Sept. 11-17, 2026

Blood donors: Are you a blood donor? Have you had a personal experience with someone who needed a blood donation? Have you volunteered at blood drives? If you have been involved in any way, we would like to hear from you. Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com  and include your name and town you live in.

Veterans salutes: Submit your Veterans Profiles to Tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com. Include photo, name, town where you live, military branch, rank, enlistment dates, and answer to: “What would you like others to know about serving your country?”

Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to noon
Sheldahl United Methodist Church, Sixth and Hubbell, Sheldahl

The Sheldahl United Women in Faith group is hosting its Fall Festival Bazaar and Bake Sale, featuring a large inventory of denim rugs, nuts, cards, baked goods and craft items, as well as a coffee corner.

The Polk City Farmers Market is from 4-7 p.m. Thursdays until Sept. 24 at the Polk City Square. It features local produce, products and pastries while supporting local. You might find your new favorite bakery, some one-of-a-kind home decor, fresh produce for that recipe you've been wanting to try, fresh flowers for the kitchen table, and delicious treats to snack on. Also included are food trucks and live entertainment. The market is dog-friendly. Have your furry companion on a 6-foot leash. To keep up to date with weekly food trucks, live entertainment, vendor highlights and market updates, follow them on Facebook.

Public meetings

• City Council Work Session, Sept. 14, 5 p.m.
• City Council Meeting, Sept. 14, 6 p.m.
• Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, Sept. 21, 6 p.m.
• City Council Meeting, Sept. 28, 6 p.m.

Polk City Public Library news

1500 W. Broadway   |   515-984-6119   |   www.polkcitylibrary.org

• Friends of the Library Book Sale, Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to noon. Fill a bag of books, DVDs and audiobooks for $5.
• Puzzle Master Competition, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2 p.m. Tournament Club of Iowa. Teams of four.
• Comet Kids STEAM, Thursday, Oct. 1, at 4:15 p.m. Calling all K-6th graders. Get ready to explore, create and problem-solve with a new STEAM challenge at each meeting. Come ready to experiment, think creatively and discover just how much fun STEAM can be. Registration required.
• Family Game Day with The Dealt Hand, Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1-4 p.m., Fenders Brewing
• Not-A-School-Day, Monday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to noon. When North Polk Schools are out for Monday teacher in-service days, A.S.A.P. is keeping the creativity going. This fine arts program gradually builds skills from month to month while still welcoming new students at any point. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space allows.
• Iowa Storm Chaser Network, Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. Grab your umbrellas and join Mike Cox from the Iowa Storm Chasing Network for a thrilling, one-hour adventure. Explore the electrifying world of storm chasing, peek into the crystal ball for upcoming weather predictions and get tips on staying safe when the skies turn dramatic. Plus, feast your eyes on some jaw-dropping footage collected over the years. It’s a whirlwind event for all ages. No registration required.
• BYO Art, Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 1-3 p.m., and Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 5-7 p.m. Bring your own art, craft or coloring project to work on while you relax and chat with others. No sign-up necessary. Ages 17 and older.
• Wednesday Book Club, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge. In 1938, a young Dust Bowl rowdy named Woodrow Nickel embarks on a transformative 12-day road trip to deliver two hurricane-surviving giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Now 105 years old, Woodrow recounts this historical adventure, weaving a coming-of-age tale about the profound impact of animals and the kindness of strangers during a weary era of American history.

Polk County Conservation events

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

• Family Fun Night: Friday, Sept. 11, 6-8 p.m., Jester Park Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center. Gather your friends and family together for a low-cost night of fun at Jester Park’s Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center. Opportunities will be available for bouldering (ages 4 and older) and archery (ages 10 and older), playing a variety of family games and puzzles, and enjoying time outdoors, or in, by the fire making s’mores. Light snacks will be provided. Pay cash (preferred) or card at the door for this open-house style event. All ages welcome.
• Mindful Yoga with a View: Saturday, Sept. 12, 9-10 a.m., Easter Lake Event Center. This hatha-style yoga class is designed for participants exploring yoga for the first time, as well as for continuing participants who want to enhance their skills and dive deeper into the nuances of a holistic yoga practice. Explore essential yoga poses while connecting to the mind and breath. Build strength, flexibility and a greater sense of inner stillness. Come and learn something new while feeling immersed in nature. Suitable for all participants who can transition to and from the floor without assistance. Please bring your own yoga mat and blocks (optional). Space is available until the room reaches full capacity. This Rooted in Nature program is offered in sponsorship with Unity Point Health. Free, ages 12 and older.
• Caterpillar Craze: Saturday, Sept. 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Jester Park Nature Center. What happens to a caterpillar before it turns into a butterfly? Where do caterpillars like to hide? Join a naturalist for a family-friendly hike to learn more about these questions, then head back to the nature center for a caterpillar-themed craft. Free, all ages welcome.
• Nature Immersion - Approaching the Equinox with Nature Journaling: Friday, Sept. 18, 6-8 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center. Join a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and experienced naturalist during this restorative nature experience as you reflect on the approaching equinox through interactive invitations and nature journal prompts. Participants are encouraged to bring their own journal to record their experience and practice the art of nature journaling. (if you do not have your own journal, extra stationery will be available.)  No prior experience is necessary, just comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and an openness to slowing down. This Rooted in Nature program is offered in sponsorship with Unity Point Health. Ages 18 or older. Registration required by three days prior.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Halfway to St. Pat’s Charity Car Show
Sunday, Sept. 20
Charlie’s Filling Station, 305 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are holding a fundraising car show to benefit the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Bring your classic or unique vehicle. Registration is 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 3 p.m. Vendors and food will be available.

