Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2024

Scott and Rene Locker at the Polk City Farmers Market June 6.

Sponsors and donations sought for gala

The Polk City Community Foundation is planning its annual Winter Wonderland Gala, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The gala will include a program, dinner and live auction. Proceeds will benefit Polk City and the foundation’s nonprofit partnerships in the area.

Polk City Community Foundation (PCCF) was formed in 2008 as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. The Foundation was formed to assist in improving the quality of life in Polk City and surrounding communities through philanthropy. PCCF provides an opportunity for donors to direct their donations to the projects that are important to them. They do this by raising money through donations, planned giving, grants and fundraising. This year, the Foundation has a big goal — to raise $150,000.

The foundation encourages the public to support the event as an attendee, sponsor or donor. Donations can be made by credit card online at http://getmeregistered.com/PCCFWinterGala or by check mailed to Polk City Community Foundation, P.O. Box 52, Polk City, IA 50226.

Big Red Barn featured on state barn tour

On Sept. 14 and 15, the Iowa State Barn Tour will include the Big Red Barn a mile east of Polk City on 118th Street. The barn was built by Adam Schaal, the same man who built the Museum on the Square. The museum will be open both days from 1-4 p.m. Roxana Currie, who is spearheading the hunt for other Schaal buildings, will be available to answer questions. For information on the barn tour, visit https://iowabarnfoundation.org/barns/1876-moeckly-barn.

Polk City Museum on the Square hosts re-enactor

The Polk City Museum, 116 S. Third St., on the west side of the Square, is open on Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. during farmers market. 

Steve Holmes, a Civil War re-enactor, will share the history of Polk City’s own Civil War soldiers on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Polk City Museum on the Square. Letters, pictures, family stories held in the Museum collection plus his extensive knowledge will make this program come alive.

Library offers Junior Librarian opportunity

Explore the field of librarianship through the Polk City Public Library’s Junior Librarian program for students in grades 3-6. Are you interested in understanding the duties of a librarian? Every month throughout the academic year, Miss Nicole will pick one student to be a junior librarian. If selected, you can shadow a librarian for an afternoon and assist with tasks such as choosing new books, arranging displays or recommending books. Applications are available at the circulation desk. Applications are due Sept. 21.

Polk City Community Library offers variety of activities

Polk City Community Library, 1500 W. Broadway St., 515-984-6119, www.polkcityia.gov/library.

Puzzle Master Competition, Sept. 8, 2 p.m., Tournament Club of Iowa. The Friends of the Library Puzzle Master events are back this fall on the second Sunday of each month at various locations in town. September has special back-to-school pricing at $40 per team of four. Watch our website and Facebook for more information.

Friends of the Library Book Sale, Saturday, Sept. 7, 8 a.m. to noon. Purchase a bag for $5 and fill it with books, DVDs and books on CD. No donations are accepted for this book sale.

Crafternoon: Canning Ring Sunflowers, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2 p.m. Join us for a fun afternoon of crafting. We’ll be making easy canning ring sunflowers that can be placed in your garden or hung on your door. Ages 17 and older, registration required at polkcitylibrary.org.

Fall Mushroom Foraging with ISU Extension, Thursday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m. Learn how to safely identify the mushrooms coming up around Iowa in the fall. Registration recommended at polkcitylibrary.org but not required.

Comets Kids Club, K-5th graders, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m., “Taxidermied” Stuffed Animals. Participants will “mount” a head using their stuffed animal. With craft materials and a bit of creativity, each child will transform their stuffed friend into a one-of-a-kind display piece. Registration required at polkcitylibrary.org.

Stories and more offered by Polk County Conservation

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

Story Tellebration, Jester Park Nature Center, Wednesday, Sept. 18, Very Busy Squirrel; Wednesday, Oct. 16, Leaves are Falling. Join volunteer storyteller Carmen Epstein for a fun, interactive tale tailored toward children ages 2 and older that explores the wonders of the outdoors. During each program, participants enjoy interactive stories and an activity. No registration required for this free event.

Toddler Tales, Jester Park Nature Center, Thursday, Sept. 5, Spiders; Thursday, Oct. 3, Falling Leaves; Wednesday, Nov. 6, Turkeys; and Thursday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m., Rocks. Let your imagination run wild with this nature-themed story time! Hear a story followed by the naturalist’s choice of an activity such as an animal encounter, puppets or a craft. No registration required for this free event for ages 2 and older.

Homeschool Programs, Jester Park Nature Center, Friday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Wetlands (1.5 hours); Friday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Archer (one hour); Friday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Prairies (1.5 hours). This program series will be delivered in a flexible format that is specially designed for homeschool students. These programs will immerse children and parents in the natural world and drive us to learn, discover and appreciate our environment. Registration is due two days before the event. The program is free and recommended for grades K-5.

