Catch Up Fast: Last Week on Urbandale Patch

FRIDAY: Polk County high school students nominated Ron Paul, but re-elected Barack Obama in a mock election held in the schools last week. See where Urbandale students stand on the issues of a ban on cell phone use for drivers, same-sex marriage and fireworks.

THURSDAY: Iowa's second and last presidential debate before the caucuses turned out to be a bit tamer affair, but Newt Gingrich was still in the sights of some of his rivals.

Ten Days Till Christmas: Every day until Christmas Urbandale Patch will showcase a great gift we found at an Urbandale business. Look for it daily or check our Holiday Guide page for all our great holiday ideas. 

Ninety percent of 102 people voting in a Patch Poll opposed renaming Vets Auditorium for the Community Choice Credit Union, which bought the naming rights.

WEDNESDAY: Should Iowa ban all use of cell phones while driving? Our Patch Poll indicates that respondents are divided. With 169 votes late Friday, 56 percent said yes. See what the rest said.

TUESDAY: Twelve men were honored as lifesavers by the Urbandale City Council Tuesday night for saving the life of a teammate they were playing basketball with two months ago.

One Urbandale family is "very fortunate" to be alive after a fire started in the bedroom of a parapalegic man," said Urbandale Fire Chief Jerry Holt. All six adults in the house made it out alive.

MONDAY: The Urbandale Police Department won a national award for the second year in a row for participation in its National Night Out celebration.

Char Opdahl, the children's librarian, is retiring from the Urbandale Library.