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Feb. 27 - March 5, 2026

 
 
What to do with all this leftover hand sanitizer
 

A bottle here. A jug there. Some with aloe. Others fragrance-free. Foam. Mist. Gel. The options are seemingly endless. Yes, the world of hand sanitizers became crowded and complicated after the COVID-19 pandemic. I keep finding bottles of this stuff stashed away in drawers, glove boxes and cabinets. Packed in plastic. Mostly expired.

The question is, does this stuff really work? Experts say hand sanitizer is effective at killing germs when soap and water are not available, but it can cause skin irritation and is less effective on dirty hands. Additionally, frequent use may contribute to antimicrobial resistance and disrupt the skin's natural microbiome.

Makes sense to me. But what makes the use of hand sanitizer so concerning? The answer is that, like most things in this world, it is not the use but the overuse.

According to the National Library of Medicine, our epidermal layers absorb hand sanitizer from direct application to the skin, making them some of the most susceptible cells to the adverse effects of overuse. Their information says the “increased usage of hand sanitizer can affect the variation, quantity, and diversity of the skin microflora, leading to conditions such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, and even systemic toxicity due to colonization of the skin with pathogenic bacteria.” Yikes. It gets worse, though.

“Due to the close-knit relationship between the skin and gut, the gastrointestinal system can also incur disruptions due to the negative effects on the skin as a result of excessive hand sanitizer use, leading to gut dysbiosis.”

OK, but if we still choose to use hand sanitizer, which ones should we pick, and which ones should we avoid?

“You want to select a hand sanitizer with at least 60%, ideally 70%, ethyl alcohol in it,” Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert, says. “You do not want a hand sanitizer that has methyl alcohol. Methyl alcohol is a toxin and should not be used. Unfortunately, what unethical producers are doing, in order to meet the demand and sell their product for hand sanitizer, is they're using methyl alcohol, which is very cheap.”

Great. But are these dozens of expired bottles I keep finding still good?

“The ethanol-based hand sanitizers have about a three-year window,” Dr. Poland says.

Looks like I have a lot of worthless hand sanitizer. Meanwhile, I continue to take the advice of my friend, Moni, who tells me, “Wash your hands and get back to work.”

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 Senior of the Month
 

Isabella Bauer has been named a Polk City Kiwanis Club Senior of the Month.

Isabella Bauer is a senior at North Polk High School. Izzy is the daughter of Missy and Brian Bauer of Polk City and has one brother, Blake. Izzy is involved in cross country, tennis, golf, show choir, chamber choir, student council, and science club. Izzy has been awarded with Gold Honor Roll, DMACC Dean’s List, DMACC President’s List, National Honor Society, National STEM Honor Society, and National Math Honor Society. After graduation, Izzy plans to major in aerospace engineering at an undecided university.

 

Pancake Breakfast

Polk City Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, March 28, 8-11 a.m. at Lakeside Fellowship Church, 1121 West Bridge Road. The Easter Egg Hunt is at 11 a.m. on the Lakeside Soccer Fields. Support your Kiwanis Club at their legendary, yummy pancake breakfast and watch or participate in the hunt for eggs. Bring a friend or two. The breakfast is a free will donation event. All proceeds go toward three North Polk senior scholarships awarded at the May award banquet.

 

