WALK YOUR BUTT TO THE CAN

Research shows that individuals who would never consider tossing out aluminum cans or paper do not consider cigarette butts litter. Smokers often don't think of cigarette butts as litter. The Downtown Community Alliance, Operation Downtown, Metro Waste Authority, City of Des Moines and Keep Iowa Beautiful have launched a cigarette litter prevention program to help raise awareness that cigarette butts are litter too.

The issue is not only an aesthetic problem, but also environmental. It can take up to seven years on average for a cigarette butt to break down when littered. The amount of cigarette litter makes cleanups very costly. In fact, Operation Downtown spent more than 6,000 hours removing cigarette butts from our streets and sidewalks last year. This totals to more than $100,000 spent on cigarette litter cleanup.

To assist smokers with proper disposal, 20 new ash receptacles have been purchased and strategically placed throughout the downtown community. With the help of downtown businesses, visitors and residents, we can help keep downtown Des Moines clean, safe and beautiful. Visit our website at www.downtowndesmoines.com for more information on how to become "Butt Free."

RIVER BEND TRADING CO. CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING

The new is River Bend Trading Co. grocery store is now open! The much anticipated grocery store, deli and wine shop plans celebrated their Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 27th.

Located at 208 Court Avenue, the store will meet the growing demands of downtown residents as well as those who commute downtown on a daily basis. Key offerings include fresh produce, a deli featuring sandwiches made to order between 11-2, grocery staples and an extensive 1,100 sq ft. wine shop and cellar on the lower level. Wines range in price from $6 - $200.

Riverbend Trading Co.'s manager, Tim Grimes, has over 20 years of combined experience in the grocery and wine business and is looking forward to serving the downtown community. "River Bend will evolve continually to meet the needs of our customers." He said. "We strive to have all of the items you would expect to find and hopefully a few that are unexpected too."

An emphasis on locally grown produce and products original to Iowa will also be an important part of the mix at River Bend Trading Co. "As a company, we are passionate about Iowa and the high quality products available here." Said co-owner Andy Massoth. "We will always support and partner with local and regional producers as often as possible."

SHOW YOUR PASSPORT

If you haven't picked up your Downtown Passport, you've got time. Passports are available at locations throughout the Downtown area, with participating businesses listed on the Downtown Community Alliance website. Visit 12 different Downtown businesses between now and Sept. 8th and have the participating location stamp your passport. When you've got the 12 stamps you need, mail or bring the completed passport to the Downtown Community Alliance office at 700 Locust to be eligible to win a trip for two to Des Moines' Sister City in Italy. Rules, participating business locations and more information about the program are listed on the Downtown Community Alliance website at www.downtowndesmoines.com.

NEW LEADERS

East Village residents, retailers and other business owners elected six new Historic East Village Board members at the annual meeting of the organization on Monday, June 25th. Elected to serve three year terms are Kit Curran, Winefest; Sarah Oltrogge, Iowa State Historical Museum; Phil Parrott, Durant; Mike Kinter, Kinter Construction and Brent Houzenga, The Village Bean. Nancy Wilson, The House of Bricks, will serve a two year term.

The newly elected board members will join Abra Pulley, Pulley Chiropractic; Bryan Smith and Bob Eikleberry, The Blazing Saddle; Kathy Holden, The Dog Barkery; Mike Draper, SMASH; Sgt. Mark Schleuger, Des Moines Police; Nita Allen, Colores and Lisa Howard, Burnett Realty.

KEEPIN' IT CLEAN

Live Downtown and have a dog? Don't live Downtown, but bring your pet to the area? The City of Des Moines and Operation Downtown have installed dog waste bags throughout the Downtown to help keep the area neat and clean. If you're walking your dog Downtown, you'll find the bags attached to poles in the East Village area, Court Avenue area, along MLK and Western Gateway Park area. As you enjoy the walk with your pet, help make the walk enjoyable for others by using the newly installed dog waste bags.

GET IN GEAR

Rev your motor, hop on that Harley and point it in the direction of the East Village, East 5th and East Locust, Downtown. The second of three East Village Bikers Nights this summer is set for Friday, July 27th. Don't have a Harley? No problem. Check out the beauties on the street, listen to the music of Fat Tuesday and The Greasefire Horns at Blues Before Sunset from 5:30-7:30 at the State Historical Museum, then stick around for more live music, food and drink specials in the area. It's all free.

YANKEE DOODLE COMES TO TOWN

Enjoy the beauty of the Downtown skyline, along with the newly landscaped Iowa State Capitol grounds, on July 3rd, when the Des Moines Symphony treats area residents to its annual Yankee Doodle Pops Concert. Music starts with a Jazz in July Concert at 6:30P.M. and will be followed by Maestro Guinta and the orchestra performing at 8:30P.M.. Violinist Alan Zhou will be featured. Then stick around for one the city's largest fireworks displays.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

The best in high school baseball will take the field at Principal Park July 20-28th as they compete for state championships in their respective classes. Check out the potential big leaguers of tomorrow and cheer on your favorite with games scheduled throughout the day.

