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Sept. 19-25, 2025

 
 
Can this wait until later?
 

Distractions. They sure are distracting. If I could find ways to eliminate or reduce them, I might get more done. Can you relate?

In today’s world, distractions are growing at a rate we have never seen before. Most of us can’t seem to find uninterrupted time to finish things without a barrage of phone calls, text messages, voicemails, emails, social media alerts and app notifications — and that’s just on the technology side. With many of us involved in a growing number of functions and activities today, we seem to get pulled in multiple directions at once. And, as much as we want to be like Stretch Armstong, we simply can’t do it all.

In my quest to find ways to eliminate or reduce distractions so I can accomplish what is expected of me — and, more importantly, what I expect of myself — I gathered the following:

Tell others, “I am working now; can this wait until later?” It is vital that we communicate our availability — and our unavailability — to others. That includes our co-workers, our spouses, our children, our parents and even our bosses. Once they hear this comment a few times, the interruptions reduce. Of course, this goes both ways. When my kids were younger, I would continually tell them this. Now, as they are in the adult world, they spring the comment on me when I reach out to them during the day. Touché.

Turn off the beeps. Not too many years ago, someone using a cellular phone at a restaurant was considered rude. Now, it is commonplace. Somehow, generations before us survived without dozens of minute-by-minute text messages, email alerts, app notifications and social media updates. We simply have to turn off these notifications on our devices or silent them. Another good idea is to establish certain times or areas where technology is not allowed — like at a restaurant.

Create a task list and use a calendar. We should all have a to-do list. I have often said that if we can remember and complete all our daily tasks without writing them down, then we simply don’t have enough to do. To-do lists and calendars help develop a plan that keeps us focused and makes the most of our time.

Practice time management. Have you heard of the Pomodoro Technique? It is simple yet effective. It works like this: Set time to work on a project (e.g., 25 minutes) and then take a short break (e.g., 5 minutes). This helps keep us focused and prevents burnout.

Manage your space. Being organized and clutter-free seems to always be a good idea. That goes for our workspaces, too. Proper lighting and a comfortable temperature enhance focus. And a hot cup of coffee seems to help as well.

How about you? How do you avoid the distractions in your life? Send me a note and let me know.

Have a great week, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

 
 
RVTV Celebration
 

Polk City American Legion members Chris Klink, Richard Gelbowitz, Stephanie Gelbowitz and Sarah Gelbowitz were on hand to help feed the crowd that gathered for RVTV on the Square Sept. 5.

 

Upcoming in North Polk Living magazine

  • Costume Creations: Halloween fun is quickly approaching! If you forgo the off-the-rack costumes for something more creative, we want to hear from you. Tell us about your costume creations and the fun you had making them. Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com with your stories.
 

Craft and Vendor Fair

On Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elkhart Christian Church, 252 N.W. Washington Ave., Elkhart. There will be more than 20 vendors and a concession stand with a to-go option.

 

Fall Festival Bazaar and Bake Sale

The Sheldahl United Women In Faith invite you to stop into the Sheldahl United Methodist Church, Sixth and Hubbell, Sheldahl, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to noon. Homemade chicken and noodles, rugs, nuts, cards, baked goods and craft items will be for sale.

 

Drive-thru Cavatelli Lunch

This fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elkhart Christian Church, 252 N.W. Washington Ave., Elkhart. Drive up, place your order, and the cavatelli is brought to your car for a freewill donation. 

 

Final Farmers Market of the season

Enjoy the Polk City Farmers Market on Thursdays, through Sept. 25, 4:30-8 p.m., at the Town Square. The weekly Farmers Market brings local produce, handmade goods, food trucks and live music to the heart of Polk City. Come stroll the square, meet vendors and enjoy a relaxed, welcoming vibe for the final events of the season.

 
 

Polk County Conservation events

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

Monarch Tagging. Saturday, Sept. 20, 1-2:30 p.m., Easter Lake Event Center, 2830 Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. Come learn about one of the world’s most talked about butterflies and what makes them so unique. We will also try our hand at catching and tagging monarchs as they migrate to their winter home in Mexico. Come prepared to move around and have some fun.

What Do Insects Do After Dark? Saturday, Sept. 20, 6-7:30 p.m., Jester Park Wetland Shelter, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Have you ever wondered what insects do when we go to sleep? What insects do during the day that we don’t see? Do insects sleep at all? Come have your questions answered by a naturalist while taking an insect-focused night hike around Jester Park. 

