Iowa

12 things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Savannah Bananas, Cy-Hawk game

Published

2 weeks ago

September 4, 2024

12 things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Savannah Bananas, Cy-Hawk game

If you want to stay on top of all the fun things to do in Des Moines, sign up for Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register that showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa. Recently, we’ve written about karaoke bars, where to go thrifting, where to buy crafts, vegan restaurants, gluten-free options, the Amana Colonies and where to buy plants. If you sign up for our newsletter, you get a whole list of fun places to go, things to do, what to eat, and more early Thursday morning in your inbox.

Shawntelle Madison

Thursday evening: Meet a Des Moines author during this free event at the Des Moines Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Shawntelle Madison kicks off the library’s 2024 Fall Author Series. Her new novel, “The Fallen Fruit,” covers “a family saga that follows a Black family that for two centuries has been cursed with the gift of time travel.” Madison also writes science fiction, romance, and fantasy books, include her urban fantasy series, “Coveted.” She’ll talk about her work starting at 5 p.m.

Ruth Harkin

Thursday evening: Former Sen. Tom Harkin’s wife, Ruth Harkin, releases her new book, “When My Husband Ran for President and Other Short Stories,” and launches it with a book signing at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center on the Drake University campus, 2800 University Ave., Des Moines. The free event from 5 to 7 p.m. includes remarks from Ruth and former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Marsha Ternus. Ruth and Sen. Tom Harkin will be available for a brief question-and-answer session, followed by a book signing by Ruth in the atrium. The book will be available for purchase at the event, and all author proceeds from the book will be donated to The Harkin Institute endowment fund.

More: Ruth Harkin memoir shows wit, retrospection of pathbreaking Iowan who’s made a difference

Savannah Bananas

Friday night: Zany baseball antics courtesy of the Savannah Bananas take over Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines, through Sunday. Tickets have been sold out for some time now, but if you got lucky, expect Banana Ball shenanigans against the Party Animals. On-field antics like choreographed dances, crazy rules (if a fan catches a foul bout, it counts as an out), crowd participation skits, and fun props are all part of the fun starting at 7 p.m.

More: The Savannah Bananas are headed back to Des Moines this week. Here’s what you need to know

‘It’s Only A Play’

Friday night: Step out for a meta night of theater when the Tallgrass Theatre Co., 2019 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, presents “It’s Only A Play.” The play takes place on opening night of “The Golden Egg” on Broadway, and Julia Budder, the wealthy producer, hosts a party at her home. Everyone awaits the reviews in her bedroom as celebrities enter downstairs. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show start at $33. The production runs on Fridays through Sundays through Sept. 22.

More: How to spend the perfect day in Valley Junction with restaurants, bars and shopping

First Friday

Friday night: Drop by Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosaqua Way, Des Moines, for First Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening includes featured fashion artists who specialize in jewelry, design, and fiber. Find a henna artist, interactive photo displays, and craft activities during the free event that spans all five floors. From 7 to 8 p.m., see a fashion show in the Big Room.

Luenell

Friday night: The “Original Bad Girl of Comedy” Luenell takes the stage at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines for an 8 p.m. show. See the star of the Netflix comedy special “Town Business” with tickets starting at $29.50.

Renaissance Faire

Saturday afternoon: Fetch ye olde turkey leg and a cup of meade and prepare to wander the nine stages and more than 50 vendors at the Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow. The event returns with jousting, birds of prey, fire breathers and jugglers, minstrels, jesters, and belly dancers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 1408 Arthur Ave., Des Moines. Tickets start at $23 for those age 13 and older, free for kids. Buy tickets online. Continues next weekend as well.

Touchdown Tailgate

Saturday morning: Can’t make it to Iowa City to watch Iowa State take on Iowa? Head to Cowles Commons at 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, for Touchdown Tailgate. The event from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. includes free admission for the Cy-Hawk game, shown on two Jumbotron TVs. Find food trucks Farmboys BBQ, Roadside Tacos, Big Red Food Truck and Sweet Swirls as well as a private bar selling alcohol. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. Bring your own chair, too.

DSM Gamer Jazz

Saturday afternoon: Hear jazz band renditions from legendary video games such as “Super Mario,” “Street Fighter” and “Plants vs. Zombies” when the Des Moines Gamer Symphony Orchestra plays at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, 4100 Millis Civic Parkway, West Des Moines. The free concert runs from 2 to 3 p.m.

Concours d’Elegance

Sunday afternoon: See vintage, classic, and exotic automobiles from around the world during the 2024 Des Moines Concours d’Elegance. The free event at the John & Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Western Gateway Park, 1330 Grand Ave., Des Moines, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PorchFest

Sunday afternoon: See 24 bands play on Union Park porches for PorchFest from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The rolling music festival takes place on the front porches of the residents of Union Park in Des Moines, with music from a variety of genres. Festival attendees can migrate from one performance to the next to listen to the 45-minute sets of live music. See the map of homes at porchfestdsm.org.

