ONLY FOUR SATURDAYS LEFT TO ENJOY THE DOWNTOWN FARMERS' MARKET

While the summer season of sweet corn and strawberries has passed, the Downtown Farmers’ Market still has a large variety of fresh produce, meats, baked goods and specialty items to offer. The Downtown Farmers’ Market will continue its regular season every Saturday morning through Oct. 27 from 7 a.m. – noon in the historic Court Avenue district.

During the month of October the market becomes a collection of pumpkin patches and apple orchards from around the state. Patrons can expect to find fresh apple products such as caramel apples, apple pies, and hot apple cider. The Downtown Farmers’ Market is the best place to find perfect Iowa-grown pumpkins (just in time for Halloween), pears, squash, mixed salad greens, beautiful decorative Indian corn, unique gourds, colorful fall mums and dried flowers, as well as unique autumn arts and crafts. Shoppers will also find farm fresh eggs, four local wineries, a delicious assortment of goat cheese, an endless selection of baked goods, and many varieties of Iowa raised meat such as beef, pork, chicken, lamb, elk, buffalo, ostrich, and fish.

Kids can enjoy the market by participating in the fun educational activities at the “Earn your PhB” booth sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred and the new Little Market Hands Fun with Food booth sponsored by Bank of America. Small children can also take rides on the colorful kiddie train every Saturday in October. 

Mark you calendars for the 2nd Annual Downtown Harvest and Winter Farmers' Markets on Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. Watch for more details next month!

DOWNTOWN MARKETS OFFER MORE THAN JUST GROCERIES

If you haven’t visited the new Downtown grocery markets, you’ll want to put them on your “to do” list.  Each is offering more than just groceries and staples.

River Bend Trading Co., 208 Court Avenue, is hosting Thursday night wine-tastings each week.  Drop in after work from 5 to 8 p.m. or during the Downtown Farmers’ Market to sample some great wines from their extensive collection.  Watch for more information about food and wine-tasting on Saturdays after the market closes starting in November. Stop by the deli/meat counter, pick up a sandwich or full meals to go, or ingredients to make dinner.  And, if you’re planning a gathering, they’re offering deli-style catering, too.

The Village Market at 325 East 5th Street in the East Village is offering public wine tastings on Tuesday nights from 5 to 7 p.m.  If your tastes run to beer, stop by the Village Market on Friday nights for beer tastings from 5 to 7 p.m.  And, if you’re looking for a Happy Hour in the East Village, drop in Wednesday, Thursday or Friday nights from 5 to 7 p.m. for drink specials.  The Village Market has added special sack lunch catering for meetings and gatherings, too.  They’re priced at just $5 each. 

Gateway Market, at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Woodland Avenue, is offering wine classes.  An Intro to Whites will be Oct. 11 from 6:30-8 p.m. and an Intro to Reds is scheduled for Oct. 25.  Classes, which will be held in the party room at the new Ingersoll Square Condos behind Gateway Market, are $30 per person per session, or $50 per person for both classes.  Register in the Wine Department at the store.  And starting on Oct.15 and then the second Monday of each month, you can join Jim “The Food Dude” Duncan, freelance food writer, for a casual dinner and discussion of all things food in the Gateway Market Café.  Join him at 6:30 p.m. 

DOWNTOWN DES MOINES TO RECEIVE MULTI-SPACE PARKING METERS

Downtown Des Moines’ parking meters are getting a facelift. Beginning this month, the City of Des Moines will begin testing multi-space electronic parking meters in three areas in downtown Des Moines. This test period will be used to determine the public’s opinion for the new parking option. There will be a total of six multi-space parking meters installed in three different locations in downtown Des Moines. The test locations include Court Avenue, East Locust Street, and Robert D. Ray Drive in front of City Hall. Depending on location, the multi-space meters will operate as either Pay-by-Space or Pay-by-Display. The multi-space parking meters are a great addition to downtown Des Moines, providing customers with the convenience of paying by cash, credit card, or coin. There will be no change to the existing time limits or meter rates for parking in these areas. For more information, contact the Transportation Management Association at 286-4969 or tma@avoidtherush.org.

