By David Borzo of In Mind Matters 01/10/2012

It’s getting pretty exciting – the 2012 SmartTalk Connected Conversations is finally upon us here in Des Moines! This year’s season begins Thursday, January 19th with celebrated scientist and primate researcher, Dr. Jane Goodall. Talk about a world class authority and life voyager! Jane Goodall is the opening guest speaker for this eighth year of the SmartTalk series – a season that promises to deliver through May with inspiring and poignant messages of strength, fortitude and courage.

The world is fascinated with Jane Goodall’s social integration in to the world of the Gombe chimpanzees, and her legendary work is an inspiration to millions. Dr. Goodall will share her story – one that started in 1960 when she traveled to what is today’s Tanzania, with nothing more than a notebook and a pair of binoculars. The rest as they say is history! It will be fascinating to hear her inspiring story and learn more about her work on behalf of endangered species, and helping many other’s efforts to make the world a better place.

SmartTalk is famous for presenting remarkable women who inspire audiences with their stories of triumphs and struggles. Don’t let this year be an opportunity missed! If you put health and well-being on your New Year’s Resolutions list – and need to break out of the daily hum-drum – why not raise the roof with some girlfriends at SmartTalk once a month! Take advantage of what Connected Conversations really means…after all, girlfriends get together to talk – connect – and catch up! Everyone craves a connection, and SmartTalk is your opportunity to re-boot your motivational hard drive with meaningful time – real quality time. Remember, your SmartTalk ticket also includes a pre-show reception of hors d’oeuvres, giveaways, drawings and presentations by local businesses, all at the beautiful Civic Center of Des Moines…so rock the house!

Dr. Goodall will not just kick off the series with her fascinating story, but by sharing her inner motivations and dreams, from her earliest experiences to the latest news from the Jane Goodall Institute. Her message of hope and empowerment promises to personify what SmartTalk Connected Conversations is all about: passionate and accomplished women who have made a major difference in our world. Be there – share in it – be a part of this fascinating presentation and connect!
Subscriber Renewal subscriptions are still on sale for the 2012 season. (Subscriber tickets are sold for the entire series and range in price from $99 to $309.) Remember that Des Moines is one of only five cities across the country that hosts the Smart Talk Connected Conversations!
After Jane Goodall’s appearance on January 19th, the 2012 lineup SmartTalk speakers continue:

Arianna Huffington “On Becoming Fearless in Love, Work and Life” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21st

Frances Mayes: “Under the Tuscan Sun: Journeys of a Passionate Traveler” 7:30 p.m. March 28th

Melissa Stockwell: “Lived a Lifetime by 25: From Baghdad to Beijing and Beyond” 7:30 p.m. April 17th

Marie Osmond: “An Evening with Marie Osmond” 7:30 p.m. May 14

Here is your chance to see Garrison Keillor in Des Moines this week, all because of the generosity of Martin and Melva Bucksbaum.

• 7 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
• open to the public without charge
• Knapp Center (42 on the campus map) at Drake University

Thanks to the Bucksbaum family Drake University has been able to offer 26 varied and significant Bucksbaum Lectures since 1997 with such notables as local hero Bill Bryson, the late Tim Russert, Ken Burns, Maya Angelou, Salmon Rushdie, and Thomas Friedman.

Tuesday we will be treated to Garrison Keillor who has been known to spin a yarn and maybe more than one, and sing, and sing, and sing some more, with occasional political commentary. Although he will continue to write, Keillor will be retiring from performance on A Prairie Home Companion in 2013.

Get there early. You don’t want to miss this one.

photo courtesy of jeff at picasa.

A review by David Borzo

celebrity-pics.movieeye.com

The 2010 Smart Talk Connected Conversation Series in Des Moines saw and heard something different on April 7th: a new work in progress from an entertainer with a remarkable track record and seemingly endless amount of energy. As a performer, Rita Moreno has no peer with her success–and energy–at the age of 78.  She’s unable to pass up new challenge on her life’s journey. And what a journey Rita Moreno has had–so far–an untouched record of achievement in film, stage, television and music.

No, she’s not finished. There is no retirement in Ms. Moreno’s plans. As she said, “I’m afraid that I’ll disappear” if she stopped taking creative challenges. Not much chance of Rita Moreno disappearing either: her terms on life are uninhibited. Her endless desire to keep performing is all the more impressive when you consider that she has nothing left to prove. And that voice….she still has it. The Smart Talk crowd at the Des Moines Civic Center was treated with a selection of classic songs (despite a recent cold, and with a little scrape in her voice) along with her stories of life.