Justin Willman

Sunday night: Magician Justin Willman brings his Illusionati Tour to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, at 7 p.m. Willman’s show includes an interactive evening of magic, comedy and mind-control. Tickets start at $42.50 to see the star of the Netflix series “Magic For Humans” and “The Magic Prank Show with Justin Willman.”

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

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Iowa

Officials: Man wanted by Lee County, Iowa Crime Stoppers on drug charges

Published

57 mins ago

September 17, 2024

Press Room

Officials: Man wanted by Lee County, Iowa Crime Stoppers on drug charges

LEE COUNTY, Iowa (KWQC) – A man is wanted by the Lee County, Iowa Crime Stoppers on drug charges.

Dakota William Burgund is wanted on felony warrants for drug trafficking between 5 grams to 100 kg of meth, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, eluding over 25 mph over the speed limit, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, speeding, and passing in a no passing zone, according to Lee County, Iowa Crime Stoppers.

If you know where Burgund is, submit a tip by clicking the link or by calling 319-376-1090, officials said. Both options are anonymous. If yours leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

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Iowa

Gophers, Hawkeyes still strongly disagree about the invalid fair-catch call

Published

9 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Press Room

Gophers, Hawkeyes still strongly disagree about the invalid fair-catch call

“That’s part of what rivalries are all about,” Fleck said Monday. “They come down to, usually, a one-possession game, and then some of the best players are making the biggest plays.”

What made last year’s finish special — at least from Minnesota’s perspective — was the backdrop.

The Gophers were seeking their first victory over Iowa since 2014 and first triumph at Kinnick since 1999. Holding a 12-10 lead with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter, the Gophers faced fourth-and-7 at their 16-yard line and were forced to punt to the game-changing DeJean.

As Marc Crawford’s 37-yard boot angled toward the right sideline in front of the Minnesota bench, DeJean pointed with his right hand and waved with his left, seemingly alerting teammates to stay away from the ball when it hit the turf.

DeJean played the ball on a hop near the sideline, spun out of an attempted tackle, made another move and raced 54 yards across the field for an apparent touchdown that sent the crowd of 69,250 into a frenzy. The Floyd of Rosedale trophy appeared destined to spend a ninth consecutive year in Iowa City.

Except … officials wanted to take a further look at the play via video review, and Ferentz said he initially was told it was to see if DeJean stayed in bounds. After a delay of a couple of minutes, they ruled that DeJean made an improper fair-catch signal — the wave with his left hand — that negated the return. Instead, the Hawkeyes got the ball at their 46 with 1:32 to play. The Gophers defense made sure Iowa wouldn’t drive for a winning field goal. Cornerback Justin Walley intercepted Deacon Hill’s third-and-17 pass with one minute left.

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Iowa Medical Society seeking state action to attract doctors – Radio Iowa

Published

18 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Press Room

Iowa Medical Society seeking state action to attract doctors – Radio Iowa

Leaders of the Iowa Medical Society say the state faces a workforce crisis in the health care sector. Dr. Christina Taylor is president of the Iowa Medical Society’s board of directors.

“We actually have a very looming physician shortage and it’s a real issue and we’re concerned about the ability to maintain proper access to Iowans,” Taylor said during a weekend appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS.

Iowa already ranks 45th in doctor-to-patient ratio. “As of recent data, we have about 5778 doctors, down from 5900 a year ago,” Taylor said, “so we are seeing the number of practicing physicians decrease.”

Dr. Gerard, a clinical professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine and one of five deans at the University of Iowa’s College of Medicine, said the number of physicians, nationally, does not match demand.

“It’s a complex issue. We have a terrible mismatch of demand for health care versus the supply of health care workers, including the physicians,” Clancy said. “Ten thousand Baby Boomers are retiring every day in America right now. Those Baby Boomers need more health care.”

Iowa Medical Society CEO Steve Churchill indicated the group will ask the 2025 Iowa Legislature to provide state funding to significantly increase the residency slots for medical students at Iowa hospitals and academic centers.

“That is the leading indicator of where a resident will choose to practice is where they went to residency school, a residency slot,” Churchill said on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS. “In Iowa, we have a shortage.”

The group will be asking lawmakers to fund creation of 200 more residency slots, at a cost of $20 million a year according to Dr. Clancy’s calculation The Iowa Medical Society will also recommend expanding state programs that erase college debt for physicians who choose to practice in Iowa after getting their medical license.

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