9 events in the area to attend

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Touchdown Tailgate
Sept. 7
Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Watch the Cy-Hawk football game on two jumbotron TVs at the Cowles Commons. Make sure you wear your Cyclone or Hawkeye team gear to let the others know whose side you’re on. www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/touchdown-tailgate

Des Moines Concours D’Elegance
Sept. 8
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Western Gateway Park, 1330 Grand Ave., Des Moines
This automotive showcase displays some of the finest vintage, classic and exotic cars from around the world. Place it next to the iconic Pappajohn Sculpture park and this event is a photographer's dream. www.desmoinesconcours.com

Applefest
Sept. 14
Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
All things apple, from cider, pie bobbing and everything in-between, Living History Farms hosts this quintessential fall-themed festival. www.lhf.org

Summer Sundaze
Sunday evenings through Sept. 8, 6-8 p.m.
Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, 4100 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
Enjoy free live music and food trucks. Visit wdm.iowa.gov/JHA for more information.

Farmers Market | Music in the Junction
Through September, Thursdays, 4-8:30 p.m.
100-300 blocks of Fifth Street and Railroad Park
The Valley Junction Farmers Market features more than 80 weekly vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, plants and flowers, arts and crafts, and prepared foods. The Farmers Market is from 4-8 p.m. Music in the Junction is 5-8:30 p.m. at Railroad Park. The beverage garden opens at 5 p.m. with live music starting at 6 p.m. Concerts are:
Sept. 5: Sons of Gladys Kravitz
Sept. 12: Get Off My Lawn
Sept. 19: Jana West and Retrospect
Sept. 26: The Punching Pandas

Food Truck Fridays
Fridays, Sept. 6 and 13, 5:30-8 p.m.
Campbell Park, 12385 Woodlands Parkway, Clive
Live entertainment and food are presented by Clive Parks and Recreation and the Clive Chamber of Commerce. Jump on the Greenbelt Trail and make your way to Campbell Park to enjoy music, food and fun. Bring the whole family. The park has three playgrounds and a green space. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Note: Campbell Park is now a cashless facility. No cash is accepted. Payment methods are Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Sept. 6 features the Dick Danger Band, and Sept. 13: features Brother Trucker.

Multicultural Pow Wow
Sept. 20-22
Jester Park near Granger
This year will mark the 25th year of the Multicultural Pow Wow. The event will not only showcase some staples of Native American heritage, but other customs as well. Finding common ground among all people is something we should all strive for, says organizer Ralph Moisa. For more information and schedule of events, visit www.whiteeaglepowwow.com.

Paint Madison County, a Plein Air Festival
Sunday, Sept. 22
The public can watch artists at work at various sites around Madison County from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A reception and sale will be from 4-7 p.m. at Covered Bridges Winery, 2207 170th Trail, Winterset. New this year is a youth division for participants with prizes awarded. For more information, visit www.madisoncounty.com.

Log Cabin Days celebration
Heritage Village, 1300 W. Second Ave., Indianola
Saturday, Sept. 28
• 10 a.m. - Parade (line up at the Administration Building at 9 a.m. – no sign up required)
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Chicken and noodles Lunch
• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Heritage Village Experience (including pioneer wedding and funeral in the chapel, teacher in the schoolhouse, pioneer family in the log cabin and shopping in the general store), Crafts of the Past demonstrations, children's craft fair, raffle, food and vendors on the lawn.
Sunday, Sept. 29
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Tournament day with cribbage, chess, horseshoes and corn hole; bingo, family games, raffle, food and vendors.

(Family Features) Enjoy this recipe that helps you get the kids up and out the door on those busy school mornings when nothing seems to run smoothly. While breakfast is widely recognized as the most important meal of the day, that doesn’t always mean you have time to sit down and enjoy it.

Solving your morning rush with grab-and-go breakfasts you can make ahead of time accomplishes both goals at once: staying on schedule and fueling your kiddos (and yourself) for the day ahead. These delicious and nutritious recipes come from Healthy Family Project’s 2024 Back to School Campaign, which is raising $12,000 for the Foundation for Fresh Produce to support children’s accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables.

These Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins are a perfect solution when you need to hustle out the door. As a healthy, delicious treat kids can take with them to school or eat during the commute, they’re quick and easy to make. Loaded with blueberries — a bona fide superfood that’s high in fiber, low in calories and high in vitamin C, potassium and vitamin K — you may even need to make a double batch so you have plenty for breakfasts and after-school snacks.

Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins
Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12

• 1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
• 1/2 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease muffin pan and set aside.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In separate large bowl, mix egg, maple syrup, vanilla, yogurt and applesauce.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in strawberries and blueberries.

Pour batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups about 3/4 full.

Bake 15 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool in muffin tin 5 minutes before removing.

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