Oct. 2-8, 2026

Dave Baker, aka the 29th State, will present this program about the mining towns, post offices and forgotten communities.... the dearly departed from the Iowa map, on Oct. 25, 2 p.m., Big Creek Schoolhouse Museum, 116 Third St., Polk City.

Veterans salutes: Submit your Veterans Profiles to Tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com. Include photo, name, town where you live, military branch, rank, enlistment dates, and answer to: “What would you like others to know about serving your country?”

The Sheldahl United Women in Faith group is hosting its Fall Festival Bazaar and Bake Sale on Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Sheldahl United Methodist Church, Sixth and Hubbell, Sheldahl. The sale features a large inventory of denim rugs, nuts, cards, baked goods and craft items, as well as a coffee corner.

Polk City Public Library news

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

• Family Game Day with The Dealt Hand, Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1-4 p.m., Fenders Brewing
• Not-A-School-Day, Monday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to noon. When North Polk Schools are out for Monday teacher in-service days, A.S.A.P. is keeping the creativity going. This fine arts program gradually builds skills from month to month while still welcoming new students at any point. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space allows.
• Iowa Storm Chaser Network, Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. Grab your umbrellas and join Mike Cox from the Iowa Storm Chasing Network for a thrilling, one-hour adventure. Explore the electrifying world of storm chasing, peek into the crystal ball for upcoming weather predictions and get tips on staying safe when the skies turn dramatic. Plus, feast your eyes on some jaw-dropping footage collected over the years. It’s a whirlwind event for all ages. No registration required.
• BYO Art, Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 1-3 p.m., and Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 5-7 p.m. Bring your own art, craft or coloring project to work on while you relax and chat with others. No sign-up necessary. Ages 17 and older.
• Wednesday Book Club, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge. In 1938, a young Dust Bowl rowdy named Woodrow Nickel embarks on a transformative 12-day road trip to deliver two hurricane-surviving giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Now 105 years old, Woodrow recounts this historical adventure, weaving a coming-of-age tale about the profound impact of animals and the kindness of strangers during a weary era of American history.

Polk City Public Library recurring events

• Geri-Fit® Strength Training Workouts, Mondays at 9 a.m.
• Chair Yoga, Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
• Tiny Tots Storytime, Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m.
• Tiny Tots Playdates, first through fourth Thursdays at 10 a.m. No playdate Oct. 8.
• Qigong/Tai Chi, Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
• STEAM Storytime, Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m., ages 3-5.
• Ladies’ Wednesday Coffee, Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon
• Sit N Stitch, Thursdays from 6-8 p.m.
• Zumba/Low-Impact Dance, Fridays at 9 a.m. — No class Oct. 9
• Men’s Friday Coffee, 10 a.m. to noon

Polk County Conservation events

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

• Drafts with Drafts: Saturday, Oct. 3, 5-6:30 p.m., Jester Park Equestrian Center. Enjoy a beautiful fall evening with some local drafts and a 30-minute wagon ride with draft horses. A naturalist will accompany you on the wagon to point out signs of fall. The other half of the event will include a tour of the facilities and time to roast marshmallows while savoring some local brew. Registration required by Oct. 2, ages 21-plus.
  • Older, Wiser, Livelier, Seniors - Amazing Adaptations: Tuesday, Oct 6, 11 a.m. to noon, Jester Park Nature Center. Animals come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Learn about the uses of animal coloring, camouflage and defenses that help them thrive in their environment from a Blank Park Zoo educator. These programs are held the first Tuesday of each month. Free, ages 12 and older.
• Knee-High Naturalists: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 10-11 a.m., Jester Park, Wetland Shelter. Are you ready to get outside and explore? Come and hear a story followed by some outdoor fun. Hike, investigate and navigate through the trails and grounds of Jester Park as you learn what makes the outdoors such an amazing place. Come dressed to be outside. Registration required by the day before, free, all ages welcome but recommended ages 3-6 years. Topic: Leaf Explorations.
• Nature Immersion - Noticing the Changing Seasons: Saturday, Oct. 10, 9-11 a.m., Thomas Mitchell Park, meet at pond parking lot. Join a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide during this restorative nature immersion as you notice the changing season. Participants will be guided through a series of open invitations designed to help you notice the natural world around you. No prior experience is necessary, just comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and an openness to slowing down. This Rooted in Nature program is offered in sponsorship with UnityPoint Health. Registration required by Oct. 5. Ages 18 and older.
• Kids Yoga: Saturday, Oct. 10, 10-11 a.m. Jester Park Nature Center. This yoga class is for children 8-11 years old. Participants will improve their strength, balance, attention and coordination through fun yoga games, challenging yoga sequences, as well as partner and group poses. They will learn healthy stress and anxiety coping mechanisms while building self-esteem and practicing the importance of showing kindness to others. Plus, we will incorporate beneficial time with nature during every practice. Please have children bring their own yoga mat or clean beach towel. To ensure a free and safe space, parents are expected to stay on-site but are encouraged to explore the Nature Center and outdoor spaces during programming. Registration required by Oct. 9.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Middlebrook Mercantile Events
Various dates
Middlebrook Mercantile, 4125 Cumming Ave., Cumming