DOWNTOWN EVENTS GROUP HONORED WITH 28 PINNACLE AWARDS

The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) paid tribute to the Des Moines Arts Festival, Wells Fargo World Food Festival and Iowa Outdoor Wellness Adventure, produced by Downtown Events Group (DEG) in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 19, 2007, during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Ceremony in Atlanta, Ga. DEG was presented with 28 awards in the prestigious IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards competition. Awards were won in the following categories:

Budget Category $750,000-$1.5 million
Bronze    GRAND PINNACLE - Des Moines Arts Festival
Gold      Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials (multiple page) – Holiday Card
Gold      Best Single Newspaper Display Ad
Gold      Best Ad Series
Gold      Best Sponsor Solicitation Package
Gold      Best Single New Sponsorship Program – GuideOne Insurance Interactive Mural
Gold      Best Overall Sponsorship Program
Gold      Best Press/Media Kit
Gold      Best T-Shirt Design – Inspired by Chris Vance’s Which Head Should You Wear Today
Gold      Best Hat
Silver    Best Sponsor – GuideOne Insurance
Silver    Best Educational Program – Nurturing a Student’s Vision
Silver    Best New Promotion – LIVE! Load-In Thursday
Silver    Best Children’s Programming
Silver    Best Overall Merchandising Program
Bronze    Best Volunteer Program
Bronze    Best T-Shirt Design – Live the Arts Guitar Tee
Bronze    Best Pin or Button

Budget Category Under $250,000
Wells Fargo World Food Festival
Gold      Best Event Web site
Gold      Best Single Newspaper Display Ad
Silver    Best Newspaper Insert/Supplement
Silver    Best Promotional Poster
Silver    Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials (single page) – Promotional Card
Silver    Best Sponsor Solicitation Package
Silver    Best Sponsor Follow-up Report
Silver    Best Press/Media Kit

Budget Category Under $250,000
Iowa Outdoor Wellness Adventure
Silver    Best Single Newspaper Display Ad
Silver    Best Hat

The professional competition drew 1,506 entries this year from among the world’s top festivals and events. 

“We are obviously proud to be honored by IFEA for the creative and community outreach success we’ve accomplished in Des Moines,” Stephen King, Downtown Events Group Executive Director said. “We are extraordinarily thankful for the support and contributions from the community of partners and sponsors who made this possible. Innova Ideas and Services, The Des Moines Register, and Mauck+Groves Branding and Design, are among those whose creative ideas and expertise led us to this point.”

The Des Moines Register, presenting sponsor of the Des Moines Arts Festival, works each year with Festival staff in producing a 44-page guide to the event, distributed in the newspaper and on-site. Innova donated the efforts on the creative theme for both the Des Moines Arts Festival and first-ever Iowa Outdoor Wellness Adventure, including promotional pieces and advertisements and merchandise. The Wells Fargo World Food Festival partnered with Mauck+Groves in the production of its innovative branding and marketing campaign.     

“We would like to congratulate all of our Pinnacle winners for their outstanding entries into this year’s competition,” IFEA President & CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE said. “The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards represents the hallmark of excellence in the festivals and events industry. Entries in every budget category, from every corner of the globe, allow us to recognize the best in our business while raising the standards and quality of media promotions and events across the board.”

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, The International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) is a non-profit membership organization with members spanning 40 countries and 5 continents, and offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.

GIVE THE GIFT OF DOWNTOWN

It’s still early, but for you early holiday shoppers, be watching for more information on an exciting Downtown gift giving opportunity through Downtown Community Alliance. You’ll be seeing and hearing a lot more about how you can make your gift giving easier and let the person you’re gifting choose from lots of options.  Stay tuned and keep checking www.downtowndesmoines.com for more information.

