Find out how easy it is to get started in this popular and fascinating pursuit. Your family has a story to tell— begin your journey of discovery with IGS. After class explore the many resources available at the IGS Library. Space is limited; preregistration is suggested for this FREE class! Contact the Iowa Genealogical Society at 515-276-0287 or igs@iowagenealogy.org for more information!

Contact Info: Kathy Forbes (515) 278-5008 or skylinebeagles@yahoo.com.

Salisbury House and Gardens, Hoyt Sherman Place and Terrace Hill to host another fun-filled, bead tossing, dance-the-night-away charity event with a performance by the red hot New Orleans band "The Radiators"! Proceeds go towards restoration/preservation of the three historical mansions!



Evening's Festivities:

5:30 p.m. - Complimentary Shuttle from Hoyt Sherman Place

6 p.m. - Cocktails. Cajun Food at Salisbury House & Terrace Hill

7:30 p.m. - Complimentary Shuttle to Hoyt Sherman Place

8 p.m. - Benefit Live Auction & Mardi Gras King Honors

TBD - Live Concert: "The Radiators"

TBD - New Orleans-Style Brunch

Ticket Prices: Mardi Gras Gala Plus new Orleans Brunch = $250 per person

Young Professional** Mardi Gras Gala Plus Brunch = $175 per person (35 years or younger)

"Concert Only" tickets available through Hoyt Sherman Place or TicketMaster.com.



For more Gala information, call (515) 274-1777.



Hoyt Sherman Place - 1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309

Salisbury House & Gardens - 4025 Tonawanda Drive, Des Moines, IA 50312

Terrace Hill - 2300 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312

The Friends of the Des Moines Botanical Center have rounded up some of the area's most highly regarded plant & growing experts for this year's Learn on Saturdays Garden Talks. The program continues through March 27. Each week a visiting expert will tackle a different topic. Most sessions feature two topics, each by a different presenter. The sessions are free with the center's regular entry fee of $5 for adults & $4 for seniors. Center members, volunteers & badge-wearing master gardeners do not have to pay. For more information go to www.botanicalcenter.com or call (515) 323-6290. 

Shrubs for all Reasons by Ryan Bates of Ted Lare Design Build/Ted's Garden,10 a.m., Feb. 20; 11 a.m., My Dad and the Buck Rose Legacy by Mary Buck.

Hike Polk County! Go on an exciting hiking adventure each month with a Polk County Conservation naturalist. Be active and learn about nature as you explore a new area in Polk County each month on foot. These outdoor hikes are free & fun for all ages.



Upcoming hikes include:

January 9: 1 p.m. - Easter Lake Park, Shelter #3

February 20: 1 p.m. - Brown’s Woods

March 17: 1 p.m. - Fort Des Moines Park, Shelter #1

April 17: 10 a.m. - Yellow Banks Park, Pond Parking Lot

May 1: 1 p.m. - Thomas Mitchell Park, Pond Parking Lot

June 29: 6:30 p.m. - Chichaqua Greenbelt, Sandhill Prairie

July 8: 6:30 p.m. - Jester Park, Shelter #5 Pre-registration is not required.



If you attend six or more hikes, you will be awarded a free gift. For more information, call Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300 or go online to www.leadingyououtdoors.org.

Explore the possibilities of researching your family's history on the Internet. Learn about search engines, genealogical websites and more. Get the tools you need to conduct a successful online search for information about your family. Space is limited; preregistration suggested for this FREE class.

Join Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players for a concert that always gets the whole family grooving. As a critically acclaimed artist and winner of multiple Parents Choice Gold Awards, Justin keeps children and adults bopping to his fun, infectious beats. Wear your favorite PJs, bring a pillow for up-close children's seating and get ready for one fun pajama party! And don't forget to make reservations for the post-concert PJs and PB&J lunch sponsored by Anderson Erickson Dairy & Hy-Vee! Children 24 months and younger are FREE! Group discount for 10 or more paid admissions.

