Dec. 6-12, 2024

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa Dec. 14

You are invited to a pancake breakfast with Santa on Dec. 14, 9-11 a.m., at The Wing at the Polk City United Methodist Church, 1421 W. Broadway St. Decorate cookies and visit with Santa. New this year is Santa’s Workshop. Children are invited to “shop” for and wrap Christmas gifts for their loved ones.

Support requested for Winter Wonderland Gala

The Polk City Community Foundation is planning its annual Winter Wonderland Gala, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 S.W. Prairie Trail Parkway in Ankeny. The gala will include a program, dinner and live auction. Proceeds will benefit Polk City and the foundation’s nonprofit partnerships in the area. This year, the Foundation has a big goal — to raise $150,000.
           

The foundation encourages the public to support the event as an attendee, sponsor or donor. Donations can be made by credit card online at http://getmeregistered.com/PCCFWinterGala or by check mailed to Polk City Community Foundation, P.O. Box 52, Polk City, IA 50226.

Galentine’s Trivia supports parks

The annual Galentine's Trivia event, hosted by Polk City Friends of the Parks with help and support from the Polk City Women, will be held Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. at the Polk City Legion post, 114 W. Broadway St., Polk City.

Trivia will be 1990s themed. Cost is $100 per table of up to five people or $25 per individual wishing to be placed with others to create a team. Bring your own food. Drinks will be available for purchase, cash only. Everyone will go home with a prize. Doors open at 6 p.m., and trivia will start at 7 p.m.

Funds raised at this event will support Polk City parks, trails and green spaces. This event is LGBTQ friendly. Register at https://donorbox.org/90s-trivia.

Coming up at the Polk City Library

Polk City Community Library, 1500 W. Broadway St., 515-984-6119, www.polkcityia.gov/library.

• Closings: The library will be closed for the holidays all day Dec. 24-25 and all day Jan. 1, plus closing at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
• Giving Tree: Blank Children’s Hospital, until Dec. 13. We are partnering with a Polk City second-grade Cub Scout troop to collect items for Blank Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialists. The most needed donations include: doll clothes (including Barbie), action figures, craft supplies, diamond paint art kits, bead bracelet kits, Paw Patrol toys, Little People toys, notebooks, card stock, copy paper, children’s underwear, solid colored t-shirts, solid colored sweat pants, and AA batteries. Unwrapped donations may be left under the tree in the library’s foyer.
• Graphic Novel Book Club: Monday, Dec. 9, 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. December book is “The Dragonet Prophecy” (Wings of Fire: Book No. 1). Registration required.
• Lego Club, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 3:45 p.m. Engage in learning through stacking and building with these deceptively simple bricks. Enhance your problem-solving skills and teamwork. For ages 8-16. Registration required.
• Adult Evening DIY, Thursday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m. Join us for a fun crafty evening! We’ll be making a winter-themed tic-tac-toe board to enjoy with friends and family or gift to someone you care for. Ages 17 and older. Registration required.
• …Ready for It? Friday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m. Join us for a family-friendly after-hours celebration in honor of Taylor Swift’s birthday. TS-themed crafts, karaoke, dancing and lots of laughs! Dressing in your favorite Era or Swift-inspired outfit is encouraged. All ages are welcome.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Holiday Ho Ho Home Tour
Dec. 7, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Around Ankeny
Tour several Ankeny homes decked out for the holidays. Each features its own unique decorations, style and appetizers. All donations benefit the Wiedenman Family Foundation, which was formed to undertake projects that will enhance Ankeny and the surrounding community. Tickets are $25. For tickets, visit www.hohohometour.org/event-details/tickets.
 
Christkindlmarket
Dec. 5-8
Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
Christkindlmarket features regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls, lively performances of polka music, traditional dance and choirs in Yuletide Hall; children's activities; Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and European beer. www.christkindlmarketdsm.com
 
Family Christmas at Living History Farms
Saturday, Dec. 7, noon to 3 p.m.
11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Hear the sounds, see the sights, and smell the smells of a 19th-century Christmas.
Enjoy carolers, old fashioned demonstration, a craft, stories, and a visit with old St. Nick. Tickets are $9 for ages 2 and older ($8 for members). Buildings are heated. Bundle up for wagon rides. Tickets are available at https://marketplace.lhf.org/Events.aspx. www.lhf.org

Christmas Open House
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m.
Olmsted-Urban House, 4010 70th St., Urbandale
Enjoy a Christmas Open House at the Urbandale Historical Society’s Olmsted/ Urban House. A variety of activities will be held at the decorated house.