HOUSING SPOTLIGHT - EAST VILLAGE COURT

ST Howard Development is finishing their renovations on the true urban living East Village Court loft project located in the Historic East Village in Downtown.  Located on East 3rd and East Court Avenue, East Village Court is a mixed-use project, which includes 13 residential lofts for purchase ranging from $152,000 to $230,000 and from 665 to 1,100 square feet.  The commercial residences include the renovations architect firm GE Wattier Architects, East Court Atelier, Bill Nellans-  Photographer, and Image Solutions.  An additional 1,490 square feet of commercial space is currently available.

Each residential loft offers 18 foot ceilings, exposed brick, historic wood beams, skylights that offer natural light and hardwood floors that accentuate the living space in a building that has graced historic East Village for more than 100 years. 

East Village Court residents will enjoy an unobstructed view of the incredible downtown skyline, the beautiful historic state capitol building and is located in walking distance of the Court Avenue District and two blocks from the Principal Riverwalk allowing easy access to all of the great downtown entertainment venues.

ST Howard Development specializes in the creation of loft living and work spaces in the downtown area.  Steve and Tom Howard take great pride in offering residences that compliment and energize communities such as the East Village.  They hope to contribute to the rediscovery of living, working and playing in downtown Des Moines. 

For more information  please contact Project Director’s Lisa Howard 490.6454 or Dave Steinick 210.5874.

MEET DAWN KONEN - OPERATION DOWNTOWN

A transplanted Jersey girl, Dawn moved to Des Moines in 2000 and started working for Operation Downtown (OD) in 2001 as a security ambassador. She was a police officer in Jersey for 12 years until an injury cut her career as a police officer short.  Dawn loves her job with OD and has been recently promoted to team leader. She works very closely with the Des Moines Police Department, and can be seen working Farmers' Market every Saturday and in the winter harassing those elusive crows. Dawn loves to read, bowl and spending time with her dogs, Ginger and Sasha.

THANK YOU OPERATION DOWNTOWN

We often receive letters of praise from business owners who benefit from the services of Operation Downtown. This month we would like to share the following letter from Larry Pedersen from Advance Network Technologies.

Dear Scot,
As a downtown property owner and also someone who has been going to work downtown for almost 33 years now, I have to tell you how pleased I am with Operation Downtown. 

Monday morning, I arrived at work to discover that over the weekend, some graffiti had been sprayed onto our neighbor’s building as well as our own.  I thought to myself “well….one more thing to maintain….when I find time.”  I quickly dismissed it as a annoyance and decided my time was best spent on business-related tasks.  Perhaps I would get around to repainting the exterior next spring.  Imagine my surprise today when I heard a noise outside of our building and looked out to see that your crew was removing the graffiti without us even making a request!

Having a trash receptacle outside our building that is regularly maintained has made a noticeable improvement in the amount of litter left on the sidewalk and outside our front doors.  We are proud to provide planters that Operation Downtown maintains during the summer months.  

After being downtown for over 32 years, I am proud to still be downtown.  Thank you for all your organization does!

Larry Pedersen, President
Advance Network Technologies

ACHOOOOO!!!!

Notice how many people around you are sneezing and blowing their noses?  ‘Tis the season for allergies and they certainly seem to be going strong in Central Iowa. Next on the horizon will be the annual winter flu “bug”. No need to suffer this year. Mercy Quick Care Clinic on the Skywalk in the Equitable Building is offering flu shots starting Oct. 1.  Just stop in between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and get immunized before the bug bites you. No appointment is necessary.

And, if you happen to need a little physical therapy and either can’t drive because of your ailment, or just want to go to a convenient location, the clinic can help you there, too. A physical therapist is on duty two mornings a week to work with patients. When you’re setting up your therapy sessions, keep the Mercy Quick Care Clinic in mind.

ON YOUR MARK. GET SET. GO!

