Better Than Crave

Sadly, we missed the reading of Postville last night. The substitute notfun? A business dinner at the new Graze located in West Glen. The new owners, with stunningly creative frugality, changed Crave to Graze, thus necessitating the replacement of only two letters on the sign. While Crave was one of the worst restaurants I have ever had the misfortune to dine at, Graze has managed to improve the service and the quality of the menu. Unfortunately, it still looks as though the Urban Chic design of the early '00s ran amok in the bar.
MHO: There are greener pastures than Graze.

Culture Incorporated

After school could mean a walk to an empty house followed by a few hours of television or video games for 50 kids in Des Moines' Highland Park neighborhood. Culture Incorporated changed that this year by opening their doors on 6th Avenue across from the famous "Chuck's" restaraunt. The group provides arts activities at no cost for kids in the neighborhood. Not only is there space available for conversation and homework, there is a mini recording studio, a dance studio and a visual arts studio.
Tragedy struck last fall, when shortly after opening their doors a fire destroyed most of the space. The resilient founders, Rachel and Yvette, reopened in December and once again began providing an oasis of culture in otherwise empty afternoons.
Operating costs are fairly low at Culture Incorporated, but corporate and community support is desperately needed if the program is to survive. Barnes & Noble will host a fundraiser on April 25th to help this worthy organization. Can't wait to see what the creative kids at Culture Incorporated will do to help raise awareness of their favorite afterschool destination.

Red Rock Roosts Rock

Although the book Hiking Iowa has annual sales of more than 35 copies, Iowa is a flat state and not widely known for it's outdoor wonders. It's easy, as one cruises through on I-80 or I-35, to believe that little more than cornfields and creeks define our landscape. Take any exit, however, and find there are wonders aplenty here. One such wonder is the yearly migration of American Bald Eagles to Lake Red Rock. Between October and March the eagles nest and swoop down to retrieve stunned fish out of the roiling waters beneath the dam. A treat of 70 degrees on Saturday and the end of eagle season compelled me to pack up for a visit to Red Rock. We saw no fewer than eight eagles enjoying the Iowa sunshine Saturday afternoon. A quick lunch and a stop at Jaarsma Bakery in Pella and the day was complete.

MHO: The beehive is an irresistible bakery treat & Jaarsma's is the best I've had.

Girls Only

Saturday night was comedy night at The Temple For Performing Arts in Des Moines. The show "Girls Only," kept the nearly sold out house laughing and blushing. A singing/dancing/improvisational nostalgic look at middle girlhood exposed us all as the awkward, silly girls we once were...and are still. The show runs through Sunday May 10. Check www.civiccenter.org for details.

MHO: Grab a girl you love and head down to this show for a laugh out loud revue!

Visiting The Hospital

I was honored to be invited to read stories at the Blank Children's Hospital on Friday morning. The kids staying there were remarkably sweet, the staff at Blank is a dedicated and compassionate group. How fortunate to be reminded that our lives are essentially unlived if they are not centered around service. As much fun as we are able to find in this world it's necessary and good to bring fun where it's desperately needed.

Des Moines Symphony Specials

All season the Des Moines Symphony has been keeping a secret. Attendance is down and to keep the seats full they've been offering buy one-get one free specials via their enewsletter. If world renowned, captivating young violinists are of interest to you, tickets for "Captivating Chang" can be purchased @ the Civic Center for the weekend of April 4/5. Sarah Chang will be playing the Brahms Violin Concerto in D, a virtuoso piece that is infrequently performed.

Don't Miss The Icon

For anyone who has not yet made it over to the Des Moines Art Center to view the exhibit, After Many Springs, please put it on your calendar. The iconic Grant Wood painting, American Gothic is on display. Grant's work is accompanied by no fewer than six early paintings by Jackson Pollock and the work of his teacher, Thomas Hart Benton. The preview party in January drew over 500 patrons and the exhibit has been a smash success. The best part? It's totally free. Visit www.desmoinesartcenter.org for details on Community Day. The show ends at the end of March: don't miss it!

MHO: After Many Springs is the best installation I've seen at the Art Center