Today, if you drive by 2932 Ingersoll Ave., you might be able recognize the building as the former Blockbuster video rental store. The boxy outline remains, in spite of the promise of an outdoor dining patio taking shape.

But step inside, and any memory of the blunt, industrially lit store will be erased. I literally gasped at the dash and daring of the new venue--the most ambitious overhaul the city has seen a restaurant pull off since Centro opened more than 10 years ago.

Eatery A's contemporary yet warm design creates an inviting ambience.

Jason Simon, chef-owner of East Village's Alba restaurant, is set to open the 170-seat Eatery A around mid-April. Simon designed the space himself. While contemporary, the venue avoids the stark, hard-edged feel often found in today's new restaurants. Reclaimed wood shines throughout, colored up with thrilling reds and bold blues. Though a place this size could risk feeling cavern-esque, enticing focal points energize the room--banquette seating, swishy half-moon booths, an open kitchen, a wood-fired pizza oven.  

The latter speaks to the focus of the menu, which Simon describes as "Mediterranean with a focus on the wood oven." Specialty pizzas ("a cross between Neapolitan and New York-style," Simon says) will share the menu with signature pasta dishes and grilled meats and seafood.

And check out the prices: "With nice and easy price points under $15 on everything, we're hoping to be more friendly for everyone," Simon says.

Given the many unknowns in the construction world, Simon wisely won't commit to a firm opening date. But keep your eye on this upcoming hot spot.

By Kellye Crocker 

Early April brings a shower of literary events: 

• April 5, 6-8 p.m.: Urbandale Public Library's "Dinner With Authors" serves up a catered meal and performances by experienced local actors in the roles of Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, Agatha Christie and Mark Twain. Tickets are $50 (with $30 tax-deductible) and available until April 2 at the library, 3520 86th St. 
   
• April 6, 2:30 p.m.: At the Des Moines Public Library's Central Library, Dr. Terry Wahls, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa, discusses "The Wahls Protocol: How I Beat Progressive MS

  Poet Ross Gay

  Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine." Her free talk kicks off the 14th year of the library's popular AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) series. See the recently announced lineup here. 

• April 7-9: Des Moines Area Community College's 12th annual Celebration of Literary Arts Festival brings acclaimed national and Iowa writers (including novelist and Drake University visiting writer Kali VanBaale of Bondurant) to the six DMACC campuses. With due respect to Miss Austen & Co., one of goals of the event, which started in conjunction with the National Poetry Festival, is to show students that not all authors are dead. Readings are free and open to the public (schedule here). 

• April 7, 7 p.m.: Beaverdale Books, in collaboration with the DMACC festival, hosts a reading by the four headliners-short story writers Laura van den Berg and Alan Heathcock and poets Ross Gay and Evie Shockley. Arrive early (6:30 p.m.) to support the DMACC students who will read their writing, too.

It's no secret that fixing urban problems requires cash. What's often overlooked, though, is the importance of "social capital"--those people and organizations that unite us to make a difference. These connectors reach out to diverse groups, collaborate effectively and mobilize personal and professional networks to address community needs and opportunities. The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines' Better Together Award salutes their efforts.

For the fourth year, the Community Foundation will honor an individual and an organization for raising social capital to improve Iowa's capital. Past winners are Central Iowa Shelter & Services and Mark Ackelson and Lt. Joe Gonzalez (2013); Des Moines Community Playhouse and G. David Hurd (2012); and The Wallace Centers of Iowa and Bruce Bernard (2011).