Good morning, West Des Moines.

At Locust Street Wednesday evening, volunteers at the Young Women’s Resource Center partnered with Up-Down for a Coins for a Cause fundraiser where all token sales went to support counseling, education and advocacy programs for girls and women aged 10 to 24—more fall events including a Celebrity Servers’ night and a book sale are planned.

Central Iowa Water Works processed 200 water samples a day to check nitrate levels during a lawn watering ban now in its fifth week in unincorporated Polk County—Alleman, Berwick, Cumming, Pleasant Hill, Runnells and Windsor Heights are affected.

Test results from the past 10 days showed nitrate levels fluctuating, especially along the Raccoon River, while treated water from the Des Moines River meets EPA standards and officials said hot, dry weather will soon reduce runoff.

The 52nd RAGBRAI will begin on Sunday, July 20 in Orange City and end after a 406-mile ride in Guttenberg with overnight stops in Milford, Estherville, Forest City, Iowa Falls, Cedar Falls and Oelwein—riders will briefly leave Iowa for Minnesota on day two as local hosts prepare special events throughout the week-long tour.

NBDA Doula Birth Doula Training

8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Mainframe Studios — Registration required — Top-rated training for Black and BIPOC doulas addressing maternal health issues.

Monthly Critique Group Workshop

10 AM — Smokey Row Coffee — Free entry — Engage in deep discussions while sharing your poetry for constructive feedback.

5K Beer Run at Confluence Brewing

11 a.m. — Confluence Brewing Company — $35 — Enjoy a 5K fun run and celebrate with a craft beer from the local brewery while supporting the Food Bank of Iowa.

School of Adventure: Learn to Play D&D

3-6 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Registration required — Explore the magical world of Dungeons and Dragons with guidance in a fun and engaging one-shot campaign.

Farm to Table Vegan Dinner

6 p.m. — The Wallace Centers of Iowa — $75/ticket — Enjoy a vibrant three-course vegan dinner featuring fresh produce from local farms.

Burger & Beer Deal at Exile Brewing

11 AM - 9 PM — Exile Brewing Company — $12 — Enjoy a single patty Exile smash burger with fries and a cold pint of beer.

Wild on Wheels Summer Block Party

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Science Center of Iowa — Free entry — Enjoy live music, games, and food trucks at this fun kickoff event.

Masao Culinary Experience

6-8 p.m. — Miyabi 9 — Check for dining prices — Explore a unique fusion of Japanese and French flavors with a standout menu by talented chefs.

Heads In Motion - Talking Heads Tribute

8-9:30 p.m. — xBk Live — $20 + Fees — Experience the high-energy tribute to the iconic Talking Heads with an 8-piece band dedicated to capturing their unforgettable sound.

Summer Needle Felting Workshop

2-4:30 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — Supplies included — Unleash your creativity with vibrant wool to craft a summer prairie landscape in this beginner-friendly needle-felting workshop.