Like to run?  Into walking?  You’ll have a chance to do either or both Downtown this month.  On Oct. 6, more than 20,000 people are expected to participate in the annual Race for the Cure.  Participants will gather in a new location this year, Western Gateway Park, go through Downtown and end back at the starting location.  For more information go to www.komendesmoines.com.   Two other walks are planned for Oct. 6 in the Downtown area, too.  The Des Moines Walk to D’Feet ALS 2007 will start at 10 a.m. at Principal Park and NAMI IOWA (Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Iowa)/Walk for the Mind of America will begin their 3 mile walk at 10 a.m. in Waterworks Park.  For information about the ALS walk, go to www.info@alsaiowa.org and for information about the NAMI walk, visit www.NAMIWALKSIAMGR@aol.com.  If you’re into really long distance running, and want some competition from outside the metropolitan area, you’ll want to sign up for the IMT Des Moines Marathon taking place on Oct. 21 starting at 8 a.m. at Nollen Plaza.  Lots of activities are planned over a three day period.  To register, find out the route, or just learn more about the race, visit www.imtdesmoinesmarathon.com. 

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

The Civic Center, Hoyt Sherman Place and Wells Fargo Arena have lots going on in October.  The Civic Center will host the Hubbard Street Dance Theater for a performance on Oct. 13. If you have little ones at home, you’ll want to put Oct. 16 and 17 on your calendar.  “Go Diego Go!  Live!” will bring the characters the kids know to the Civic Center.   Lou Diamond Phillips will be headlining performances of “Camelot” at the facility Oct. 23-38.  Hoyt Sherman Place brings in “Nickel Back” for a concert on Oct. 26.  You’ll find something for any age and taste at Wells Fargo Arena in October.  Youngsters can participate in their own “concert” experience when the “Kidz Bop World Tour” hits the venue on Oct. 18.  Into an orchestral sound?   Andre’ Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will entertain at the arena on Oct. 19.  Looking for something a bit different?  The “Blue Man Group – How to be A Megastar Tour 2.1” takes the Wells Fargo Arena stage on Oct. 20.  And, if country music is more your thing, don’t miss the Rascal Flats concert on Oct. 26th also at the arena.  Find Your Cityside…there’s something for everyone Downtown.

URBAN PIONEER

Jordan and Tiffany Collins both work in downtown Des Moines and are proud of the direction they see the downtown area headed.  Recently, they found that they were spending a great deal of their leisure time enjoying the area’s growing social scene so they decided to go all in.  Jordan and Tiffany, and their Boston terrier, Murphy, bought the first unit at Dallenbach Larson’s new development – the Condos of Sherman Hill. 

The Collins chose the historic Sherman Hill area because they liked the idea of being part of old-fashioned neighborhood with unique homes and friendly neighbors.  They have already met many of those friendly neighbors and can’t wait until more people to move into their development.  Their unit is a carriage house that overlooks a courtyard and parking area where they hope to do a lot of entertaining once other residents move in.

The Collins found that being the first to buy in their development came with many perks.  They became close with the developer and were allowed to make many of the design choices.  Since both are from design backgrounds, they had fun choosing contemporary styles such as white glossy cabinets, bamboo floors and unusual color combinations such as lime green and red.

Jordan and Tiffany, who married in September 2007, love to check out all of the new entertainment options in the downtown area, but their favorite hang outs include The Liar’s Club, Johnny’s Hall of Fame, Centro and The Grand Piano Bistro. 

They certainly don’t miss the commute from West Des Moines, which they found increasingly inconvenient, especially with Murphy at home.  They are also happy that their new home allows them to be more environmentally friendly by their car less.  Another thing they don’t miss is the yard work that came with living in the suburbs.  They both enjoy the luxury of not having to worry about summer mowing or winter shoveling.

As for Murphy, Jordan and Tiffany say he has adapted extremely well to his new surroundings.  There’s nothing this “urban dog” likes more than a good romp at Western Gateway Park and long walks around the historic neighborhood he now inhabits.  We can only assume that, like his owners, Murphy is proud to be among those that have chosen this revitalized area as their home.