New Horizons Adult Day Center is having its 9th annual Lasagna Dinner Fundraiser on Friday March 5th at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church. The menu includes Meat, Cheese or Vegetable Lasagna, bread, salad, drink, home baked pies & ice cream. Advance ticket prices are $8 for adults, $4 for children 10 & under & under 3 are free. Tickets will be available at the door for $9 for adults, $5 for children. Whole pies will be for sale along with door prize drawings throughout the evening.

Advance tickets are available by calling 965-1602.

Contact Info: Daryl Klein @ 888-552-1486.

Discovered at an open mike, singer/songwriter Jackie Greene is a captivating performer who works well in simple, sparse environments. Signing to the label almost immediately, the California native worked countless clubs before his discovery, a fact made more interesting when it's considered that he was a teenager during that time. A multi-instrumentalist, Greene played most of the instruments on his debut record The album brought him to a national audience & sprung him into a college tour. Rusty Nails was released in 2003, followed by the live-in-the-studio DVD video Broken Hearts Dusty Roads in 2004. Sweet Somewhere Bound appeared later that same year. His first proper album for Verve, American Myth, appeared in 2006.

Main Event Tag Team attraction!
Live Pro Wrestling - 3xW - The Ash has Risen!
For further details: www.3xwrestling.com.

Learn nonviolent communication skills that help you reframe how you express yourself, hear others, and end habitual, automatic reactions. Normally $150, this is being offered at only $25, by a teacher trainer for the Center for Non-violent Communication, Reverend Lori Woodley, MDiv., Lori@peacematters.com. Will be using Marshall Rosenberg's book, "Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Life" available at our Unity bookstore, which is open 10:00am to 3:00pm, Mon.-Fri.

AVATAR takes us to a spectacular new world beyond our imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption, discovery and unexpected love, as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization. Days/Times: Friday, March 5: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm Saturday, March 6: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm Sunday, March 7: Noon & 3pm Monday, March 8: 3pm Tuesday, March 9: 3pm Wednesday, March 10: 3pm Thursday, March 11: 3pm & 7 pm Friday, March 12: 4pm & 7 pm Saturday, March 13: 4pm & 7pm Sunday, March 14: Noon & 3pm Monday, March 15: 3pm Tuesday, March 16: 3pm Wednesday, March 17: 3pm Thursday, March 18: 3pm & 7pm Friday, March 19: 3pm

Southridge Mall is hosting a Sport Card & Collectible Show on March 5-7. Come out and find your special collectible!

Of Tina & The B-Side Movement - Carberet Seating

with special guest Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts

Live DJ! Great music loud enough to rock the Des Moines River! Win prizes! Request your favorite song and ice skate the night away!

Direct from the Tropicana Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas, Hypnotist, Terry Stokes! Adults only; 18+ in age.

DMMO’s Wine & Food Showcase 2010 will be held on March 5 at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. The area’s finest restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distributors will show off their most delectable offerings. The proceeds of the event support the programs of the company’s Education Division. From 5:30 to 8:30, The Grand Tasting offers you an opportunity to enjoy unlimited samples of wines, beers, coffees, teas and cuisines from around the world. Tickets are $50 per person or $35 each for groups of 8 or more. Visit desmoinesmetroopera.org or call (515) 961-6221 for tickets.

Fun for the Whole Family! Children & Families of Iowa’s Kidsfest is about families, fun and lending a helping hand. Kidsfest is a kid-centered festival full of fun activities, games and entertainment for kids and their families. This exciting event promises to thrill families and children of all ages. Kids Helping Kids The greatest thing about Kidsfest is that it is truly an event where kids can help kids. While you and your family are having fun at all of the great attractions, 100% of your ticket price goes to helping at-risk families and children in Iowa. Kidsfest expenses are underwritten by our sponsors, so you can know you are really helping to make a difference. In fact, Kidsfest raised over $162,000 in 2009! Look for more information about Kidsfest in January 2010!

