🌱 More Iowans Shopping Local + Blank Park Zoo Holiday Events

Des Moines IA

24 November, 2021

8:42 PM

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Good morning, Des Moines! Happy Thanksgiving! Please know that, like most of you, I will be taking the day off to enjoy the festivities, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We appreciate your understanding of the slight pause in the Des Moines Daily, and we'll be back to our normal routine Saturday morning! First, today's weather: Much colder. High: 33 Low: 21. Here are the top stories today in Des Moines: A majority of Iowans are doing more shopping at local stores this holiday season, according to a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. On the eve of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, 55 percent of state residents say they're patronizing local stores more for their shopping than in past holiday seasons. However, some residents are concerned about the rapid closure of small and local businesses that can't compete with giants like Amazon: "We're allowing a company to control, and that's sad because we do need local businesses," said Doris Kelley, a poll respondent and a former Iowa state representative from the 20th District. (Des Moines Register)The owner and operator of the Heisenberg Mediterranean food truck is giving Afghan refugees a little taste of home on their first nights in Des Moines. Ahmed Aldoori, who moved to Iowa from Iraq as a refugee himself in 2013, remembers how difficult it was to navigate his new life, so it was a no-brainer when resettlement agencies asked if he'd prepare hot meals for Afghan evacuees arriving in Des Moines. Aldoori has made hundreds of free or discounted meals for refugees, including traditional halal dishes like rice and meat, kabobs, shawarma, and more. "I'm just happy to help, however I can," he said. (Des Moines Register)The Blank Park Zoo is hosting a series of upcoming holiday events, including a Holiday Zoo Brew (Dec. 3), Santa at the Zoo (Dec. 11 and 18), and more. The zoo is also encouraging patrons to consider donating on Giving Tuesday to help get new vet equipment for the animals. (Local 5 - weareiowa.com) The Iowa Catholic Conference and the four Catholic Dioceses of Iowa recently launched a video campaign to help encourage COVID-19 vaccinations across the state. Iowa currently ranks 25th in residents fully vaccinated as compared to the rest of the United States, with the percentage of rural Iowa residents lagging behind those in urban areas. (Cedar Valley Daily Times) Today's Des Moines Daily is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013) Did you know you can feature your local business here for just $79/month? Click here to learn more. That's it for today! Have a very happy Thanksgiving! If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe. — Katarina Betterton About me: Katarina loves to read and write. Her hobbies include cooking her grandmother's recipes, learning new languages, and crafting. She and her husband live with their mutt, Ledger, and Shiba Inu, Mikasa, who are both way too cute for their own good.