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Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines plans campus expansion

The West Des Moines campus is one of the most popular churches in the state.

News

Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, the largest church in Iowa, plans to expand its campus by 14,000 square feet, per a council meeting— including a gym, teen center and a larger food pantry.Why it matters: The $20 million project, funded through donations, reflects the church&#x27;s efforts to encourage more in-person interactions and accommodate a growing congregation, Pastor Jeremy Johnson tells Axios.

Polk County pushes "Polk Proud" plates

The new campaign urges people to get their vehicles titled locally.

Polk County&#x27;s treasurer is urging car buyers and dealers to title vehicles locally, launching a &quot;Polk Proud&quot; campaign to keep that business in the county.Why it matters: Hundreds of vehicles are being titled in surrounding counties each month, draining thousands in revenue that would otherwise support Polk County services, Treasurer Mary Wells tells Axios.

West Des Moines considers $700K bathroom near Jamie Hurd Amphitheater

City staff say it's one of the most requested amenities from residents.

The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater is used for everything from theater performances to symphony concerts, rock cover bands and film screenings.<ul><li>But the one major thing missing for those events is a bathroom with flushable toilets, West Des Moines city staff say.</li></ul>

WDM data center program gives free tuition to learn new career

The program provided 15 students tuition-free data center training.

Ramero Jackson was at home, unable to continue his work as a truck driver because of a medical issue, when he stumbled across a post for a free data center training program through the City of West Des Moines.Why it matters: Jackson, who was selected for the program last year, now works in Altoona at an IT company contracted by Meta after completing the 15-week course, which helps prep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="underemployed" data-vars-click-url="https://workforce.urban.org/taxonomy/term/6.html" data-vars-content-id="3bc3d305-9eb6-4d7b-b424-36d7a6c6111f" data-vars-headline="WDM data center program gives free tuition to learn new career" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://workforce.urban.org/taxonomy/term/6.html" target="_blank">underemployed</a> people for a career in the growing data center industry.

Des Moines local businesses celebrate Black Friday, Small Business Saturday

Support the community by purchasing from locally-owned shops.

Culture

Celebrate Des Moines&#x27; local businesses during special shopping events this weekend, from Black Friday to Small Business Saturday.Why it matters: Des Moines is filled with creatives, entrepreneurs, and artisans — supporting them not only boosts the local economy, but it&#x27;s also more fun than elbowing people at Target.

Jolly Holiday Lights moves to Iowa State Fair, goes private

The event will no longer be hosted by Make-A-Wish Iowa.

Holidays

A private company is taking over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jolly Holiday Lights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/12/jolly-holiday-lights-changes-walking-outlets-adventureland" data-vars-content-id="6cb1bd50-a188-4679-ace5-0956cc152ed9" data-vars-headline="Jolly Holiday Lights moves to Iowa State Fair, goes private" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/12/jolly-holiday-lights-changes-walking-outlets-adventureland" target="_self">Jolly Holiday Lights</a> after Make-A-Wish Iowa opted to stop hosting the annual winter event.Why it matters: For decades, the cherished Des Moines tradition was a major fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Iowa, which grants wishes for critically ill children.

Ingersoll shops are handing out candy for trick or treaters

Ingersoll Avenue is hosting its own trick-or-treating event on Oct. 23.

Things to Do

If you&#x27;re looking for a unique trick-or-treating experience this year — don your costumes and stop by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ingersoll&#x27;s local businesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theavenuesdsm.com/trick-or-treat-on-ingersoll-avenue-halloween/" data-vars-content-id="0df8c590-c735-4b7f-a136-76e25153e62f" data-vars-headline="Ingersoll shops are handing out candy for trick or treaters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theavenuesdsm.com/trick-or-treat-on-ingersoll-avenue-halloween/" target="_blank">Ingersoll&#x27;s local businesses</a>.Driving the news: The Avenues of Ingersoll &amp; Grand is hosting a family-friendly trick-or-treating event with local businesses along the corridor.

