Good morning, West Des Moines.

The YWRC Book Sale returned to the Iowa State Fairgrounds after a two year hiatus and drew large crowds on Thursday evening.

The non-profit event by Iowa’s Biggest Book Sale will run for four days—raising funds for the Young Women’s Resource Center.

A series of holiday craft and shopping events will take place in the Des Moines metro from today through December, featuring the Holiday Boutique at the Iowa Events Center, Scheels Ladies Night at Jordan Creek Town Center, and the Festival of Trees & Lights at Community Choice Convention Center—each offering family-friendly activities and free entry options.

Bath and Body Works will open a 4000 square foot store at Southridge Mall in March or April—taking over the former Foot Locker space—and it will be the largest metro location, joining new tenants like Five Below as the mall undergoes renovations.

Drake alumna Jill Wells has opened her healing exhibit 'I AM A MULTITUDE' at the Anderson Gallery in the Harmon Fine Arts Center, where art shows how trauma can be healed + free parking is available on 25th Street.

Wells will share her art approach today + the exhibit will remain open until December 19.

Today, Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines broke ground on an $18 million Wild Iowa expansion—designed to add new habitats for bobcats, bald eagles, river otters and turtles—as part of its 60th anniversary, while work on the lion habitat that began in May will open next summer and Wild Iowa is expected to debut in spring of 2027.

Polk County Board of Supervisors approved $1 million in emergency funding from interest-earning county dollars to support local food programs that will provide about 473,000 pounds of food; the funds are allocated as follows — Food Bank of Iowa $750,000, DMARC $230,000, and Caring Hands $20,000 amid reduced SNAP benefits and a government shutdown. The board will meet in two weeks to reassess community needs.

The Iowa DNR is winterizing state parks as temperatures drop by closing indoor facilities and draining copper pipes to prevent burst pipes while keeping shelters and trails open.

Chad Kelchen said staff will use the slower season for park maintenance, trail clearing when snow and ice begin, and CPR training—preparing for a safer spring season.

Russian Conversation Club

1-2 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Lighthearted conversations for both native speakers and those eager to learn Russian.

Des Moines Holiday Boutique

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — EMC Expo Center — $12 online; $14 at the door — Explore an array of unique gifts from over 130 local and national vendors this holiday season.

Weekly Art Nights with Art is Rad

6-8 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — $10 admission — Unleash your creativity with hands-on art activities for all ages and skill levels.

28th Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference

1:45-10:30 p.m. — Blank Children's Hospital Education & Research Center — Registration required — Gain insights into pediatric care with expert-led discussions and networking opportunities.

SCORE Lunch & Learn: Financial Foundations for Small Businesses

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Elevator Co-Warehousing Community — Free entry — Learn essential accounting skills and loan preparation strategies to empower your small business success.

Drop-In Tech Help

2-3 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free assistance — Get help with your devices at the library's drop-in tech support session.

Les Miserables

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Des Moines Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the epic tale of broken dreams and redemption in this celebrated musical.

Morning Meet Up – MoM November Gathering

10-11 a.m. — The Slow Down Coffee Co. — Free entry — Connect with fellow parents of Asian & Pacific Islander children in a supportive environment.

Malcolm Wells - Student Harmonica Giveaway With Lesson

2-3 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Discover the joy of the harmonica in this all-ages music lesson and giveaway.

SSBCI Lunch and Learn - Des Moines

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. — Elevator Co-Warehousing — Free entry — Discover how Iowa's $96 million investment supports local small businesses.