March 17-23, 2026

Sign up for the Iowa Hero Academy

The Iowa Hero Academy provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young women 16-18 in central Iowa to explore careers in firefighting, policing and the military. The academy will take place July 26-31 at Camp Dodge in Johnston. The Iowa Hero Academy is a six-day, overnight camp designed to encourage young women to reach their potential by developing leadership skills, teamwork and self-confidence. From the moment campers check in to the moment they complete graduation, Iowa Hero Academy will engage participants through hands-on activities led by local female first responders passionate about making a difference in their careers. Learn more and sign up here.

Brunch and Bowling with the Easter Bunny

Join Backpocket in Johnston for Brunch and Bowling with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 4. There will be face-painting and Easter Bunny for the kids, as well as half-price bowling for all. Cost for ages 13 and older is $20 per person and $15 for kids younger than 13 (smaller kid-sized portions). Tickets include one breakfast entree and one beverage from a special menu. Reservations required with seating times every 15 minutes from 9:45-10:45 a.m. See the event page here. Make reservations here.

Johnston Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, April 18, the Johnston Lions Club is hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast. The location this year is the Johnston Middle School cafeteria, 6501 N.W. 62nd Ave. Hours are 7-11 a.m., and the breakfast features pancakes (including gluten-free pancakes), sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. Tickets are $10 at the door, and kids 5 and younger are free. Proceeds will benefit the Lions Club service projects.

Spring Cleanup is April 20-23

Spring cleanup in Johnston will take place April 20-23. Residents living west of N.W. 86th Street are scheduled for cleanup on April 20 and 21, while those living east of N.W. 86th Street will have their cleanup on April 22 and 23. As winter comes to a close, it's a great time to think about your own spring cleaning tasks. Learn more here.

Firefighters Pancake Breakfast

Join the Johnston-Grimes Firefighters Foundation for a pancake breakfast at the new Public Safety Center, 2001 S.W. Sixth St., Grimes, on Saturday, April 25, from 7-11 a.m.

Electronics recycling event is April 18

Are you looking to dispose of your old electronics but unsure how to do it? The city is offering an electronics recycling day on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall east parking lot, 6221 Merle Hay Road. This event takes place on the Saturday before spring cleanup. Most electronics can be recycled for free.

Farmers Markets vendor applications are now open

Applications are open for the Farmers Market through April 30. Approved applications are valid for one year, and vendor pricing is based on single- or double-space pricing. Spaces are limited, so apply early and include a brief description of your products. This year’s market will feature live music and community events to enhance the experience. For more details, please contact us. Apply here.

Public meetings

• Thursday, March 19: Library Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 19: Board of Adjustment Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, March 23: City Council Work Session, 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, March 23: City Council Meeting, 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 25: Tree Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 25: Park Board Meeting, 6 p.m.

Gold Star Military Museum events

Camp Dodge, 7105 N.W. 70th Ave., Johnston, https://goldstarmuseum.iowa.gov

• Free Docent-Led Museum Tours: Offered on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.

Sign up to be a Kites on the Green volunteer

Kites on the Green returns on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is organized by community volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help throughout the day with full and partial shifts available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to earn volunteer hours, including silver cord hours for students. Learn more here.

Polk County Conservation events

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

• Out in Nature at Easter Lake. Wednesday, March 18, 10-11 a.m., Easter Lake Event Center, 2830, Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. Come on out to Easter Lake with a sense of adventure. Learn how to observe and study changes in nature as you explore, play and investigate. The program will meet at the Event Center but will be mostly outdoors. Come prepared for the weather. Adults are expected to stay and actively participate with their children/students. Free, all ages welcome.
• Sunset Restorative Yoga at Jester. Monday, March 23, 7-8 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 with instructor Dennis Kelly. 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.
• Story Tellebration. Wednesday, March 25, 10-10:30 a.m. Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. 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. Free, ages 2 and older. March topic: Spring Has Sprung.
• Introduction to Water Color. Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Easter Lake Event Center, 2830 Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. This class is for those who may have never painted a day in their life or may have dabbled a little with watercolor but would like to learn more. We will start with the basics, discussing paints, brushes, paper and technique before moving on to painting our first work of art. Class includes instructor, paints, brushes, spray bottle, paper and art board. Pack a sack lunch, as we will take a short lunch break half way through the class. Registration required by March 28. Ages. 16 and older.
• Wake Up with Spring. Wednesdays in April, 2-3:30 p.m. Jester Park Wetland Shelter, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Join ISU Polk County Extension and Polk County Conservation this April for a Wake Up With Spring walking series. Meet at the Jester Park's Wetland Shelter Wednesdays in April at 2 p.m. Polk County Conservation naturalists will lead participants on a walk through the park discussing a new nature theme each week. Walk with us this April to see how Iowa's landscape awakens during the spring months. Themes are as follows: April 1: Phenology; April 8: Birds; April 15: Spring Ephemerals; April 22: Critters; April 29: Trees. Free, ages 16 and older. No registration required, but RSVP appreciated here: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b9Onxnuc7QSqVVk. For more information, contact Laura Fraser at lafraser@iastate.edu or 515-957-5785.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Des Moines Art Center Museum Highlights Tour
Saturdays, 1-2 p.m.
Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines
Discover the vast variety of the Des Moines Art Center’s permanent collections during the Museum Highlights Tour. This tour offers a unique journey through the galleries, featuring a selection of timeless paintings, sculptures and more. Join knowledgeable guides to uncover the stories, techniques and inspirations behind the art on view, and experience the highlights of the Art Center in a fresh and engaging way. This guided tour is perfect for art enthusiasts of all ages. Free to all, no registration required.

