, ordinance compliance, and other neighborhood-quality issues. For specifics about data for the Drake Neighborhood, contact Ed Leedom at 283-4183.
4: DNA member Rob Whitehead, a resident of 36th (just south of University Ave.) attended to request that the DNA support and/or provide a letter to the city’s Traffic and Transportation Dept. for a traffic study at 35th & University. Nearby residents claim the intersection has a high accident rate, including a recent pedestrian fatality, and needs a signal to control traffic. The board voted to provide a letter of support from the DNA.
5: Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Trish Davis provide a copy of the year-end 2004 DNA budget, showing a final balance of $15,737.79. Membership dues and the Historic Home Tour were the biggest revenue sources for the year. ~~continued on page 4~~
~~continued from page 3~~
6: Discussion was held regarding a donation to the 2005 Thresholds Festival, an annual diversity event sponsored by First Christian Church. Board voted to match last year’s donation of $750 provided that DNA will get advertising space in the event program.
7: Derek Gourd volunteered to chair the 2005 Historic Homes Tour committee. There was much rejoicing.
8: The DNA Board annual “retreat” will be held on Saturday, January 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the home of David Courard-Hauri (1112 29th Street). This is a chance for the members to discuss general issues about DNA mission/plans/goals for the year.
9: Organization Report: Drake University (c/o Dolph Pulliam)
• The DM city council gave its third-reading approval for the Drake University stadium renovation project, which will involve the permanent closing of Clark Street north of the stadium. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 2005.
• Drake University President David Maxwell participated in a Neighborhood Advisory Council meeting to hear and discuss citizen concerns about parking, traffic, and other issues pertaining to the stadium renovation and Drake events.
• The Drake Relays Parade is scheduled for Saturday, April 23. Some Drake-area businesses may want to enter floats. Dolph P. will find out if that can be arranged.
• Drake University received a $10-million gift from Dan and Patricia McDonnell Jorndt, the CEO of Walgreen’s drug stores and a Drake alumnus. Half the gift will go toward the stadium renovation; half will go to endow scholarships.
• Drake University Legal Clinic will offer free tax preparation help to low-income earners, especially those eligible for receiving an Earned Income Tax Credit.
10: Drake Business Association Report:
Daniel Koenig is the new president of the DBA; there was no December meeting to report.
11: Denise McAfee needs bios of the new board members for the DNA newsletter. Contact her at 274-1910 or mcafee@mchsi.com
Submitted by Bill Lahay
DNA Secretary

News Bits

If anyone has any concerns about the neighborhood, please contact Lt. Jeff Aldrich at 205-2510.
More contact information on the Neighborhood Based Service Delivery Team is on the back of the newsletter.

News Flash: (RE)Construction on the 31st Street interchange has begun. The eastbound loop on to I-235 is closed and will not reopen. Thirty-first street work will not begin for at least six weeks. I-235 bridges over 28th and 35th streets will be replaced first. During this, 28th and 35th streets will be CLOSED to north/sound bound traffic. When work is complete on these two bridges, and the streets reopen, 31st street work will commence. For current information and updates on the construction project, sit the DOT’s website at www.i235.com

Congratulations to Rob and Maggie Ferguson on the birth of their son, Joseph Miles.

Meet our new Board Members —

Bill LaHay, Secretary
Bill has lived in the Drake neighborhood since 1997, and is currently restoring a 100-year-old home on 41st Street. His professional background is in residential design and remodeling, and also in publishing related to home improvement, woodworking, and residential architecture. He has been a senior editor on several woodworking and home improvement magazines, as well as the editor of the annual Kitchen Planning Guide and the Remodeling Planning Guide, both published by the Better Homes & Gardens group at Meredith Corporation here in Des Moines. In 2002, Bill founded Nonesuch Design Works Inc., to provide freelance editorial support services to clients nationwide and residential design consulting in the Des Moines area. He also developed and wrote a top-selling Meredith/BH&G book on outdoor kitchen design, and served as contributing editor for the Reader’s Digest 2005 Do-It-Yourself Manual, an encyclopedia on home repair and improvement. In 2003, Bill received a master’s degree in management and public administration from Drake University. He has served on the City of Des Moines Urban Design Review Board and hopes to continue efforts toward neighborhood and community development by
serving on the DNA board.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heidi Wessels
I'm Heidi Wessels and have lived in the Drake Neighborhood for almost 2 1/2 years. My husband, Don Scandrett and I live on the 'edge' of the neighborhood. In fact, until I met Larry James, who recently renovated a house adjacent to ours I was unaware of our DNA 'status'. I'm pleased to represent our area on the Board of Directors. As a new Board member I hope to become involved in broadening our membership, making more neighbors aware of the role DNA plays in keeping our community safe and vibrant. I'll be working with a committee to launch a neighborhood wide communication effort. If anyone is interesting in serving as a communication 'lead' in their block, please feel free to e-mail me at hwessels929@msn.com.

