Aug. 18-24, 2026

Bank Iowa's 50th Anniversary Celebration was held Aug. 11 at the Johnston location. Among those attending were, front row: Aaron Colyer, London Heim and Bill Frye; and, back row: John Rathjen, Will O'Malley, Rick Kroeget, Erik Moen and Jenni Buchanan.

Johnston Artisan Fair

The third annual Johnston Artisan Fair will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 6426 Merle Hay Road, Johnston. Discover handcrafted treasures from more than 35 Iowa artists and makers, with indoor and outdoor vendors featuring pottery, jewelry, stained glass, woodworking, paintings, fiber arts, ceramics, home décor and more. Food and refreshments will also be available, including homemade cinnamon rolls, walking tacos, brats, hot dogs, desserts and other treats. Admission and parking are free.

USS Iowa crew members at Military Museum

Crew members of the USS Iowa SSN 797 will be at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge, 7105 N.W. 70th Ave., Johnston, on Aug. 18. A meet and greet with light refreshments will be held at 2 p.m. followed by crew member introductions and acknowledgments at 2:20 p.m. Learn about life on a submarine and discover the fascinating history of the USS Iowa during the 2:30 p.m. open forum, followed by questions and answers at 3 p.m. and museum tour at 3:15 p.m. led by a curator of the museum.

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

The final Tunes at Twilight, presented by The Cork 50131, will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6:30-9 p.m. featuring two acts. 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 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,  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 Public Meetings

• Thursday, Aug. 20: Library Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 20: Board of Adjustments Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Events at Johnston Public Library

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.

• Prairie Stomp at Sleepy Hollow: Thursday, Aug. 27, 6-8 p.m., Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 4051 Dean Ave., Des Moines. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. Bring your own blankets, camp chairs, your friends and family, and enjoy a summer evening. Featured band: The Matt Woods Band.
• Restorative Hike at Jester Park: Thursday, Aug. 27, 6-7:30 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Take a moment to step away from the hubbub of regular life and join other adults each month this summer season for a guided hike. We’ll breathe in the fresh air, get in some healthy movement and explore what beautiful parks Polk County has to offer. We will be hiking more than 2 miles on uneven surfaces, up and down hills, on shaded and unshaded trails. Must be able to keep pace with minimal accommodation. Free, no registration required, ages 18 and older.
• Full Moon Forest Bathing: Friday, Aug. 28, 7-9 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Join this guided forest bathing experience timed with the full moon. This program will offer participants a chance to slow down and observe the natural transition from day to night. During this session, you’ll take part in simple, sensory-based invitations designed to help you notice your surroundings. No prior experience is needed, just comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and an openness to slowing down. Ages 18 and older. Registration required by Aug. 24.
• Sunrise Inclusive Yoga: Saturday, Aug. 29, 6-7 a.m., Easter Lake Event Center, 2816 Shoreline Road, Des Moines. Begin your day as the sun rises 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. 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. Registration required by one day before program. Ages 12 and older.
• Needle Felting: Sunday, Aug. 30, 1-3 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. You will learn techniques to create beautiful felted wool art using just wool and a needle in this beginner-friendly workshop. Fiber artist Megan Hammer will teach the basics before you create your first work of art. Registration includes step-by-step and creative guidance, tools and supplies for use during the workshop, and a needle-felted prairie landscape created by you. Registration required by Aug. 26. Ages 10 and older with an adult.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Shrimp and Bingo!
Saturday, Aug. 29, 5:30-9 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 S.W. Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny
A Shrimp and Bingo Scholarship Fundraiser will be held to support scholarships for the DMACC Water Environmental Technology Program. Casual dinner, bingo games, raffles and more. Proceeds from the event benefit programs and initiatives that help remove barriers for students and strengthen access to education, workforce training and student support services. Cost is $100. Register at www.dmacc.edu/foundation/bingo.html.

Craft for Paws: Painting with a Twist
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2-5 p.m.
Painting with a Twist, 3743 86th St., Urbandale
Join the ARL at Painting with a Twist for a creative evening benefiting animals in need. Paint your own one-of-a-kind pet portrait, while enjoying a fun, relaxed atmosphere surrounded by fellow animal lovers. Once you are done, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a Pink Poodle strawberry lemonade and champagne cocktail (available to participants 21 and older) or strawberry lemonade and snuggle with adorable, adoptable kittens. Buy tickets at https://arl-iowa.org/event/events/craft-for-paws-august/.

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.

Square Dance Lessons
Sunday nights starting Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m.
Douglas Avenue Presbyterian Church, 4601 Douglas Ave., Des Moines
Ankeny Square Dance Club is sponsoring Square Dance Lessons. Cost is $20 per person for the entire session accepted at the third lesson. Attend with or without a dance partner. You will learn the calls, one at a time, taught by a caller (instructor) and volunteers. For more information, call Sandy Townsend, 515-294-2624, or visit www.ankenysquares.com.

Halfway to St. Pat’s Charity Car Show
Sunday, Sept. 20
Charlie’s Filling Station, 305 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
www.friendlysonsiowa.com
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.

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.

(Feature Impact) Weeknights often feel like a race against the clock. Busy families feel the squeeze from school pickups, homework and social commitments, but dinner remains one of the few opportunities for everyone to slow down, reconnect and share important moments together at the close of a hectic day.

With a little planning and convenient ingredients like Little Potatoes, which come pre-washed, require no peeling and are small enough that they don’t need to be cut, families can spend less time in the kitchen and more time at the table.

For example, The Little Potato Company’s new A Little Homestyle Ranch Microwave Ready Kit is a perfect foundation for this easy, all-in-one Sheet Pan Chicken and Little Potatoes recipe. It’s ideal for busy weeknights as a balanced, flavorful meal that requires just 10 minutes of prep and minimal cleanup. Plus, you can customize with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zest.

To find more ways to bring loved ones together at the table throughout the school year, visit LittlePotatoes.com.

Sheet Pan Chicken and Little Potatoes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds Little Potatoes
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 red onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2-3 teaspoons of your favorite seasoning blend
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
• lemon wedges (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 F and line baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
• Slice Little Potatoes in half. Slice broccoli florets, bell pepper and onion into bite-sized pieces.
• In mixing bowl, toss veggies with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1-1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning.
• Spread veggies evenly on baking sheet.
• In same bowl, add chicken, remaining seasoning and remaining olive oil. Toss to combine then place chicken between veggies in single layer.
• Roast 30-35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through to internal temperature of 165 F and potatoes are tender. Flip veggies and chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
• Let chicken rest 2-3 minutes. Divide Little Potatoes, veggies and chicken into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.

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.

FOR SALE: 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo SUV in good condition. 89,000 Miles, automatic transmission, AWD. Runs good, new starter, new tires, new battery. Black with gray interior. Call Jerry at 641-485-4297 for more info. $3,500.00

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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