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28 things to do before the world ends

Juice staff

December 11, 2012

Scott Siepker, 29, sings while Karaoke band Party! Party! Nick Borror, 31, Joshua Ickowitz, 34, and Joe Kiplinger, 34 (left to right) play in the Sculpture Park.
(Credit: Zach Boyden-Holmes/Metromix)

We’re nine days from the end of a Mayan calendar, so doomsday, right? Much like the other anticipated end-of-the-world predictions, there’s not a whole lot to back up this apocalypse theory.

See this cover story with augmented reality

Dec. 21 marks the end of a 144,000-day cycle of the Mayan Long Count calendar. Reports from Mayan experts say this is just the calendar restarting. But you might as well start checking things off your bucket list before the next Nostradamus-predicted doomsday anyway. Here are some ideas to get you started (maybe try a few in one day, like our cover shoot guys).

4 things to splurge on

You've always wanted to take that classic car for a spin. You've always wanted to splurge on that one-of-a-kind frock. Well, now's the time.

7 drinks to try before the world's expiration date

A bottle of generic beer and a shot of the usual is no way to toast the end of the world.

6 end-of-the-world eats

If the world was ending and you only had time for one last meal, what would you eat? We asked chef George Formaro what his last burger would be.

11 things to round out your list

Sure, we have great food, drinks and parties, but we also have amazing landmarks and unique activities that every Des Moines-ian should experience. Man, we sure are going to miss this place.

Parties for the apocalypse

3 to attend before the world ends The Last Sketch Comedy Show Before the End of the World: Sketch comedy by Too Many Cats comedy troupe. 8 p.m. Saturday at The Civic Center’s Stone Theater, 221 Walnut St. $10. The End of the World Party: With The Films of John C. Reilly, Ramona and the Swimsuits, Pure Gut, The French Dials and Pussy Willow. 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at The Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth St. $5. The Last Show on Earth: A Mayan Apocalypse Party: Stand-up comedy with Ian Douglas, Tom Garland, Travis Cherness, Jack Lewis and others. 9:30 p.m. Dec. 21. $5 at House of Bricks, 525 E. Grand Ave. 2 just in case the Mayans were wrong Post Apocalypse Electro Party: Featuring Little Ruckus, Stewardesses, Surgery, DJ Poetoaster and Is Home Is. 9 p.m. Dec. 22, DG’s Tap House, 125 Main St., Ames. 12/22/12: Still Rockin’: 4ENT, Best of Fools and Social Schade. 9 p.m. Dec. 22 at The House of Bricks, 525 E. Grand Ave. $10.

Other doomsday predictions

Remember radio show host Harold Camping? His end of the world predictions included May 21, 2011 and in 1994. Y2K didn’t bring the end of the world, either. People have been predicting the end of the world since the 13th century and probably before, based on logic that hasn’t panned out yet.