West Side Stories
13 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsA monthly podcast featuring the staff and friends of the West Des Moines, Iowa, Parks and Recreation Department
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Episodes
New Faces. New Places.
March 01, 2020 06:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBWest Side Stories has been on a bit of a hiatus the last couple months, but it's back, featuring the many great things happening in West Des Moines. In the 13th episode of the podcast, Allison is joined by two new staff members of the Parks and Rec Department. Marnie Strate and Shayne Ratcliff, along with Department Director Sally Ortgies, discuss their new roles in the department, their job “to-do” lists, and what excites them about their new positions. They also divulge lots of in...
With Friends Like These
December 01, 2019 06:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBGuest Bios Lynnae Hentzen - Friends of WDM Parks and Rec Board Member After growing up in LeMars, Iowa, Lynnae attended Silliman University in the Philippines, Iowa State University, and Keller Grad School of Management. Lynnae earned her BA in Sociology and also has a MBA. She has held positions in her career as a business analyst, yoga instructor, nonprofit co-founder and Executive Director, and a property manager. Lynnae resides in West Des Moines and has four children and one ...
Top 10 Reasons We Love West Des Moines
November 01, 2019 16:04 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBIn this fun episode, Allison once again invites Sally Ortgies, Director of the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, to join her in talking about the top 10 reasons they love West Des Moines. Both are residents of West Des Moines, have raised or are raising children in West Des Moines Community Schools, and serve on various West Des Moines nonprofit organizations' boards. Needless to say, they love West Des Moines! Listen in to hear Allison and Sally discuss the following...
Resting in Peace
October 01, 2019 05:00 - 32 minutes - 30 MBIn the tenth episode of West Side Stories, Allison visits with Sally Ortgies and David Sadler to discuss the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department's role in the management of the Jordan Cemetery and Huston Cemetery. Each cemetery has a rich history that most West Des Moines residents may not be aware of. Listen in as they discuss how each cemetery came to be, who maintains the grounds, and what operational logistics are involved with the management of both. Guest Bios Sa...
City Campus Culture
September 03, 2019 14:25 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBIn the ninth episode of West Side Stories, Allison sits down with Kevin Conn and Jodie Weeks to discuss the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater and Illumifest. The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater will be constructed between September 2019 and September 2020 on the WDM City Campus at 4200 Mills Civic Parkway. Illumifest, West Des Moines' annual city celebration, will once again be held in September on the City Campus. Episode Guests Jodie Weeks - Recreation Program/Facility Supervisor Jodie grew up i...
Building a Boathouse
July 31, 2019 23:44 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBIn the eighth episode of West Side Stories, Allison speaks with Jodie Weeks, Sally Ortgies and Ryan Penning about the exciting developments that are going to begin soon at Raccoon River Park. A Boathouse will be built beside Blue Heron Lake that will offer several new services to the public. They discuss Boathouse operations, the construction timeline, and future amenities. Jodie Weeks - Recreation Program/Facility Supervisor Jodie grew up in Osage, IA, and attended Wartburg Colle...
Concerning Interning
July 01, 2019 05:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBIn the seventh episode of West Side Stories, Allison sits down with the department's three interns. They discuss how their internship has impacted them, what they have learned, and what they will take away from their time in the department. **Erik Culp - Parks Division Intern ** Erik is from Urbandale, Iowa and attended Iowa State University where he majored in Landscape Architecture and minored in Horticulture. Marco started his career as an intern for the Jackaline Baldwin Dunla...
Diving Into Aquatics: Part 2
June 15, 2019 05:00 - 24 minutes - 33.9 MBIn the sixth episode of West Side Stories, Allison speaks with one of the department's Recreation Program/Facility Supervisors and a Recreation Coordinator. They discuss what it takes to operate and manage the two aquatic facilities in West Des Moines. If you've ever wondered how many lifeguards get hired each summer or why swimmers have to take breaks every hour, you will enjoy this episode. Because there is so much information about aquatics, this episode is divided into 2 parts. ...
Diving Into Aquatics: Part 1
May 30, 2019 21:35 - 28 minutes - 39.1 MBIn the sixth episode of West Side Stories, Allison speaks with one of the department's Recreation Program/Facility Supervisors and a Recreation Coordinator. They discuss what it takes to operate and manage the two aquatic facilities in West Des Moines. If you've ever wondered how many lifeguards get hired each summer or why swimmers have to take breaks every hour, you will enjoy this episode. Because there is so much information about aquatics, this episode is divided into 2 parts. ...
Biking in West Des Moines
April 30, 2019 17:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBIn the fifth episode of West Side Stories, Allison speaks with the department's Park Planner, Director, and Recreation Superintendent. They discuss how far West Des Moines’ trail system has come in 30 years, the Bicycle Advisory Commission, and future plans for trail extensions and connectors. They get a little silly at the end, though, so make sure to listen all the way through. Guest Bios Marco Alvarez-Park Planner Marco is from Sioux City, Iowa and attended Iowa State Universi...
Public Art in West Des Moines
April 01, 2019 05:00 - 33 minutes - 31.1 MBIn the fourth episode of West Side Stories, Allison speaks with the chair of the West Des Moines Public Arts Advisory Commission and the Director of Parks and Recreation. They discuss how public art in West Des Moines came to be, where they see it heading, and what citizens can do to become involved. Guest Bios Ryan Crane - Public Arts Advisory Commission Chair Ryan is from Council Bluffs, Iowa and attended the University of Northern Iowa where he double majored in Communications...
How Programs Are Planned
March 01, 2019 14:00 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBIn the third episode of West Side Stories, Allison speaks with two members of the recreation division of West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department. She asks them how they came to be professionals in the field, what steps are involved in creating a new program, and how they stay on top of recreation trends. They also provide insight into program inclusivity and program staffing. Episode 3 Guests Melanie Perry - Naturalist Melanie is from Klemme, Iowa and attended Simpson Co...
How Parks Are Planned
February 01, 2019 06:00 - 30 minutes - 28.5 MBIn the second episode of West Side Stories, Allison speaks with two members of the parks division of West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department. She asks them how they came to be professionals in the field, what steps are involved in creating a new park, if there are any common myths about their job they want to debunk. They also provide insight into playground safety certification and what their favorite parks are. Episode 2 Guests Marco Alvarez-Park Planner Marco is from S...
Parks and Rec in Real Life
January 03, 2019 20:58 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBIn the debut episode of West Side Stories, Allison speaks with the administrators of the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department. She asks them why they chose careers in the parks and recreation field, what a typical work day looks like, and if there are any common myths they want to debunk. There are also a few funny stories of experiences that they often say could have been scripted into the sitcom "Parks and Recreation". Episode 1 Guests Sally Ortgies - Director of Park...