Dig Your Natives: Garden Maintenance at Easter Lake Park. Thursday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to noon. Easter Lake Park, 2830 Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. Each year, volunteers are needed to help maintain pollinator gardens, rain gardens and more at our Polk County parks. Throughout Polk County parks, pollinator and rain gardens utilizing native plants provide biodiversity, wildlife habitat, help to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality, and beautify our parks. Join one of these weekly garden maintenance events and help take care of these gardens while picking up tips and tricks to managing your own native plant garden at home. Whether you area a beginner or experienced gardener our gardens can use your help. All garden volunteers will be provided training and instruction as needed. Registration required by noon the day prior.

Mentored Youth Waterfowl Hunt. Saturday, Sept. 27, 5:15-11 a.m. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Longhouse, 8700 N.E. 126 Ave., Maxwell. The 16th Annual Mentored Youth Waterfowl Hunt allows budding duck and goose hunters the opportunity to experience the thrill of waterfowl hunting in a safe and controlled environment. Cost is $10 per participant, sign up online.

Celebrate National Public Lands Day. Saturday, Sept. 27, 9-11 a.m. Brown’s Woods, 465 S.E. Brown's Woods Drive, West Des Moines. Come hike with us on National Public Lands Day. This national event creates kinship among those using  America’s public lands for education, recreation, and overall physical and mental health.

 

Polk City Community Library news

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

Crafternoon - Paperback Pumpkins: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2 p.m. All supplies will be provided. Ages 17 and older. Online registration is required via our website event calendar and opens one month in advance of the event date. Visit polkcitylibrary.org.

Alzheimer’s Dementia Caregiving with Greg Woods: Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
Greg Woods, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Program Coordinator, from Iowa Health & Human Services, will be sharing some valuable caregiver tips with us. Registration requested but not required.

Adult DIY Card Crafting: Monday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m. Join Jane and Kim in making handmade cards that are fun to create and treasured by the recipients. Make two cards each of four different designs using numerous techniques. There will be a $5 material fee payable that night. Ages 17 and older. Online registration is required via our website event calendar and opens one month in advance of the event date. Visit polkcitylibrary.org.

 
 

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Martini Fest
Friday, Sept. 19, 5-9 p.m.
West Glen Town Center
CITYVIEW is bringing Martini Fest back to West Glen Town Center. For a ticket price of $25 (tickets will be $35 at the event), attendees will receive 10 tickets that can be redeemed at each participating martini stop for a sample-size martini. Locations include nightclubs and restaurants at West Glen Town Center. Reserve your tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/cityview-martini-fest-2025-tickets-1291852588869 now so you can avoid registration lines at the event.

Oktoberfest in The District
Friday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Sept. 27
The District at Prairie Trail, S.W. District Drive, Ankeny
Raise your steins and don your lederhosen for two unforgettable days of festive fun at the 21st Annual Oktoberfest, now at The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny. Experience the heart of Bavarian tradition with authentic German food, lively polka music, traditional beer hall games, and, of course, plenty of beer to go around. This two-day celebration offers something for everyone, from classic stein-holding contests and live music to delicious bratwursts and pretzels straight from the grill. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/21st-annual-des-moines-oktoberfest-tickets-1488793063129?aff=oddtdtcreator.

‘Blithe Spirit’
Oct. 3-12
Ankeny Community Theatre, 1932 S.W. Third St., Ankeny
“Blithe Spirit,” by Noël Coward, will be presented by Ankeny Community Theatre. This comedy is perfect for the Halloween season. When a group of friends hosts a seance that goes wrong, Charles’ first wife comes back to haunt him and his new wife with hysterical results. Tickets available at ankenycommunitytheatre.com.

Archives Across America: Unlocking Genealogy Resources
Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.
Iowa Genealogical Society Library, 628 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
The Iowa Genealogical Society will host this one-day conference at the IGS Library and via Zoom. Featured speaker Tina Beaird will present on the Library of Congress, the National Personnel Records Center, the U.S. National Archives, and Midwest repositories. Registration is $70 for members and $90 for non-members. Details at www.iowagenealogy.org.