Join Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant for drinks, excitement and musical entertainment by Papi Sorellis, Andy Paczak and “Frisbee”. These performers will keep you captivated and on your feet all night long! Enjoy $5 martinis, $5 glasses of wine, $3 micro draws and $2 domestic draws from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

Arnold Lobel's beloved characters hop off the page & onto the stage in this new musical that follows two great friends - the cheerful & popular Frog & the rather grumpy Toad. Through a year’s journey they follow the four seasons & learn life lessons including an important one about friendship & rejoicing in the attributes that make each of us different & special. Developed by Mr. Lobel's daughter, Adrianne Lobel, the stage musical remains true to the spirit of the four original stories from which it is adapted. All tickets are just $10. For further information: www.civiccenter.org.

Frank and Felix Mathias are two brothers who share a life-long passion for visual arts. Felix specializes in photography from beautiful landscapes and nature pieces, to studio portrait sessions. Felix’s current base of operations is in California where he works for a National Park. He makes frequent trips back to Iowa to stay in touch with family and friends. Frank’s portfolio contains a wide range of paintings and drawings, but his focus is in three dimensional works in metal, stone, wood, and ceramics. His home/studio near Knoxville, Iowa is secluded and surrounded by nature on the family acreage. He is also an active, licensed real estate agent for a local realty office. Both have been designing since they could hold a crayon, having taken full art courses through their high school and college years. Sharing nearly 50 years in art experience, their combined abilities, visions, and portfolios are spectacular.

Come join us for an all inclusive scrapbook weekend! $135 registration fee gets you 6 meals, goodie bags, door prizes, 2 nights stay in a dorm style cabin and a lot of fun! Various vendors will also be available to purchase supplies from. Do you have a group of gals that love to scrap? Give me a call and we can set you up in the same Cabin. Just think of it....a full weekend of scrapping and making new friends. Leave your scrap supplies out the entire time! Each person will have their own table.

The Gold Refinery will convert your unwanted Gold jewelry into CASH. Our licensed, bonded and insured organization will attend your party, and give you and your guests TOP DOLLAR for your old gold.
For further information: www.thegoldrefinery.com.

A romantic comedy, reminiscent of the TV series “Northern Exposure” – known for its quirky, off-beat and original sense of humor. On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves magically falling In and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend – almost – in this delightful midwinter night’s dream. Please note: only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater for this production.

Olson-Larsen Galleries will host an opening reception for a group show of artwork by Blair Benz, Karen Chesterman, Mary Koenen Clausen, Peter Feldstein, and Jeanine Coupe Ryding. This event is free and open to the public. The exhibition will be on display through April 3. Butterflies, moths and flowers populate the intricate charcoals of Blair Benz. Benz achieves impossible depth and richness in his small still lifes, which sometimes include landscape elements. His work has been shown in the Gallery of Art in Eugene, Oregon, the Iowa Artists Exhibit at the Des Moines Art Center, and the Midlands Invitational 2000 at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. Karen Chesterman’s recent oil paintings feature hints of unreadable script, Asian symbols and geometric elements. These components both contrast with and complement their backgrounds—the rich, vibrant color fields Karen creates using layers of thin oil paint. Karen’s works hang in Midwestern galleries, private collections, and institutional collections in banks, hospitals, and corporate offices, including those of American Republic Insurance and Kirke Financial Services in Des Moines. Mary Koenen Clausen’s collages are complex and contemplative. Figures composed of mismatched heads and bodies float among animals, icons, musical notes, and foreign texts on backgrounds of thickly layered paint. She was part of the Iowa Artists show at the Des Moines Art Center in 1991 and has been in group shows in Kansas City, Boston, and New York as well as at the Davenport Art Museum and Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. The most recent series of Peter Feldstein’s inkjet prints feature layers of abstract shapes that appear to be moving and morphing into new configurations. Peter writes that his images “provide an anchor for reflection upon, and hopefully understanding of, my place in my macro community.” Peter’s work has been exhibited at The Center for Creative Photography in Tuscon, the Walker Art Center and the Rhode Island School of Design. In Jeanine Coupe Ryding’s woodcuts, layers of colors, patterns, and shapes are arranged into rhythmic compositions. Her most recent series emphasizes natural imagery such as vines, flower blossoms and leaves. Her prints are in the collections of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Des Moines Art Center, New York Public Library, Amoco Corporation, Marshall Fields Company, and Hallmark, Inc. All exhibition works can be viewed at www.olsonlarsen.com on the EXHIBITS page.

