This past Friday night at Prairie Meadows Events & Conference Center, fashion aficionados had a chance to  show off their head-turning hats at the Luther Care Services second annual  Hats and Horseshoes fundraiser. The event helped raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and similar diseases affecting memory, a very worthy cause as more and more of us have a family member or know someone who needs special accommodations or care due to these conditions.

It was a sold-out event, and the room was gorgeous! And who doesn’t love putting on a hat?! (I’ve always thought that hats, horseshoes and cocktails are the perfect mix.) Wowza—hats and more hats everywhere! Not your usual Easter bonnets either; there was an array of gorgeous, extravagant, feathery head-toppers gracing ladies’ noggins. Even more flamboyant creations were up for auction, which proved to be the perfect way to procure a drool-worthy one for Derby Day. My two favorites were Angel Grubb’s hat, which was all lit up with lights, and Susan Schooler’s feathery pheasant chapeau. (I didn’t see anyone with horseshoes on, though.)

I enjoyed joining Renda and John Snyder’s fun tables; they had quite a group! The food stations were the best, with choices that were all delish–pasta, steak, salad, plus great hors d’ oeuvres. Gary Dolphin, the radio voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and football great Ed Podolak were the emcees. (It was great to see my buddy and pal Ed on stage looking so wonderful and fit after his accident. He looked hearty and healthy–his old self again!) My friend and neighbor, Dr. Andy McGuire, who is president and COO of Meridian Health Plan, was inspirational in her comments. Scott Smith played some favorite tunes for the crowd, and then The Synergy Band rocked the room. (It’s always interesting to watch people dance with a big brimmed hat on–mostly it is not done well.)

Jodi Urich, Luther Care’s director of development, and her committee did a great job organizing the event.  It was classy, colorful and fun, and did I mention there were hats?! Please click here to check out my photos.

“Alas, the truth is, the French do get fat,” says Moranville, who is the former restaurant reviewer for The Des Moines Register. “In fact, in 2007, the World Health Organization estimated that 40.1 percent of French adults were overweight. Still, compare that to the 74.1 percent of adult Americans who are reportedly overweight, and it’s not a stretch to believe that the majority of French people are doing something right, while the majority of Americans are not.”The class will explore both the active and passive ways that French women stay thin. “Some of it has to do with French eating habits that have been passed down through generations and are simply second nature,” Moranville says, adding that  adding that there’s also a diligent side to the way French women avoid putting on the pounds. “If French women didn’t watch what they ate, then cuisine minceur—slimming cooking—wouldn’t be such a popular recipe category in France.”

Of course, French “diet” recipes are filled with satisfaction and style. Moranville plans to demonstrate a number of these.

Classes cost $75 per person and include lunch, with wine. To reserve a spot, call Baru 66 at 277-6627. Or fill out a brief form on the Baru 66 website.

Check out the new Restaurant Week site at desmoinesrestaurantweek.com.

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