Dec. 5-11, 2025

The Polk City Kiwanis Club invites residents to spread some cheer by entering the annual Home Lighting Contest. Homes can be registered now through Dec. 15 using the interactive Google Map on the Kiwanis website, www.polkcitykiwanisclub.com/events/home-lighting-contest. Once registered, community members can drive around town, admire the festive displays and vote for their favorite homes. Winners will be announced just in time for Christmas.

Help requested: Double your impact on local families in need

Thanks to the public’s past support of the Polk City Community Foundation, the community continues to thrive, and, today, the Foundation is asking for support to help meet an urgent need. The North Polk Comet Cupboard, the local pantry serving students and families in the North Polk School District, is running low on essential supplies. A cash donation today will help restock quickly and efficiently, and, thanks to two generous matching partners, the gift will go twice as far.

Double your donation: The Polk City Community Foundation and Home State Bank will each match donations up to $5,000. That means $50 becomes $100; $250 becomes $500. The Foundation aims to raise $20,000 to keep the Comet Cupboard stocked with food, hygiene items and household essentials for families who need it most.

To donate: Pay to North Polk Comet Cupboard VENMO @COMETCUPBOARD-NOCC, or send a check to Polk City Community Foundation, P.O. Box 52, Polk City, IA 50226.

Your generosity helps ensure no child goes to school hungry and no family feels forgotten.

Olivia Nefzger has been named one of the Kiwanis Club’s Seniors of the Month.

“I’m Olivia Nefzger, and I live in Alleman with my parents, Jeremy and Teresa, and my two sisters, Claire and Evelyn. Throughout high school, I have participated in football cheer, basketball cheer, tennis, marching band, concert band, show choir, concert choir, key club and student council. I am part of National Honor Society and the Gold Honor Roll. I am also captain for both the football cheer and basketball cheer teams. Outside of school, I have been involved in church youth group. After high school, I plan on going to Iowa State University for kinesiology.”

Polk County Conservation events

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

• Sustainability at home: Saturday, Dec. 6, 1-2 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Do you want to be more eco-friendly at home but don’t know where to start? Whether you are a compost-connoisseur or are overwhelmed by green-living, come learn about resources, strategies and easy starting points to make a difference in your own home. Ages 18 and older.
• Knee-High Naturalists: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 10-11 a.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Are you ready to get outside and explore? Come and hear a story followed by some outdoor fun. As naturalists, we will hike, investigate and navigate through the trails and grounds of Jester Park as we learn what makes the outdoors such an amazing place. Come dressed to be outside. December’s topic is Rocks and Fossils. Registration required by the day before.
• Winter Holiday Nature Connections: Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to noon, Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Santa Lucia Day, Christmas and more. Pick up your passport at the door and travel the Nature Center as you visit different winter holidays celebrated right here in Iowa. At each stop you will learn more about the holidays’ origins, how they’re celebrated in Iowa, and the ways in which nature plays a key role in these traditions. There will be crafts, simple activities, stories, a few tasty treats and more. This is an open house style event, so come and go at your leisure. No registration required, free to participate, all ages welcome.
• Hike and Hot Cocoa: Saturday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1-2:30 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. A cold December day is the perfect time to make yourself a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy National Cocoa Day. We’ll start the program with a brisk walk around Discovery Pond and end by enjoying a mug of hot cocoa around a fire.
• Sunset Restorative Yoga at Jester: Monday, Dec. 15, 5-6 p.m., Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Take time to unwind as the sun sets inside the Great Hall of the Jester Park Nature Center. This slow pace reflective class will focus on creating a mind and body nature connection as the sun sets. This Rooted in Nature program is offered in sponsorship with UnityPoint Health. Items to bring: yoga mat, comfortable clothing and water bottle. Registration required by the day before.