• Friday, Oct. 9, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Meadowbrook Circle
• Saturday, Oct. 10, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Matt Terronez
• Thursday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. Trivia
• Friday, Oct. 16, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Big Joe Kinser Band
• Saturday, Oct. 17, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Bob Dorr and The Blue 2
• Sunday, Oct. 18, 2-5 p.m. Live Music: Malcom Wells and the Two Timers
• Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m. Music Bingo
• Friday, Oct. 23, 6-9 p.m. Live Music: Joshua Sinclair
• Saturday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m. Open Mic Night
• Sunday, Oct. 25, 2-5 p.m. Live Music: Bob Pace and the Dangerous Band

Pumpkins After Dark Des Moines
Oct. 9-31
Des Moines Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
The Water Works Park Foundation introduces a new Halloween-themed event this October that promises to become a beloved annual celebration in Des Moines Water Works Park. Welcome to Pumpkins After Dark, an award-winning outdoor Halloween attraction. This family-friendly, walk-through experience features more than 10,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns illuminating the Lauridsen Amphitheater, Manatt Great Lawn, Arboretum Road and the Des Moines Biergarten. There are no actors and no jump scares — just creativity, wonder and the warm glow of thousands of pumpkins. Purchase tickets at https://pumpkinsafterdark.com/des-moines.

Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame
Sunday, Oct. 11, 5 p.m.
Noce, 1326 Walnut, downtown Des Moines
Two musicians whose careers have helped define central Iowa's jazz community will be inducted into the Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame. Guitarist Rod Leaverton and saxophonist Bryan Schumacker will become the 53rd and 54th members of the Jazz Hall of Fame during the organization's annual awards celebration. The evening will also recognize several other individuals, including student musicians, whose contributions have enriched the region's jazz community. The Hall of Fame celebration begins with a reception and dinner followed by the awards program. Enjoy performances by this year's honorees, previous Hall of Fame inductees and special guest musicians. Complete details and tickets are available at www.cjc-dsm.org.

Des Moines Civic Orchestra performance
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University
The Des Moines Civic Orchestra (previously The Des Moines Community Orchestra) will present its first concert of the 2026-2027 season with its new conductor and music director, Dr. Jonathan Sturm. There is no admission charge, but donations are always welcome.

Eerie Evenings
Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23–25; Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 27–29; and Saturday, Oct. 31, 6-9 p.m.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert. D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
See the garden in a different light. Experience the botanical garden after dark as the tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House transform with immersive Halloween décor, dramatic lighting and spectral plants. Wander at your own pace and embrace the eerie side of the plant world during one of central Iowa’s most unique Halloween experiences. Tickets and details online at https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/.

Boos and Brews
Friday, Oct. 30, 7-10 p.m.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert. D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
Halloween fun for the 21-plus crowd. Grab your friends for Boos and Brews, an adults-only Halloween celebration featuring local brewery and cidery samples, live entertainment and ghostly fun throughout the spooky conservatory. Enjoy samples from regional favorites alongside a live DJ, strolling magic, creative body art, and more. Tickets and details online at https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/.

(Feature Impact) When you are craving a specific comfort food, other flavors just aren't going to hit the spot the same way. The good news: It only takes one or two simple ingredient changes to satisfy your taste buds while leveling up the nutrition of a meal.

For instance, if you are hankering for the zesty kick of buffalo sauce, your mind might initially go to pizza and wings. This buffalo chicken stuffed sweet potatoes recipe featuring North Carolina Sweetpotatoes invites you to rethink that takeout order and enjoy the same bold, satisfying flavors in a more nutritious way. They are a little sweet and a little spicy with savory chicken and creamy avocado stuffed jacket-style inside a nutrient-dense baked sweetpotato.

Sweetpotatoes are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The American Diabetes Association even calls them a "diabetes superfood," as they raise blood sugar more slowly than other starchy foods while allowing you to savor some natural sweetness. They are also a great choice for athletes, thanks to complex carbohydrates that boost energy and nutrients that support endurance and recovery.

Find more ways to level up your favorite flavors at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 sweetpotatoes
• 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 1 ½ cups buffalo sauce
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons diced chives

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 F. Place sweetpotatoes on lined baking sheet and use fork to pierce each one for venting. Bake 45 minutes, or until tender.
• Let sweetpotatoes cool slightly then use knife to gently cut each open lengthwise and crosswise. Use fork to lightly mash inside sweetpotatoes.
• In large bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
• Spoon buffalo chicken mixture into each sweetpotato. Top with diced avocado and chives.

Source: North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

HELP WANTED: Looking for someone who is excellent at pulling weeds. I have strawberry beds and flower beds that need cleaned up. Email gronwoldb@yahoo.com. Located in Van Meter.

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

DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING SERVICES: 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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