The last year has been long — and that's putting it lightly.

• But Monday marks an emotional milestone toward the end of all this: Every Iowan will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
• 🌟 This is your sign: You don't need your employer or doctor to give you permission — we're telling you — you can simply go get your vaccine.

Why it matters: The faster we get shots in arms, the faster we can pack Principal Park, dance at Noce and eat breakfast burritos at the Farmers' Market.

What to know: Availability is still tough, but it's getting better. Walmart just started offering vaccines — adding to the mix of Hy-Vee, CVS and Walgreens in the metro.

• Based off this map, rural areas have way more spots. If you're willing to drive, your chances of getting a shot Monday could be better, but make sure to follow through or you may cause scheduling headaches.

Linh's tips for getting a shot:

• Follow Iowa Vaccine Alerts on Twitter and hit the bell icon to get notifications for whenever a spot opens. (This helpful video shows how to book an appointment at Hy-Vee in a snap using the alerts.)
• Polk and Dallas County health departments typically open first-dose appointments on Fridays at noon.
• Call your doctor. UnityPoint, Mercy, Broadlawns and the Iowa Clinic are scheduling shots. So are your neighborhood pharmacies.
• Call 211 if someone you know can't access the Internet.

Another big thing: Keep your CDC card safe. It may become your ticket to future events and travels.

• And you can get free stuff with it, like Krispy Kreme doughnuts or tokens at Up-Down.

Lastly, if you need help, ask.

• Seriously, hit reply.
• And cue some "Hamilton" because we are pumped and ready to go.

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Each of these 589 candlelit bags represents a Polk County resident who died of COVID-19.

• Last night's event at the Polk County Administration Building marked the one-year anniversary of the first death in our county.

An experimental and intimate cocktail space is coming downtown from the owners of Hello, Marjorie and BellHop Tiki.

The state of play: Good News, Darling is opening behind its sister bar, Hello, Marjorie, on April 9. The smaller space is focused on the art of mixology and conversations between bartenders and customers.

• It seats 26 people (22 for now) and offers more detailed craftsmanship and cocktail presentation.
• The name is a nod to the Des Moines Register, which previously occupied the space, and Ding Darling, the paper's late Pulitzer-winning cartoonist.
• You'll start with a complimentary tea and end the night with a free espresso, said Nick Tillinghast, a partner in the venture.

The menu is split into starters to whet your appetite and house cocktails when you're ready to dive in, including items like:

• Tomato: A gin-based cocktail that tastes similar to pico de gallo.
• Bird: An approachable gin drink that comes in a bird shaped glass with some "theatrics" in the creation.

What they're saying: "Honestly, Good News [Darling] is something you have to see for yourself in order to understand it," Tillinghast said.

• "It's a very visual thing and you have to taste it too."

Open: 6pm to midnight, Thurs.; 6pm to 1am, Fri.-Sat.; 717 Locust St., Des Moines.

• Reservations here.

Downtown's Cathedral Church of St. Paul last year launched a 30-minute Easter services carillon concert for members to enjoy from their vehicles.

• Since then, it's become a weekly event, drawing car crowds even from nonmembers. (It's also popular online.)
• The full-length hand-played concerts help build interest in the church and have resulted in financial contributions.

The big picture: There are 25 bronze bells in the carillon, some cast 125 years ago.

• The largest weighs about three tons and can be heard throughout much of downtown.

What to expect: Organist/choirmaster Mark Babcock told Axios that he plans to continue the free concerts even after the pandemic.

• The bells play briefly every day at noon, 5pm and 6pm via an automated system.
• ⏰ Sundays at 9am, 815 High St.
• Don’t feed the meters! Street parking is free on Sundays.

• Beaverdale Confections is selling chocolate masked bunnies. A package of three costs $30. (KCCI-TV)
• Mass vaccine clinics on four college campuses will go on next week as scheduled despite production problems associated with the Johnson & Johnson shot. (Radio Iowa)
• Sluggish wage growth factored into issues that caused DSM's score in the Milken Institute’s list of best-performing cities to plummet 54 spots (79 to 133) in a year. (Business Record)
• Rowdy downtown loop scoopers are the target of enhanced police patrol efforts. (WOI-TV)

If you ever wanted to join in the comedic chaos of a Kevin Smith film, now's your chance.

• Mooby's is holding a pop-up at Up-Down in Des Moines this week.
• The fictitious restaurant made appearances in "Dogma", "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," "Clerks II," and "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot."
• While the event was sold out, extra tickets just became available this week.

The fake-real food you can get: The exact menu offerings are too raunchy to list here, but they're burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and drinks inspired by Smith's films.

• Smith, who suffered a heart attack and then went vegan, also made sure plant-based alternatives were offered as well.

Linh tried the Cow Tipper (a double cheeseburger) and Hater Totz.

• They were both solid, but nothing out of the ordinary.
• What you're really paying for is to feel like you're walking into Mooby's with your best buds.
• Up-Down was decked out in Mooby's signature purple and the golden calf was adorned everywhere for lots of photo opportunities.

What's next: The pop-up is here until April 7.

• Tickets are $29 and come with an entree and side.