dsmWeekly: June 25, 2019

Unveiling parties showcase a lot of smiles, like those of Lana Jones-Gould, Michael Franke, Andy Rowland and Deniz Franke.

DSM UNVEILING PARTY THIS EVENING

Today is the day! The unveiling party for our July/August issue will be in the newly expanded headquarters of Des Moines Metro Opera at 106 W. Boston Ave. in downtown Indianola. We'll be there this evening from 5 to
7 p.m. and hope you can join us, whether for a few minutes or a couple of hours. Have a drink and a bite, make new friends and get a copy of dsm magazine after brief comments and the unveiling at 6 p.m.

In addition to the expanded building, they'll have a tent where guests can mingle. Gateway Market is handling the catering, and the Balloon Classic will even have balloons on display. And, of course, there will be beautiful music. You don't want to miss this one!

Black bean mole humus, served at Provisions Lot F in Ames.

PLAY HOOKY AND GET A DELICIOUS EDUCATION

By Karla Conrad

One of my life mottos is "Will travel for food." Luckily, each year, Iowans are scoring more and more options that are within reach—and within drivable distance—of our homes.

Take Provisions Lot F, the Cafe’s sister restaurant that’s been open for two years in the Research Park area in Ames. I recently made the 40-minute drive from downtown Des Moines with two friends and found the trip oh-so worth it for the delicious culinary liberal arts education. With many students away for summer, now is an ideal time to follow suit. In addition to treating your taste buds to a delicious feast, here’s what you’ll learn:

● Nutrition. Salads are far from boring at Provisions, showcasing the dietitian-adored 80/20 rule of 80% healthy (shredded Brussels sprouts, grilled salmon, sliced almonds) and 20% "treats" (fried Brussels sprouts "croutons").

● Horticulture. Seasonal ingredients are always on display. While shifts aren’t like clockwork, expect a handful of new offerings at brunch, lunch, and dinner about once a month.

● Finance. Breakfasts and lunches range from $5 to $15; dinner items on the menu peak at $25.

● Statistics. The probability you’ll finish your meal: 100% (+/- 5% to save room for dessert).

● Negotiation. With homemade desserts as swoon-worthy—or should I say spoon-worthy?—as the triple-layer Salted Caramel Cake, buttery Rhubarb Galette, and refreshing Lemon Mascarpone Cake, you’ll have to enlist all of your negotiation skills to earn the last bite from your dining companions. One trick sure to win you the final forkful? Promise to bring your allies back for another Provisions master class soon.

Provisions Lot F; 2400 N. Loop Drive, Ames; 515-598-1783; provisionsames.com

LAST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Sages Over 70 nominations close July 1. A nominee must meet several criteria:
     • Is at least 70 years old.
     • Has demonstrated leadership for decades.
     • Has contributed and continues to contribute to the betterment of the community, even if behind the scenes.
   • Has been a role model or mentor to others.

The nomination process starts by clicking here. The 2019 Sages will be honored with a reception in November.

The downtown sculpture park becomes the centerpiece of the action each summer when the Arts Festival bustles with visitors.

HERE AT LAST: ART WEEK AND ARTS FEST

It's an artistic week in Des Moines, as the annual Art Week ramps up to the Arts Festival this weekend, June 28-30. Events continue daily. You can find engaging activities in this Art Week schedule of events.

And the Arts Festival continues to thrive, a high point of summer in this city. Some 177 artists' tents surround Western Gateway Park, along with food vendors and activities for all ages. Multiple stages feature performers daily, and a film festival showcases local talent on screen. Details are on the website desmoinesartsfestival.org.

Old and new merge in the furnishings and decor of the opera’s offices.

OPERA CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF BUILDING

Des Moines Metro Opera is celebrating completion of the $3.5 million renovation and expansion of its headquarters in Indianola’s historic 1904 Carnegie library building.

Events include a grand opening gala Saturday, June 29. This fundraiser for music education includes the ribbon-cutting, tours, drinks and dinner.
Sunday, June 30, the opera will host a free community open house and barbecue for residents of Indianola and Warren County, from 5 to 7 p.m.
A series of public open-house events will be held prior to opera performances July 6, 13 and 20. For details on all events, visit desmoinesmetroopera.org.

"The Lauridsen Opera Center project provides forward motion for a mature organization rapidly approaching its 50th anniversary in 2022," says Michael Egel, Des Moines Metro Opera’s general and artistic director. The new opera center is named for philanthropists Nixon and Virginia Lauridsen, who donated $1 million for the project.

For more information about the facility, click here to read a dsm magazine story in our new July/August issue. And to be among the first to see the building, before any of the events above, join us tonight for the unveiling party!

"A Monumental Journey," near the intersection of Second and Grand avenues, is ranked among the best public art of 2018.

'MONUMENTAL JOURNEY' SCULPTURE HONORED

We learned Friday about a nice honor for local public art: The downtown sculpture "A Monumental Journey" was listed among 50 outstanding public arts projects created in 2018 through the Public Art Network Year in Review program, the only national program that specifically recognizes the most compelling public art. The roster of selected projects was unveiled this morning at Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention in Minneapolis.

Standing 30 feet high, "A Monumental Journey" was commissioned by the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and created by Kerry James Marshall. The sculpture commemorates the founding of the National Bar Association in Des Moines by 12 African American attorneys in 1925, a time when the American Bar Association was largely segregated.