THE FLAGS ARE WAVING

In celebration of the 4th of July, Operation Downtown and the City of Des Moines have installed American and state flags in the flower beds on East Locust leading to the state Capitol. You'll also find yellow ribbons tied around light poles on Locust from Meredith to the Capitol. The ribbons are up as a sign of support and remembrance of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

DON'T SEAT HIGH GAS PRICES

Is your wallet feeling the heat from higher gas prices this summer? There's one surefire way to cool things down. Start using an alternate commute option! By carpooling, vanpooling, riding the bus, biking, or walking even a few times a week, you'll see money go back into your pocket rather than your gas tank. To calculate how much you'd save by using an alternate commute option, visit www.avoidtherush.org.

Those who use an alternate commute to get to work are also eligible to join the "Rest Your Car" program. By using an alternate commute option four times a month, "Rest Your Car" members receive member benefits and are entered into monthly drawings for prizes. Learn more by visiting www.restyourcar.com.

ARE YOU LISTENING????

Downtown Des Moines is the home to a new radio station. KFMG Radio hit the air in February, from its home in the Hotel Ft. Des Moines. Located at 99.1 on the FM dial, the 100 watt community radio station is on the air 24/7. You'll hear progressive adult alternative music along with a lot of community service programming. If you want to know what's happening in Des Moines, tune in. You can get specific programming information and more at www.myspace.com/kfmg.

ON THE FRINGE...

Celebrate theater, film and performing arts in Downtown July 19-22 at the Iowa Fringe Festival. Take your pick – new, "edgy", offbeat, untried or traditional shows – featuring 52 companies from 10 states and Europe, performing simultaneously in multiple venues each day. Anchored by the Central library and Pappajohn Center on the West and the State Historical Museum and Hohberger Building on the East, the 14 "found space" venues are spread throughout the Downtown area. To learn more about performance times, shows being offered and ticket prices, visit www.iowafringe.com.

WHAT'S NEW?

More new Downtown businesses have opened since the first of June. In addition to the Riverbend Trading Co. opening this week, People's Court and Legends, at 216 Court opened their doors and have added even more live music and restaurant choices to the Court Avenue District. Sample the food at Legends restaurant/sports bar on the first floor and catch the live music at People's Court on the third floor of the building.

URBAN PIONEER

The simple life.  That’s what Dave Steppat was seeking when he decided to move from his Johnston townhome to The Kirkwood in downtown Des Moines in January 2007.  “I was looking to simplify my life”, said Dave, “and downtown is really coming alive”.

Steppat, 58, is an executive with Allied Nationwide and now enjoys a healthy five-minute walk through the skywalks to get to work each day instead of his previous 30-minute commute in rush hour traffic.  “I realized that my job and most of the things I enjoy doing are located downtown”, adds Dave, who counts Principal Park and the Civic Center as two of his favorite downtown venues.

So why did Steppat choose The Kirkwood as his new home?  He says he looked at most of the options downtown and found it difficult to choose between many of them.  He decided on The Kirkwood mainly because of it’s history, excellent management and skywalk access.  He also liked the fact that he can rent his apartment while he decides if The Kirkwood or one of the other developments will suit his lifestyle best.

But what really attracted Steppat to downtown Des Moines was the increasing variety of entertainment options.  “There’s somewhere different to go every night,” said Dave, “and they are all so close.”  He enjoys brew pubs and lists Legends on Court, Lucca, Martinis, Hessen Haus and Court Avenue Brewing Company as a few of his favorite haunts.  Dave also enjoys all of the opportunities to hear live music and catching events at Wells Fargo Arena. 

“I have more time to do the things I like to do”, declared Steppat, who enjoys walking to Gray’s Lake and the Riverwalk.  What he doesn’t enjoy, and doesn’t have to worry about anymore, is mowing the lawn and shoveling snow.  He does most of his grocery shopping at the River Bend Trading Company, which he lauds for their wonderful wine cellar, and The Village Market in the East Village.  During the summer, the Downtown Farmers’ Market provides Steppat with an outstanding selection of fresh foods.

So with all of this simplicity, when was the last time Dave put gas in his car?  “I honestly can’t remember,” he said, “It had to be at least seven or eight weeks ago”.  Steppat plans on living downtown for years to come and taking full advantage of the entertainment explosion the area is experiencing.  Dave Steppat is very happy he decided to make the move to living downtown.  Even though he has a long list of the reason he loves living  downtown so much, he makes it all sound so simple.