Des Moines area malls were buzzing over the weekend…with shoppers scrambling for sales and inspiration when snagging gifts for loved ones. Merle Hay’s Hot Topic says this Christmas…t-shirts from fave TV shows are a Hot Topic.

This year is one of the slower ones in the past decade for Red Kettle contributions to the Salvation Army…less than halfway to their goal of 1.25 million dollars. The group is helping some 3000 Des Moines area families this year…and it’s not to late to volunteer for bell-ringing at ringdesmoines.org.

A moving vigil…held last evening on the Des Moines steps of Iowa’s capital…to highlight the lives of those who perish…homeless. This was the sixth year Des Moines has commemorated National Homeless Persons Memorial day…to heighten awareness of the three thousand Iowans currently living without shelter.