Aug. 7-13, 2026

Farmers market

The Polk City Farmers Market from 4-7 p.m. Thursdays until Sept. 24 at the Polk City Square 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.

Live music Aug. 15 in Alleman

The public is invited to a concert by the William Lawsome Band from 6-8 p.m., rain or shine, on Aug. 15 at the Salem United Church of Christ, 320 N.E. 141st Ave., Alleman. Enjoy an evening of country and bluegrass music on the church lawn. Women’s Fellowship will provide food as part of the fiundraiser. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and favorite beverage. A free will donation will be accepted for the band.

Polk City Public Library news

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

• Announcements: Summer reading logs are due no later than 3 p.m. Aug. 8. Prize drawings will be held Aug. 10.
• Mah Jongg Open Play: Monday, Aug. 10, 1 p.m., and Thursday, Aug. 27, 5 p.m. Open play for all skill levels. Learn the game or enjoy casual play. One set will be available; participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible. No registration required. Ages 17 and older. Not instructor led.
• Monday Book Club: Monday, Aug. 17, 2 p.m. “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson. Set in 1930s Kentucky, this novel follows a Pack Horse librarian delivering books through Appalachia while facing prejudice and hardship.
• Adult DIY: Paint-by-Number Sunflower Canvas. Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m. Create your own sunflower masterpiece. Registration required. Ages 17 and older.

Public meetings

• City Council Work Session, Aug. 10, 5 p.m.
• City Council Meeting, Aug. 10, 6 p.m.
• Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, Aug. 17, 6 p.m.
• City Council Meeting, Aug. 24, 6 p.m.
• City Offices Closed - Labor Day, Sept. 7
• Parks Commission Meeting, Sept. 7, 6 p.m.
• 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 County Conservation events

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

• Evening with an Owl: 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, Jester Park Nature Center. Spend an evening at Jester Park getting up close with animal ambassador owls. This program will begin with a meet-and-greet where participants can observe a live owl’s features, behaviors and adaptations while learning what makes these nocturnal hunters so extraordinary. Then, dive deeper into the world of owls through an interactive program filled with fun, hands-on activities. No registration required. All ages welcome.
• 2026 Prairie Stomp Summer Music Series: A local, Iowa band will kick off the evening with live music at various locations. Picket Fence Creamery ice cream will be on site for purchase. The Easter Lake Event Center and Sleepy Hollow locations will also have their standard concessions available for purchase. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. Bring your own blankets, camp chairs, your friends and family, and enjoy a summer evening.
• Let's Get Batty: 7:45-9 p.m., Jester Park Youth Camp Area. Iowa is home to nine different species of bats! Gather around a campfire with a naturalist to learn more about these fascinating creatures, discuss why they are important to our ecosystem, and even observe them flying around in their natural habitat. No registration required. All ages welcome.
• Hike for Health at Easter Lake Park: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Easter Lake Park Shelter 3. Why walk the mall when you can enjoy the great outdoors? Hike along with this friendly group of nature lovers who walk the trails each month for exercise and fun. Enjoy the camaraderie and explore some new trails. Registration required by Aug. 16. Ages 12 and older.
• Women in the Woods with Wine - Stick Hike: 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18, Jester Park Nature Center. Go back to the basics as the group will play with sticks. After a refreshing walk, each participant will decorate a custom hiking stick. This program is for women ages 21 and older who are interested in getting outside. Become more comfortable and knowledgeable about the natural world as you unwind and have fun. Registration required by Aug. 16. Cost is $15.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Stargazing nights at Simpson College

Last Friday of every month after dusk


Blank Performing Arts Center parking lot, corner of D Street and Detroit Avenue
 Join for stargazing on the last Friday of each month after dusk. Event is canceled if it rains.

Heartland For Kids benefit concert for Mary’s Meals
Thursday, Aug. 27, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines

Heartland For Kids presents a benefit concert for Mary’s Meals. Enjoy a family-fun evening with Nashville musicians Phoenix Mendoza, Josh Leo and Kitty Steadman. Any monetary donation will help the world's most vulnerable children receive an education and provide them with enough to eat. Fun activities will be available for the kids. Food, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, will be available for a free will donation. To donate online, visit www.marysmealsusa.org.

Levitt AMP Earlham Music Series
Sundays at 6 p.m.
Earlham City Park, Earlham

• Aug. 16: Music: XOLEX, Bone People. Food trucks: Hotel Luna, Snappy’s BBQ, Pho Wheels and Sushi, Street Sweets.