CITYVIEW’s Martini Fest
Friday, Sept. 25, 5-9 p.m.
West Glen Town Center, 5465 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
Enjoy CITYVIEW’s Martini Fest, featuring 10 tickets for sample-size martinis at participating stops for $25 ($35 at the event). Visit https://martinifest.dmcityview.com/ for more information and to purchase tickets.

Iowa Barn Foundation All-State Barn Tour
Sept. 19-20
The Iowa Barn Foundation is hosting the largest barn tour with a record 108 stops. The tour is free and open to the public, made possible by member donors. The tour will run both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Iowa Barn Foundation is a volunteer-led nonprofit committed to preserving Iowa's rural heritage one barn at a time.

Des Moines Area Quilters Guild Quilt Show
Sept. 24-26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Iowa State Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
More than 600 quilts will be on display. Dozens of vendors will be displaying and selling their goods. Free demonstrations, quilt turnings and classes will be offered daily. There will be a raffle quilt and a Quilt Maker's Market. Admission is $12 at the door or $10 in advance; children 12 and younger are free. For more information, visit dmaqg.org or follow Des Moines Area Quilters Guild on Facebook.

2026 Des Moines Concours
Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Western Gateway, Des Moines
The Des Moines Concours showcases carefully selected vintage, classic, exotic, motorcycle and special-interest vehicles that highlight the remarkable evolution of transportation design and engineering. Special featured classes for 2026 include a celebration of Pontiac's 100th Anniversary and a unique showcase of vehicles that inspired the beloved characters from Pixar's “Cars” movies. Guests can enjoy food trucks, local vendors, interactive exhibits, LEGO displays, radio-controlled car racing, educational presentations, photo opportunities and hands-on activities throughout the day.

Social Saturday: Great Outdoors
Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Join the Des Moines Art Center’s September Social Saturday event: Great Outdoors! Enjoy crafts in the Art School studios, a scavenger hunt, a guided tour, storytime, treats in the Art Center Café, and so much more. The full schedule of events can be found at: https://desmoinesartcenter.org/event/social-saturday-great-outdoors/.

Hoyt Sherman Place celebrates American Independence
Sunday, Sept. 13
Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation is the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for “Celebrating the Nation’s 250th Birthday with Music from U.S. Military Bands.” With the $15,000 grant, the foundation will partner with the 34th Army Band of the Iowa National Guard to present a free, outdoor public event. For more information, visit https://hoytsherman.org/.

(Feature Impact) Peanut butter and jelly is a childhood favorite for a reason. The combination of creamy peanut butter and sweet fruit has been familiar, comforting and easy to enjoy for generations.

Think beyond the traditional sandwich by turning those flavors into these snackable Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars. With a texture somewhere between baked oatmeal and a soft granola bar, the bars are moist but hold together well, making them a tasty, healthy option to take on the go.

Decorate the bars — and add a little extra sweetness — by drizzling on a Greek yogurt glaze and sprinkling colorful dried berries over the top.

Find more recipes for your family to enjoy throughout the school year at Culinary.net.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars
Recipe adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 25 minutes
Servings: 16

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large)
• ½ cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
• 2 ½ cups old-fashioned whole oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• raspberry or strawberry jam, to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on sides to easily remove bars from pan. Set aside.
• In large bowl or stand mixer, mash bananas. On medium speed, whisk in peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, milk, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Batter should be thick but still pourable.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan and use spoon or knife to swirl jam into batter. Bake 25-28 minutes, or until center is set.
• Remove from oven and cool at room temperature 30-60 minutes then refrigerate pan until chilled, about 1 hour.
• Lift parchment paper to remove bars from pan then cut into 16 equal squares.
• To make optional yogurt topping: In bowl, whisk yogurt, vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before drizzling on bars. Add dried fruits, as desired.
• Store leftover bars in airtight container and refrigerate up to 10 days.
• Notes: Egg can be replaced with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. Bars are difficult to cut before chilling.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

WANTED: Stereo and electronic radio stuff, receivers, speakers, guitar amp, etc. Any age or condition is OK. Call 515-238-3343.

DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING SERVICES: Overwhelmed by clutter? Let me help you create a calm, organized home for a healthier, happier living space. Services include home organization, decluttering, and tailored packages. Call Jennifer at (515) 991-2511 to book your consultation!

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