Polk City Public Library news

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

  • Adult Crafternoon: Paper Quilling, Monday, March 2, 2 p.m. We’ll have plenty of new paper quilling project ideas for you to choose from. Or, if you were at the last session, feel free to bring your snowflake in and continue adding to it. All supplies will be provided. Registration required. Ages 17 and older.
  • Lego Club, Monday, March 9, 4 p.m. Registration is required, Register online at polkcitylibrary.org. Grades K-7.
  • AI & the Human Future Lunch & Learn, Tuesday, March 10, 6 p.m. What exactly is AI? Can it make our lives and our communities better, or is it going to take all our jobs and kill us off? Can AI respect privacy, or is privacy a thing of the past? Who is responsible when AI screws up? Can AI be moral? What does the future of humanity hold as we move through this technological revolution? Neither pro-AI nor anti-AI, this presentation is intended to get people thinking more deeply about the central issues raised by the new technology and how they might relate to it in their own lives. Presentation by Scott Samuelson, an award-winning philosopher and writer known for bringing philosophy to the public. Sign-up required if you plan to join us for the light meal prior to the presentation. Serving begins at 5:30 p.m.
  • Adult DIY: Galvanized Metal Art, Thursday, March 19, 6 p.m. Come spend an evening crafting. Registration required. Ages 17 and older.
  • Adult DIY Card Crafting, Monday, March 30, 6 p.m. Join Jane and Kim in making handmade cards that are fun to create and are treasured by the recipients. There will be a $5 material fee payable that night. Beginners are welcome. Feel free to bring scissors and adhesive if you have them, and prepare to have a good time. Ages 17 and older. Register online at polkcitylibrary.org one month in advance.
 
 

Polk County Conservation events

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

  • Older, Wiser, Livelier, Seniors - Iowa: Portrait of the Land, Tuesday, March 3, 11 a.m. to noon, Jester Park Nature Center. Based on Larry Stone’s award-winning Earth Year 2000 book for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, “Portrait” is a reminder to Iowans of the rich history of their natural resources, with an appeal for protecting that heritage. This program is sponsored by Humanities Iowa. Free. Ages 12 and older. No registration required.
  • Spring Break Discovery Hike, Friday, March 13, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Jester Park Nature Center and Friday, March 13, 1-2 p.m. at Fort Des Moines Park, Shelter 3. Start your spring break with an adventure. Join this refreshing, family-friendly hike designed to shake off the last of the winter blues and welcome the beauty of spring. All ages welcome and no registration required.
 

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The Iowa Files: A History Series
Various dates, 3 p.m.
Online and in-person at the Community Room of the West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Parkway
This joint West Des Moines Historical Society and West Des Moines Public Library program is free and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of West Des Moines Historical Society members, Bravo Greater Des Moines and the Friends Foundation of the West Des Moines Library. All programs are streamed on the WDMHS Facebook page and YouTube channel.

  • March 15: The Monuments Men and the Saving of Culture: The Monuments Men (and Women) had a seemingly impossible job: save some of the world’s most precious cultural artifacts and art from the Nazis, who treated Europe as their private looting grounds. Presenter Ruth Ehler’s grandfather, Ralph Hammett, was one of the men. Ruth will recount stories of the amazing and frantic work that saved and returned treasures to their rightful owners and institutions.

Bright Nights and Green Sights
Various dates
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
Explore ways to “find your true nature” at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. For tickets visit https://dmbotanicalgarden.com.

  • Dome After Dark: Friday evenings through March 27, 6-10 p.m. Extra evenings Saturday, March 14, and Tuesday through Thursday, March 17-19. Experience the Botanical Garden in a whole new light. Explore the warm tropical conservatory and renovated Gardeners Show House, illuminated for a magical after-hours escape.
  • NEW to Dome After Dark: Igloo Experience: Cozy up with up to five guests for an enchanting igloo experience, complete with admission to the event and Flora concessions. Perfect for friends, family or date night. Visit https://dmbotanicalgarden.com to reserve an igloo.
  • Friday Dinner at Flora: Fridays, 6-7:30 p.m. Reserve your spot now for a delicious three-course dinner at Flora, including admission to Dome After Dark. Each week a new, enticing menu showcases a variety of cuisines. Reserve a table online, https://dmbotanicalgarden.com.
  • Learn on Saturdays: Saturdays through Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for its weekly educational lecture series presented by experts from across the state of Iowa. Purchase tickets online, https://dmbotanicalgarden.com.
  • Botanical Blues: Sundays through March 29, noon to 4 p.m. Performances begin at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Your favorite Sunday Blues in Des Moines is here to keep away your winter blues every week. Each set lasts one hour, with a one-hour intermission in between. Settle in, grab a drink, and soak up the sound in Iowa’s only tropical music venue. Flora serves Sunday brunch beginning at 10 a.m. — perfect before the music starts. Concerts are held live in the conservatory, and guests are welcome to wander the indoor gardens during the show. Ticket info and lineups available at https://dmbotanicalgarden.com.

