Bernie Madoff in Des Moines dollars

By his own admission Bernie Madoff engaged in criminal acts using $65 billion of other people’s money. He lost it.

How much is $65 billion in Des Moines dollars?

The median annual household income in Polk County is under $55,000.

If the average Polk County family worked 1 million years, they would still be $10 billion short.

You say you don’t have a million years? Enlist your friends. There are about 150,000 households. If every man, woman, and child in Polk County pooled their income for about 8 years, we could match the $65 billion. 

That’s one perspective on the crime: Bernie Madoff took the equivalent of 8 years of labor of every man, woman, child in Polk County, Iowa.

I wonder where his thinking went wrong. 

photo by flickr by Steve Rhodes of a painting by Yan Pei Ming

Jazz in July 2009

It’s time!

• it’s Des Moines
• it’s summer
• it’s hot and humid

It must be time for Jazz in July, and it’s free to all.

Each summer Metro Arts Alliance through generous sponsorship presents Jazz in July – and what a great deal this summer; we even have one day of Jazz in July that occurs in August! You can visit the Jazz in July website  or you may want to check out the links below to see the bands, parks, sites – 27 groups, 19 locations, and 19 dates.

• July 1, 6 pm, Fuzion Mix, 4 Mile Community Center, 3711 Easton Blvd.
• July 2, 4:30 pm, Dave Camwell and the Jazz Addicts, Lions Park, 72nd & Aurora in Urbandale
• July 2, 7:00 pm, Tony Valdez Large Band, Lions Park, 72nd & Aurora in Urbandale
• July 2, 7:00 pm, Roxi Copland Band, West Capitol Steps, Des Moines (Yankee Doodle Pops)
• July 7, 6:30 pm, Ed Kaizer, Jr. Group, Wesley Acres, 3520 Grand Avenue
• July 8, 6:30 pm, Jim Oatts Quintet performs Freddie Hubbard, West Des Moines City Hall, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway
• July 10, 6 pm, Scott Davis Quartet and Friends perform the late Miles Davis, Greenwood Park, Sylvan Theater, south of 45th near Grand Avenue; but what if it rains (and chances are 50%)? For this concert, the alternative is Merrill Middle School (map) and Metro Arts will make the call about 90 minutes ahead of time. Check the Metro Arts Alliance website for the update!
• July 11, 6:30 pm, Max Wellman Quartet, Waveland Neighborhood Association, Waveland Golf Course and Observatory, near Polk Boulevard on Observatory Road (map). The Des Moines Register reports more activities including food, kid stuff, and Observatory open house starting at 5:30.
• July 12, 5:30 pm, Des Moines Tango Group performs Pablo Ziegler, Salisbury House, 4025 Tonawanda
• July 12, 7:30 pm, 3×5, Salisbury House, 4025 Tonawanda
• July 15, 5:30 pm, Brazilian Sunset performs the late Stan Getz, Heartland Presbyterian Church, 14300 Hickman Road (map)
• July 15, 7:00 pm, Ashanti Jazz, Heartland Presbyterian Church, 14300 Hickman Road (map)
• July 16, 5:30 pm, Old School performs the late Wes Montgomery, Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road
• July 16, 7:30 pm, Tina Haase Findlay, Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road
• July 17, 6 pm, One Nite Stand, Chautauqua Parkway Neighborhood Association, 1412 Chautauqua Parkway (map)
• July 18, 6 pm, Java Jews, Beaverdale Neighborhood Association, Beaverdale Park, 3333 Adams St
• July 18, 8 pm, Los Saltinos, Beaverdale Neighborhood Association, Beaverdale Park, 3333 Adams St
• July 19, 6:30 pm, Party Gras Classic Jazz Band, Music Under the Stars, West Capitol Steps
• July 21 (Tuesday), 5:30 pm, Judi Ann Brown performs the Gershwin Brothers, Roosevelt Cultural District, behind the Shops at Roosevelt (map)
• July 21 (Tuesday), 7:30 pm, Ed East, Roosevelt Cultural District, behind the Shops at Roosevelt (map)
• July 22 (Wednesday), 5:30 pm, Dave Rezek’s Alpha State Agents, Gray’s Lake Neighborhood Association, Gray’s Lake South Pavilion, Fleur Drive near George Flagg Parkway (map)
• July 22 (Wednesday), 7:30 pm, The People’s Connection performs the late Grover Washington, Jr., Gray’s Lake Neighborhood Association, Gray’s Lake South Pavilion, Fleur Drive near George Flagg Parkway (map)
• July 23 (Thursday), 7 pm, The Jazz Page, Waukee Area Arts Council, 6th and Walnut, Waukee (map)
• July 24 (Friday), 12:15 pm, The Belin Quartet, Civic Music Association, on the downtown library lawn at 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
• July 26 (Sunday), 5 pm, The Jason Danielson Trio, Union Park Neighborhood Association, Union Park (map)
• July 28 (Tuesday), 5 pm, Mel Hrubetz performs the late Bix Biederbecke and the late Harry James, Oakridge Neighborhood Association, 1236 Oakridge Drive
• August 1 (Saturday), 5:30 pm, Patron Party, Village of Ponderosa, 590 Market Street, West Des Moines (map)
• August 1(Saturday), 7:30 pm, Four Fried Chickens and a Coke, Village of Ponderosa, 590 Market Street, West Des Moines (map)

