Merle Hay Neighborhood Association

06/05/2026

Saw this post in Iowa road trip. We in the Merle Hay Neighborhood know how true this is! Al is the best & his donuts & rolls are AMAZING!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B4RCLcL3D/

🍩 The most-mentioned donut shop in our Iowa Road Trip follower poll was Bricktown Bakery in Nevada…

…but the most-mentioned PERSON was Al from Donut Hut in Des Moines. 👏

When I asked Iowa Road Trip followers to name their favorite donut shop in Iowa, Donut Hut came up again and again — and several people didn’t just talk about the donuts. They talked about Al.

One person called him “a TREASURE.”
Another said, “Mr. Al is the best!!”

And honestly, that says a lot.

Because sometimes the places we love aren’t just about the food. They’re about the person behind the counter. The one who remembers customers, keeps the old-school donut shop feeling alive, and makes people want to come back.

Donut Hut was one of the top reader-recommended donut shops in Iowa, and based on your comments, Al has earned himself a pretty loyal following.

And yes… the apple fritters were mentioned more than once too. 🍎🍩

📍 Donut Hut — Des Moines, Iowa
📸 Brian Abeling / Iowa Road Trip

06/05/2026

⚠️ A major resurfacing project will begin on Hickman road in the next few days, weather permitting. These improvements are designed to enhance pavement conditions and extend the roadway's life.

Work will begin near Merle Hay Road and progress east toward Beaver Avenue in 5 stages. The city encourages motorists to use alternate routes when possible, allow extra travel time, and use caution when traveling through the area. See attached maps for more information.

05/12/2026

Not sure what to make for dinner tonight? Join us at Applebee's on Merle Hay! We are having a fundraiser for our food drive and we will get a portion of your purchase to go toward that event. Just mention that you are there for the fundraiser!

03/31/2026

What a great program! Get your trees today!

We're less than a month away from our Tiny Trees giveaway at Polk County River Place on Saturday, April 25!

The flowering and fruit-producing trees are typically the first to sell out, and that's held true for this year's Tiny Trees species as well!

While our supply of aroniaberry, redbud and wild plum trees have all been claimed, we still have plenty of excellent shade trees with great wildlife value that would be wonderful for folks with lots of space!

Visit our website and submit your order today before time runs out!

11/27/2025

Fyi...

🍗 Thanksgiving Waste Collection Schedule 🚮

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday customers are not impacted by the holiday, please have carts out by 7AM on your usual collection day.

There will be no waste collection on Thanksgiving Day (November 27), meaning Thursday customers will instead place carts out on Friday, and Friday customers will place carts out on Saturday.

We thank you for your help as our dedicated staff members take the holiday off to spend time with their families, friends and loved ones!

11/04/2025

City council, school board, and bond referendums are waiting for your vote! I (April) was #308 at our precinct just now. The place is getting busy, but there are still spots to take a quick few minutes to log your vote!

10/31/2025

Some help for those who are in need! Spread the word!

For the first week of November, all Hy-Vee stores with hot food service will offer free meals to kids ages 12 and under from 4 to 7 p.m. The meals will be available to everyone else for $3 for dine-in or carry-out.

10/14/2025

Info on voting both early voting & absentee voting
..
Early Voting Starts This Wednesday, Oct 15!

Early voting at the new Polk County Election Office begins on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. The office is located at 2309 Euclid Ave, Des Moines. This is the first day voters can cast their ballots in person, and also the first day that requested mail-in ballots can be sent to voters.

For those voting by mail, all absentee ballot requests must be physically received by the Election Office by 5:00 PM on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. Postmarks do not count. Voters who miss the absentee ballot deadline can still vote early in person.

Satellite early voting locations will also be available for the upcoming City/School Election. All Polk County precincts and ballot styles will be offered at these sites. Voters who need assistance marking a ballot can use the Open Elect Marking Devices. Additionally, voter registration forms will be available for new registrations or updates to existing registrations.

Electors with disabilities who require accommodations should contact the Polk County Election Office at (515) 286-3247 or email [email protected] for assistance.

Satellite Voting Schedule:

Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM West Des Moines Library – 4000 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50265 | All City of West Des Moines ballot styles available

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Grimes Library – 200 N James St, Grimes, IA 50111 | All City of Grimes ballot styles available

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Johnston Public Library – 6700 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA 50131 | All City of Johnston ballot styles available

10/06/2025

This just came in my.personal email. Don't forget to check to make sure you are registered to vote! Kathy Battles

It’s National Voter Education Week!

October 6-10, 2025, is dedicated to empowering people with the tools they need to participate in our democracy.

Your vote directly impacts affordable housing, education, and more. It’s crucial to have reliable, nonpartisan information.

You can celebrate by sharing our nonpartisan voter information website: VOTE411.org, your one-stop shop for election information in English and Spanish. Millions of voters use VOTE411 each year to cast their ballot with confidence.

Here are some actions you can take:

Monday: Check your voter registration! If you’re not registered, do so!

Tuesday: Get to know your ballot. Enter your address to learn about the candidates and issues you’ll vote on.

Wednesday: Make a plan to vote, including when and how you’ll cast your ballot.

Thursday: Learn about voting rules in your area.

Friday: Empower your community by forwarding this email!

Let’s make 2025 the year you vote with confidence. Visit VOTE411 today to get started!

League of Women Votets

Election information you need. Brought to you by The League of Women Voters Education Fund.

09/17/2025

Taking this class can save lives! You never know when you might need to use it... be ready!

⭐️Registration is open!⭐️

This Red Cross CPR Certification class will equip students with the ability to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies in adults, children, and infants. This program will provide students with an official Red Cross certification.

📅 October 25
⏰ 9 - 11 a.m.
📍 Fourmile Community Rec Center
🛟 Satisfies OSHA requirements
🎟️ $80/student
✅ Pre-registration is REQUIRED at DSM.City/CPR

❤️ Sign up and save a life!