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January 21, 2014

We Heart Art

By Kellye Crocker

Fred and Charlotte Hubbell

Dust off your dancing shoes for Bravo Greater Des Moines' annual Gala, celebrating local arts, cultural and heritage organizations, Feb. 1 at Hy-Vee Hall. The glitzy evening--one of the most popular fundraisers of the year--includes a salute to Fred and Charlotte Hubbell, the 2014 Bravo Award honorees.

It's probably no accident that the theme for this year's event--"Good for the heart. Good for the Soul. Good for Life. Bravo!"--reflects the healing power of art. Eric T. Crowell, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, and Robert P. Ritz, president of Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines, serve as co-chairs this year.

The party includes toasting the Hubbells, who have long supported the arts in Des Moines with their money and time; mingling at food stations offering Maytag blue cheese macaroni, chocolate martinis and other favorites; and dancing to the Ken Arlen Orchestra from Chicago and enjoying performances by local artists.

Tickets are $300, with 95 percent of proceeds supporting the arts. For reservations, contact Kendra Daly at Kendra@dalyhappenings.com or 515-537-2001.

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Smooth Moves

DMARC's new headquarters.

After five years of planning, the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) opened its new offices and food pantry warehouse Monday in the former homeless shelter at 1435 Mulberry St. The 6,000-square-foot building, renovated by Munro Construction Co., is nearly four times bigger than DMARC's previous site at 36th Street near Douglas Avenue.

It can store a 12-week supply of food, up from a two-week inventory at the former location, allowing buyers to stock up when prices are low and save an estimated $250,000 a year. DMARC's Food Pantry Network, the cornerstone of the group's MovetheFood initiative, includes 13 food pantry sites and several community partners.

As DMARC settles in, Civic Music Association prepares for a planned Feb. 1 move into the Des Moines Social Club (DMSC) down the street at 900 Mulberry St. Civic Music leaders say the renovated firehouse offers a performance venue, room for collaboration, and opportunities for new events and alliances. "We are excited about potential partnerships with (the Social Club) and the overall artistic and creative energy of the space," says Carrie Clogg, Civic Music's executive director.

Civic Music also is marking 90th anniversary this year. The organization will jump-start the celebration April 6 with a piano performance by internationally acclaimed composer Philip Glass at Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium. Click here to read a story about the 90th anniversary in the new issue of dsm.

Leadership Grants

A Shive-Hattery Inc. rendering shows an expanded Youth Emergency Services and Shelter of Iowa facility.

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines recently awarded $185,000 in Leadership Grants: $25,000 to DMARC for its new site (see story, above); $50,000 to the Child & Family Policy Center for community development coordinators; $50,000 to Youth Emergency Services and Shelter of Iowa to expand its Des Moines facility and services for infants through teens who have suffered trauma, neglect or abuse; and $60,000 to Iowa Community Capital for a microloan pilot program for low-income women, especially Latinas and African-Americans.

Pretty in (Pink-y) Purple

Kelsi Ziemann demonstrates "the perfect Radiant Orchid lip" using products from Yves Saint Laurent and Urban Decay.

From the runway to home décor to makeup, Pantone's bold, 2014 color of the year--Radiant Orchid--is red-hot. Or, as Glamour's beauty blog gushed, "...coolest color ever." But let's face it, some trends don't translate well to real life. Can real women rock Radiant Orchid? We asked Kelsi Ziemann, who owns Makeup by Kelsi:

As a makeup artist, what's your take on this color? It's stunning--a versatile and flattering shade.

Does it work for all skin tones? Yes! You can choose lighter or darker variations to best complement your features.

How do I wear it for work? Try lipstick--the soft, blue-purple hue brightens your smile.

What about date night? Play up your eyes. I recommend Make Up For Ever eye shadow in #9 "Lavender."

Do you have a favorite product in this shade? I'm obsessing over Yves Saint Laurent's Rouge Pur Couture SPF 15

Lipstick #19 "Fuchsia." Layer it over Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-on Lip Pencil in "Jilted" for the perfect Radiant Orchid lip.

Describe this color in one word. Passionate.

Winter Fresh

By Wini Moranville

Harmony Valley Farm's Organically Grown Soup Mix. Photo by Duane Tinkey.

An upcoming story for dsm magazine found me exploring three local, independent venues--Gateway Market, Campbell's Nutrition Center and New City Market--with admirable selections of natural and organic produce.

Look for the full story in the March/April issue; however, look for this seasonal find right now: Harmony Valley Farm's Organically Grown Soup Mix, available at all of the above venues.

Opening this package of parsnips, rutabagas, purple-top and sweet scarlet turnips, celery root and carrots (including red and yellow in addition to orange) is like getting a bag of treats from your Community Sponsored Agriculture farmer--but in winter.

While much produce this time of year is trucked in from far away, these gems come to us from Wisconsin. Organic and relatively local means fresh, vivid flavors: The carrots taste more carroty, the parsnips more parsnipy--you get the idea. Plus, their colors make them beautiful on the plate.

Although the veggies are labeled "Soup Mix," I find them stellar for roasting for a side dish: Peel and roughly chop into 1-inch pieces; toss with olive oil, thyme or rosemary (if you like), and salt and pepper. Spread in a shallow roasting pan and bake in a 400°F oven until tender and browned, about 35 minutes, stirring and turning occasionally.

In other news:

If you love progressive, sophisticated Midwestern cooking (or maybe if you're not quite sure what that means), check out my review of Table 128 in the current issue of dsm.

Anyone interested in how the French manage to eat well night after night--without spending all day in the kitchen--might enjoy coming to my talk on the subject at the West Des Moines Public Library on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. I'll also discuss the "French women don't get fat" myth. The event is free and open to the public.

Kellye Crocker

Kellye Crocker lives in Clive and writes fiction for teens and nonfiction for adults. A former Des Moines Register senior reporter and current dsm contributing writer, she's also written for Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and Glamour, among other national publications. Connect with her on Twitter: @kelcrocker.

Wini Moranville

Wini Moranville, author of "The Bonne Femme Cookbook: Simple, Splendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day," is a food, wine and travel writer who covers the dining scene for dsm magazine. Follow her at All Things Food DSM - Wini Moranville and catch her food segment on Fridays at 6:40 a.m. on KCWI-23's "Great Day" morning show.