Sunday January 19
1:00 PM
Tavern II Pizza – Pasta – Grill
1755 50th Street (Across from Lowe’s)
West Des Moines

Our first meeting of 2020 is an important one as we will be determining our Board of Directors for the 2020 season. Five of the current board members have offered to stay on the board in 2020, if the members so vote. That leaves us one opening to fill. If you are interested in helping direct the club this year you can contact a current board member to find out more or just come to the meeting and express your interest.

We also need someone to step in and lead the club next year. Someone to take charge in planning & leading the board/general meetings and events, to name a few. So think about it and remember someone has to do it so it might as well be you, right?

Let’s gather on Sunday, January 19, 2020, at 1 PM at The Tavern II on 50th in West Des Moines (across from Lowe’s). You can take care of your 2020 dues, we’ll take care of business, have some food, and as always, great conversation with fellow MINIacs. Please RSVP via Facebook or email to Laura by midnight Wednesday January 15, 2020. And don’t feel you can’t join us if you’ve stored your MINI for the season or if you haven’t joined the club yet. Anyone is always welcome, it’s how we roll.

A night of food, fun and support for Make A Wish Foundation. Mark your calendars for Monday, December 2. We’ll meet for dinner at Perkins, 2621 Adventureland Drive in Altoona, at 6:00 PM and then head on over to the show. Jolly Holiday lights is a 2.5 mile cruise through over 100 holiday themed light displays. All that for a mere $20 per car! Show your support for an awesome cause and join us. Please RSVP via Facebook or email to Laura by midnight Friday, November 29.

If you’re unable to make dinner but would still like to join us for the tour meet us at the entrance to the park at 7:30 PM.

Saturday October 12, 9:00 AM at HyVee, 1005 E. Hickman Road, Waukee

Join us at 9am at the Waukee Hy-Vee parking lot. We will drive to Drew’s Chocolates, down White Pole road , stop for lunch to be determined (Oinkers or Weitzel’s) then off to the Villisca murder house

The Villisca axe murders occurred between the evening of June 10, 1912, and the early morning of June 11, 1912, in the town of Villisca in southwestern Iowa. The six members of the Moore family and two house guests were found bludgeoned in the Moore residence. All eight victims, including four children, had severe head wounds from an axe. A lengthy investigation yielded several suspects, one of whom was tried twice. The first trial ended in a hung jury and the second ended in an acquittal. The crime remains unsolved. Many believe the house is still haunted by the ghosts of the victims.

On Sunday September 29 the Central Iowa MINI Club has been invited to tour Skunk River Restorations in Ames. Steve Myers, the owner, has offered to have our club visit and view his amazing collection of vehicles and his business. Steve started out with British cars, and he has many, but he also has many other types of cars too. I don’t think I would be incorrect if I said he has at least 100 vehicles.

Address is 709 Airport Road in Ames for those that want to meet us at 3:30.

We will meet at the Fareway store parking lot at 2:45 pm which is on the north edge of Ankeny. Address is 3205 N Ankeny Blvd, aka highway 69. If you come into Ankeny from I35, take the 36th St exit and go west. We’ll depart from there for a group drive to Ames for the tour.

Around 5pm, or after the tour, we will then depart for the Mucky Duck Pub for supper. (NOTE THE CHANGE. Was previously planned for Hickory Park, now the Mucky Duck).

Mark your calendar for Sunday September 29 and we hope to see you there.

Sunday September 22

Jud Stover and the lady Helen will be leading us on a drive to West Bend to view the incredible Grotto of the Redemption. After West Bend we’ll be stopping in Ames for lunch at the Mucky Duck Pub, a British themed eating and drinking establishment. The Mucky Duck is especially noted for their excellent fish and chips and other British fare and also have a shop with a variety of products from across the pond.

We’ll leave MINI of Des Moines at 8 am. After visiting the Grotto we will return through Ames and gather at the Mucky Duck at about 2pm. FYI the Grotto is free but they do encourage donations.

Be sure and bring your fully charged walkies and RSVP by midnight Tuesday, Sept 17th, with the number in your party.

Monday August 26 will mark our third annual visit to this iconic Des Moines Drive In but more important than that it’s Mini’s 60th Birthday! On August 26, 1959 the world had its first introduction to one of the most influential cars in history, the Mini!

The Chili King has been a Des Moines staple since 1952 and is the last remaining classic car hop drive-in in the metro. In the 50’s and 60’s it was the epicenter of the hot rod scene in Des Moines and more recently was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” with host Guy Fieri getting one on one with George himself.  You can view the episode at http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/episodes/oldies-but-goodies . We’ll gather at 6:30 PM and plan on filling the drive in slots with MINIs! If you can only make one event this year please try to join us for this one! This should be a fun evening for socializing and basking in the vintage vibe. We won’t need the radios, just drop in, but please RSVP via Facebook or email to Laura no later than Midnight, Saturday, August 24th so we can give George a “heads up”.

Saturday April 27 – 9:00 AM – MINI of Des Moines – 9900 Hickman

Here’s your Spring opportunity to clean up your MINI when it’s generally not so nice outside (we’ll be having another in the Fall). Or maybe just give the inside a good cleaning in the warmth of the service bay. Also a great opportunity to meet and chat with other MINIacs.

Dedicated Willis employees and fellow MINIacs will carefully motor your MINI thru the car wash and return it to the service area. After that it’s all up to you. Bring your own cleaning supplies and cleaning accessories, like glass cleaner, leather cleaner, towels, rags… you get the idea. There will be vacuums for you to use and an area to hose off your floor mats. Be aware the MINI parts department will be closed so picking up supplies that morning won’t be an option.

CIMC merchandise will be available and you can also pay your dues if needed. RSVP’s are always needed for planning so please don’t forget. Please RSVP on our Facebook page or by email to Laura at ljjr101@hotmail.com by Midnight, Sunday, April 21st.

Jeremy Moyle will once again be in charge of our annual contest. Everyone should gather at MINI of Des Moines for the driver’s meeting at 12:15 and to be ready to start out at 12:30 PM on Saturday April 13th.

The event will consist of seven stops around the Des Moines metro area.  Some will be on the outskirts in the suburbs.

Done in the correct sequence the total mileage is about 70 and can be driven in under 2 hours (per Google).

There will be a 2-hour 30-minute time limit to return to MINI of Des Moines.

You won’t be left stumped because you’ll have a cell phone number as a phone a friend option

Don’t let any of the clues be a wrench in having fun on the scavenger hunt!

Please RSVP on our Facebook page or by email to Laura at ljjr101@hotmail.com

Sunday March 10, 12:30 PM, The Tavern II, 1755 50th, West Des Moines

Our final indoor meeting of the season will be at a new location, the Tavern II in West Des Moines which should give us more elbow and conversation room as we’ve obviously outgrown the Wig & Pen. Come and join your fellow MINI owners for some food and fun and to find out some of the things we have planned for the upcoming driving season. It’s also a great chance to update your membership for 2019.

Please RSVP with the number in your party, by midnight, Wednesday, March 6th on our Facebook page or by email to Laura at ljjr101@hotmail.com Weather shouldn’t be a factor because by now everyone’s Winter driving skills have been refreshed!