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March 14-20, 2025

 
 
Yes, I have a box of wires
 

I have often poked fun at my wife for making me transport the same bag of rocks in three different house moves over the years. “They are to put in the bottom of flower pots,” she insistently told me. “I can find new rocks when you need them,” I insistently replied. I did not move them a fourth time.

Jolene has a similar criticism for me about a certain box of wires that I have had for a few decades and continue to hang on to. Stereo speaker wires. Cable TV wires. Patch wires for old stereo components. But not just wires. Cables and cords, too. Computer monitor cables. TV electrical cords. iPad charging cords. In that box, as well, are floppy disk and zip drive players — and their related cables and cords.

Jolene even felt a need to take a Sharpie and write “WIRES” on the outside of the box. Like I didn’t know what was in there?

I know I am not alone with this collections of wires. Many of you men who are reading this can certainly relate, and your wives will attest to it.

Stand-up comedian Nina Tarr recently busted us men on this seemingly odd collection. In an Instagram video titled “Men Love Wires,” she explains how men are obsessed with keeping a box of random cables at all times. The video has more than 2 million views. If you click through and watch it, beware, as it is a bit salty. Here is an edited excerpt:

“Every man here has a box of wires and cables that travels with him from place to place, from apartment to apartment,” Tarr said, looking at her audience. She pointed to a man in the crowd and asked if he kept a box of wires. He apparently nodded, and she then apparently pointed to his female companion and said, “And you’re like, ‘You gotta get rid of these!’ And he’s like ‘Babe, what if someone comes over and needs a Nokia charger from 1998?’ ”

Tarr also pointed out how men hoard these wires and cables while not keeping things they need — like Band-Aids. Then she mocked us men again — for having firewire cables instead.

As much as I hate to admit it, Tarr may be right. I will probably never need anything from that box of wires. Even so, I refuse to get rid of it. And, keep in mind, if we ever move again, that box of wires weighs a lot less than a bag of rocks.

Have a great week, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

 
 

Celebrate North Polk

Celebrate North Polk (CNP), is the biggest event of the year that raises money for all the additional expenses North Polk Community School has and creates opportunities for students, athletes and the arts. CNP distributes funds equally among Fine Arts Boosters, Athletic Booster Club, and North Polk Foundation. This year's event will be held Saturday, May 31, 5-11:30 p.m. at the FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 S.W. Prairie Trail Parkway in Ankeny. To purchase tickets, visit www.celebratenorthpolk.org

 

Curbside yard waste collection begins April 4

Easily dispose of leaves, grass clippings, and more right at your curb. Yard waste curbside collection in Polk City occurs on Friday, the regular garbage collection day. You can set out a variety of yard waste for curbside collection, including: twigs and branches, leaves, grass clippings and garden vegetation (such as spoiled vegetables on the vine or wilted flowers from landscaping).

Items that are not accepted include: dirt, mulch, rocks, food or pet waste.

You have two options for curbside collection with Metro Waste Authority:

  • Bags and Stickers: Place yard waste in Compost it! bags or store-brand bags with a green Compost It! sticker attached. Set bags at the curb by 6 a.m. on your regular collection day. Bags and stickers are available at many local retailers.
  • Cart Service: If you have a lot of yard waste, consider a Compost It! cart. Just fill the 96-gallon cart and place it at the curb on your regular collection day each week. 

Logs, stumps, large branches, rocks and dirt are not accepted in the curbside Compost It! program, but they can be self-hauled to Metro Park East Landfill, where yard waste is accepted year-round. 

Once collected, your lawn and garden debris is taken to Metro Compost Center at Metro Park East Landfill. There, Metro Waste Authority’s team turns and maintains the yard waste for four to nine months as it decomposes. The final product is Grow Gold Compost, a natural soil enhancer available for purchase for your home, garden or landscaping projects.
Have questions about yard waste or the Compost It! program? Visit www.WhereItShouldGo.com/YardWaste,  or give Metro Waste Authority a call at 515-244-0021.