Ms. Moreno’s achievements in her stellar career of nearly 65 years include (so far) an Oscar, a Tony, two Emmys and a Grammy. The obligatory note regarding these four highest competitive entertainment awards:  there have been less than a dozen people to achieve that milestone—and Rita Moreno is the only woman to do so. It’s the most exclusive of clubs….more men have walked on the moon.

In this 2010 Smart Talk series we have learned a lot from accomplished and inspiring women. Ms. Moreno added to the depth of her sage counsel and experiences with her work in progress, her one woman show, planned for Broadway in the next two years. (This, she noted with some bewilderment, is when she turns 80.) This sneak preview provided an engaging look at the entertainer, the daughter, the wife, the groundbreaking performer and legendary Actress. How did she manage it all over her incredible career?  “Perseverance” was the simple answer. “….dream – and find a way to hold on to that dream.” It’s all “…about perseverance.”

A far cry from the child born as Rosa Dolores Alverio in Puerto Rico, who moved to New York at age five with her mother, searching for a better life.  Her “rags to riches” story, ala Horatio Alger, as she mentioned, saw her in her Broadway debut at age 13. And in the true tradition of a Hollywood legend, was discovered by a talent scout, who arranged a meeting with Louis B. Mayer. Yes, THAT Louis B. Mayer. She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at age 17.

Image by Richard Frasier

There were fascinating stories of the young contract player at MGM in the 1950’s; of dates with Elvis Presley, Howard Hughes, and Marlon Brando; of enduring the early typecast “exotic spitfire female” roles; and of course the story of Ms. Moreno’s major breakthrough in 1961 – her coveted role as Anita in West Side Story. She worked hard to get the role (after passing the opportunity to star in the Original Broadway production) and it earned her the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress of the year.

But of all her experiences, Ms. Moreno spoke with the greatest love and appreciation for her husband and her family. And she spoke with great admiration of her recent trip to the White House as a 2009 National Medal of Arts recipient. As she received her medal from President Barack Obama at the White House in February of 2010, she recalls with great relish, the opportunity to give the President an enthusiastic hug.

Ms. Moreno was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.  Her perseverance and dreams have taken her to the heights, but she won’t take it easy now. Her final advice for the Smart Talk Crowd:  “…have your vision and dream, and don’t let anyone tell you what’s right for you.” Her philosophy has certainly worked for her….so far. Stay tuned.

A review by David Borzo

Francine Joy “Fran” Drescher is a story teller. She clearly loves a good story and loves sharing them, especially when they illustrate important lessons learned. Twists and turns, success and failure, Ms. Drescher brought it all to the Smart Talk crowd at the Des Moines Civic Center on Monday night. As the kick off speaker for the 2010 Smart talk series, Ms. Drescher showed her star power and charisma, keeping the audience engaged with affecting stories of love, careers and health. She shared her survivor’s philosophy that when plans for the future don’t pan out like you want, you need to let go and write a new future.

Fran Drescher has had a lot of plans rewritten. With her successful career in T.V. and movies (she’s appeared in over 20 films) she is of course best known for the television series The Nanny, which she co-created and produced. She was also nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for The Nanny. But Ms. Drescher can’t be neatly squared away in the archetypal TV celebrity files; she is also a screenwriter, political and social activist, author and producer…and is currently serving as a US diplomatic envoy, taking her message of women’s health to the world stage.

Ms. Drescher related back throughout her presentation to another important life lesson that she relies on: there is always opportunity—and when opportunity presents itself, you need to seize it.  Carpe diem is her mantra, and of course, there was a good story to go along, a chance meeting on a flight to Europe in the early ‘90s. She had purchased her ticket, but then decided to use her frequent flyer miles to upgrade to first class. Low and behold, she found herself sitting next to Jeff Sagansky, an executive at CBS. As they crossed the Atlantic, they talked about a series she was developing, featuring her quirky style as the focus of a show. By the time they landed, she had convinced him to take a meeting with her to discuss the production. Of course the show was The Nanny, which was an instant success on CBS, making Fran Drescher a star.

By the end of The Nanny’s six year run though, Ms. Drescher had much more to think about. She was having serious health issues, and her marriage was on its last leg. By the time The Nanny closed down in 1999, she was divorced. And the next year, after two years of misdiagnosis by eight doctors, Drescher was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and underwent an immediate radical hysterectomy. Fortunately the cancer was in stage one. This led to another mantra: “Stage one is the cure” and she began efforts advocating that women insist on early cancer screening and curing it in the early stages. In an interview with USA TODAY, Ms. Drescher said “Nobody knows your body better than you…remember back in the days…when you went to your doctor, listed your symptoms and let them take over from there? Well, those days are over.”