January House Sales—House sales information compiled by Phoebe Bubendorfer from the Polk County Assessor’s Office. For more information, please consult the assessor’s website at www.co.polk.ia.us

Address	Sale Date	Sale Price	Year Built	Square Ft.
1148 22nd St.	1/10/05	89,900	1891	1671
1803 26th St.	1/18/05	57,000	1946	1042
922 28th St.	1/12/05	17,250	1921	773
1502 29th St.	1/13/05	87,400	1900	1320
1420 31st St.	1/9/05	57,000	1890	958
1617 34th St.	1/11/05	165,000	1963	1672
1063 40th St.	1/27/05	116,900	1915	1634
4104 Cottage Grove Ave.	1/27/05	163,000	1913	1752
4022 Forest Ave.	1/14/05	127,420	1921	2480
4101 Plainview	1/26/05	100,000	1917	1190

Des Moines Playhouse
2005-06 SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE
The Playhouse opens its 87th season in July 2005 with Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the popular Broadway musical. Beauty and the Beast is just one of six shows composing the 2005-06 Playhouse season. Playhouse season tickets are currently on sale at The Playhouse box office, and by phone at 515-277-6261.
The 2005-06 Playhouse mainstage season boasts three musicals, Disney's Beauty and the Beast; the Tony Award-winner, Chicago; and Pump Boys and Dinettes. Playhouse revivals include John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men and the comedy The Foreigner. The latter recently enjoyed success Off-Broadway in a production starring Matthew Broderick. Rounding out the season is a Playhouse premiere of the Terrence McNally drama, Master Class. Descriptions of all shows are available online.
The Kate Goldman Children's Theatre 2005-06 season will be announced later this month, with subscriptions on sale in March.
PARTY LIKE IT'S 1984! High School Reunion
Feb. 18-Mar. 5 , 2005 Thursday-Saturday @ 6:30 PM
Tickets: $40; $35 for Playhouse subscribers, seniors (62+), students and groups of 8+
Tickets on sale by phone at 515-277-6261 and online.
High School Reunion is an evening of fun, dinner and dancing in the tradition of Tony N' Tina's Wedding. It's the Class of '84's 20th reunion. A series of unexpected events has plagued the class since Senior Prom was cancelled, the result of a chemistry experiment gone bad. The class' jocks, Heathers, music geeks and nerds, and even a few teachers, are on hand as the class reunites to hold the prom that never was. Audience members are fellow classmates for an evening of dinner and dancing to totally awesome '80s music. Frankie says Relax! It's time to party like it's 1984 at High School Reunion.
JUNIE B. JONES LIMITED ENGAGEMENT
Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
Mar. 11-13, 2005
Friday @ 7:00 PM
Saturday @ 2:00 PM
Sunday @ 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM
Tickets: $15 Adults, $14 Seniors (62+), $12 Students
Tickets on sale Feb. 7 by phone at 515-277-6261 and online.
Playhouse subscribers may reserve tickets now by calling 515-277-6261.
The Playhouse, due to audience demand, is bringing back its hit Kate Goldman Children's Theatre season opener, Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business. Junie B. Jones is told she’s getting a present. She can’t help but be disappointed when she discovers the "present" is a baby brother. She overhears her grandmother call her brother a little monkey, and tells all her friends at school about her monkey brother. The play, featuring high energy music, follows Junie's adventures with her teacher, classmates, parents and beloved Grampa Miller.
Visit the Des Moines Playhouse at www.dmplayhouse.com

