Jim Short Sunday, FEBRUARY 14, 2010 VALENTINE'S DAY ONLY WILL BE A SPECIAL EVENT NO PASSES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS BUFFET DINNER SHOW BUFFET TO INCLUDE: Mixed Garden Greens with Assorted dressings Marinated Vegetables Charbroiled Chicken Breast with Wild Mushrooms Lasagna Roast Barron Of Beef Mash Potatos Fresh Vegetables Breads-Rolls with Butter Assorted Desserts THE COST FOR THIS BUFFET SHOW IS $40.00 PER PERSON .DOORS OPEN AT 5:30PM FOR BUFFET AND THE BUFFET WILL END AT 6:30 PM- Jim has made numerous television appearances, including Shorties Watchin' Shorties, Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Comedy Central's Premium Blend. Jim was winner of the San Francisco International Stand Up Competition. Jim performed at the Montreal International Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, where he was deemed one of the "Talk of the Fest" performers.

Present "Oh Oh Cheri" a sweet and sultry French soiree

Experience a Valentine's Event for the Wild at Heart. Presented by Blank Park Zoo and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. Enjoy a three course meal overlooking a tropical rainforest with exotic birds and a waterfall. After dinner, take an intimate stroll through the Zoo. Dinner includes a glass of wine or Champagne, bruschetta, your choice of crab stuffed orange roughy, petite 6oz filet or a double stuffed pork chop, then chocolate pate. All entree are served with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. $45 per person. RSVP with your selection.

Celebrate Valentine's Day at Brenton Skating Plaza! Prizes every hour including a chance to win a night at the Embassy Suites downtown! Other prizes - food, flowers, and Valentine gifts!

SUNDAYS ONLY - Join local musicians as they escape from the cold, dry winter to the warm tropical environment of the Botanical Center. Every Sunday in January & February a different artist will be performing in the Dome from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Admission $5 per person. Come down & join us for food, fun, and entertainment!

The 34th Annual Iowa Beef Expo will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. This should be one of the best shows ever with breed shows, parades & sales along with one of the nation’s largest junior shows. The Expo will feature Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Red Angus, Salers, Shorthorn & Simmental in the sale rings. If you would like to consign cattle to the Expo, please complete a consignor inquiry at www.iowabeefexpo.com. The Expo will also hold the Commercial Tradeshow where Seedstock producers, commercial producers, feedlot operators & other agriculturalist the best opportunity to see all that modern technology has to offer. The Commercial Tradeshow features a full array of the finest livestock equipment, genetic companies & livestock services available. The Expo will feature the Seedstock Bullevard, which is an elite live cattle display area. Cattlemen will have the opportunity to display their bull prospects or donor females or promote their upcoming sales to reach seedstock, commercial & club calf producers in one location. The Iowa Beef Expo Junior Steer & Heifer Show will close out the week. Iowa Junior Beef Breeds exhibitors compete for the title & prizes which are presented to the exhibitors of the Top 5 Supreme Market Animals & Breeding Heifers. The Expo is a function of the Iowa Beef Breeds Council representing the states purebred Seedstock cattle producers. For more information about the Iowa Beef Expo please contact Mindy Campfield: 515-966-0075 or visit us on the web at www.iowabeefexpo.com.

We are having a Valentine's Day Party at Pump It Up! But sorry mom and dad--you'll have to go out for a while, it's just for the kids! Bring the kids by for a jumping good time! The fun starts at 5:30 lasting until 8:00 p.m. We will do a special craft and play fun games! Of course there will be lots of jumping, bouncing, and sliding on our awesome inflatables! To keep their energy up, we will fill them with pizza and a sweet treat! Give us a call to register today--SPACE IS LIMITED. Ages 4-10. $20/child $15/additional sibling

Share the truest act of love - treat your special someone to a luscious four-course gourmet raw vagen Valentine's Day brunch. You'll capture your beloved heart and soul with your gift of good food and good health.