Each year the Iowa Deer Classic brings to the hunters of Iowa a full day's worth of huge trophy whitetails, world class hunting seminars, hunting and outdoor exhibitors and so much more. Mark your calendar, and we hope to see you all the first weekend in March! 

For more information:  www.iowadeerclassic.com.

Siblings Elizabeth and Arejay Hale, the core members of the hard rock band Halestorm, began the group in late 1997 near York, PA, withArejay on drums and Elizabeth on vocals and keyboard. Wanting to expand their sound, the duo invited their father, Roger, to play bass for Halestorm. Soon after their first professional gig in 1998, at the Blue Mountain Coffee House in Hershey, PA, the band added various guitar players and released an album, 2000's (Don't Mess with The) Time Man. More lineup changes occurred, but Halestorm finally solidified with Elizabeth (who was by then going by Lzzy) on vocals and guitar, Josh Smith on bass, Arejay on drums, and Joe Hottingeron guitar. The band caught the attention of producer David Ivory as well as Atlantic Records, both of whom were involved in the band's major-label debut, One and Done, the five-song EP recorded live at a show in Philadelphia.

Annual fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Iowa!
Individuals gather teams of 4-6 bowlers. Each participant raises $100 and receives two free games of bowling & free shoe rental.
For further information, please go to www.bowlforkidsiowa.kintera.org or www.bigbrothersbigsistersofiowa.org.

Performing at The House of Bricks:

Wed. Mar. 3: SETTLE, FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER, BACKDROP, LET’S BE FRIENDS - 5pm - All Ages - $6 - Rock

Fri. Mar. 5: JACKIE GREENE, TBA - 8 pm - $15; $12 advance tickets at www.midwestix.com

Sat. Mar. 6: THROW THE FIGHT, SHOOT THE MOON, 3 PILL MORNING, BLACK BY DAWN - 5pm- All Ages- $8 - Rock

Sat. Mar. 6: TOADSTOOL, LESSON 7, COMRADE GENERATOR - 9:30 pm- Rock

Sun. Mar. 7: HIV / AIDS Awareness Benefit Concert- 1 pm - All Ages - Free will donation; Performing: BELLA SOL, MELINDA VANAGS, BRYAN BAKER, MARY MCADAMS, R.J. COLLIER, WENDY WILLIAMS, HEATHER HANSEN AND ABEDON, TBA

Kyle Dunnigan is a standup comedian/actor, best known for his role as Craig (aka The Truckee River Killer) in the hit series "Reno 911!" As a standup, he has had his own special & has been featured on several shows including Late Night With Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live & The Late Late Show. He also has a significant online presence which includes his viral video Craig vs Wild that boasts over two million hits on multiple platforms. He is an alumni of the Groundlings Sunday Company & holds a BFA in theatre from the Univ. of Connecticut. Kyle can currently be seen as a correspondent on The Jay Leno Show. If you don't enjoy Kyle live, there might be something wrong with you.

Join some furry, feathery, slimy and fuzzy animal friends in an exciting, hands-on adventure during which we will read books, make crafts and 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. and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and 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.

From the dazzling coral reefs of the Bahamas to the wind-swept seas of Patagonia, DOLPHINS takes audiences under the water's surface for a romp with inquisitive Atlantic spotted dolphins, acrobatic dusky dolphins, & the familiar bottlenose dolphin of Flipper fame. From rarely seen fish-herding behavior to a close-up look at complex communication activities, DOLPHINS will give audiences a fascinating new perspective on the lives of dolphins & their remarkable intelligence. Days/Times: Wednesday, March 3: 11am; Noon, 2pm & 3pm Thursday, March 4: 10am; Noon, 1pm, 3pm & 5pm Friday, March 5: 10am & Noon Saturday, March 6: 10am & Noon Monday, March 8: 10am, Noon & 1pm Tuesday, March 9: 10am, Noon & 1pm Wednesday, March 10: 11am, Noon & 2pm Thursday, March 11: 10am, Noon & 2pm Friday, March 12: 11am, 1pm & 3pm Saturday, March 13: 10am, Noon & 2pm Monday, March 15: 11am & 1pm Tuesday, March 16: 10am, Noon & 1pm Wednesday, March 17: 11am & 1pm Thursday, March 18: 10am, Noon & 2pm Friday, March 19: 11am, 2pm & 4pm

