Would anyone be interested in a monthly lecture series held at The Fitz/Lachele’s in Highland Park? (Hear me out!)

I love the concept of niche experts giving presentations on whatever their specialty is over drinks and snacks. Sort of like a combo bar trivia night/PowerPoint party with some kind of audience engagement. Some initial ideas for hosts are a magician (perform tricks and also teach the audience some simple ones), an astrologer (teach tarot/numerology basics), and a taxidermist (teach insect pinning). We would have some food prepared for that specific topic, and the bar would be open for drinks.

My family owns Lachele’s, and I think The Fitz would be the perfect cozy spot to set this up.

Are there other nerds out there who would be into something like this? Also taking suggestions for interesting local experts and topics!

Diet coke, coke 12 pack cans for $9.99? Change it back to 5.99 ya greedy bastards.

When I saw the news the other week that a new owner was taking over, I decided to visit one last time and say my goodbye. I couldn’t believe I got emotional, but I sure did. I’ve been going there since the late 1970’s as a little kid. This was back when the mall was pretty much the edge of town.

I remembered as a young kid seeing Santa and riding the train on the lower level. Going with friends and family for many years to shop. Spending hours there playing arcade games. Then in the 90’s going with girlfriends on “mall dates.” Breaking bread with so many people in the food court. Then later on taking my wife and kids there to create the same memories I made years prior.

What got me is that one day soon this place will no longer exist as it is. Those memories will only be in my heart. I’ll no longer have a physical place to go to have my eyes see those places again and remind me of what once was. It’s like losing your childhood home. But as George Harrison sang, “All Things Must Pass.” I will miss VWM and the world will keep on keeping on.

Anyone have any insights on the judges in the upcoming election?

Saw him walking down Hubbell this afternoon. Have seen him several times before in the same area.

Is this peak eggnog, or can something better be purchased locally?

I’m looking to take a drive to look at some cool Halloween decorations this month.

Are there any specific neighborhoods (like Sherman Hill), streets, or individual houses that go all out with massive displays or synchronized lights? Looking for something similar to how people map out Christmas light driving routes.

For anyone who doesnt know the pulm and infectious disease clinic is struggling.

They are losing employees fast.

Just the past week 2 of the few cma's put in their 2 weeks. 1 cma is pregnant and due date is soon. The last rn is about to quit. And the boss lady.. still sits in her office door closed doing god knows what.

Implemented a break buddy system because people were abusing it.

If you have anyone who visits that clinic regularly i would ask them to consider switching

I've been looking to get into the local comedy scene.

Are there any consistent author/writing groups or meet ups in the metro?

Hello! I’m a 25 year old queer female looking for good volunteer places around me. Just trying to meet new people and help out in my community. If you have any suggestions please let me know! I already work with animals and as much as I love them I’m trying to find something that’s not that lol. Anything helps :)

As I'm looking at my sample ballot, pulled up from this page, I'm wondering if there is a good resource to learn more about the candidates for the non-partisan offices.

I am more partisan than ever this year. I'm a liberal but I firmly believe that America needs a sane conservative party representing our conservative friends and family, and the only way to get that back is to soundly spank all the Republican Trump bootlickers in this midterm. Is there a good single source for info on these "non-partisan" candidates or do I just have to google them individually to figure out who is sane and who is a quisling?

Thursday, Oct 15 5:30 to 7 pm, Conference Room at the Urbandale Library

We're running an open meetup for the Iowa Time Bank and wanted to invite anyone interested.

A time bank is a way for neighbors to exchange items and services without money. You spend time helping someone (a ride, tutoring, a small repair, pet sitting, tech help, baked goods, whatever you like) and earn that time as credit. You spend that credit on help from anyone else in the network. One hour equals one hour, regardless of the skill.

You also don't need credit to ask for help. It's a pay-it-forward system built on trust: you can receive help when you need it and give back later. Exchanges are tracked, and in practice most people want to return the favor once someone has helped them.

It's still early and growing, with members in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. A network like this only becomes useful when enough people are actively participating.