Back by popular demand - take your valentine to Rex Havens' To Her With Love. A humorous look at love and marriage. "What Smart Women Taught Me While They Thought I Wasn't Listening"

Bring your Sweetie and enjoy a 50's style dinner dance! Doors open at 6pm with a buffet dinner including old fashioned shakes & malts. Dance the night away with Richie Lee and the Fabulous 50's Band. Call today for tickets at Java Joes 515-288-5282

Schedule too busy for a 13 week course? Come try our new and exciting mini courses. A wide variety of materials are used in each course to create one complete work of art. The possibilities are endless! Each course meets for TWO Saturday sessions. Ages 6-8 and 9-12 African Masks - February 13 and 20 Gnome Homes and Fairy Houses - February 27 and March 6 Papier Mache Animals - March 27 and April 3 Impressionistic Landscapes - April 10 and 17 Puppet-Making - April 24 and May 1

Based on the confrontation over evolution and education at the heart of the Scopes Monkey Trial. Net proceeds support Drake's fine arts program. A faculty roundtable follows the February 14 performance

Over 300 spots full of motorcycles/motorcycle parts, accessories, clothing, collectables & much more from exhibitors/vendors from across the nation. There are choppers, customs, antiques, scooters, bicycles & touring motorcycles. Local motorcycle shows will be displaying their new 2010 models. This is one of the largest motorcycle shows & swap meets in the Midwest with the Midwest’s finest motorcycle builders & their creations on display.

Saturday & Sunday, February 13 & 14 – Valentine’s Wine Dinner 6:30 p.m. Wine Tasting 7:30 p.m. Dinner Seating Price: $60 per person, plus tax (includes wine and gratuity) Celebrate Valentine’s with your sweetheart at Tassel Ridge Winery while enjoying a spectacular four-course, wine pairing dinner. Start with appetizers served in the Tasting Room while listening to our pianist play a selection of love songs. Next enjoy a mixed baby green salad with slivered almonds, Maytag Blue Cheese, and a raspberry vinaigrette, followed by beef tenderloin with a Tassel Ridge In The Dark wine reduction, roasted garlic smashed baby reds, and balsamic grilled vegetables. Finish the evening with a decadent dark chocolate molten lava cake. Each course will be paired with a Tassel Ridge wine selected to complement the flavors of the food. Reserve a candlelit table for two or, if you prefer to celebrate with friends, reserve a larger table. Call the Winery at 641.672.9463 to make advance reservations, required by Tuesday, February 9. Extend your special time together with a Romantic Overnight Getaway! Refresh, renew, and indulge yourself and your special someone. This package includes Tassel Ridge Winery’s private VIP winery tour and wine tasting, a welcome basket with two souvenir wine glasses and your choice of a bottle of Oskyfizzante® Red, Oskyfizzante® Pink, or Oskyfizzante® White, an overnight stay at a beautiful bed & breakfast or the Country Inn & Suites in Pella, and Tassel Ridge Winery’s Valentine’s Dinner for two. Prices starting at $250. For reservations, call Roxy Braband at 641.673-5111 by Tuesday, February 9.

The Des Moines Botanical Center welcomes you to an elegant, romantic Valentines Dinner & enjoy the beauty of the dome. Seating is limited/reservations required. Doors open at 6pm, dinner is served at 7pm. $60/person. For reservations please call 323-6289. MENU: Choice of one of the following entrees: Pan Seared Cracked Black Pepper Sirloin, Rosemary Chicken Breast topped with Riesling and Portabella Reduction Sauce, or Braised Shrimp Skewers with a Tangy Hoisan Sauce. All entrees are served with Tuscan Vegetable Blend, Parmesan Potato Cakes, Rosemary Foccacia Bread, Chocolate French Raspberry Cake topped with a Mixed Fresh Berry Glaze. Each guest will also enjoy complimentary Beer, Red and White Wines. In order to cancel your reservation, you must call no later than 3pm on February 9, otherwise your credit card will be charged

DINNER TRAIN Experience elegant railroad dining as it was in the 1950's. This relaxing two hour and thirty minute scenic ride through the Des Moines River Valley features historic 1950's railcars which were used on the Union Pacific Railroad's "City" trains. This train utilizes the same route as our 1920's excursion trains, crossing the 156' tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge on it's way through the valley.