Wine, Food, and Beer Showcase
Friday, March 6, 6-9 p.m.
Des Moines Marriott Downtown, 700 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Sample the night away. Started in 1985, the Wine, Food and Beer Showcase is one of the oldest food and beverage events in the area and has become a yearly favorite for foodies, wine lovers and beer enthusiasts alike. Featuring 30-40 of the finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries and distilleries in the area, the Wine, Food and Beer Showcase has become the premier event of its kind in Des Moines and has become Des Moines Metro Opera’s signature fundraiser. All proceeds raised throughout the evening support Des Moines Metro Opera’s award-winning education and community engagement programs. Learn more at https://desmoinesmetroopera.org/showcase/.

The Ingersoll Shows
The Ingersoll, 3711 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
The Ingersoll announces some exciting additions to its spring performance lineup. Spanning world-class traditional music and beloved musical theater, these new shows promise unforgettable moments of live entertainment in the heart of the community.

  • Altan - 40th Anniversary Tour: March 8. Dining at 4:30 p.m., Show at 6:30 p.m.
  • Acclaimed singer-songwriter Courtney Patton joins Jason Walsmith for a heartfelt evening of song, story and shared experience on Thursday, March 12. Walsmith, longtime frontman of The Nadas and now performing as Jason Walsmith Storyteller, brings decades of travel, adventure, and narrative songwriting to the stage. Together, the pair create a performance that feels less like a concert and more like a musical journey among friends. Dining begins at 5:30 p.m. with the show at 7:30 p.m.
  • Church Basement Ladies: March 26–29, April 2–5 and April 9–12. Matinee performances will have dining at 11 a.m., and the show beginning at 1 p.m. Evening performances will have dining at 5:30 p.m., and the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.theingersoll.com/events or at Ticketmaster.com/TheIngersoll.

Iowa Home Expo
Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15
Iowa State Fairgrounds Jacobson Center, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Whether you’re planning on upgrading your home or need a reliable contractor to fix your leaking roof, the Iowa Home Expo is the spot to find all local remodeling experts. The Iowa Home Expo hosts local and national exhibitors offering exclusive deals and discounts. You’ll save both time and money attending the Iowa Home Expo. Hours are: Friday, March 13, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information available at https://iowahomeexpo.com/.

 
 
Cook up a cranberry treat
 

(Family Features) Apple and pumpkin are a couple of fruity favorites, but cranberry is another common ingredient that can be used to make a big statement. Mixed with walnuts, white chocolate chips and cake mix, these cranberry bars will leave family and friends begging for more. Because they’re so easy to make, you can easily fulfill the requests. Visit Culinary.net for more dessert ideas.

Cranberry Bars
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

Ingredients:

  • 1 box white or yellow cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 stick melted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
  • 2 cups chopped white chocolate chips, divided

Directions:

  • Heat oven to 350 F.
  • Mix cake mix, eggs, butter, cranberries, walnuts and 1 cup white chocolate chips. Spread into 7-by-11-inch baking dish and bake 35-40 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Let cool then melt remaining white chocolate chips and drizzle over bars.
 
 

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

 
 

In the current issue of North Polk Living magazine:

'I do"

Residents share their marriage proposal stories

Couples often celebrate the milestones of their relationships: the day they met, their wedding, anniversaries … And the date of their engagement is often a highlight: an event often given much thought and planning. An occasion of romance, joy and anticipation of the journey ahead.

[...]

 
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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Johnston, Iowa 50131

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