The Ingersoll Shows
The Ingersoll, 3711 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

Tickets are available at www.theingersoll.com/events or at Ticketmaster.com/TheIngersoll.

• Four Roses Bourbon and Culinary Experience: Aug. 25, cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., guests please arrive by 5:45 p.m., five-course dinner and guided bourbon tasting at 6 p.m. Designed for bourbon enthusiasts and food lovers alike.
• I Write The Songs: A Tribute to Barry Manilow with Steve Berry: Aug. 26, 27 and 28, dining at 5:30 p.m., showtime at 7:30 p.m. A familiar favorite on The Ingersoll stage, Steve Berry brings his signature charm and powerhouse vocals back for an unforgettable evening celebrating the music of Barry Manilow.

World Food and Music Festival
Friday, Aug. 28, to Sunday, Aug. 30
Downtown Des Moines

The free three-day festival will feature food from local vendors representing countries from around the world. Headlining Main Stage performances include The Pork Tornadoes on Friday, Aug. 28, and Parranderos Latin Combo on Saturday, Aug. 29. A highlight of this year’s festival will be a naturalization ceremony where approximately 50-60 individuals will become United States citizens.

In addition to food and music, festival-goers can enjoy live entertainment on the Cultural Stage, cooking demonstrations in the Culinary Discovery Pavilion and cultural activities in the Cultural Activity Pavilion, along with a Fruit Adventure, the Veridian Activity Zone, Spark DSM Vendors, global beverages and interactive experiences throughout the festival grounds. Festival hours are: Friday, Aug. 28, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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/.

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.

(Feature Impact) When life gets busy, your home should be a place of reprieve, not extra stress — and that includes your kitchen. If you’re juggling work, chores, errands, hobbies, studies, a social life, caretaking or the other million-and-one things keeping your schedule full right now, the idea of spending an hour putting together a home-cooked meal might sound exhausting or downright impossible.

If you’re craving a savory, cheesy dinner, this high-protein Garlic Parmesan Rice and Shrimp Skillet, ready in only 6 minutes, is an ideal choice for busy home chefs searching for that elusive balance between simple and sophisticated. Plus, the recipe can easily be adapted to your household’s tastes; try tossing some spinach or chickpeas into the skillet or swapping the shrimp for chicken or tofu.

For more meal ideas to keep you going when life is moving quickly, visit MinuteRice.com.

Garlic Parmesan Rice and Shrimp Skillet
Prep time: 1 minute
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1-2

Ingredients:

• 1 Minute Garlic Parmesan Rice Cup
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• lemon wedges, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

• Heat rice according to package directions.
• In medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shrimp to skillet and cook until pink, about 3 minutes. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
• In same skillet, add rice, lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and heat through, 1 minute. Return shrimp and stir to combine.
• Garnish with parsley. Squeeze lemon wedge over top, if desired, and serve.
• Substitution: Use sauteed mushrooms or crispy tofu to make vegetarian.

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!

FOR SALE: 2007 21’ Lowe Suncruiser BIMINI 214 pontoon boat. Great for family lake days, fishing fun or evening sunset cruises. 50 hp Mercury 2-stroke outboard. 55 LB Thrust Minn Kota trolling motor. Shoreland’r trailer with recently replaced bumpers and tires. Lowrance depth and fish finder. Front trolling motor (with foot pedal) and mount included. Built-in tackle storage and “live well.” Lots of storage and accommodates 12 people. Three life jackets and three buoys. Newer Boss Bluetooth radio. Recently serviced by Lake Panorama Marine and ready for the water. Recent maintenance includes new spark plugs, fuel filter, primer bulb, fuel line, water pump and impeller kit. New stern light installed. $12,000 or best offer. Call Tom Woody 515-778-1231.

FOR SALE: 2018 Coachmen Mirada 25BK. Sleeps 8 (king bed, drop down front bed, queen sofa bed, dinette), 37’ ( bike rack not included), stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator with ice, two roof AC units, heat pump, gas furnace, outdoor kitchen, two slide outs, power awnings, 5500 watt Onan generator, 2000 watt inverter, lithium house batteries, auto leveling, insulated battery storage and wet bay. 55,000 miles, new tires, engine and generator serviced in March 2026. Asking $64,200. Message or text Dave Milburn at 515-240-4672. More photos at https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/5040136236

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