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.
• April 12: Colfax, the Spring City. In the 1870s, underground mineral water, which was a cure-all health craze at the time, was discovered in Colfax. The water sparked health resort and bottling industries which made Colfax a world famous destination at the turn of the 20th Century. Kevin Williams, Cofax Historical Society’s board president, will share information and pictures about this little-known boom in Colfax.

Capital City Card Convention
Friday, March 27 to Sunday, March 29
Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines
Iowa's largest sports card show features 240-plus tables of action. More information available at www.iowaeventscenter.com/events/detail/capital-city-card-convention-8.

Unmasking the Singer
Saturday, March 28
Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
The Salvation Army’s Unmasking the Singer will feature round-table seating for the main area — offering a more social atmosphere for the audience. Val Air also has a main stage as well as the old side stage, allowing for a set-up more similar to that of "The Masked Singer" on FOX. Tickets are $35. Light snacks will be provided, and beverages will be available for purchase.  For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.bit.ly/UMTS2026. 

Scam Prevention Seminar
Thursday, April 16, 10 a.m.
Ramsey Village Continuing Care, 1611 27th St., Des Moines
Every day someone becomes a victim of fraud. Learn common scam tactics, prevention tips and how to report scams. The presenter is the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Refreshments and pastries will be served. RSVP to Kelly, 515-802-0822, or Kelly.Baughman@ramseyvillage.org.

Mini Golf Tournament fundraiser
Friday, April 24, 3-7 p.m.
RecPlex 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
Join Can Play plus the 2026 West Des Moines Leadership Academy for a fun, small-format golf outing supporting accessible outdoor recreation and youth programming. Golfers will play through a creative course designed by community members and local businesses, built entirely from non-perishable food items to benefit Can Play’s programming. All proceeds will benefit Can Play, whose mission is to bring adapted and no cost recreational programs to by removing barriers to play. Register and donate online at https://givebutter.com/WDMLA. 

(Feature Impact) When your kitchen is full of colorful eggs, candy baskets, tempting sweets and all that comes with Easter, sometimes a holiday classic is just the answer for simplifying the season. Perfect for pairing with deviled eggs, potato salad and a traditional Sunday feast, this maple-glazed Easter Ham provides a hands-off approach to the main dish.

With an easily prepared glaze and your oven doing most of the work, you can keep your attention on time spent with loved ones. Visit Culinary.net to find more seasonal favorites, both classic and contemporary.

Maple-Glazed Easter Ham
Recipe adapted from Southern Living
Total time: 3 hours
Servings: 10

Ingredients:

• 1 bone-in spiral-cut ham (8-9 pounds)
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) bourbon
• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• orange slices and wedges, for garnish
• fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Place ham in large roasting pan and fill with 1/2 inch of water. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake about two hours, basting every 30 minutes with juices from pan, until meat registers 120 F at thickest portion.
• In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir maple syrup, brown sugar, bourbon, ginger and cinnamon; bring to boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
• Remove ham from oven and discard foil. Increase oven temperature to 400 F. Using pastry brush, glaze ham with 1/3 cup maple-bourbon mixture.
• Bake ham about 30 minutes until top is lightly caramelized and meat registers 145 F at thickest portion, brushing with remaining glaze every 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and transfer ham to serving platter. Let rest 15 minutes and garnish with orange slices, orange wedges and rosemary sprigs.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

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

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