That’s the schedule. It’s all free. Try some.

photos by flickr by olivander and volume 12

Des Moines economy receives high rating

While the economy in the Des Moines metro (like the rest of the country) is less than perfect, the Washington-based think tank Brookings Institution reports: Des Moines is doing relatively well.

The Brookings’ MetroMonitor report was released today (6/17/2009), and based on “overall performance” Des Moines is ranked in the top 20 of the 100 largest metropolitan economies in the U. S. where overall performance was based on recent changes in 4 indicators:

• employment
• unemployment
• gross metropolitan product
• housing price index

The full rankings are available.

In employment were are in the top 20% along with Omaha-Council Bluffs and Kansas City. The middle quintile included Denver, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Chicago.

In the rate of increase in unemployment, the report showed that Des Moines was best in the country. We have lost jobs more slowly than any other metropolitan area. This was attributed in part to the relative insulation of the insurance industry to rapid change during a recession. Omaha-Council Bluffs was also in the most favorable 20%.

The question of wages which typically do not drop during a recession, Des Moines did not compare as favorably where we were in the second to the lowest quintile.

In recent changes in the gross metropolitan product, Des Moines was in the middle quintile.

The strength of the real estate markets is reflected by our position in the 2nd most favorable quintile. If you want to sell a house, it is most favorable to live in Houston, Buffalo, or Dallas, but you are in a lot of pain if you are trying to sell in Modesto, CA, Las Vegas, NV, or Stockton, CA. New slogan opportunity for Las Vegas: “If you bought a house in Vegas, your money will stay in Vegas.”

A final category considered in the Brookings report is real estate owned by lending institutions. These are properties that have been foreclosed, that the lender has tried and failed to sell at auction, and that remain in the hands of the lending institution. The Des Moines metro is in the middle. The fewest such properties are in Syracuse and Albany, NY and greatest number in Stockton, CA and Las Vegas, NV.

During the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, while we are suffering individually and collectively as institutions, a city and state, the Des Moines metro is doing relatively well. We couldn’t ask for a lot more.

photos by flickr by recentexposurephotography

2009 Two Art Festivals in Des Moines

First, the Des Moines Arts Festival is the big one. It’s coming up so be prepared to show up in Western Gateway Park.

• Friday, June 26, 4-10 pm
• Saturday, June 27, 10 am – 10 pm 
• Sunday, June 28, 10 am – 5 pm

The festival website is so thorough and easily navigated that I couldn’t add anything worthwhile; you should go there for all of the information: 

• a listing of artists and links to their websites
• listing of performing artists with links
• the live music
• street theater
• interactive arts
• food

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Des Moines Arts Festival is free. 

The second show in town is ArtFest Midwest. It’s at the Fairgrounds and it’s also free.

• Saturday, June 27, 10 am – 6 pm
• Sunday, June 28, 10 am – 5 pm

There will be a free shuttle between the two events.

photo by James G. Lindberg

July 4th 2009 around Des Moines

 

Lookin’ for something to do on the 4th of July? Maybe this will help. You can check out the Web sites for most cities and towns of Central Iowa for updates or try the selections below.

Why not start celebrating on July 2nd with the Des Moines Symphony’s Yankee Doodle Pops Concert?

• concert: Thursday July 2nd, 6:30 pm, west of the Iowa State Capitol Building, Roxi Copland Band
• concert: Thursday, July 2nd, 8:30 pm, same place, The Des Moines Symphony
• fireworks: following the concerts
• food, fun, fireworks, free
• bring food to donate

Urbandale always has some of the best of the metro’s 4th of July celebrations.

• parade: Saturday, July 4th, 10 am along 70th north to Aurora then west to Urbandale Middle School
• fireworks: Saturday, July 4th, 10 pm by Urbandale Middle School (rain date, Sunday July 5th)
• plenty more on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; check it out! 

Waukee celebrations will be held on July 3rd and 4th.

• parade: Saturday, July 4th, 2 pm
• music by Standing Hampton: 6-9:30 in Centennial Park (west of Waukee HS, south of the stadium) 
• fireworks: 9:30 pm in Centennial Park

West Des Moines will celebrate for two days.

