The first in a series of free, public presentations that Drake University’s choral program has organized on immigration, homelessness & housing will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Mary McCauley, pastoral administrator of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Postville & Mark Grey, professor of anthropology at the University of Northern Iowa, will talk about the demographics of immigration.The series is to provide context for an upcoming performance by the Drake Choir, Chamber Choir & Drake University/Community Chorus. The concert, “Where You Belong,” is scheduled at 3p.m. April 18 in Sheslow Auditorium. The concert is designed to help singers and listeners connect to key societal issues through music and to spark a spirit of service in the community. The presentations will take place 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. Tuesdays in Sheslow Auditorium through March 2. Upcoming topics are: • Feb. 16, “Safe and Affordable Housing,” by Sister Stella Neill, founder & director of Anawim Housing in Des Moines. • Feb. 23, “The Refugee Experience,” by Sol Varisco, program director of outreach services at Catholic Charities in Des Moines. • March 2, volunteer fair featuring 15 local agencies that provide help for immigrants, refugees & individuals dealing with housing issues.

acoustic/rock/reggae Born in South Carolina and raised in California, Trevor Hall developed an affinity for summery acoustic music, from the beachside ambiance of Jack Johnson to the leisurely stroll of Bob Marley. Having spent his teenage years at a boarding school for the arts, Hall dedicated his life to music upon his high-school graduation. He self-released Lace Up Your Shoes in 2004; two years later, the teenaged Hall prepared for his major-label debut with Geffen Records. The Rascals Have Returned, an introductory EP produced by John Alagía, featured a soothing mix of reggae, folk, and roots rock. Sales were slow, however, and Geffen dropped Hall from their roster in 2008. Hall continued to tour, performing shows alongside the likes of Ben Harper, Matisyahu, and the Wailers. He also returned to the studio to record a self-titled sophomore album, which emphasized the artist's reggae influences upon its release in 2009. With:Tomorrow's Bad Seeds

with Aeon Gray, Tripp Marxx, DJ Flash/Young Drew

with Lizzy Dunfore, Aeon Gray, Tripp Marxx, DJ Flash/Young Drew

Saxaphonist Ray blue's historical perspective of jazz traces the experiences of musicians who expressed their art and earned their lively hood living both at home and in other countries. Blue performs in numerous jazz festivals and has worked with dozens of jazz greats including Steve Turre, John Gilmore, Eddie Henderson, Benny Powell, Larry Willis, Gary Bartz, Clifford Adams, The Sun Ra Arkestra and The Cotton Club All Stars.

The Business Book Club (BBC) meets to discuss relevant and thought-provoking business books in order to learn current business trends and ideas, discover tools for personal and professional growth, connect with business colleagues, and identify organizational best practices. Who should attend? Curious business professionals – just like you! Each attendee will receive an executive book summary and a helpful discussion guide. At this meeting, we’ll be discussing "The Radical Leap: A Personal Lesson in Extreme Leadership" by Steve Farber. Bring your own lunch and enjoy a lively, stimulating discussion with other local professionals about one of today's hottest business topics! Membership in the BBC is absolutely FREE! However, we do ask that you register in advance, if possible, at: https://www.meyvngroup.com/registration/index.php?page=registration&eventID=12

A museum exhibition that focuses on the ties between Abraham Lincoln & Iowa is hitting the road as part of a new program from the State Historical Society of Iowa. "History on the Move" is a first-of-its-kind venture for the society. Contained in a 32-foot-long semi-trailer, the rolling museum will visit schools around Iowa in conjunction with a play about Lincoln produced by the Old Creamery Theater of Amana. The exhibit will call attention to the connections binding Lincoln, Iowa & the Union Pacific Railroad through time. The bond was forged in 1862 when President Lincoln signed a bill authorizing the construction of the transcontinental railroad. One of the displays sheds light on the visit that Lincoln made to Council Bluffs in 1859 to discuss the route for the transcontinental railroad. Other displays focus on the land Lincoln owned in Crawford & Tama County & his role in a lawsuit concerning the first bridge across the Mississippi River, built in 1856 between Rock Island, IL & Davenport, IA. The State Historical Building in Des Moines will play host to the exhibit, February 9 - 11 before moving to Red Oak on Feb. 22.'

Artists of the Saturday afternoon Sketch Club.
RECEPTION: Sunday, Feb. 28, 1 - 3 p.m.

SCHEDULE: Feb. 4: Say What! Poetry and open mic, 9pm ($5) - poetry/acoustic Feb. 5: FOUR YEAR STRONG, STRIKE ANYWHERE, TITLE FIGHT, THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, 5pm ( All Ages - $14) Rock - $14 advance tickets at www.iowatix.com. Feb. 5: TRASH PLATINUM, SUICIDE BLONDES, TEN TON HALO, ABSOLUTE POWER, 9:30pm - Rock Feb. 6: THE SOAPBOX PROPHETS, HOLLYWOOD BURNOUT, CAT MILK, 5pm (All Ages) - Rock Feb. 6: GIMIKK, 9:30pm - Rock Feb. 7: FOUR LETTER LIE, LOVE HATE HERO, CLASSIC IN THE MAKING, OF MACHINES, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS, 5pm (All Ages) $10 - Rock. Advance tickets available at www.iowatix.com Feb. 10: KEY PARTY, POGO FORCE 5, ERIC LANGKAMP, 5pm (All Ages) $5 - Rock

“The Dolls of Japan: Shapes of Prayer, Embodiments of Love is sponsored by The Japan Foundation. Japanese dolls reflect the customs of Japan and the aspirations of its people, possess distinctive regional attributes, and over the centuries have developed in many diverse forms. Dolls also provide a showcase for traditional Japanese craft products, such as textiles. In “The Dolls of Japan,” dolls are grouped according to particular events in the Japanese calendar, their method of manufacture, their design and regional characteristics. Included are Japan’s representative dolls, including Hina ningyo (Girls’ Festival dolls) and Gogatsu ningyo (Boys’ Day dolls), which have their origins in ancient customs; dolls connected to traditional performing arts like noh, bunraku and kabuki; regional dolls from throughout the country; and “creative dolls” produced by contemporary craftspeople.

