Written by Wicker Van Orsdel 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 [...]
Photo Exhibit
How can a photographer create expressionistic works that represent a subject faithfully yet don’t rely on tools such as Photoshop? “Expressions of Light on Wood, Plaster, Silver and Marble,” an upcoming exhibit by Des Moines photographer William J. Gentsch, will give you a hint. The photographic works will be on display May 1-31 in the [...]
Capital Campaign
The Des Moines Community Playhouse has announced that it has raised $3.4 million in its $10 million campaign to expand and renovate the theater. The Playhouse’s fast-paced growth over the last few years is spurring the overhaul, which will include a new lobby, streamlined public spaces, a revitalized mainstage theater, more parking, a new education [...]
Starry Night
In 1993, opera lovers Doris and John Salsbury established the Des Moines Metro Opera Foundation and spearheaded an endowment drive. Today, Des Moines Metro Opera’s (DMMO) annual operating budget-to-endowment ratio is the U.S. opera industry’s highest. DMMO will celebrate that impressive achievement and the 20-year-anniversary of the endowment May 3 at The Temple for Performing [...]
Urban Card
The urban card, a savings card that offers members discounts at about 50 locally owned businesses in Greater Des Moines, has partnered with several local nonprofits to share a portion of proceeds from each card sold. The organizations include The Des Moines “I Have a Dream” Foundation, Young Variety, Rebuilding Together, GDMLI Class of 2013 benefiting [...]
Celebration Luncheon
Mingle with community leaders and supporters and find out who will be recognized with this year’s Better Together Award at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines‘ annual Celebration Luncheon & Report to the Community. Reservations for the May 13 event at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott are $20 per person, available through desmoinesfoundation.org. The Community Foundation [...]
A Century of Service
Choir, woodworking, Special Olympics. To the staff at Mosaic, it seems as if Homer has a new hobby every week. The Des Moines man is one of the 180 individuals with intellectual disabilities Mosaic serves through 24-hour residential living, intermittent support and employment opportunities. During the 40 years before he arrived at Mosaic, Homer lived in [...]
New Fundraisers
Two local arts organizations are launching first-time fundraising events in April: Enjoy creative cuisine and support Metro Arts Alliance at A Taste of Spring, 6-9 p.m. April 6 at the Iowa Culinary Institute at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. Iowa Sen. Bill Dotzler will deliver the keynote address, and harpist Mary Foss of the Des Moines [...]
New Symphony Season
If you went to one of the Des Moines Symphony’s performances of “Beyond the Score: Tchaikovsky 4,” you not only heard great music but were the first to learn what’s in store for next season. Before the shows, Joseph Giunta announced the lineup for 2013-2014, which also will mark Giunta’s 25th year as the Symphony’s [...]






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