See what's in this week's issue of Polk City Living Weekly!

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March 21-27, 2025

'I'm eighteen and I like it!'

“I’m a boy and I’m a man — I’m eighteen and I like it!” Those are the words from the Alice Cooper band’s 1970 rock hit entitled, “I’m Eighteen.” I can hear the music coming from my brother’s 8-track home stereo like it was yesterday. The song details the anxiety that comes with being in the midst of childhood and adulthood that most any 18-year-old boy can relate to.

But, why 18? What’s so special about that number that makes it the determining age for many activities? And, if it truly is a special number, then why isn’t it used uniformly for every other age-requirement? In this time of most everyone being a victim, 18-year-olds clearly need to cry out.

Most of us know that a person must be 18 to vote in elections. Fair enough.

We also know that males at age 18 can be drafted into the Armed Forces. So, in today’s world, is this is not only age discrimination but sex discrimination, too?

In Iowa, one must be 18 to legally marry. Although, with parental consent and judicial approval, a person can marry at 16.

Iowans must be at least 18 years old to receive a tattoo without parental consent.

If you are following along, our 18-year-olds can vote, be drafted, marry and get a tattoo.

How about getting a license to drive? Well, that can be done a few years earlier than 18. Sixteen, officially, and even younger to obtain learners permits. You just can’t be 16 and drive with a tattoo.

Lots of things change at age 21, though. Three years apparently makes quite a difference in the mental growth of young people during that time. A 21-year-old can now legally purchase and consume alcohol and can also purchase or use tobacco products. That includes vaping. People this age can also legally rent a car that they were able to legally drive for five years prior — but they will have to pay higher fees than those age 25 or older. Yes, car rental companies (and insurance companies) can discriminate based on age, but they only do so for younger people. Ninety-five-year-old drivers are not a risk, apparently.

But what if you are an 18-year-old and want to run for president of the United States? Sorry, you will have to wait until you nearly double your life span, as the president must be 35 years old.

The Alice Cooper band continues: “I got a baby's brain and an old man's heart. Took eighteen years to get this far. Don't always know what I'm talkin' about. Feels like I'm livin' in the middle of doubt.”

With all the age disparity in our local, state and federal rules and regulations, can you blame them?

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

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

The Polk City Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, April 12, 8-11 a.m. at Lakeside Fellowship Church, 1121 West Bridge Road. Come and support your Kiwanis Club at its legendary, yummy pancake breakfast. Bring a friend or two. A freewill donation will be accepted. All proceeds go toward three North Polk Senior Scholarships awarded at the Kiwanis May award banquet.

Celebrate North Polk

Celebrate North Polk (CNP), is the biggest event of the year that raises money for all the additional expenses North Polk Community School has and creates opportunities for students, athletes and the arts. CNP distributes funds equally among Fine Arts Boosters, Athletic Booster Club, and North Polk Foundation. This year's event will be held Saturday, May 31, 5-11:30 p.m. at the FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 S.W. Prairie Trail Parkway in Ankeny. To purchase tickets, visit www.celebratenorthpolk.org

Curbside yard waste collection begins April 4

Easily dispose of leaves, grass clippings, and more right at your curb. Yard waste curbside collection in Polk City occurs on Friday, the regular garbage collection day. You can set out a variety of yard waste for curbside collection, including: twigs and branches, leaves, grass clippings and garden vegetation (such as spoiled vegetables on the vine or wilted flowers from landscaping).

Items that are not accepted include: dirt, mulch, rocks, food or pet waste.

You have two options for curbside collection with Metro Waste Authority:

Bags and Stickers: Place yard waste in Compost it! bags or store-brand bags with a green Compost It! sticker attached. Set bags at the curb by 6 a.m. on your regular collection day. Bags and stickers are available at many local retailers.
Cart Service: If you have a lot of yard waste, consider a Compost It! cart. Just fill the 96-gallon cart and place it at the curb on your regular collection day each week.

Logs, stumps, large branches, rocks and dirt are not accepted in the curbside Compost It! program, but they can be self-hauled to Metro Park East Landfill, where yard waste is accepted year-round.

