97: As a Community for the Community

In the time of phone books, clever business names using letter/number combinations would ensure a top spot for better visibility. Co-owner, service manager and lead service technician, Scott Jones, explains that’s how A2Z Heating and Plumbing got its name more than 20 years ago, and over the years they have filled in each letter with something they do, except maybe X and Z.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

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Teamwork makes the dream work and individual instruction is helpful as well. Whether as a group, or one-on-one, the coaches at Diamond Dreams can show you how to improve your game. With a twenty thousand square foot facility, general manager Kyle Sherman says that along with baseball and softball there are many other opportunities as well.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by options for giving. With so many charities and so much need, it can be difficult to know where funds might serve best. The Community Foundation of Johnson County helps ease the process by offering a catalog for giving, as well as making sure those gifts get to where they need to go. As president and CEO, Shelly Maharry says, “There’s a place for everyone at the Community Foundation.”

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.

He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake! For this special Christmas episode, we’re chatting with Santa Claus.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.

Proudly produced in North Liberty, the heart of ICR Iowa.

It can be difficult to know whether a challenging behavior is an indicator of some deeper lying condition or just a phase that might eventually be grown out of. Speech therapist and therapy manager, Caitlin Thornburg, says that at Sensory Kids parents are encouraged to trust their instincts as it is better to address potential problems early on before they lead to greater struggles ahead.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.

Getting into higher education has its own learning curve and is especially challenging when going it alone. For young people who would be the first in their families to attend college, or generally just benefit from some extra guidance toward future career goals, Julie Robinson, and the team of volunteers at Iowa LEAP, work tirelessly to demystify the steps toward success.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.

There’s a lot that goes into moving, whether it’s cross-country or just to the other side of a care facility, especially when one has been in place for many years. Gina Ballestrasse-Ernster considers all the details, small and large, and has helped seniors move both to and around North Liberty through her relocation service, Smooth Moves by Gina.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.

Another episode from the vault. As we enter into fall, and the weather continues to cool down, what better way to spend time indoors than by discovering new board games to share with friends and family.

For Josh Karau and Jason Clark of Geek City Games and Comics exploring fantasy worlds is just another day at work. In contrast to its digital counterpart, board gaming culture is built on imagination,  socialization, and as we come to discover there is something for everyone.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.

Want to cook authentic Latin cuisine but not sure where to get all the unique ingredients? Maybe you’re just looking for real, cane sugar soda, or craving hot, fresh tamales. After a lengthy visit to see family in Mexico, Edgar Reynoso Ayala and Sara Puffer decided to open their own mercado, El Azul, here in town.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.

Trendsetting experiential patio dining, a new wave of craft beers, and a multitude more taps than most places would have dared, mother and son restauranteurs, Matt, and Faye Swift, discuss how Reds Alehouse was a pivotal project for them both.

North Liberty is the headquarters of local media, regional financial and national transportation companies and home to solar energy and tech startups, and entrepreneurs getting their big ideas off the ground.

Get to know your new business community.