The 27th annual All-Canada Show offers Canada's BEST fishing and hunting and brings the largest contingent of Canadian lodge, camp and outfitters in this market. Midwest outdoors people use the show to plan their perfect adventure to Canada.

Admission is good all weekend with a hand stamp or a wristband. With the Antique Spectacular, there is always something to interest every collector including: furniture, art pottery, stoneware, books, prints, primitives, jewelry, silver, antique glassware, china, postcards, coins, quilts, dolls, toys, advertising, rugs, vintage textiles, and period pieces. Shop for a timeless treasure that is new to you. www.antiquespectacular.com.

Bring your Sweetie and enjoy a 50's style dinner dance! Doors open at 6 p.m. with a buffet dinner including old fashioned shakes & malts. Dance the night away with Richie Lee and the Fabulous 50's Band. Call today for tickets at Java Joes 515-288-5282

RTI celebrates love and other matters with six short plays by the literary great, Anton Chekov. Included in the evening of one-acts is THE BEAR, A RELUCTANT TRAGIC HERO, THE FESTIVITIES, SWAN SONG, THE PROPOSAL, and an RTI original adaption of one of Chekhov's short stories. Order Tickets online at www.IowaTix.com or by calling 515-277-3727.

The Des Moines Home & Garden Show is the place for you to experience what's new in Home, Gardening, Remodeling, Home Decor, and More! You'll have the opportunity to meet over 500 experts and experience thousands of products and services.

Written and performed by Bo Eason and directed by Larry Moss, RUNT OF THE LITTER opens in the final hour of Jack Henry's lifelong dream, only one thing stands in his way -- his brother. The play looks at what happens to two brothers in a family of over-achievers: when their parents assure their oldest son he is destined for football superstardom, and tell their youngest son he is too small to compete, a line in the family sand is drawn that colors the rest of their lives. Runt of the Litter is, in fact, a semiautobiographical account of Bo Eason's life and career as a defensive back for the Houston Oilers in the 1980s, where he played safety. His determination and killer instincts on the playing field remain the stuff of legend. His brother, Tony Eason was the quarterback who led the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl in 1986. It debuted in New York in 2002 and has subsequently been performed by Bo Eason at theatres around the country. Please note: only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater for this production.

Performing at The House of Bricks:
Wed. Feb. 10: KEY PARTY, POGO FORCE FIVE, ERIC LANGKAMP - 5pm - All Ages - $5 - rock. Advance tickets available directly from the bands

Thurs. Feb. 11: THE AUDITION, THE DANGEROUS SUMMER, SPARKS TO THE RESCUE, THE RIGHT COAST - 5pm - All Ages - $12 - rock
$10 advance tickets available at www.iowatickets.com

Fri. Feb. 12: HANGOVER, MOOD BESIDE, XXILE - 5 pm - All Ages - $5 - Rock

Fri. Feb. 12: IZZY AND THE ROCKETS, THE BOB PACE BAND feat. STEVE GEORGE - 9:30 pm - $5 - Rock

Sat. Feb. 13: “Petapalooza” Fundraiser for The Animal Rescue League of Iowa; Performing: BUSTER AND THE PUNKS, BY IT’S OWN NAME, ANDY FISH, TYKE, MONDAY MOURNERS, THE MANICS, P-58, TOM BRIGHTON, BLUTIGER FLUSS - 5 pm - All Ages until 9pm - $8 - Rock
Only $6 with pet item donation. Free cavatelli at 9:30!

Sun. Feb. 14: SECTION HATE, PAIN OF EVOLUTION, DOOMSDAY CRUSH, SCREAMING AGAINST SILENCE - 5 pm - All Ages - $5 or 2 for $8 - Rock

Wed. Feb. 17: SCARY KIDS SCARING KIDS, THE SLEEPING, TBA - 5pm - All Ages - $14 - Rock- $12 advance tickets at www.iowatix.com

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

“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 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.