 

Coming up at the Polk City Community Library

1500 W. Broadway   |   984-6119  |  polkcitylibrary.org

  • Announcements:
    • National Library Giving Day is April 1.
    • National Library Week is April 6-12.
    • The library will be closed Saturday, April 19.
  • Pokémon Card Swap, Tuesday, April 1, 4 p.m.  Join us for an exciting Pokémon Card Swap event designed for kids and teens. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just starting your collection, this is the perfect opportunity to meet other fans, trade cards, and level up your Pokémon deck.
  • Library Giving Day, Tuesday, April 1. Library Giving Day is a one-day fundraising event with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy public libraries to donate to their individual library system. And in turn, that support will go toward the incredible programs, services and materials provided by local libraries all over the country.
  • Brew Your Own Kombucha with Carissa Thoma, Thursday, April 3, 6 p.m. Learn the ins-and-outs of brewing one of the world’s most popular fermented drinks. Topics include health benefits, flavoring, brew process and more. Samples will be provided. Registration requested but not required.
 

Polk County Conservation events

Visit www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events for information about upcoming programs offered by Polk County Conservation and for registration links.

  • Story Tellebration, Wednesdays at 10 a.m., March 19, Spring is Sprung; April 23, It’s Raining. Join volunteer storyteller Carmen Epstein for a fun, interactive tale tailored toward children ages 2 to 6 that explores the wonders of the outdoors. During each program, participants enjoy interactive stories and an activity. No registration required for this free event.
 

Book club meetings

1500 W. Broadway   |   984-6119  |  polkcitylibrary.org

  • Monday Book Club, The Little Liar,” by Mitch Albom. Monday, March 24, 2 p.m. Eleven-year-old Nico Krispis has never told a lie. His schoolmate, Fannie, loves him because of it. Nico’s older brother, Sebastian, resents him for both these facts When their young lives are torn apart during the war, it will take them decades to find each other. Stop by the library ahead of the meeting for a free copy of the book.
  • Wednesday Adult Book Club, “Bright Young Women” by Jessica Knoll, Wednesday, April 2, 7 p.m. The book opens on a Saturday night in 1978, hours before a soon-to-be-infamous murderer descends upon a Florida sorority house with deadly results. The lives of those who survive are forever changed.
  • Graphic Novel Book Club, Monday, April 14, 4 p.m. Join us for an exciting Graphic Novel Book Club at the library. Kids in grades 4-7 can dive into the world of colorful stories, amazing characters and thrilling adventures. Each month, we'll read a different graphic novel and discuss the art, plot, and our favorite moments. Whether you're a comic book expert or new to graphic novels, everyone is welcome to join the fun. April Book: “Create Your Own Graphic Novel.” Join us for a special book club where we share the graphic novels you created. Stop by the library for your CYO kit. Registration required.
  • Monday Book Club, “Midnight at the Blackbird Café” by Heather Webber, Monday April 21, 2 p.m. It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother's estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father's side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can't stop talking about.
 
 

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

African Violet Show and Sale
March 28 and 29
Wesleyan Church, 2025 Lower Beaver Road, Des Moines
The Evening African Violet Club of Des Moines invites the public to its 2025 African Violet Show and Sale. This is a nationally sanctioned show and sale that will have judges from the African Violet Society of America. Club members’ plants and supplies will be available. The sale hours are Friday, March 28, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, March 29, noon to 5 p.m. The judging of violets, gesneriads and floral design will take place on Saturday 10 a.m. to noon. Educational exhibits and AVSA promotional information will also be displayed. The Evening African Violet Club of Des Moines meets monthly from February to November on the third Saturday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Debra Heights Wesleyan Church. The public is invited.

Playhouse Summer Classes
Various dates
Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines
The Des Moines Playhouse offers students from kindergarten through high school more than 30 different classes and camps this June - August to fill the long summer days and keep minds active. A complete list of classes and registration is available at dmplayhouse.com. Theatre arts education at The Playhouse provides students with the opportunity to explore, create, imagine and express themselves, all within a safe, nurturing environment. Every class at The Playhouse is unique and led by the theatre's professional teaching artists. For more information on summer theatre camps and other Playhouse educational offerings, contact The Playhouse education department at 515-974-5365.

