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.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – This latest school semester comes with new rules for attendance, and parents across eastern Iowa have concerns.

On May 9, 2024, Governor Reynolds signed a law that lays out what districts must do when students miss a certain number of school days. That law went into effect July 1, 2024.

According to the new law:

• If a student misses 10% of a semester (around 8 school days), they become chronically absent. Once they are chronically absent, a school official must notify the county attorney and the child’s parent or guardian by certified mail.
• If a student misses 15% of a semester, a school official must investigate the cause and initiate a school engagement meeting.
• If a student misses 20% of a semester, they are considered truant. Truancy can eventually result in a student’s guardian being prosecuted.

KCRG put out a call on social media, asking for parents to share their perspectives. Close to 20 parents came forward, including Justina Yoder of West Liberty, Jennifer Facion of Cedar Rapids, and Arianna Neveu of Hiawatha.

“I kind of go back and forth between being a little annoyed by the law to be honest… and a little bit nervous,” said Facion.

The other two women echoed Facion. “I’m a little nervous,” said Yoder.

These moms are feeling this way because they all said, at least for their kids, it’s pretty likely they’ll miss a good amount of school.

KCRG asked Yoder if she thought her 3rd grader with medical issues would miss at least 10 days of school during the fall semester.

“Easily,” she said. “Easily. I don’t think we’ve had a year where we haven’t missed that much.”

The state’s policy does provide for six exemptions:

• Completed requirements for graduation or obtained a high school equivalency diploma.
• Excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge.
• Attending religious services or receiving religious instructions.
• Unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reason(s).
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) that affects attendance.
• Section 504 plan under the Federal Rehabilitation Act that affects attendance.

The parents who spoke to KCRG on Tuesday said, when it comes to illness, “legitimate,” doesn’t mean they’re always going to have a doctor’s note.

“Let’s just say she has a fever….I’m not going to spend the money to go to the doctor because she had a fever for 24 hours,” said Neveu.

These parents said that kids get sick, sometimes for days at a time. Also, life happens.

“We tend to take vacation during the school year because that’s when my husband can take time off,” said Yoder.

“My girls have had some behavior issues in the past and depending on how they do it, if my one daughter decides to skip class or gets upset and walks out of class, you know, I don’t know how that will go,” said Facion.

Neveu believes the new legislation could impact not only her family, but the state’s education system as a whole.

“I think to be honest, it is, like I said—it’s targeting public schools. But I think it’s also pushing more towards private schools.”

These moms said there’s nothing to be done except hope for no major illnesses or big surprises—and push for change in the future.

“Laws can be changed if enough people talk to the people who make the decisions,” said Facion.

KCRG reached out to the Governor’s office to see if there was a response to these parents’ critiques. We did not receive a statement.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – From a runny nose to a persistent, wheezing cough, whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can leave anyone feeling miserable.

As of Tuesday morning, Iowa Health and Human Services officials say they confirmed 73 cases in the state this year.

While that number is lower than it was from 2015 to 2019, it’s the highest it’s been since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know from our state and federal partners that, from time to time, pertussis happens cyclically, so this may be the case where we’re seeing an increase in cases.” said Sam Jarvis, Johnson County Public Health’s Community Health Manager.

Considering whooping cough primarily affects people under age 20, Jarvis expects back-to-school season to have an impact on these numbers.

But because Iowa schools require students to get the pertussis vaccine, it’s adults and infants he’s most worried about.

“The other challenge that we see is access. So, folks don’t have insurance…Obviously, it’s very difficult to get vaccinations.” he said.

He says Johnson County Public Health is hoping to offer an adult vaccine program soon, but until then, it’s important for everyone to protect themselves in other ways – especially if they’re unvaccinated.

“Since this is a respiratory illness, a lot of the same things that we’ve been promoting and you will see us promote going into the fall for Respiratory illness season: Covering our cough, washing our hands and staying home when we’re ill are extremely important. We can’t emphasize that enough.” said Jarvis.

For those who do contract whooping cough, you can report it by calling Iowa Health and Human Services.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.