Devour & Drink (and Network) with YPC

Devour Des Moines

On last Saturday, August 4, even though it kicked off a little late because of a storm delay, Devour Des Moines 2012 commenced with the hoot of a bull horn.  Thirty-three teams competed against each other to be crowned champion in the second annual eating meets triathlon event.

Participants ran, swam and biked through five legs, devouring some delicious, and challenging, foods along the way.  By far, the most difficult of these was the small cheese pizza from Fong’s Pizza.  The other foods were in no way easy though.  They included a breakfast burrito, an ear of sweet corn matched with chips and hot salsa, a mini meat loaf dinner, and a basket of Mo’Rub wings.  

The first place team, Cobra Kai, finished with a time of 1 hour, 23 minutes, leading the second place team by only 3 minutes.  After all of the teams were done, the awards ceremony and after party took place under the sun just outside of El Bait Shop.  Participants were able to enjoy a much earned, ice-cold beverage and watch as the award plates for the top three teams were handed out.  New for this year, awards were also given for the top three team costumes, of which an 80’s flashback team took top honors.  

Overall, the event was a huge success!  Not only was it a ton of fun (to watch and participate), it raised even more money for the Iowa chapter of Buy Fresh, Buy Local!  So save the date and put August 3, 2013 on your calendar.  You won’t want to miss it!

Mike Banasiak

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A Night on the Patio

On August 9, the YPC Social Committee hosted their monthly Social Happy Hour at Saint’s Pub & Patio in West Des Moines.  With the sunny weather setting the mood, YPC members and newcomers were able to relax and mingle outside on Saint’s renowned patio.  Only being a member since June, this was actually my first Social Happy Hour event and I was eager to see what the evening would bring.  After being reacquainted with familiar faces and meeting new ones, I was able to enjoy a refreshing evening.  

As the night progressed, acoustic guitar music was featured by Iowa native country singer Neil Hewitt. However, music wasn’t the only thing that was highlighted.  Each month YPC features a nonprofit organization from around the community.  This month’s nonprofit organization was Young Variety, a group of philanthropists who want to make a difference in the community by helping at-risk, special needs, and underprivileged children in Iowa.  It was inspiring to learn about the organization and different ways to become involved, such as a program called Bikes for Kids.  

Also kicked off during the event was the YPC Vote-Election Photo Contest.  The contest consists of singing up through YPC’s Facebook page and submitting “election” themed photos online.  Photos will then be scored on a point value system.  Encouraging this contest is a great way to create awareness for elections at local, regional, and national levels to YPC members.

After experiencing my first Social Happy Hour, I have to say I had a wonderful time socializing and expanding my personal and professional networks while gaining knowledge of a nonprofit organization.  It was a great night with perfect patio weather to top it off! 

Kristin Gredys