“Jesus Christ Superstar”
Through March 23
Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines
The Des Moines Playhouse presents the Broadway musical “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515-277-6261. “Jesus Christ Superstar” tells the story of Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion. Loosely based on the Gospels, Superstar focuses on the conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, the people of Israel, and the leadership of Rome. Told by his wavering disciple and ultimate betrayer, Judas, the rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice features such songs as “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane” and “Superstar.” Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets start at $29.

Iowa Deer Classic
March 21-23
Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines
iowaeventscenter.com
The latest in archery equipment, hunting gear, accessories, clothing, blinds, tree stands and lots more. Bring your antlers for official measuring, bring your bow for their 300 and 3D shoots, attend seminars and more.

DSM Book Festival
Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Franklin Event Center, 4801 Franklin Ave., Des Moines
Readers and book lovers in central Iowa will be thrilled to find an outstanding array of authors appearing at this free, fun-filled event, presented by Beaverdale Books and Beaverdale Neighborhood Association. In addition to author programs, panels, workshops and children’s activities, the event will offer attendees the opportunity to have their books signed, visit with publishers, and enjoy mingling with fellow book lovers. For the complete schedule, visit https://beaverdalebooks.com/dsmbookfestival/. Four headlining presentations will be offered in the venue’s large theater, including fiction writer Claire Lombardo, historian Alexis Coe, award-winning Hanif Abdurraqib and AViD author C.J. Box.

Dome After Dark
Fridays through March, 6-10 p.m.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
dmbotanicalgarden.com
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s lush tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House are colorfully illuminated for Dome After Dark. Flora, the botanical garden’s restaurant, serves food and drinks till 9 p.m.
  
Vendor Markets
March 15, April 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Outlets of Des Moines, 801 Bass Pro Drive N.W., Suite 315, Altoona 
Each show has a variety of vendors from Avon, Living Oils, Small Town Laser, Unicorn Clouds, MJ's Hometown Honey, 3D by LouAnn, Tupperware, Tastefully Simple, Good Vibrations Gems & Crystals, plus others. Come check out the vendors and buy local. If interested in being a vendor, email k2marketplacemagic@gmail.com for information.

 
 
St. Patrick’s Day made special
 

(Family Features) While some St. Patrick’s Day celebrations call for green beer and large gatherings, you may instead opt for a cozy evening at home with comforting foods and close friends. Whether your shamrock spirit leads you out for a local parade or you’re more of a stay-at-home leprechaun, there is one tradition all can agree on: delicious Irish food.

Perfect for serving as a sweet complement to coffee or tea, or all on its own as a nightcap nibble, Irish Sweet Soda Bread comes together in a snap so you can let it bake while enjoying the main course. Offering an easy way to participate in the festivities, it might just become a household favorite to be savored year-round.

Irish Sweet Soda Bread
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 4 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 cup currants (raisins can be used in place of currants)
  • 2 tablespoons sanding sugar (optional)
  • coffee or tea, for serving (optional)

Directions:

  • Heat oven to 375 F.

  • Mix melted butter and sugar then add buttermilk. Mix in flour and currants.

  • Flour hands and counter. Add sanding sugar to dough, if desired, and knead into ball.

  • Grease small Dutch oven or pie plate and bake 40 minutes. Serve with coffee or tea, if desired, or as a dessert.

 
 
 
From your North Polk Living magazine
 

Mailed to all residents of Polk City, Alleman, Elkhart and Sheldahl the third Thursday of each month.

This month's cover story:

A SPECIAL BOND

Local grandparents share why living close to their grandkids is so important to them.

These days, kids often grow up, move away and start family and careers far from where they grew up. Siblings are often scattered across the country and even the globe. Dinners with the extended family is now regulated to the holidays, when those who are able make the trip “back home.” But there is something about grandkids that brings about another family shift. Many young families decide their kids would benefit from having family close by, and many grandparents find retirement is the perfect time for making a move closer to family. Some of those grandparents who live close to their grandkids share what it means to them to form the special bonds that come from time spent together.

[...]

 
Read this month's issue
 

P.S. As a free newsletter, we rely on readers like you to grow our subscriber list. If you have friends or coworkers who you think would enjoy Polk City Living Weekly, share this email with them and they can subscribe by CLICKING HERE.

 

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Johnston, Iowa 50131

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