Tickets are now available for the Nov. 11 reception at which we will celebrate the civic contributions of this year's Sages Over 70.

They’ll be the toast of the town as we honor their accomplishments in the November/December issue of dsm magazine and pay tribute to them personally at the annual reception, this year at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel, where each will share insights into their approach to life. In addition to success in their own careers, each has contributed significantly in the personal development of others, in the growth of Greater Des Moines, and in support of charitable causes and institutions. This year’s Sages:

• Penny Furgerson, choreographer, pharmacist and mentor.
• Ruth Ann Gaines, legislator, teacher and mentor.
• Ruth and Tom Harkin, double honorees who have devoted their lives to public service.
• John Pappajohn, business developer and philanthropist.
• Ila Plasencia, Latina community leader and civic volunteer.
• Mary Seidler, banker, commercial real estate broker and arts advocate .

Don't miss the reception. It's a highlight on our calendar, leaving attendees inspired and proud of the community we share. Tickets are $50 each. Click here for tickets and more information.

A reception from 5 to 9 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 11, will open an exhibit of intriguing work by female artists at Olson-Larsen Galleries in Valley Junction.

Titled "Women's Work," the exhibit is dear to the heart of owner Susan Watts, who notes that Olson-Larsen has been woman-owned for 40 years. Featured artists in the show of abstract and representational work are Diana Behl, Jen P. Harris, Anna Lambrini Moisiadis, Catherine Reinhart, April South-Olson, Molly Spain, Priscilla Steele and Allison Svoboda. The exhibition continues through November.

The opening is part of Valley Junction's Fall Gallery Night, when other galleries, shops and restaurants will be open for extended hours.

We're excited for a book-signing and author discussion featuring longtime dsm collaborator Wini Moranville, who wrote the newly released "The Little Women Cookbook."

Regular readers have come to know Wini as an excellent writer and a genuine authority on food and wine. Some of us at dsm had the pleasure of previously working with her both at the Des Moines Register, where she wrote restaurant reviews, and at Meredith, where she shared her expertise through the Better Homes and Gardens brand.

She is also the author of "The Bonne Femme Cookbook: Simple, Splendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day." Her newest project is especially dear to her and, she says, "the book was so fascinating to write."

"I was so moved by the way food plays such a prominent role in Louisa May Alcott's masterpiece―the sharing of food is so often a part of lessons learned, love made visible, and meaningful gatherings in general.

"It was also a real trip to read through dozens of 19th-century cookbooks to see just how people cooked and ate back then. As an heirloom recipe geek, I was enthralled," she says.

For more about the book and to see one of the recipes, click here. Meet and hear from Wini at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 16, at Beaverdale Books.

Its been quite a week for local concerts: The Mavericks rocked Hoyt Sherman Place Sunday, while Wells Fargo Arena rolled with the music of Luke Combs over the weekend and hosted Heart with Joan Jett last night. It goes on ...