Once collected, your lawn and garden debris is taken to Metro Compost Center at Metro Park East Landfill. There, Metro Waste Authority’s team turns and maintains the yard waste for four to nine months as it decomposes. The final product is Grow Gold Compost, a natural soil enhancer available for purchase for your home, garden or landscaping projects.

Have questions about yard waste or the Compost It! program? Visit www.WhereItShouldGo.com/YardWaste, or give Metro Waste Authority a call at 515-244-0021.

Coming up at the Polk City Community Library

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

Announcements:
• National Library Giving Day is April 1.
• National Library Week is April 6-12.
• The library will be closed Saturday, April 19.
Pokémon Card Swap, Tuesday, April 1, 4 p.m. Join us for an exciting Pokémon Card Swap event designed for kids and teens. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just starting your collection, this is the perfect opportunity to meet other fans, trade cards and level up your Pokémon deck.
Library Giving Day, Tuesday, April 1. Library Giving Day is a one-day fundraising event with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy public libraries to donate to their individual library system. And, in turn, that support will go toward the incredible programs, services and materials provided by local libraries all over the country.
Brew Your Own Kombucha with Carissa Thoma, Thursday, April 3, 6 p.m. Learn the ins and outs of brewing one of the world’s most popular fermented drinks. Topics include health benefits, flavoring, brew process and more. Samples will be provided. Registration requested but not required.

Polk County Conservation events

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

Story Tellebration, Wednesday, April 23 at 10 a.m., It’s Raining. Join volunteer storyteller Carmen Epstein for a fun, interactive tale tailored toward children ages 2 to 6 that explores the wonders of the outdoors. During each program, participants enjoy interactive stories and an activity. No registration required for this free event.

Book club meetings

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

Monday Book Club, The Little Liar,” by Mitch Albom. Monday, March 24, 2 p.m. Eleven-year-old Nico Krispis has never told a lie. His schoolmate, Fannie, loves him because of it. Nico’s older brother, Sebastian, resents him for both these facts When their young lives are torn apart during the war, it will take them decades to find each other. Stop by the library ahead of the meeting for a free copy of the book.
Wednesday Adult Book Club, “Bright Young Women” by Jessica Knoll, Wednesday, April 2, 7 p.m. The book opens on a Saturday night in 1978, hours before a soon-to-be-infamous murderer descends upon a Florida sorority house with deadly results. The lives of those who survive are forever changed.
Graphic Novel Book Club, Monday, April 14, 4 p.m. Join us for an exciting Graphic Novel Book Club at the library. Kids in grades 4-7 can dive into the world of colorful stories, amazing characters and thrilling adventures. Each month, we'll read a different graphic novel and discuss the art, plot, and our favorite moments. Whether you're a comic book expert or new to graphic novels, everyone is welcome to join the fun. April Book: “Create Your Own Graphic Novel.” Join us for a special book club where we share the graphic novels you created. Stop by the library for your CYO kit. Registration required.
Monday Book Club, “Midnight at the Blackbird Café” by Heather Webber, Monday April 21, 2 p.m. It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother's estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father's side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can't stop talking about.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Capital City Card Convention
March 28-30
Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines
iowaeventscenter.com
Iowa's largest card convention spans three days with thousands in attendance. There will be 224 tables of dealers from across the country offering cards, memorabilia and collectibles. JSA, an authentication company, will be available during show hours.

African Violet Show and Sale
March 28 and 29
Wesleyan Church, 2025 Lower Beaver Road, Des Moines
The Evening African Violet Club of Des Moines invites the public to its 2025 African Violet Show and Sale. This is a nationally sanctioned show and sale that will have judges from the African Violet Society of America. Club members’ plants and supplies will be available. The sale hours are Friday, March 28, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, March 29, noon to 5 p.m. The judging of violets, gesneriads and floral design will take place on Saturday 10 a.m. to noon. Educational exhibits and AVSA promotional information will also be displayed. The Evening African Violet Club of Des Moines meets monthly from February to November on the third Saturday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Debra Heights Wesleyan Church. The public is invited.