The setting is April 23, 1961, when a 38-year old Judy Garland performed at Carnegie Hall in what the New York Times called "the concert of the century". Woven into her concert performance are memories from her past. Her family, husbands, friends, costars & critics appear in flashbacks, bringing the star's story to vivid life. Each of the show's 25 songs map Judy's journey from poverty in Minnesota to Hollywood stardom.

The exhibit traces the history of ACT, Inc. – originally known as American College Testing Program – to a meeting of co-founders E.F. Lindquist, a University of Iowa professor and national expert in educational measurement; Ted McCarrel, UI Director of Admissions and Registrar; and 16 state representatives who met in Iowa’s Old Capitol on the University of Iowa campus on Aug. 21, 1959. That event founded the American College Testing Program, now known as ACT, Inc. The display includes a timeline of major events in ACT history and artifacts from ACT’s past including test documents and components from early test scoring machines. Visitors can also view an audio-video display with recordings from early leaders describing how the organization evolved.

Do you have an active toddler & looking for an outlet for them to burn off some energy? Do you want your child to learn the essential components of life-long fitness at an early age? Fitness Fun for Me! is a NEW program designed to introduce your child to the benefits of learning motor skills; gaining muscular & cardiovascular endurance; and increasing flexibility, strength, coordination & balance. Not only will your child learn aspects of fitness that will help them later in sports, but they will also learn social skills! Date(s): Wednesdays, January 13-February 17 Time(s): 10:30-11:30am Location: WDM Community Center Ballroom Ages: 2-4 with at least one adult Fee: $40 Program #: 10681 PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

The Junior Menace developmental program is for beginners and players ages 4 to 9 who may have some knowledge of the game or none at all. The main goal of the program is to further educate each player and instill a greater love for the sport of soccer. Junior Menace players continue to have fun and develop individual skills at this weekly session. There are two locations where we hold indoor sessions. On Tuesdays at the Riverfront YMCA the 4-6 age group will run from 6:30PM to 7:30PM and the 7-9 age group will run from 7:30PM to 8:30PM. On Wednesdays at Eason Elementary in Waukee we are offering a new session from 6-7pm for ages 4-9.

The Junior Menace developmental program is for beginners and players ages 4 to 9 who may have some knowledge of the game or none at all. The main goal of the program is to further educate each player and instill a greater love for the sport of soccer. Junior Menace players continue to have fun and develop individual skills at this weekly session. There are two locations where we hold indoor sessions. On Tuesdays at the Riverfront YMCA the 4-6 age group will run from 6:30PM to 7:30PM and the 7-9 age group will run from 7:30PM to 8:30PM. On Wednesdays at Eason Elementary in Waukee we are offering a new session from 6-7pm for ages 4-9.

The only Christian Fitness and Meditation classes in the Des Moines Area. Zoe classes are a fusion of Yoga and Pilates. You will leave feeling recharged and refreshed. The long term result is a healthier body, mind and spirit.

A new exhibit of rarely seen Native American artifacts ranging from weapons, war shirts, beaded tobacco bags & moccasins will be at the State Historical Museum. “Art in Daily Life: Native American Collections at the State Historical Society of Iowa” opens Dec. 5 & runs through January 2011. “This is a fascinating exhibit of Native American artifacts that come directly from the State Historical Museum’s permanent collection,” Iowa Dept. of Cultural Affairs Director Cyndi Pederson said. “I encourage all Iowans & others who have an interest in Native American history in Iowa to visit this wonderful exhibit.” “Art in Daily Life” examines Native American objects as both works of art & cultural artifacts. A partial list of artifacts in the “Art in Daily Life” exhibit follows: • Singing Figure, Chochiti, 1880s • Mocassins, Crow, c. 1885 • Storage or Possibles Bag, Sioux, Lakota, 1880-1885 • Underwater Panther Charm Bag, Meskwaki, c. 1875 • Headdress, Sioux, Lakota, c. 1890 While some of the artifacts featured in “Art in Daily Life” were on display at the old Historical Building, the vast majority of them have rarely been seen by the public. From the early 1900s to 1988, much of the Museum’s permanent collection suffered damage from exposure to sunlight, tobacco smoke & fluctuations in temperature and humidity at the old Historical Building. In 1988, the Museum transferred its permanent collection to the new State Historical Building, where more than 115,000 artifacts receive conservation treatment & are rotated into and out of exhibits.

Experience the Magic of outdoor ice skating. Skating lessons, birthday parties, freestyle icetime and broomball league.The rink may be closed to the public due to weather conditions, special events and private rentals. For the most up to date information, please call or visit our website.