IGHSAU Girls State Basketball Tournament presented by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union

Beginning March 1, learn to skate; classes are pay as you go!
Just $12 per class! No 4-week session commitment needed...drop in as your schedule (and the weather) permits.
For further information: www.brentonplaza.com.

The Great Frame Up is hosting a special fundraising exhibit for HOPE International thru March 31st to help rebuild Haiti after the devastating earthquake. Talented local artists have joined with The Great Frame Up to create a special art exhibit to benefit Haiti. Proceeds from the sale of the originals in the collection will go directly to HOPE International for Haiti and a local charity. This is a wonderful art exhibit with proceeds benefiting Haiti. Local artists featured who have donated their artwork for the event include Jill Wells of Indianola, Bill Gordon of Clive, Jane Robinette of Urbandale and many others.

The Gallery Show of Timothy Florer will be on display during the month of March at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1115 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines, Room 113 in the east lobby, as part of its Fine Arts Program. The display is open to the public during office hours and during worship services, Saturdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – noon. His medium is black and white photography; on display will be works from his first two books: Rural Iowa Ruins and Against The Current. Tim began a serious endeavor into fine art black-and-white photography in 2000. Since 1974, Tim sold life insurance and annuities in rural Iowa and in his travels, he witnessed the decline of rural structures and small towns. He felt the need to capture images of these structures before they became extinct. This mission evolved in 2002 into Tim’s first book, Rural Iowa Ruins. Using the same format, Tim’s second book, Against the Current, was published in 2003; a photographic study of the Upper Mississippi Valley. Tim has had solo shows on the west coast and Midwest, and his works are on display at major corporations and museums. He has been the featured photographer in The Iowa magazine 2005 calendar. He is also the co-founder and director of the 4-H Camera Corps.

Des Moines Women's Club presents the 102nd Annual Art Exhibition! Mark your calendars for these exhibition events, throughout the week. Feb. 25-28: Entries accepted, judged, installed & prizes awarded. Feb. 28-March 7: Exhibition opens to public - FREE! March 5: Gallery Night from 5-8pm. Bring your friends! Enjoy complimentary wine & cheese & great art! For further information: www.hoytshermanplace.org.

Robyn O'Neil: The World Has Won. A Final Bow Was Taken is a survey exhibition devoted to the Omaha-born, Houston-based artist's work.

Finding themselves suddenly orphaned, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden band together and make a home for themselves in an abandoned railroad car. Based on the book by Gertrude Chandler Warner.

First Steps Dance classes are designed to introduce children to the fundamental skills of dance at a cost and time commitment that is minimal to parents. All classes are led by Jennifer McCullough, an instructor who has taught dance for over 12 years. Let your child learn basic dance movements in a non-threatening, recreational environment! Beginning Tap Class NEW! Bring in the Noise!!! Students are introduced to the fundamentals of tap and the foundation of rhythm. The focus is on basic technique and terminology. Students develop body awareness and the ability to express themselves through movement. The program fee covers all 6 weeks of instruction and a long-sleeve t-shirt. Basic children’s tap shoes are available for purchase at The Theatrical Shop in Valley Junction, Mark’s Dancewear in Johnston, or on-line through many retailers. Date(s): Mondays, February 22-April 5 (no class on March 15) Time(s): 6-6:30pm Program #: 10761 Time(s): 6:45-7:15pm Program #: 10762 Location: Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge Ages: 4-6 Fee: $30 PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.