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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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?

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

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.

I own Not So Tuft Studio, a rug-tufting workshop studio in Merle Hay Mall.

I'm looking to connect with local boutiques, coffee shops, gift shops, independent bookstores, or other small businesses that might be interested in hosting a creative pop-up workshop.

As much as I love rug tufting, it's not exactly a craft that's easy to pack up and take on the road! Lots of equipment and yarn.

I'm exploring smaller, portable crafts that are beginner-friendly projects, and people can complete in a couple of hours.

My hope is to create fun experiences that bring new people into local businesses while introducing more of Des Moines to what we do at Not So Tuft Studio.

And for everyone else in Des Moines — where would YOU love to attend a creative pop-up? Any favorite little shops, cafés, or hidden gems that come to mind?

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

I'm tired of Walgreens. Always late. Partial fills. I have tried to schedule it multiple times where I would be able to pick up all of my prescriptions. They screw it up every time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

They did some remodeling in the back of the Hy-Vee and now the discontinued shelf is gone or has been moved.
It was always kind of fun seeing what had been marked down to (usually) a dollar. Is it gone for good? Did anybody else go out of their way to check it out?

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.