Ms. Drescher encouraged the Smart Talk crowd Monday to listen to the early whispers of possible cancer…get the endometrial test if you think something is wrong. Don’t wait. She said that after surgery she felt like she had been dealt an unfair hand. But then she realized that we have no control over what we’re dealt, so at least handle it with dignity. Another lesson learned, so she wrote about her experiences in her second book, Cancer Schmancer, counseling men and women “to become more aware of the early warning signs of cancer, and to empower themselves.” An important challenge for us all, and a stirring beginning to the 2010 Smart Talk series!

Seizing the day, Fran Drescher started the Cancer Schmancer Movement, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all women’s cancers be diagnosed while in Stage ONE, the most curable stage. More information can be found on her website at cancerschmancer.org.

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

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

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

A review by David Borzo

Diane Keaton brought energy and excitement Wednesday to the stage at the Des Moines Civic Center, displaying an unquenchable embracing of life, and her own special brand of “luck”. Her program charmed the appreciative audience with a powerful testament of how to live life well. Very well. Keaton, the final speaker in the Smart Talk series for 2009, deftly blended stories from her incredible career in the movies, her close relationship with her mother, and her recent joy and challenges of raising two adopted children, Dexter, 13 and Duke, 8. Her stories and experiences were intertwined with a series of vintage family photos and home movies, and was a living testimonial for keeping memories alive.

Keaton, who along with being a legend in the movies is also a director, author, photographer, singer, producer, businesswoman and mother. She reveled in what she called her “luck” all through her lengthy career, lucky with associations and connections in getting roles; like starring in Woody Allen’s Broadway 1969 hit “Play it again, Sam”, (and winning a Tony Award) and getting the great role in 2003’s “Something’s Gotta Give” (earning her latest Academy Award nomination). OK… luck…sure…but it’s safe to say that talent has a lot to do with it too. As she put it at Smart Talk − “Luck is preparation meeting opportunity”.

She had just finished acting school when she got her role in the original Broadway production of Hair. On the screen she has starred in what have turned out to be many of the greatest films of all time; from her role as Kay Adams in the Godfather Trilogy, to her Academy Award winning title role in Annie Hall and Warren Beatty’s epic Reds (another Academy Award nomination). Throw in other classic films like Manhattan, Sleeper, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and more recently comedies like Father of the Bride, Father of the Bride Part II, and The First Wives Club. She also directed the poignant and powerful film Unstrung Heroes in 1995 to high acclaim. Next year, watch for Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford in the newest of her over 50 films, Morning Glory.

Keaton’s straightforward presentation and messages resonated with authenticity and empathy, a full life of messages received and lessons learned. She shared them generously. With both poignant memories of her mother’s tireless love and support for the young Diane’s acting, and then watching her mother struggle with Alzheimer’s (she recently passed in 2008) Keaton provides a strong tribute to her theme of taking on life and preserving memories. On the subject that is most asked of her – growing older – she also had a clear message: aging is just another opportunity…“ Don’t let Age become an act of submission” she declared, and clearly Keaton has not. Her positive perspective of embracing the past – while reveling in the present – and not fearing the future is so affirmative as to be contagious. An excellent cap to the 2009 Smart Talk season here in Des Moines.

photos by Kim Snellink

Maria Larssons eviga ogonblick is the title in Swedish – Everlasting Moments in English, and the film is playing at the Varsity Theater.

I read a lot of film reviews Saturday including Roger Ebert’s review of Everlasting Moments and decided that of all the films in Des Moines, it looked the best. He gave it 4 stars; tv4 in Stockholm gave it 4 solar.

In one of the scenes the main character is described as having “the gift of seeing”.  As the moviegoer, you will need the gift of seeing too. Everlasting Moments is

• wonderfully visual
• melancholy
• unrushed
• subtle in color, music, and spirit

This factual story is based on a real character (Maria Larsson) as narrated by her daughter Maja.

The movie is set in southern Sweden about 100 years ago, about the time my father’s family was leaving Sweden. I enjoyed hearing the Swedish spoken, the subtitles seemed good, and the characters seemed very real (rough men, strong women, quiet children). The movie has enough stories to tell that it kept me entertained over its 2 hour 11 minute run. You might like it too.

Watch the trailer on YouTube, and you’ll know if you want to see it.

photo by flickr by dreamsjung