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October 7, 2014

ia magazine will unveil its third annual issue tonight.

Come One, Come All

Join us tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. as we celebrate the unveiling of the third edition of our annual statewide publication, ia.

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (909 Robert D. Ray Drive) will open its doors to host the party and showcase the completion of the first phase of its $18.2 million project.

Appetizers, drinks and entertainment will be provided, and you'll get the first look at the new issue, which we guarantee will surprise and engage you with stories on arts and culture, home and garden, architecture, education and more.

Optimizing a South of Grand Kitchen Remodel
Sometimes you don't need more space, you just need to use the space
you have in a better way. In...

Read More ť

The beautiful cover of the recipe keeper books, which make a great gift idea for the holidays.

Holiday Gift Alert

By Wini Moranville

Hey, cooks! It's not too early to start thinking about holiday gift ideas--especially if there's some assembly required on your part.

Filled with your favorite recipes, a recipe keeper from Accents and Interiors would make a meaningful gift for anyone on your list who loves to cook (or loves your cooking). The beautiful three-ring binders are filled with recipe cards, so you can hand-write a few of your favorites, along with full-size pages that allow you to paste in photographs or photocopies. There's also an accordion-style folder to catch extra bits of your cooking tips and wisdom.

The books are covered in stain-resistant faux leather, ensuring that this keepsake can be cherished for years to come.

Accents and Interiors is at 2701 86th St., Urbandale; 276-7201.

Fall is here, and so is a new flavor profile in sangria.

Django's Fall Sangria Recipe

Pumpkins and Halloween costumes are popping up fast in area stores, which can only mean one thing: Fall is here. To celebrate, Django's general manager, Michael Crownover, shares his recipe for a great seasonal sangria. Delicious and fruity with a hint of spice, this cocktail is perfect for the changing season. In a large pitcher, combine the following:

1 bottle of merlot
3 cups cherry/pomegranate juice
1 cup fresh cherries
1 cup fresh blueberries
2/3 cup Captain Morgan spiced rum

Pour over ice in a wine glass and garnish with a mint leaf and skewer of frozen berries.

fyi: Mark Your Calendar

The Des Moines Social Club has announced a new monthly political talk show, "Stuck in the Middle With Dave Price." Price is a WHO-TV political expert and news anchor. The show will be held on the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in The Basement at the Social Club (901 Cherry St.), with a special launch to take place Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. Cost is $5. Learn more here.
Valley Junction's Fall Gallery Night (Oct. 10 from 5 to 9 p.m.) will feature wine from Wines of Iowa and fine art and handmade jewelry from seven participants: 2AU Ltd., A Okay Antiques, Alexander's Photo, Eyebeads and Gemstones, Kavanaugh Art Gallery, Light the Earth and Olson-Larsen Gallery, which also will host the opening reception for "New Work," featuring artists Edward Avlia, Priscilla Steele and Jan Zelfer Redmond.
Tickets for the highly anticipated, Tony Award-winning musical "Kinky Boots" will go on sale Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. and can be purchased through DesMoinesPerformingArts.org, the Des Moines Civic Center ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations and by phone at 800-745-3000. The show will play the Civic Center Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 2015.

October is National Apple Month.

P.S.: An Apple a Day Keeps the Dermatologist Away

Did you know that October is National Apple Month? According to Kerty Levy, president of Kemin Personal Care, apples are full of skin-benefiting molecules, including exfoliating and anti-inflammatory agents. We've discovered a couple of local spots that carry products with apple in them:

Now through Nov. 30, guests can enjoy a hot apple cider massage at East Village Spa. This hourlong full-body massage features a bourbon back scrub, hot cider-infused towels, warm stones and a light caramel-scented moisturizer ($79-$90). Schedule your appointment at www.evdayspa.com or 309-2904.
You also can pick up the Fig+Yarrow Cleansing Nectar ($30) at Eden Iowa in the East Village for gentle exfoliation and pH maintenance for your skin.

Belle Du Chene is senior editor of dsm magazine.

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.