Tax Tips
-H&R Block Premium East, 3442 E 33rd ST, Des Moines, (515)265-8127

Don’t Panic: LAST-MINUTE TAX TIPS FOR LAST-MINUTE FILERS
Procrastination may be the American way at tax time, but
the longer you wait to prepare your return, the more likely you are to make critical, costly mistakes - or, worse yet - overlook money-savings tax breaks. For the millions of American who wait until the last few days to file their tax returns, the danger of making critical, costly mistakes - and overlooking eligible tax breaks -increase as
the tax filing deadline of April 15 nears. Here are some points to consider before you file:
1. Get your records in order. Get a folder or file drawer ready to save W-2’s, 1099’s, 1098’s, K-1’s and all other relevant receipts and documents. Even if you don’t plan to file until the last minute, you
will save time and worry --and maybe even tax preparation fees - if you are well-prepared and organized.
2. IRA contributions. You can make contributions to your IRA through April 15 for the 2004 tax year. For 2004, the
contribution limit is $3000. If you were at least 50 years old on December 31, 2004 you may make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $500. Your contribution cannot exceed the lesser of (1) the maximum allowed or (2) your earned income. If
your IRA deduction is limited because you or your spouse is an
active participant in an employer plan, consider contribution to a
Roth IRA instead. The same increased contributions limits apply. Why a Roth IRA? Why not just make a nondeductible contribution
to a traditional IRA? Roth contributions aren’t deductible, but
qualified distributions, including earnings, are not taxable.
Catch: If you modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for 2004
is $150,000 or more, you don’t qualify to contribute to a Roth. If
you believe your MAGI may be over the limit, you should want to
wait until your return has been completed before you determine if
you are eligible to contribute to the Roth. If you can’t deduct your
IRA contributions and you aren’t allowed to contribute to an Roth
IRA you may still want to contribute to a traditional IRA. If you do,
be sure to file Form 8606, Nondeductible IRAs and Coverdell ESAs, to establish you after-tax basis in the IRA.
3. Even though you are rushed. . . Take the time to double-check you return. Check your math and all Social Security numbers. According to the IRS, these are the two most common mistakes. For example, suppose your W-2 shows gross wages of $47,991 and you enter $47199 on your return. This simple transposition error will lead to delays, IRS notices, an other
problems that could have been easily avoided by taking the time to double-check. If you are a do-it-yourselfer and are missing a form, you can download the form and its instructions from the IRS at
http://irs.gov/formspubs/list. Most state departments of taxation have web sites that allow you to download forms and instructions as well. Also, make sure you have attached all necessary forms and schedules before mailing your tax return. You do not need to attach
worksheets. If you’d like to explain an entry on your return, attach a statement with your explanation. Make a copy of everything for
yourself. Keep this copy in a safe place.
4. Consider using a tax professional. although you may be a “do-it-yourselfer,” if you are filing at the last minute, you may
not have time to bone up on the many tax changes that took effect in 2004. Every year taxpayers overpay by an average of $400 per
return. This might be a good year to put your trust in a tax
professional who will ensure that you are taking advantage of the new laws and getting every benefit you deserve.
5. Try e-filing this year - you’ll like it! Just because you’ve waited until the last minute to file doesn’t mean you have to wait a long time for your refund. On average, a refund on an electronically-filed return will come in a few weeks, as opposed to a paper-filled return, which may take several weeks or even months to receive. In addition, - you’ll avoid post office lines, - you’ll know that the IRS received your return, and - you’ll make fewer errors. Electronically-filed returns have an accuracy rate of 99% vs. 81% for paper returns. Problems (such as an incorrect social security number) can be handled immediately; the IRS computers will bounce the return back to you, via e-mail, usually within 24-48 hours, with an explanation as to why your return was rejected.
6. Request an extension. If it is just not reasonable to get everything done by April 15, you can get an automatic extension of time to August 15th by submitting Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension to Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Your request must be mailed or phoned in by midnight April 15. The Iowa return is not due till May 2, 2005 this year! Remember, filing Form 4868 is an extension of time to file, not to pay. You should estimate you tax liability and send in a check for the anticipated balance due with the extension to avoid additional penalties and interest.
7. Amended returns. It is estimated that American taxpayers overpaid the government as much as $311 million in a recent tax year by neglecting to claim the mortgage interest deduction. Missed deductions and credits are two reasons why taxpayers overpay. The IRS allows taxpayers to file amended tax returns originally filed within the last three years. As par of H&R Block’s double Check Challenge, taxpayers can bring in tax returns prepared by a professional or themselves from 2001-2003 to any of H&R Block’s offices nationwide. An H&R Block tax professional will then review the return at no charge to make sure no deductions were overlooked, credits were missed and the tax has been calculated correctly.

for more information or to schedule an interview contact Dean Blum, EA
H&R Block 3422 E 33rd ST Des Moines (515)265-8127

Presorted Standard
U.S. Postage Paid
Des Moines, IA
Permit No. 1821

P.O. Box 41128
Des Moines, IA 50311-0503

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