Deer, Floods, and Roses
May 26, 2007 by Sandy Renshaw
Filed under Arts, Community, Events, Gardens, General, Great Places, Guest Writer: Field, M.R.
The Rose Garden in Greenwood Park (map) can be expected to have plenty of blooms for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. This year, however, the park is “lousy with deer,” according to a groundskeeper. The deer nip off the top of the bushes, forcing the plants to generate new growth instead of buds. The groundskeeper was busily spraying the bushes with a waxy pepper spray as I walked through the garden the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend. With nearby flooding, the groundskeeper expected the deer to be pushed right back into the Rose Garden. He also expected the peak time for blooms this year would probably be June 15.
A few plants are going strong, particularly the ones that are protected from hungry deer by height or by depth. The World War II Memorial roses, introduced in 2004 by Star Roses, have several young blooms. The flower is a double white, gray and lavender. Close by, the Memorial Day roses only had a few buds. The flowers will be heavily-petaled and fragrant. In the middle part of the garden, the Don Juan bushes were starting to bloom yellow, while the Brass Band plants were a bit further along. The Brass Band flower starts out orange and then becomes a large blossom with tones of peach, melon, and apricot and a “light fruity fragrance” to match, according to a sign. In the southern third of the garden, the Fire Meldland tree rose holds several fire-engine red clusters as the stems drape gently towards the ground. The dense Rainbow’s End, which are low to the ground, hold many buds ready to open.
The Rose Garden can be accessed from 48th and Grand Streets on Des Moines’ west side. It sits just to the west and slightly behind the Art Center. Walk a bit beyond the Rose Garden and there is a small pond. A bit beyond the reed- and cattail-circled pond is the Ashworth city swimming pool. At the edge of the parking lot is the trail head for the Bill Riley Trail.
The last time I was on the Bill Riley Trail, I was taking photographs as part of my seasonal environmental art project. It was February 4, 2006, mid-winter, and cold. At least I was able to get a series of note cards out of the day as sunlight stretched across the railroad where it crosses the trail. Today, the weather was warmer but I had to contend with many hungry mosquitoes. Photos taken to document Walnut Creek flood waters across the trail reveal a dapple and strong reflections created by the late-spring sun and fresh leaves.
Guest Author: M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.
View Some Art, Eat Some Food, Enjoy Your Lunch Break
May 24, 2007 by Sandy Renshaw
Filed under Arts, Community, Food & Drink, Guest Writer: Field, M.R., Neighbors, Networking
“Nobody comes out here anymore.” That is how Sam Soda described lunch time at Nollen Plaza where he said there used to be 23 vendors. The Sodas, Sam and his wife Marilyn, sell brats, Italian grinders, polish sausage, grilled turkey tender, grilled chicken breast, BBQ pork, chips, and pop from their two carts. Look for the Saverio’s sign.
This year The Great Midwestern has a grill at Nollen Plaza. Eloy Garcia and his brother, Lalo, bought The Great Midwestern, which is in the Kaleidoscope’s food court, in March of this year. The menu has been changed slightly. Instead of offering a soup of the day, all soups are available every day. The new owners also added rubens, wraps, and grilled wraps.
Sam Soda, who has been vending food at Nollen Plaza for 15 years, said he is there from about May until he “can’t stand it any more.” The food vendors are allowed on the plaza only between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Nollen Plaza is in downtown Des Moines at the corner of Locust and Third Streets. The Kaleidoscope can be accessed by taking the escalators in Capital Square to the Skywalk and heading west. For those directionally-challenged readers, that means the direction opposite where you face as you ride the steps upward.
Capital Square is the building right next to Nollen Plaza, with a Kinkos and a post office. The Associated Artists of Central Iowa (AACIA) are holding their spring show in the atrium of Capital Square now through June 2. The show includes several floral still lifes, plus a few landscapes, portraits, and animals. There were a few pieces that grabbed the eyes of passers-by.
Deborah Jensen’s “Baby Zebra” pastel tugs at human heartstrings as the spindly legs wobble, suggesting an uncertain future. The length of the legs serve to pull the viewer’s eyes up towards the face of the zebra where a person could look into the animal’s eye and try to discern the nature of the beast. The strong colors and shapes of Sharon Kouri’s “Untitled I” suggest the power of coffee to raise the sun and to move the oceans. Donna McConkey’s “Kaleidoscope” is hard to discern. From a distance, it resembles a Roman soldier with his helmet camouflaged by a plant. Viewed more closely, it hints at other stories. Linda Kielsmeier’s pastel portrait of an older woman reveals a grace sustained despite the sadness of years.
AACIA was founded in 1963 and is composed of professional and amateur artists. In addition to regular meetings, the group holds two shows a year at Capital Square, as well as occasional shows at the Polk County Heritage Gallery and the Ankeny Library.
Guest Author: M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.
Fridays at the Fountain in West Des Moines 2007
May 20, 2007 by Sandy Renshaw
Filed under Arts, Community, Editor: Sandy Renshaw, Events, Networking
Looking for something to do once the work week is over? Starting June 1, every Friday through the first Friday in August, you can attend Fridays at the Fountain.
5 to 7:30 p.m.
Fountain Plaza
West Glen Town Center
Interstate 35 and George Mills Parkway
West Des Moines
Live entertainment – from pop to jazz. Cover is $5, and includes one drink ticket. There will be a cash bar on the Crave patio and two beer stations on Fountain plaza.
The band lineup in 2007 included:
- June 1: Flipside
- June 8: 3 AM
- June 15: Ranallo & Kacher
- June 22: After Hours Band
- June 29: Back ‘N the Day with Del “Saxman” Jones
- July 6: Tony Valdez
- July 13: One Nite Stand
- July 20: Bob Pace
- July 27: Burnin’ Sensations
It’s Bike to Work Week in Iowa
May 15, 2007 by Sandy Renshaw
Filed under Community, Editor: Sandy Renshaw, Education, Events, Fitness, Neighbors
This is the fifth year for Bike to Work Week in Iowa.
Gasoline here is more than $3.00 a gallon. With the great weather, now is a perfect time to haul out your bike. Check out all the metro events at the website. What are people in your town doing?
Big Dream Gathering in Des Moines May 15
May 15, 2007 by Sandy Renshaw
Filed under Editor: Sandy Renshaw, Events, Great Places, Networking
Don’t miss the Big Dream Gathering – tonight. It may physically be in Des Moines, but with technology you can participate no matter where you are.
No catch. No sales pitch.
There will be coffee for sale.
Here’s the story behind the gathering.
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Interesting Places: Padua Chapel near Festina
May 9, 2007 by Sandy Renshaw
Filed under Editor: Sandy Renshaw, Fun Finds
Have you been to the Padua Chapel near Festina (map)? It’s billed as the “Smallest Church in the World,” although after a quick look in RoadsideAmerica, there may be other contenders. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting place to visit in Iowa.
Built 1885-86, St. Anthony of Padua Chapel by the Johann Gaertner family is located southwest of Festina in Winneshiek County, Iowa. The tiny privately owned chapel is open to the public at no cost during daylight hours.
Rain Continues in Much of Iowa
May 6, 2007 by Sandy Renshaw
Filed under Agriculture, Editor: Sandy Renshaw, Weather
They’re calling it an unusually wet spring. According to the article in the Des Moines Register, Des Moines has received 9.44 inches of rain since March 1, quite a bit above the normal rate of 6.57 inches.
Photo on flickr by iowa spirit walker