Jordan Creek Halloween pop-up restaurant and bar opens in West Des Moines

The new Halloween pop-up experience is at the former Champs location.

Food and Drink

If you&#x27;re feeling creepy crawly this month, stop by &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nightmare at Jordan Creek" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563954730149" data-vars-content-id="baad7a57-003d-4767-b698-eb29521dd545" data-vars-headline="Jordan Creek Halloween pop-up restaurant and bar opens in West Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563954730149" target="_blank">Nightmare at Jordan Creek</a>&quot; — the mall&#x27;s newest Halloween pop-up experience.Driving the news: The owners of The Station on Ingersoll opened the &quot;elegant and spooky&quot; space Tuesday night at the former Champs location near Century Theater.

How Irish immigrants settled across Iowa

St. Patrick&#x27;s Day is Sunday and we&#x27;re celebrating how Irish immigrants helped shape the state.Why it matters: Iowa&#x27;s Irish immigration story isn&#x27;t much different from what draws immigrants here today — the push from inhospitable lands and the pull of a more fertile place to call home.<ul><li>Today, 13% of Polk County residents claim Irish heritage. That&#x27;s higher than the national 9.5% average.</li></ul>

Thrifting around Des Moines for the holidays

We visit three different stores to check out potential gifts.

Linh here. The older I get, the more I think about my daily consumption of just &quot;stuff.&quot;Why it matters: Consuming today just takes a click. But at least one study shows that a home with too much stuff can actually lead to higher levels of anxiety,<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" according to Time" data-vars-click-url="https://time.com/3741849/americas-clutter-problem/" data-vars-content-id="8561a890-1333-4918-95ab-29be0817065a" data-vars-headline="Thrifting around Des Moines for the holidays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://time.com/3741849/americas-clutter-problem/" target="_blank"> according to Time</a>.

Play some Iowa bingo this Thanksgiving

Have some fun while observing the weird nuances of a classic Midwest holiday.

No Thanksgiving is complete without your very own Iowa bingo card.

Midwest potluck food that people love (or love to hate)

From White Castle sliders to Jell-O desserts, Midwest cuisine raises eyebrows and nostalgia.

Potluck foods like meaty casseroles and Jell-O concoctions are stalwarts in Midwest households.Why it matters: These casual events are unifiers, bringing people together amongst sprinkled bacon bits and greasy goodness.

Avian flu isn't gouging turkey, egg prices this Thanksgiving

While avian flu is still spreading, not as many flocks have been killed this year because of it.

2022&#x27;s massive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="avian flu outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/26/us-avian-flu-outbreak-2022-worst-record" data-vars-content-id="2f3082d1-b168-4496-b42b-2ee8b01ede0e" data-vars-headline="Avian flu isn&#x27;t gouging turkey, egg prices this Thanksgiving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/26/us-avian-flu-outbreak-2022-worst-record" target="_self">avian flu outbreak</a> is still spreading across the country, but its impact on meat and egg production is less widespread this year.Why it matters: Expect lower <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turkey and poultry prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/15/thanksgiving-turkey-price-drop-2023-holiday-meal" data-vars-content-id="2f3082d1-b168-4496-b42b-2ee8b01ede0e" data-vars-headline="Avian flu isn&#x27;t gouging turkey, egg prices this Thanksgiving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/15/thanksgiving-turkey-price-drop-2023-holiday-meal" target="_self">turkey and poultry prices</a> this Thanksgiving.

Des Moines Thanksgiving travel peaks

Charted: When Des Moines veterans served

Bar chart showing the periods of service for veterans in the Des Moines metro area, from a 2023 estimate. 30.9% of veterans in the area served after September 2001. 21.2% served in the Gulf War, 29.5% in the Vietnam era, 3.9% in the Korean War, and 0.8% in World War II.

When Des Moines's veterans served

Axios Votes: Des Moines should move Beggars' Night

A bar chart that illustrates public opinion on moving Beggars' Night in Des Moines. 52.8% support holding it on Halloween night, while 19.4%favor the last Saturday of October. 27.8% prefer to keep the tradition unchanged.