5 Ways Families Can Avoid Overspending This Summer — And Beyond

Summer spending doesn't have to break the bank! Here are a few ways to cut back while still having some big fun all year.

Helpful Pregnancy Advice That Moms-To-Be Should Embrace

If you're pregnant, don't stress— a new book explains just what to do while making your baby, from healthy diets to the checklist you need.

Tidying Up: How To Declutter Our Lives As Parents

It's common to feel suffocated by all of our material objects. Luckily, there are some ways to simplify our lives as parents and people.

7 Expert Tips On Managing Your Picky Little Eaters

Every parent wants to crack the code on their picky eaters — without having to force-feed them. Here are some techniques that will help.

Traveling With A Toddler: Pro Tips And Avoidable Fails

Planning a getaway with a toddler? It might not be as sunny as you hoped, if you're not prepared. Here are some tips to remember!

6th Annual Mother-Son Dance

Event to feature a video game theme.

7 Signs You Might Be Over-Parenting

A recent book suggests that over-parenting your child could be doing more harm than good — but how do you know when you're guilty of it?

What Is A Lawnmower Parent — And Are You One?

You've heard of the helicopter parent, but there’s a new term sweeping the playgrounds. Are you guilty of it?

6 Ways To Balance Parenthood And A Successful Career

With a little creative thinking, courage, and planning, you can find a modern-day workflow that actually works for you and your family.

Batman appears at Mother-Son Dance!

Iowa League of Heroes appear as well!

Survivor Babylon children's musical

Children in Faith Lutheran community to do biblically-based musical during weekend of February 10-11.

Urbandale Students Fill Backpacks For Children In Foster Care

The new Hope In Action student-led organization at Urbandale High School aims to make the community better by giving hope to those in need.

December Holiday Happenings In Urbandale

Luminarias, movies and more will put you in the holiday spirit; here's what's scheduled around Urbandale.

Urbandale 2017 Halloween Sex Offender Map

There are 21 registered sex offenders living in Urbandale, according to the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.

Alley Cat Saves Baby's Life

One cat's instincts saved an abandoned Russian baby.

PHOTO - Wild Owl Perches on it's Saviors Shoulder to get to PD

An owl flew into a man's windshield. He decided to step up to save the bird, who was all for it! (PHOTO)

Handcuffed Teen Helps Save Officer's Life

VIDEO: 17-year-old comes to the rescue of the officer booking him.

Top Baby Names and Most Unusual Names of 2014

Top ten most popular names for boys and girls from this past year, along with the most surprising. Do you know newborns with these names?

11 Years After 'Heaven,' What Life is Like for the Burpo Family

The movie, in stores July 22, is about a real-life boy who says he went to Heaven and met Jesus during surgery. We spoke with the family behind the film about how it can help start a discussion in your town.

24 Amazing Ways Residents Inspire Their Communities

Patch readers told us who the "Everyday Inspirations" in their communities are, and we're sharing their stories and the work they've done locally.

Everyday Inspirations: Incredible Ways People Give Back Locally

Patch readers told us who the "Everyday Inspirations" in their communities are, and we're sharing their stories and the work they've done locally.

'Coupon Queen' Gets $800 Grocery Bill Down to $7, Gives Savings Away

A New York woman is so good at bargain shopping that she's used her skills to donate groceries and other goods to charity. Learn how you can follow her lead locally.

Charitable Children: 'No Matter What Age You May Be, You Can Change the Life of Another'

As a part of our "Everyday Inspirations" series, we look at how children across the country are making big impacts locally.

Harp Healing: Woman Uses Music Therapy to Help Hospital Patients

After losing three people close to her in eight months, Edie Elkan picked up a harp for the first time in 28 years. Now she runs a program training others to play the instrument for patients in hospitals.

Nominate 'Everyday Inspirations' in Your Town

Patch wants to share stories about people who work every day to change others' lives for the better.

Man Steals from Coffee Shop—and You’ll Never Guess What Happened Next

Who says the punishment always has to fit the crime?

Second Grader’s “Buddy Bench” Goes Viral

Christian Bucks’ idea to foster friendship spreads to 32 states—and counting.

The Week's Best Good News: A Winning Wedding, 26 Days of Kindness and More

Here's our roundup of the most uplifting and feel-good stories from Patch towns across the country.

The Week's Best Good News: Man Finds $98K in Desk, Holocaust Survivor Reunited with Soldier

Here's our roundup of the most uplifting and feel-good stories from Patch towns across the country.

Butterball Turkey Hotline Helps Home Cooks Conquer Thanksgiving

Fifty turkey experts will answer questions on meal prep and turkey emergencies this holiday season.

How to Order Butterbeer at Starbucks

It's not on the menu, but customers can give baristas a special recipe that will produce a drink similar to the beverage enjoyed by the fictional witches and wizards from the Harry Potter books.

The Week's Best Good News

Here's our roundup of the most uplifting and feel-good stories from Patch towns across the country.

ICYMI: The Week's Best Good News

We rounded up the most uplifting stories trending across the country.

High School Student with Down Syndrome Scores Touchdown [VIDEO]

A football dream comes true for a high school senior in New York.

Students Learn Leadership Skills While Collecting Winter Weather Gear

The project includes students in the Waukee, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston and Des Moines Christian schools.

Urbandale Special Education Teacher Honored with Rotary Award

The Urbandale Middle School teacher also received a $500 prize in addition to the award.

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Leader Wins USA Network’s “Characters Unite” Award

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa CEO is one of ten in the entire nation to be selected.

Iowa to Host Mars Rover Viewing Party

As NASA's Mars Curiosity nears its final destination, Earthlings prepare to watch. The Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines has workshops planned to explain the mission to Mars.

Urbandale Optimist Club Meets Tuesday

The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Urbbandale Middle School.

Like Urbandale's Fireworks? Buy a Button

The $3 buttons help finance Urbandale's annual "best in the metro" Fourth of July celebration.

Urbandale Democrats Attract 20 to First Meeting

Democratic Polk County elected officials also came to the gathering Thursday morning at the Lions Park shelter house.

Urbandale Democrats Invited to Come Out of Closet and Organize

Two Urbandale community activists want an Urbandale Democrats group similar to the Urbandale Republicans' organization.

It's Your Patch. Share Stories of Your Dads, Urbandale

Help us out here folks. We're fresh out of interesting ideas for a Father's Day story and we're betting you can supply some great material.

Buy a Poppy, Buy A Brick While Shopping This Weekend

Veterans of Foreign Wars will be distributing paper poppies, a symbol of remembrance of injured soldiers, at Hy-Vee, Dahls, Fareway and Sam's Club stores in the Urbandale area on Saturday.

Meet the One-Man Engine Behind Urbandale's Memorial to Veterans

Bill Lawson, a long-time Urbandale community volunteer, raised $40,000 for a Veterans Memorial to be built this summer in the Charles Gabus Tree Park.

Young and Old Help Clean Up Urbandale Yards

Volunteers for Urbandale Caring Corps on Saturday cleaned and groomed the yards of 17 residents who needed help.

Civil War Will Be Re-enacted on Urbandale Library Lawn

The Urbandale Public Library is sponsoring a multi-day program on the Civil War this month, complete with canons, muskeet firing and a Civil War regiment camping on the library lawn.

Five Things to Do This Weekend in Urbandale

There are all sort of things to do in Urbandale this weekend. Here are five choices: