Jess' top events Oct. 30-Nov. 7

Wednesday: Celebrate Halloween with Governor Brandstad and the Iowa first lady at the Scare Us Hill Pumpkin Ball. The event will feature music, dancing and a silent auction (which includes a one-night stay in the mansion’s guest suite, which is rarely open to the public and contains F.M. Hubbell’s original furnishings). Costumes aren’t required, but they are encouraged. After all, it is Halloween! 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 for young professionals 40 and under, $75 for people over 40. Terrace Hill, 2300 Grand Ave. Go to terracehilliowa.org for more info.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Wine Opener

Friday: Punk rockers Dropkick Murphys will perform at the Val Air Ballroom this weekend. The band’s new album, “Signed and Sealed in Blood,” is scheduled to be released early next year, so expect to hear a few new songs mixed in with favorites, like “Tessie,” “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and “The State of Massachusetts.” Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27 in advance at ticketmaster.com or $30 day of show. Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines. Go to valairballroom.com.

Sunday: Hop on your bike and head to Mars Cafe, 2318 University Ave., for the bike community’s race for charity. Participants will ride to 10 different stores to purchase one grocery item at each spot. Winners of each category (male, female, junior, tandem, family, fixie, single speed, out of towner and best costume) will win a golden sprocket. At the finish, also at Mars Cafe, there will be giveaways, raffle tickets and beer from New Belgium and Peace Tree. Best of all, the grocery items will go to the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s Move the Food program, and the money raised from beer donations and raffle ticket sales will go to Hawthorn Hill, a Des Moines housing program for homeless families with children. Registration at noon, race at 1 p.m. For more details, search Des Moines Cranksgiving 2012 on Facebook.