Holiday happenings at the library

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

• Library Advent Calendar for Kids: Pick up your very own Advent calendar at the library and discover a new activity to enjoy each day of December leading up to Christmas Eve. Some tasks will bring you to the library for festive fun, while others can be done at home with family and friends. Finish 10 items on the list and get a prize. If you finish all 24 days, you are entered into a drawing. A winter-only version (no holiday or Santa references) is available upon request.
• Mrs. Claus and Cookies: On Wednesday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m., stop at City Hall to visit with Mrs. Claus, who is coming all the way from the North Pole to share a magical storytime filled with holiday cheer. Afterward, enjoy cookies and cocoa. Register to save your spot and ensure plenty of goodies for all. Visit www.polkcityia.gov/library.
• Teen and Tween Last-Minute DIY Gift and Wrapping: On Monday, Dec. 22 and 23, 1-4 p.m., teens and tweens are invited to drop in for this activity. Forgot a present for a friend, parent or little brother? Don’t be a Scrooge. Drop in for our expanded makerspace and create some last-minute gifts, handmade and from the heart, and wrap them while you are here. Or bring in other gifts if you need to wrap.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Tinseltown in the Park
Through Dec. 20
Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Mark your calendars for Tinseltown in the Park, featuring live Christmas tree sales, biergarten specials, food trucks, entertainers, unique visits from holiday A-listers, photo opportunities, and more to celebrate the holiday season in the park. Visit www.waterworkspark.org/tinseltown-in-water-works-park/ for schedule of events.

The Christkindlmarket
Dec. 11-14
Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
Experience a German-inspired Christmas Market. Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of the holidays as you participate in a 750-year-old tradition. Shop regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls; enjoy lively performances of polka music, traditional dance and choirs in Yuletide Hall; participate in children's activities; sip Glühwein (warm, mulled wine); and savor European beer. More information available at www.christkindlmarketdsm.com.

Shop and Dine Along The Peppermint Trail
Saturday, Dec. 13
The Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand
Celebrate the season with your favorite local businesses on The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and the Roosevelt Cultural District. The Peppermint Trail, presented by Veridian Credit Union, returns with shopping and dining specials happening all day at local shops and restaurants, plus a line-up of holiday festivities, including trolley rides, ice carving, photos with Santa, carolers and more. The “Bee-Merry-Line” trolley will travel on a loop from noon to 4 p.m. with multiple stops along Ingersoll Avenue and at the Shops At Roosevelt. See a route map on the event website, as well as list of businesses’ specials and times for special activities. www.theavenuesdsm.com/peppermint-trail

Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Sunday, Dec. 14, 8 a.m. to noon
West Des Moines Elks Lodge, 2060 N.W. 94th St., Clive
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be giving out goody bags, talking with the children and providing photo opportunities. The breakfast buffet includes: biscuits and gravy, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage patties, cheesy potatoes and, of course, all you can eat pancakes (including blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes), orange juice, milk and coffee. Enjoy a Bloody Mary or mimosa for $3.50. Serving is from 8 a.m. till noon. Cost is $11 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger. Breakfasts are held the second Sunday of the month. There will also be a Christmas bake sale. Proceeds support the Elks’ Hoop Shoot Program, other youth activities, veterans and community charities.

Stories With St. Nicholas
Sunday, Dec. 14, 4-8 p.m.
Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Immerse yourself in a special presentation from St. Nicholas and his reindeer, along with the Top Hat Carolers. St Nicholas will read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" along with a reading of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" from none other than the Grinch himself.

Square Dance Lessons
Sunday nights starting Jan. 18, 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'll 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.

(Family Features) When spicy dips and saucy wings sound a little too overwhelming for your next game day gathering, turn to a simple yet still delicious solution. These Simple Salami Sliders can make game day planning a breeze with pregame ease and just a few everyday ingredients for the perfect snack at kickoff. Find more tailgating and homegating recipes at Culinary.net.

Simple Salami Sliders
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

Ingedients:

• 1 package slider buns
• 8 slices Swiss cheese
• 8 slices salami
• 8 slices ham or other deli meat
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Everything Bagel seasoning (optional)

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 F.
• Halve slider buns, creating top and bottom portions. Set top portion aside, leaving bottom portion in original container. Place bottom portion and container in baking dish to prevent sticking.
• Layer Swiss cheese, salami and ham then cover with top buns.
• Mix melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Parmesan cheese, onion powder and garlic powder. Pour over sliders.
• Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes then remove foil, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, if desired, and bake, uncovered, 10 minutes.

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