Playhouse Summer Classes
Various dates
Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines
The Des Moines Playhouse offers students from kindergarten through high school more than 30 different classes and camps this June-August to fill the long summer days and keep minds active. A complete list of classes and registration is available at dmplayhouse.com. Theatre arts education at The Playhouse provides students with the opportunity to explore, create, imagine and express themselves, all within a safe, nurturing environment. Every class at The Playhouse is unique and led by the theatre's professional teaching artists. For more information on summer theatre camps and other Playhouse educational offerings, contact The Playhouse education department at 515-974-5365.

DSM Book Festival
Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Franklin Event Center, 4801 Franklin Ave., Des Moines
Readers and book lovers in central Iowa will be thrilled to find an outstanding array of authors appearing at this free, fun-filled event, presented by Beaverdale Books and Beaverdale Neighborhood Association. In addition to author programs, panels, workshops and children’s activities, the event will offer attendees the opportunity to have their books signed, visit with publishers, and enjoy mingling with fellow book lovers. For the complete schedule, visit https://beaverdalebooks.com/dsmbookfestival/ Four headlining presentations will be offered in the venue’s large theater, including fiction writer Claire Lombardo, historian Alexis Coe, award-winning Hanif Abdurraqib and AViD author C.J. Box.

Dome After Dark
Fridays through March, 6-10 p.m.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
dmbotanicalgarden.com
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s lush tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House are colorfully illuminated for Dome After Dark. Flora, the botanical garden’s restaurant, serves food and drinks till 9 p.m.

Vendor Markets
April 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Outlets of Des Moines, 801 Bass Pro Drive N.W., Suite 315, Altoona
Each show has a variety of vendors from Avon, Living Oils, Small Town Laser, Unicorn Clouds, MJ's Hometown Honey, 3D by LouAnn, Tupperware, Tastefully Simple, Good Vibrations Gems & Crystals, plus others. Come check out the vendors and buy local. If interested in being a vendor, email k2marketplacemagic@gmail.com for information.

Spring Pop-Up Sale
Wednesday through Friday, April 10-12
Valley West Mall, Suite 203
Get ready to refresh your wardrobe while making a difference. The Dress for Success Des Moines Spring Pop-Up Sale offers a wide selection of women’s fashion in various sizes and styles. Find incredible deals at unbeatable prices — all while supporting programs that empower women on their path to economic independence. Don’t miss out on designer deals in Diva’s Closet. Sale hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Friday. For updates, follow Dress for Success Des Moines on Facebook and Instagram.

Easter apps made easy

(Family Features) If you’ll be hosting friends and family for Easter this year, opting for an array of appetizers can help keep hungry people out of the kitchen until the main course is ready. Featuring easy prep and short cook times, these apps from “Cookin’ Savvy” can let you spend more time creating memories with loved ones.

Deviled eggs
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 16 deviled eggs

Ingredients:

8 boiled eggs
1/2-3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
smoked paprika, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Slice each egg and place whites on plate and yolks in bowl.
In bowl of yolks, add 1/2 cup mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, bacon pieces, garlic powder, onion powder and salt and pepper, to taste. With fork or hand mixer, blend until smooth. Add more mayonnaise until mixture reaches desired smoothness.
Spoon or pipe mixture into egg whites. Garnish with smoked paprika, if desired.
Note: Deviled eggs can be made day before and kept covered in refrigerator until needed.

From your North Polk Living magazine

Mailed to all residential home addresses in Polk City, Alleman, Elkhart and Sheldahl the third Thursday of each month.

This month's cover story:

A WEDDING TO REMEMBER

Couple shares how they made their day special.

Few milestones are as momentous as a wedding. Family and friends often gather from near and far, the preparations may take months, and every detail is given thought. From the wedding attire to the decorations, music and venue, the couple makes countless decisions with one goal in mind: for theirs to be a wedding to remember. This month, one couple shares the scrupulous planning they did so their special day would be exactly as they envisioned. If a wedding is in your future, we hope you find inspiration from their story. Or, perhaps, their journey will spark memories of your own.

[...]

Read this month's issue

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