Aug. 4-10, 2026

The Bishop Drumm Pancake Breakfast was held June 26 with all proceeds going to the Central Iowa Alzheimer's Association. Enjoying the event were Ardie Strawman, Shirley Kelley and Carey Boysen.

First Baptist Church celebrates 175 years

The First Baptist Church of Johnston, 8250 N.W. 62nd Ave.,  is celebrating its 175th anniversary with special events this year. An all-church birthday party was held in May, and wedding memories were shared in June. In August, date to be determined, a bicycle ride is being held. Sept. 19 is the church’s The Gathering Heritage Dinner, and Sept. 20 is the worship service celebrating 175 years of God’s blessings.

Movies on the Yard

Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and bring your favorite people along for a fun outdoor movie night, offered Thursdays, Aug. 20 and Sept. 10 at The Yard at Johnston Town Center, 6245 Merle Hay Road.

Movies on The Yard is free, so everyone in the community can join in on the summer fun. Movies will begin at 6:30 p.m. Featured are:

• Aug. 20: “Cars 3”
• Sept. 10: TBD

Museum open

The Johnston Historical Society 1902 Simpson House Museum, at 6161 Northglenn Drive in Johnston, will be open on the second Sunday of each month from 2-4 p.m. through December. Guided tours will be available. The museum is also open during Johnston Commons park events, including Sundae in the Park on Sunday, Aug. 2 from 6-8 p.m. The museum is also open by appointment. Email johnstonhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call 515-330-0687 for an appointment.

Tunes at Twilight Concert Series

Tunes at Twilight, presented by The Cork 50131, will be held Thursdays, Aug. 13 and Sept. 24, from 6:30-9 p.m. featuring two acts each night. Admission is free, and no tickets are required for this event, held at The Yard at Johnston Town Center, 6245 Merle Hay Road.  Bands featured are:

• Aug. 13: Suede and Sons of Gladys Kravitz
• Sept. 24: The Sheet and Damon Dotson

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

Come and be part of an exciting summer of music at The Yard Summer Concert Series presented by The Cork 50131. Concerts are Saturdays, July 25, Aug. 29 and Oct. 3, from 7-10 p.m. at The Yard at Johnston Town Center, 6245 Merle Hay Road. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. Featured are:

• Aug. 29: Not Quite Brothers
• Oct. 3: Pork Tornadoes

First Midwest Walk for FTD

On Saturday, Sept. 19, families from across Iowa and the Midwest will gather at Terra Park, 6400 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston, for the first-ever Walk for FTD Des Moines Area — A New Path. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., the program starts at 10:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 11 a.m. Mayor Paula Dierenfeld will have signed a proclamation recognizing and declaring National FTD Awareness Week, Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, and it will be celebrated during the walk festivities. FTD stands for frontotemporal dementia, a group of rare brain disorders that mainly affects behavior, personality, language and movement rather than memory, and it usually strikes people at a younger age (between 40 and 65) than other types of dementia.

Johnston Farmers Market

The 2026 Johnston Farmers Market is underway. Every Tuesday until Sept. 29, 4-7 p.m,
Johnston Town Center, 6221 Merle Hay Road. Sales begin promptly at 4 p.m., and live performances from several local musicians truly make the market the place to be.

Upcoming in Johnston Living magazine

Home improvement: Have you undertaken a renovation that has transformed a room — or more — in your house? Whether you have modernized a bathroom or kitchen or given an entire story much needed updates that make you smile whenever you see the new look, we want to hear from you. Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com.

Events at Johnston Public Library

If you are feeling inspired by all the flowers in bloom, join us for Homemade-ish: Felt Flower Bookmarks on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10:30 a.m. and create a handmade bookmark you can enjoy all year long. Using felt and other provided supplies, you will craft a beautiful bookmark perfect for keeping your place in your current read. Registration is required.

Have you been participating in JPL’s Ultimate Reading Challenge and want to exchange opinions, suggestions and even books? Then drop by the Ultimate Reading Challenge Meet-Up: Leather Stamping any time between 6 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19. In addition to socializing with other readers, you can stamp a design onto a leather bookmark or keychain or bring a leather item of your choice to personalize. You can also bring any books you are ready to pass along and take home something new to read.

Take a break from the heat and back-to-school rush and sign up for the Adult Puzzle Competition on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Teams will race to complete a 500-piece puzzle in 90 minutes. The first to finish wins a prize, but all teams will go home with a puzzle perfect for library lovers. Register your team of family and friends ages 16 and older to join the fun.

More information about events and resources at the Johnston Public Library is available at www.johnstonlibrary.com or by calling 515-278-5233.

Polk County Conservation events

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

• Sunset Inclusive Yoga: Thursday, Aug. 6, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Easter Lake Event Center, 2830, Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. Take time to unwind as the sun sets at Athene North Shore with instructor Dr. Stacey Huffman, OT/L. This mixed-level class welcomes every body and meets you where you are, with chair-supported and standing options offered throughout so you can move in the way that feels best. Every posture is an invitation, never a requirement; you are always the expert on your own body. Drawing on Stacey’s background as an occupational therapist with over 600 hours of training in yoga, trauma-informed yoga, and Nature and Forest Therapy guiding, the class blends gentle movement, breath awareness, and nervous system regulation to help you settle into the natural rhythm of the closing day. This Rooted in Nature program is offered in sponsorship with UnityPoint Health. Items to bring: yoga mat, comfortable clothing, and water bottle. Class will be held on the beach or inside the Event Center dependent on weather conditions. Ages 12 and older, registration required by one day before program.
• Atl-Atls and Aritfacts: Saturday, Aug. 8, 1-2:30 p.m., Yellow Banks Park, Prairieview Shelter, 6801 S.E. 32nd Ave., Pleasant Hill. Yellow Banks Park has a rich cultural history with human occupation of the land beginning nearly 12,000 years ago. Authentic artifacts discovered in the  park along with replica tools will be on display as we discuss the archaeological history of the park. Participants will even get the chance to try their hand at flint knapping and throwing an atlatl. Don't know what an atlatl is, join us and find out. Free, all ages welcome, no registration required.

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.

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/best offer. Call Tom Woody 515-778-1231.

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

DECLUTTERING & ORGANIZING SERVICES – FIND YOUR PEACE: 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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