The Iowa Machine Shed restaurant has added pheasant to its menu during the National Pheasant Fest at the Iowa Events Center. One-quarter pheasant will be pan-roasted & served in country gravy.

Center’s Dome will be filled with brightly colored bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, alliums, hyacinths and a variety of unusual bulbs, February 15-March 31. The garden design is inspired by There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe and will include a giant shoe, porch swing and children’s toys. Easter lilies will be incorporated for the holiday and children can visit with the Easter Bunny and live animals including bunnies, chicks and ducklings on March 20. Visitors to the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center in 2010 will be welcomed with a new horticultural and educational experience as the gardens transform throughout the year, all inspired by popular children’s stories, including Dr. Seuss, Charlie Brown and Eric Carle books. “Story Time in the Gardens” includes seven plant bed changes in the Dome – many bringing the stories alive with life-size props – educational activities, theme-related gift shop items, Riverwalk Café menu choices and special events, all inspired by children’s books. The theme continues into the Show House, with four unique, seasonal designs, and outside to the Herb Garden which is open May through September. Please visit the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center throughout the year to see each new garden. The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is a family-friendly environment with plenty of free parking and wheel chair accessible. The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Iowa, providing educational, recreational, and community resources to thousands. More than 150,000 visitors visit the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center to see over 200 different kinds of tropical and household plants in the Dome. The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is operated by Des Moines Water Works.

Iowa High School Athletic Association presents the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament

Join some furry, feathery, slimy & fuzzy animal friends in an exciting, hands-on adventure during which we will read books, make crafts & eat some yummy animal snacks. Classes are 45 minutes long & open for 2-4 year olds w/accompanying adult. Classes will be held at 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays. Regular registration is $16 & includes admission to the Zoo. Zoo members get a discounted rate of $10. Classes are the same during each theme week, so please register for only one class per week. Registration/prepayment required - register by calling Miranda at 515-974-2588 or online now! Classes fill quickly, so register early! *Please note Zoo Tots classes may include exploration of the zoo, please wear weather appropriate clothing.*

Not the John Evans from England who holds the world record for most jokes told in one hour. And not the farmer John Evans who grows giant fruit competitively. And not the John Evans who plays carnivals and state fairs balancing enormous objects on his head. It IS John Evans, the stand up comic from Los Angeles who burst on the scene in 2002, landing a spot on the New Faces show at the Montreal Comedy Festival. A few years later, John is a talented headliner who performs all over the country and is a regular guest on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom radio show.

Running out of ideas for winter entertainment for the kids? Your Altoona Hy-Vee has the perfect solution. Every Monday from February 15 until March 15, we will be holding Fun-Day Mondays upstairs in the Club Room from 5-6:30 pm. There will five, themed sessions that will include fun activities, crafts, snacks and games. Your kids will also come home with instructions on how to make the crafts/snacks on their own for a later date! Feb 15- Winter Olympics Feb 22- Oscar Night March 1- PJ Party March 8- Spring Fling March 15- St. Patty's Day Party Please call 967-7676, or stop by Customer Service to register. Please register by 5 p.m. the Saturday before the session you wish to sign up for to ensure we have plenty of supplies and food. Payment is due at time of registration.Classes will be held on the second level of the store in the Club Room. Please drop off your child five minutes early, and pick-up no later than 6:45 p.m. at the Club Room.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.