Central Iowa Wind Ensemble
Dec. 15, 3 p.m.
Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School, 3650 Woodland Ave., West Des Moines
The Central Iowa Wind Ensemble (CIWE) welcomes audiences to its new performance home for a heartwarming holiday concert. In addition to celebrating the season through music, CIWE is honored to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa to bring the joy of music to youth across the community. For tickets, visit www.ciwe.org/deck-the-halls-dsm.

Des Moines Concert Handbells Winter Concerts
Various dates and locations
Des Moines Concert Handbells will present three winter concerts with a variety of music. Bring your family and friends. Concerts are at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Howard St., Indianola, on Dec. 7 at 4 p.m.; Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8301 Aurora Ave., Urbandale, on Dec.13 at 7 p.m.; and at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. A freewill donation will be accepted.

Des Moines Community Orchestra concerts
The Des Moines Community Orchestra has announced its concert dates for the 2024/2025 concert season. Admission is free. Concerts start at 2 p.m. with pre-concert talks at 1 p.m. For more information, visit desmoinescommunityorchestra.org. Concerts are:
• Sunday, Dec. 8, Celebrate & Sing Handel’s Messiah, Grace United Methodist Church.
• Sunday, Feb. 23, Winter Concert and Past Audience Favorites, Sheslow Auditorium.
• Sunday, May 11, Spring Concert, Carl’s Favorite Finales, Sheslow Auditorium.

Jingle in the Junction
Dec. 12, Dec. 19, 5-8 p.m.
Valley Junction
The holiday season is in Valley Junction as many businesses extend their hours on Thursday nights to give you more time to find the perfect holiday gift, enjoy dinner, and enjoy three blocks of free entertainment on 5th Street under the glow of more than 100,000 holiday lights. Enjoy free horse-drawn trolley rides, ice carvings, photo op, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. in front of the West Des Moines Fire Administration Headquarters at 318 Fifth St, rotating entertainers, live reindeer, carolers, and Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Historic Valley Junction Foundation office from 6-8 p.m.

In the Christmas Mood with the Glenn Miller Orchestra
Dec. 22, 7 p.m.
Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Enjoy the sounds of the season. For tickets, visit hoytsherman.org.

(Family Features)

Once your holiday feast comes to pass, you’re almost certain to find your refrigerator stuffed with leftovers. However, that doesn’t mean you want to eat the same meal again and again in the days that follow.

The star of many seasonal celebrations, turkey can be reused in a variety of post-holiday dishes to cut down on food waste and create fresh new meals your whole family can enjoy. Featuring a unique blend of 100% natural chili peppers, lime and sea salt, Tajín pairs perfectly with turkey, making it a go-to for creative leftovers.

Gone are the days of simply reheating turkey and stuffing or making a turkey sandwich. Instead, reinvent your holiday extras through fresh takes on classic dishes like leftover turkey carnitas tacos.

Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos

Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 (2-3 tacos each)

Ingredients:

• 4-6 garlic cloves, peeled and separated
• 1 pinch salt
• 1⁄2 cup fresh bitter orange juice or fresh lime juice with fresh orange juice combo
• 1⁄2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Tajín Clasico Seasoning
• 1 cup leftover turkey, shredded
• 1 cup duck fat, ghee or high smoke point oil of choice
• 4-6 tortillas

Toppings (optional):

• pico de gallo
• pickled onions
• cilantro
• pomegranate seeds
• avocado

To make biscuits:

• With mortar and pestle, crush together garlic cloves and salt, make paste and place in medium bowl.

• Stir in juice, olive oil and seasoning.

• Fold mojo into shredded turkey meat.

• In large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat, melt duck fat and wait until it forms a wave. Add turkey, in batches, stirring often, until meat turns light golden brown, then lower heat to medium. Turn off heat.

• Heat up tortillas, place turkey carnitas on top and add pico de gallo, pickled onions, cilantro, pomegranate seeds or avocado as desired.

• Note: Once browned in duck fat, carnitas can be stored in the fat overnight and reheated over low heat to melt fat and warm carnitas.

JOKE OF THE WEEK:

Who is Frosty's favorite aunt?

Aunt Arctica!

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