40 LOCAL KIDS SHOP WITH COPS, FIREFIGHTERS
Last week, the Merle Hay Mall Target store was swarming with Des Moines fire fighters and police officers shopping with area youth.
The Heroes & Helpers program pairs first responders who assist children to pick out gifts for family members. After checking out, the kids enjoyed holiday treats while their presents were gift-wrapped. The City Manager’s Office assembled a terrific video of the event.
“Each holiday season, I’m glad to take part in the Heroes and Helpers event,” Senior Police Officer Tim Fricke told me. “This event always puts me in the right Christmas mood, and this year did not disappoint.
“This year, I was paired up with a young girl with a prosthesis. Although she has faced this challenge her whole life, she did not allow it to define who she was. She showed me that she could still run, dance, and have fun all evening.”
The Holiday With Heroes program—now in its 12th year (or is it 15?—no one is sure!)—has support from DMPD, DMFD, Target Heroes & Helpers Program, Target Des Moines local stores, Merle Hay Mall, Conlin Properties, Chuck’s Restaurant, Hiland Bakery, and Walmart.
EXCELLENT AT DELIVERING BAD NEWS
“I’m sorry to tell you….”
Detective Terry Mitchell has repeated these words countless times over the 10 years he has served as the Des Moines Police Department’s victim resource officer. Terry has a task many peace officers would shy away from: delivering the news to the next of kin of a traffic fatality or homicide.
Terry’s full-time job is detective in the family conflict unit (domestic assault, sexual assault, child abuse, and child deaths). But when there’s a tragic Des Moines fatality, he switches gears. The 30-year law enforcement veteran told me he and Sgt. Paul Parizek, the department’s public information officers, are routinely the third and fourth officers, following the chief and the shift commander, to learn of a traffic fatality or homicide.
In these days of warp-speed news, Terry and Paul race to contact the next of kin before social media spreads details—often with false or incomplete information. Terry relies on his decade of developing resources to locate the next of kin. He recalls only once being unable to locate any family member; that death of a homeless person without known family still resonates.
Terry told me it’s not just the notification he oversees. “I become the liaison to the family for the entire investigation,” he said. “My job is to be their advocate. I’m the buffer between the detectives [assigned to the case] and the family.
“My job also involves telling the family—at the appropriate time—what is going to happen next. That the body will go to the medical examiner for an autopsy. And when the body will be released. “I say, ‘When you’re ready, I’ll be glad to tell you what I can.’
“It’s easy to see that the family becomes victims, too. I’m with the family all the way to the arrest.”
“Terry’s presence, during one of the most difficult and memorable moments for families, is incredibly valuable,” Sgt. Parizek told me. “He has a deep understanding of how criminal investigations and the justice system work, the unique ability to build trust quickly, and is committed to advocating for victims’ needs. He’s a pro.”
Terry also shares information on Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services, including the Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center, Children & Families of Iowa Domestic Violence, Creative Visions, and various services for immigrant families.
It’s a tragedy few of us can imagine navigating. “Even though you think you can do this on your own,” Terry tells families, “you’re going to want support.
“Even though this is a crappy task, if done with care, we can make a difference.”
“I just want it done right.”
YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA TUNES UP
Four Des Moines Youth Jazz Orchestra members rehearse for their Wednesday, December 18, concert at the Temple for Performing Arts. After fall tryouts, orchestra director Nate Sparks selected musicians from Waukee, Waukee Northwest, Valley, Ankeny, Johnston, Indianola, and Des Moines Christian schools for this year’s ensemble. Nate, a Runnels native and graduate of The Juilliard School, directs the program, now in its fourth year.
In the photo above, that’s Nate and David Muhammad, a Waukee Timberline ninth grader, at the piano. Joining them in rehearsing Charlie Parker’s “Chi-Chi” are Will Dohmen, a Valley senior; Waukee Northwest juniors Brody Haugh and Toby Chen; and Jeff Rich, a Valley senior on drums (not shown). A second group of high school jazz musicians will also perform at the free 7 p.m. concert, at 1011 Locust Street.
Brody, plus Zed McCorkle of Johnston are the only members returning from last year’s select jazz orchestra. “Chi-Chi” is one of Brody’s favorite new tunes. “It’s more like bebop,” Brody told me. “We had to listen to a ‘Chi-Chi’ recording, memorize it, and then play it by ear. And Nate taught us how to string melodies across the chord changes.
“This jazz orchestra is especially great to learn how to play in small combos. And I’ve made some new friends from other schools.”
NOT A MOMENT TO SPARE
On November 26, a seasoned crew of a dozen Bush Sports Turf workers hustled to install sod for the new Principal Park field. Because of weather delays, the crew laid down the final outfield rolls on December 10. The Iowa Cubs owners are footing the $1.3 million overhaul that includes flattening Sec Taylor Field by 0.11% (decreed by Major League Baseball) and installing a new sprinkler system. Work on the bullpens and warning track will continue as the weather dictates.
This well-orchestrated crew had no wasted motion: It took them just 10 to 12 seconds to lay down a 4 x 50-foot turf roll. How much sod? Think of a caravan of fifty 53-foot trailers loaded with sod from Central Wisconsin Sod in Coloma.
Iowa Cubs head groundskeeper Chris Schlosser told me his crew plans to water the new sod for several weeks. And that he expects the new field will be near perfect when the Iowa Cubs host their home opener, Friday, March 28.
DANCIN' TO HOLIDAY TUNES
Grant Hobin and Jill DeGartmeaux, members of Heartland Swing, danced on the RAYGUN balcony as part of the “Miracle of Fifth Street” during one of the East Village Holiday Promenade Friday nights. December 20 marks the final of five Friday Holiday Promenade evenings in the East Village when stores are open until 8 p.m.
GIVING TUESDAY BREAKFAST AT CISS
Doug Graver, an Iowa Pork Producers Association director from Sully, and Reynolds Cramer, CEO of Fareway Stores, were among 40 volunteers serving more than 320 breakfasts December 3 at Central Iowa Shelters and Services. It was the eighth year the two organizations joined up to sponsor the Giving Tuesday breakfast. Reynolds told me the event is so popular among Fareway employees, “They nearly have a fight to get on the volunteer list.”
A SLICE OF BAVARIA
Members of Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss—a St. Paul, Minnesota-based Bavarian-style dance group—perform December 8 at the Christkindlmarket Des Moines at Principal Park. The popular group recently was named the No. 1 Bavarian dance group in North America and No. 2 at the World Bavarian Dance Group competition in Germany. Exceptional December warm weather brought throngs to the annual event.
ROOSEVELT SENIOR EARNS TOP AWARD
Mayor Connie Boesen awarded Nanees Abukar, a Roosevelt senior, the Porter S. Dimery, Sr. Youth Award at a Des Moines Human and Civil Rights Commission annual ceremony on November 21. Nanees spoke glowingly about her summer internship with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa. More recognition: Nanees, who plans to attend Northwestern University, was recently named one of three QuestBridge Scholars in the Des Moines Public Schools system.
Art Force Iowa youth created this and two other top awards.
BLUE BLOOD SMILES
Des Moines Police Lt. Chad Nicolino, right, had the honor of pinning the badge on his son Samuel, at Des Moines Regional Police Academy graduation ceremonies November 22. Sam joined 15 other recruits, who completed 24 weeks of training at the East Army Post Road academy, in the 84th class—the most ethnically diverse in Des Moines’ history. The recent Wartburg College graduate also was awarded the top Physical Training award.
Sam is assigned to the field training program with a seasoned officer on First Watch patrol (overnights). As the program progresses, he will move to Second and Third Watch before beginning solo patrol.
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