Fire Up the Mic
Friday, Sept. 26, 7-9 p.m.
Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Under the stars, Fire Up the Mic will ignite. Poets and singers lifting hearts through the night. Rhythms of culture, voices that rise. Stories and soul beneath open skies. Hosted by Dapper Donnie, a gathering divine. Where word meets music and spirits align. Food, art, and flavor, the city will unite. More information available at www.facebook.com/events/795476310088314.

Guided Tour: Blue Star Welcome Week
Saturday, Sept. 27, 1-2 p.m.
Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines
In celebration of Blue Star Welcome Week, the Art Center is offering a free guided tour titled “Sailor, Soldier, Airman, Artist.” This themed tour asks the question, “How did the military experience influence mid-century modern artists?” with artist features such as Ellsworth Kelly (WWII), Sam Francis (WWII), or b. Robert Moore (son of a Vietnam veteran). The Des Moines Art Center is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission every day to everyone. Hosting this guided tour during Blue Star Welcome Week, seeks to build support for the 600,000 military families who move to new communities each year. All military personnel and family members are invited to attend, whether new to the Des Moines community or not, to enjoy an afternoon at the Art Center.

NAMIWalks Iowa
Saturday, Sept. 27, check-in at 8:30 a.m., program at 10 a.m, walk at 10:30 a.m.
Terra Park, 6400 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston
If you care about moving the needle of mental wellness in our community and beyond, you are welcome to NAMIWalks. NAMI Iowa provides free, top-rated programs, life-saving support, education, guidance and the power to turn up the volume on advocacy and awareness. Register at www.namiwalks.org/iowa?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=a4c96b4c-4f4b-464a-a588-4b0dbf463d5e&language=en.

 

 
Fruity fuel for school
 

Keep students energized and engaged with sweet watermelon snacks

(Family Features) School days bring excitement for students with classroom fun, exploration of new subjects, time with friends and extracurricular activities like sports and clubs. They also mean hectic schedules for families, especially parents looking to keep nutrition top of mind despite jam-packed weeknight calendars.

Help your kiddos stay energized for each school day (including those dreaded homework hours) with nutritious snacks that prioritize hydration. As a satisfying sweet treat thanks to its taste and nutritional value, watermelon provides a year-round solution to rehydrate as part of simple, kid-friendly meals and snacks.

Sweet watermelon, salty cottage cheese and pops of berries make this watermelon berry fruit salad with cottage cheese hard to top after a long day in the classroom. A sprinkle of fresh mint is a perfect final addition to this after-school treat.

Find more school year snacks and meals by visiting Watermelon.org.

Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad with Cottage Cheese
Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board

Ingredients:

  • watermelon
  • 1 package raspberries
  • 1 package strawberries
  • 1 package blueberries
  • 1 package blackberries
  • 1 container cottage cheese
  • 1 bunch mint leaves
  • honey, to taste (optional)

Directions:

  • Cut watermelon with star-shaped cookie cutter or into cubes.
  • In large bowl, mix watermelon with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Add dollops of cream cheese on top of fruit.
  • Garnish with mint leaves and drizzle with honey, to taste, if desired, prior to serving.
 
 

HOUSE FOR SALE: Immaculate Missouri Valley, IA. MOVE IN READY. 1992 MH on 0.42 acre sold as a unit, clear title/deed. 2/1 bath, senior owners, cleaned daily. W/D, appliances, walk in shower, updated windows. Lennox AC, clothesline, apple tree. Shed and detached garage. Too much to list $130,000 no renting or owner financing. Call 972-674-9170. Photos available.

 
 

In the July issue of North Polk Living magazine:

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Residents share their home renovation experiences

Live in a home for a while, and one is likely to start thinking, “If only….” If only the bathroom had a walk-in shower…. If only the kitchen had new cabinets.… If only the old flooring could be replaced.… If only the basement was finished…. If only a room could be added…. If only that longed-for home improvement project could be completed … then the house would be just right. Residents who have taken the leap from thinking about it to tackling their dream projects share their experiences.

[...]

 
Read the full digital issue
 

P.S. As a free newsletter, we rely on readers like you to grow our subscriber list. If you have friends or coworkers who you think would enjoy Polk City Living Weekly, share this email with them and they can subscribe by clicking the subscribe tab at IowaLivingMagazines.com

 

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8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131

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