Farmers market, blood drive, chicken skewers and more in this week's Polk City Living Weekly!

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July 18-24, 2025

Do it, ditch it or delegate it

It took a few years, but I made it all the way to ground zero, and that’s a good thing. That’s right, zero emails in my in-box. Both my work email address and my personal one are empty. I had a few hundred emails lingering in them from the past few years, and I finally took some of my own advice and dealt with them.

The process was a bit like cleaning out my closet and getting rid of items I haven’t worn in a few years — like the blue jeans that are now too small (they must have shrunk in the dryer?), the shirts with the sleeves that have been too long for too long, and those 17 neckties I never wear.

In a similar way, I have been saving emails on how to become a licensed drone pilot, where to renew my coaching certification, and even a digital receipt for a lawn mower cable. And now they, and hundreds more, are all gone. Deleted. Erased. Out of sight and out of mind. Whew.

I realize some of you don’t get the same satisfaction I get from this process. You have thousands of emails, hundreds of text messages and dozens of social media notifications piling on top of each other, and none of them bother you one iota. I, on the other hand, get anxiety over such things, but I am now smiling ear to ear while looking at my empty in-boxes.

This deletion process is a bit of my own medicine, you might say. I often preach to our Big Green Umbrella Media staff members to “handle a piece of paper once,” and that goes for emails, too. Rather than move a document or a message dozens of times and look at it dozens more while doing nothing, just deal with it and complete the task, especially if it only takes five minutes or less to do.

The related piece of advice I also try to live by is, “Do it, ditch it or delegate it.” My wife says I rely on the third option too frequently. Maybe so, but the other two are equally important. I tell myself if I can deal with a task immediately, then I should quit procrastinating and get it over with. Or, if it truly isn’t that important, ditch it and be done with it.

I am proud to say that this process has worked for my emails, and it has mostly worked with my closet. Just let me know if you could use some neckties.

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

Polk City Farmers Market

Enjoy the Polk City Farmers Market on Thursdays, through Sept. 25, 4:30-8 p.m., at the Town Square. The weekly Farmers Market brings local produce, handmade goods, food trucks and live music to the heart of Polk City. Come stroll the square, meet vendors and enjoy a relaxed, welcoming vibe each Thursday evening.

LifeServe Blood Drive

LifeServe will hold a blood drive on Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. to noon, at the parking lot on the corner of West Broadway Street and South Fourth Street, Polk City. It is sponsored by Polk City Eastern Star. Sign up at LifeServe’s website, www.lifeservebloodcenter.org, or by calling LifeServe at 1-800-287-4903.

Coming up at the Polk City Community Library

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

Geri-Fit Strength Training Workouts, Monday, July 21, 9 a.m.
Movie Monday, Monday, July 21, 10 a.m.
Monday Book Club, Monday, July 21, 2 p.m.
Chair Yoga, Tuesday, July 22, 9 a.m.
Lil Comets Summer Story Time, Tuesday, July 22, 10 a.m.
Women’s Coffee, Wednesday, July 23, 10 a.m.
Sit and Stitch, Thursday, July 24, 6 p.m.
End of Summer Bash, Thursday, July 24, 6 p.m.
Men’s Coffee, Friday, July 25, 10 a.m.

Polk County Conservation events

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

Guided Trail Rides, Jester Park Equestrian Center, Jester Park, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Friday, July 25, 9:30 a.m. Come saddle up and join us in the great outdoors for a scenic trail ride. You will be guided by knowledgeable wranglers and taken care of by a string of beginner-friendly horses. Ride through the timber of Jester Park and take in the picturesque views. Registration required.
Pony Tales. Saturday, July 19, 11:30 a.m. Jester Park Equestrian Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger. Enjoy listening to a pony-themed story while the ponies of the Equestrian Center are listening nearby. A pony meet and greet will follow.
Hike for Health. Monday, July 21, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thomas Mitchell Park, 4590 N.E. 108th St., Mitchellville, meet at pond parking lot. Why walk the mall when you can enjoy the great outdoors? Hike along with this friendly group of nature lovers who walk the trails each month for exercise and fun. Enjoy the camaraderie and explore some new trails. Register by July 20.
Nature Playdate at Easter Lake. Tuesday, July 22, 11 a.m. to noon. Easter Lake Event Center, 2830, Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. This “program” encourages children to discover and play freely using natural materials like sticks, leaves, stones, and logs. This program is a great way to get kids of all ages playing and having fun in the great outdoors. Dress for the weather and be ready for an adventure.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Music in the Garden Series
July 24 and 31, and Aug. 7
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
www.dmbotanicalgarden.com
Enjoy live music in the beautiful setting of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Upcoming concerts are: July 24: The Crowfoot Rakes; July 31: Mango Soul; Aug. 7: Diplomats of Solid Sound. Doors open at 6 p.m. and concerts start at 6:30 p.m.

