Independence weekend in the U

[The Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Here ya go BTR and Justin...

Urbandale will have its chance to shine when the city hosts its annual Fourth of July celebration July 2-5.

The Urbandale Fourth of July committee has made a few changes to the celebration, which is themed "U.S. Urbandale Shines." This year, the carnival will run for an extra day, July 5. People will be able to purchase wristbands that will grant them unlimited access to carnival rides. The wristbands will only be good July 5.

Changes were also made to the street dance, which will feature a live band instead of a disc jockey this year. The band Flipside will begin performing at 8 p.m. July 3.

This year, Mark Nagel will serve as the grand marshal of the parade. Nagel retired from the Urbandale police force in 2008 after 33 years of service and was a member of the Urbandale Fourth of July committee during his time on the force. The parade will begin near the old City Hall at 10 a.m. July 4.

Cathy Conklin, chairwoman for the Urbandale Fourth of July committee, said the event is the "homecoming of Urbandale."

"It's the one event that really pulls everyone in Urbandale together," she said.

Larry Jablonski, secretary for the committee, agreed.

"There's been over 50 years of celebrating the Fourth of July here," he said. "It's really become a sort of homecoming experience."

Conklin said the Urbandale Fourth of July committee, which is made up of about 20 residents, began planning this year's celebration in February. The group recently gained nonprofit status, which should help it receive more grants to finance the event. The committee received a community betterment grant worth $4,000 from Polk County Supervisors this year.

Supervisor E. J. Giovannetti, who presented the organization with a check during its May 5 meeting, told the committee the event is important to the community because it tops the list of things people know about Urbandale.

Jablonski estimates the event costs about $25,000 to put on each year. He said the majority of the expenses are covered by button sales, booth rental and money made during the carnival and fun run.

[NOTTHOR]

Mark Nagel's gonna be there? Mark Nagel? Seriously, how the hell did they pull that off? I'm playing it by ear right now, but I'll keep you posted if I'm coming. My neighborhood becomes an absolute madhouse around the 4th, and I need to get away from all the dipshits who come downtown to watch fireworks.

I don't get it, this ocnversation must happen in 100,000 homes in Chicagoland, "Hey Ma, let's get in the car and sit in traffic two hours so we can go watch fireworks at Grant Park and block the sidewalk with our fat stupid asses so BTR and his pals can't get through. It'll be awesome. We can say Oooooh and Aaaaah when the fireworks explode." Freaking morons.

[Justhawks17]

Thanks JA!
I might try and go to some of the activities this year. I will see the fireworks, nothing special. But thats basically all I usually do. Well see, idk.
Those people do a pretty good job at organizing the activities and such. Is Jablonski still at Olmested?

[The Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Funny you ask, Justin (BTW, I've tossed a few down with his son on occasion):

The school newsletter reads almost like a MasterCard commercial.

Twenty years; 178 parent teacher organization meetings; 80 parent teacher conference meetings; three bond issues; two sales tax projects; 1sick days.

One great school and experience.

All it needed was "priceless" at the end.

That's how Olmsted Elementary School Principal Larry Jablonski chose to describe 20 years in that role.

He steps down at the end of June to retire after 34 years of being an educator.

"Students have asked me, 'Why are you leaving?' I think the best answer I can tell them is, 'It's time,' " Jablonski said. "It is time for me to try some new adventures."

Jablonski said he plans to continue working with youth, education and helping the community by volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa, Superstar Mile and Springbrook. He's even joked that he's considered substituting at the school.

"I am really going to miss the kids," Jablonski said.

After 20 years, some former students have come back as parents with children of their own.

"Sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and sometimes it does, and you laugh about it. Other times you wish you could find a way to break that cycle," he said.

And believe it or not, the students he will miss the most are not who one would suspect.

"I'll miss some of the ornery kids, where you go home exhausted after dealing with them, but it's neat to see them turn the corner," he said. "You see them years later and they're having success in the classroom. That's why you stick around."

The Olmsted student population has changed considerably over the last 20 years. But one thing has remained constant.

"What hasn't changed are the parents and staff who have always been committed to help children succeed," Jablonski said.

Students and staff said school will not be the same next fall without "Mr. J" roaming the halls.

"You hear 'Hi, Mr. J!' in the hallways all the time," said kindergarten teacher Nancy McClanahan, who has taught at the school for 35 years. "He's a people person and very much stays in touch with the kids. He's out there every day before school greeting the kids and every day after school talking with kids."

A group of third-graders in the school's Talented and Gifted program wrote an article about "Mr. J" that they will present to him as a surprise on the last day of school. The four students interviewed Jablonski, asking him questions about his career and time at Olmsted.

Megan Johansen, 9, asked Jablonski, "If you could put something in a time capsule about your career at Olmsted, what would you put in it?"

"A picture of me and a whole bunch of students out on the playground," Jablonski said.

"I'll miss some of the ornery kids, where you go home exhausted after dealing with them, but it's neat to see them turn the corner. You see them years later and they're having success in the classroom. That's why you stick around."

[Justhawks17]

Thanks for the update JA!
20 years. Thats along time. Its been probably 15 years since I went there. Always called him Mr. J. I remember him being pretty cool.

[NOTTHOR]

Jackass - is that dude Dan Jablonski's old man? If so, he's good people. The Olmstead people are generally asshats (see, e.g. Justin), Rolling Green was where it was at (see, e.g. me).

[The Flying Spaghetti Monster]

That would be one and the same. He's now down in the ATL making his fame and fortune.

[Justhawks17]

I FUCKING HATED ROLLING GREEN. Mrs.err Mr. TAYLOR was an absolute Bitch. My fucking word, in first grade, I puked and the bitch wouldn't let me go home. So thought I was faking it. Yeah, I was FAking Puking, that was fake puke you Dipshit. HOW THE FUCK~ Did she get hired and how is she(is she) still there? I FUCKING HATED HER. FUCKING STUPID BITCH. YEAH I FAKED PUKING, IT WAS FAKE PUKE CORKY. Im done. Carry on Carry on.
I only went to Olmested for kindergarden you asssplunker BTR.

[NOTTHOR]

Whoa, cool the fuck out - When were you in first grade 12 years ago or so? Pretty damn long time to hold a grudge. If you were smart, you would have just shat your pants and then the teacher would have sent you home.

[Justhawks17]

She was a bitch to everyone though BTR. first through fifth. Biggest Ho bag on the face of your ass BTR. You would have hated the bitch. She looked just like the bitch on 100 Dalmations or however you fucking spell that. Stupid bitch. I just farted.

[Justhawks17]

BTR, did you shat yourself alot in school?