Free and open to all. Bring something you need and something you can offer, ideas or items, and we'll help match people up on the spot.

Happy to answer questions here. More info at ringsnetwork.org

Vehicle is a 2016 Chevy Colorado Z71.

I’ve lived downtown Des Moines for a couple weeks now and I can’t believe people live here with the train passing through. It been running through before 5am the past couple mornings and lays on its horn. I have to imagine it wakes up most of the area. Are people annoyed by this or do people just accept it? I’m not sure how it’s not on the line of disturbing the peace.

Jam Lamp Presents: Modern Joey featuring Unique Vibrationz live at Local’s Bar & Stage!

Modern Joey is a primarily jam-rock group from Milwaukee that encompasses about every rock sub-genre into their original music, alongside an eclectic mix of covers and a guaranteed good time.

Join them at Local’s for the final show on their fall Iowa/Nebraska run featuring support from Des Moines’ own Unique Vibrationz!

Show: $10 at the door (100 % goes to the artists)

Does anyone know who owns the wooded areas on either side of Hwy 5 off the 35th street exit? The large groups of trees on either side of the highway.

Yesterday, a white man in his late 20s / early 30s, wearing a gray backpack and a hoodie/jacket started stalking myself and a friend at Merle Hay Mall. We go there to walk sometimes. He followed us down to the food court area, where there is usually less people. He got really close to us, was speaking Spanish at my friend (after noticing my friend was speaking Spanish) in kind of a weird/creepy way. I asked him to back off. He then acted annoyed, like he was pausing a phone call, and said “excuse me? I had to pause my phone call. What do you want?” We kept walking, he kept following. He started to really freak my friend out, I demanded he walk away. He did the same thing. We then start walking much faster to leave the mall, the whole time this guy is pretending he’s on a phone call, talking about us. “I don’t know what they wanted, I hope they don’t think I’m upset.” Followed us all the way outside.

Today, my friend saw the same guy at Jordan Creek. Tried to approach the car, and was smiling as my friend drove away.

It doesn’t seem likely that he is specifically stalking my friend. It seems likely he’s taking buses to malls in the area and seeking out vulnerable people. My friend is partially disabled for context. I think he saw my friend there and decided to follow him out to the car.

This guy doesn’t seem like your typical psychotic episode. It feels calculated, like he’s trying to freak people out. Didn’t feel like he was trying to rob us.

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this guy/behavior.

Hello! I am looking to get a haircut. I would love to find my go-to hairdresser in the metro. I haven't found a good fit since I moved here.

Right now, I'm my natural color. I am looking for long, rounded, face framing layers. I want the layers to be visible, and the dead ends gone. Currently hair is unprocessed, to my waist, and about a 2B.

What recommendarions do you all have? Either salon or hairdresser recommendations welcome! Thank you sm!!

Any suggestions for places that would be able to do nails like these & accept walk ins?! Looking to do either Acrylic or Gel X. I’m new to the area and went to Elite Nails in Johnston for my last manicure and had a very bad experience, so I’d love a place with a guarantee that whoever does my nails would do a good job!

Yeah so theoretically if one wanted to find whoever was sending this and burn their facilities down would that be illegal or...

Asking for a friend.

But seriously, I am a huge percentage ashkenazi, and while I may not be practicing or whatever, what the HELL is this genocidal shit

Instead of letting good food go to waste, help feed folks that need it!

.

Hello all. Im looking for a specific location around runnels or yellow banks. See, my parents had one of their 1st dates there at a location my father referred to as "Butthole Rock". For context, my father passed in January of 2025 and my mom has had a lot of strokes and can't quite remember the exact location, and her memory has suffered quite a bit. My Mom and Dad have requested that we scatter some of their ashes there, but my brothers and I have no idea where this could be. I know its a long shot, maybe its a name my Dad made up for the place. Maybe, just maybe someone is familiar with this area and could help us out in finding this location. I appreciate all the folks who took the time to read this and possibly do a bit of digging around, asking some of the older crowd if they may know this place or how to find it. Thank you.