• parade: Friday, July 3rd, 6:30 pm starting (map) at Valley High School and heading to Valley Junction
• fireworks: Saturday, July 4th, dusk at Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Avenue, WDM (map)

Windsor Heights has a lot planned for July 4th at Colby Park at 69th and School with access off University Avenue (map)

• parade: 1-3 pm
• Bill Riley Talent Search from 2:30 – 4:30
• kids games, rides, food from 2 pm through 9:30
• music: Throwing Toast from 5 ’til 6:30 and The Blue Band from 7 – 10
• fireworks: 10 pm

The Iowa Cubs are out of town on the 4th but they are home on the 2nd and 3rd, and they’re promoting the Holiday Fireworks Spectaculars at Principal Park

• Thursday, July 2nd, game time 7:05 with the spectacular fireworks after the game
• Friday, July 3rd, game time 7:05 with the spectacular fireworks after the game

Heartland Nationals and the Good Guys Car Show will have fireworks, but it will cost you.

• fireworks: Saturday July 4th, 8 pm, Grandstands, Iowa State Fairgrounds Racetrack,with music by the VanDells 

If other cities update their websites and post their activities, I’ll try to keep up.

Here’s another!

Carlisle has plans that include

• kiddy parade on Friday the 3rd from 6 – 7 pm
• a bigger parade on July 4th at 9:30 am
• fireworks on July 4th at 10 pm
• and more

photos by flickr by brungrll and jmtimages

The changing face of Iowa: wind turbines

It’s windy in Iowa. (I didn’t have to tell you, did I?)

It’s hard to miss Iowa’s new wind turbines. They continue to spring up in Western Iowa along Interstate 80 in areas including one called Windy Hills. The turbines are on both sides of I-80 in Adair , Cass , and Pottawattamie Counties. 

Today we find that Mid-American Energy has over 100 turbines in Pottawatamie County alone where many of the pictures above were taken at the Walnut Wind Project.

Money is blowing in the wind.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists each turbine will net the landowner $2,000 -5,000/year in royalties. That’s great news in counties where the average farm is near 440 acres and the crop value per harvested acre has been running between $205 – 225/acre.

How are we doing in terms of absolute capacity compared to the rest of the country? We’re doing well; currently we are even with California in absolute capacity. DOE puts us 3rd in the nation; citing Dirk Lammers Yahoo says 2nd, where Texas is first. 

•  Iowa has 2862 MW of capacity (with our population of 3 million that’s about 1 kW/person)
• California has 2868 MW with their population of 36 million
• In Iowa we’re producing 10% of the nation’s wind power. I’m impressed!

Resources for further information

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (US DOE)
• energy matters (Australia)
• Wind Power A to Z
• You Tube videos on wind energy

photos by James G. Lindberg

Fridays at the Fountain in West Glen 2009

People are searching for Fridays at the Fountain. OK, then. Here you go!

Looking for something to do once the work week is over? Fridays at the Fountain started in May and you missed Dick Prall, but there is still time through the end of July to hear music, make friends, and unwind from the week.

Every Friday through the end of July, you can attend Fridays at the Fountain. More details at their website.

• $5 (and you’d better be 21 ‘cuz liquor, wine and beer are sold)
• 5:30 until 8:00 pm (Then what will we do?)
• Fountain Plaza in West Glen Town Center
• just off Interstate 35 and George Mills Parkway
• near Jordan Creek in West Des Moines

Live entertainment – from pop to jazz.

The 2009 band lineup taken from West Glen’s pdf file is:

• June 5:Towncrier (from Cedar Rapids)
• June 12: Standing Hampton (a local band)
• June 19: Hello Dave
• June 26: The Damnwells (a Brooklyn based band with an Iowa connection, Alex Dezen)
• July 3: Final Mix with Del Saxman Jones
• July 10: Tim Mahoney (with many Midwestern connections, especially MN)
• July 17: The Heroes
• July 24: Dazy Head Mazy (They look like Minnesotans to me.)
• July 31: Nelo (from Austin, TX)

Afterwards, go see Bomi Mistry for healthy treats at Fuel.

photo by flickr by MorBCN and by  James G. Lindberg

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, West Des Moines, Fridays at the Fountain

2009 Greek Food Fair

It’s a great Des Moines event. Put it on your calendar.

2009 Greek Food Fair (their Web site is so good, I wouldn’t have to say any more, but)

• Saturday June 6, 2009 (always the first Saturday in June)
• 11 am until 8 pm
• Greek Orthodox Church of St. George
• 35th and Cottage Grove
• wonderful Greek food, lovingly prepared
• a la carte (eat what you like for individual prices) or a complete dinner ($12 ahead of time; $14 at the door)
• tours of the church (then or online now)
• Greek dancing (at St. George’s; elsewhere)
• free parking
• kids are welcome too

Your friends will be there!

photos by James G. Lindberg