National Balloon Classic
July 25 to Aug. 2
Memorial Balloon Field, 1136 150th Ave., Indianola
Beautifully colored hot air balloons dot the skies over Indianola at this annual event. Watch the competition as well as special night shows and enjoy entertainment at the Balloon Field. For more information, visit www.nationalballoonclassic.com.

CITYVIEW Summer Stir
Friday, July 25, 5-9 p.m.
East Village, Des Moines
This event is a relaxed opportunity to visit many great establishments in the early evening and sample their signature Summer Stir drinks. For only $25 (prepaid online), participants will receive 10 tickets to use to sample drinks at any of the participating venues. Tickets may also be purchased at the event for $35. All of the establishments will be within walking distance. For more information, list of participating businesses and to order tickets, visit https://summerstirs.dmcityview.com.

Free Genealogy Class
Saturday, Aug. 2, 1:30 p.m.
Iowa Genealogy Society, 628 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Ready to dig into your family history? Whether you're just getting started or need a refresher, the Iowa Genealogical Society is there to help. Join in-person at the Iowa Genealogical Society Library for a free introductory class that covers the basics of genealogical research. Topics include getting started with your research, organizing your findings, available records, genealogical websites and software and 14 essential rules for successful research. Free parking, open to the public, no registration required. For more information, email igs.educationclasses@gmail.com.

3rd Annual Bondurant Car Show
Saturday, Aug. 23, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
315 Second St. N.W., Bondurant
Enjoy the Third Annual Bondurant Car Show. Registration is 8-10 a.m. with judging from noon to 1 p.m. and awards at 2 p.m. Awards will be presented for: Best Car, Best Truck, Best Motorcycle, Best in Show. Proceeds go to help local veterans. For more information, call Scott at 515-402-6118 or James at 515-971-2455

Urbandale Summer Concert Series
Tuesday, July 29, and Tuesday, Aug. 26, 6:30-8 p.m.
Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park, next to the Urbandale Public Library
Enjoy free, high-quality music in a family-friendly setting. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and feel free to pack a cooler. Concerts are: Tuesday, July 29, June Bugs DSM; Tuesday, Aug. 26, River City Opry.

Take dinner outdoors with grilled chicken skewers

(Family Features) Keep the heat out of your kitchen this summer with these grilled chicken skewers. Enjoy them on their own, pair with rice, serve as chicken tacos or toss in a salad for nearly endless, delicious possibilities.

Chicken skewers
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon mustard
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons barbecue seasoning
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce (optional)
2 pounds boneless chicken
rice, for serving (optional)

Directions:

In saucepan over medium heat, cook brown sugar, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, barbecue seasoning, honey and teriyaki sauce until well combined.
Cube chicken and place in large bowl. Pour sauce over chicken, saving some for basting. Marinate at least 1 hour.
Heat grill to medium heat.
Place marinated chicken cubes on skewers and arrange on baking sheet. Grill until chicken reaches 165 degrees internal temperature, 20-30 minutes. Baste with remaining sauce as needed. Serve over rice or use for chicken tacos.
Substitution: Use hot honey instead of regular honey to spice it up.

In the July issue of North Polk Living magazine:

Dream Yards

Residents share how they make the best of their outdoor spaces.

Give 10 people the blank slate of a spacious yard, and you are likely to see those yards evolve into 10 different visions. Some will be a fenced-in oasis for dogs and kids to run, roll and play. Others will have pools and fire pits for summer fun. A few may even feature makeshift ballfields, sledding hills, playgrounds or ponds. And most all will provide a scenic setting for enjoying sunrises and sunsets. Whatever the vision, area residents share how their outdoor spaces have become their dream yards.

[...]

Read the full digital issue

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