Carol Feuerman, "Mini Serena" (2010), an oil and urethane plastic sculpture. The work is currently on display at the Clarinda Art Museum, which is featured in the new issue of ia magazine.

NEW ISSUE OF IA

Join us as we unveil the 2016 issue of the statewide ia, the sister publication of dsm, Oct. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. (short program at 6 p.m.) at the University of Iowa John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center in downtown Des Moines.

As our team put the issue together, we were delighted by what we discovered about our state, whether an art museum in Clarinda that features a splendid collection of contemporary art (pictured); a Wimbledon-like grass tennis court made out of a farm field in northern Iowa; or a restaurant in Cedar Rapids, Cobble Hill, that rates with the nation's best. And that's just for starters. You will be amazed by what else you find in the pages of ia, too. We promise.

Project in Progress: Bathroom Update - "Unforeseen Conditions"
In Part 2 of our craftsman home bathroom remodel, see what happens when the walls come down, the past is revealed and it says..."we've got issues"...

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Brenton Arboretum founder Buz Brenton will lead a walk Saturday. Photo by Callista Gould.

NATURAL WONDERS

Not that we want to be Debbie Downers, but the beautiful fall weather will be over too soon, replaced with those endless, bleak winter days. So take advantage of what's left of autumn by exploring our favorite hidden gem: Brenton Arboretum near Dallas Center. And this weekend you can enjoy it with the arboretum's founder, Buz Brenton. (Buz, by the way, is also one of our favorite local gems: no-nonsense, determined, iconoclastic.)

Buz and Trees Forever founder Shannon Ramsey will lead a walk this Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. If you're an early bird, go at 7 a.m. to participate in, yes, a bird walk. Over the years, some 184 bird species have been observed at the arboretum.

Each activity costs $5 for non-members; free for members. So become a member; in fact, become one even if you can't go Saturday. Click here to find out how and to learn more.

The new exhibit includes images, film clips, newspaper articles and more than 160 artifacts.

IOWA CAUCUSES ON DISPLAY

By Larry Erickson

Ever wondered how the Iowa caucuses came to be our unique quadrennial social circus, performed for a national audience? You can relive the evolution of the caucuses in a timely exhibit opening this Friday, Oct. 2, at the State Historical Museum.

"First in the Nation: Shaping Presidential Politics Since 1972" includes caucus images, articles and artifacts from around the state. You'll follow historical campaigns from tentative exploring to steamrolling toward the White House.

Opening day also will include two panel discussions. Admission is free, although registration is encouraged for the panels. To register or to learn more about the exhibit, the speakers, a traveling display and related kids' programs, visit iowahistory.org/caucus.

WALK FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Want to take some meaningful steps to fight mental illness? It's as simple as joining a fundraising walk this Saturday, Oct. 3, to support NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The goal of this year's walk is $100,000.

It may not be apparent, but most people know someone affected by mental health problems. The current issue of dsm has a special section of stories dedicated to the scope and effects of mental illness in the Des Moines area. Read it here.

The local 5k walk begins at 10 a.m. along the lake on the Iowa Farm Bureau campus in West Des Moines. Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. Create or join a team on the NAMI website, which has detailed information on the event. For other information, call the Des Moines office at 277-0672 or email namigdm@gmail.com.

Matt Connelly, a local real estate
agent, says his "No. 1 goal is to show people that recovery from mental
illness is totally possible." Read more about Connelly and mental health in
the current issue of dsm. Photo by
Ben Easter.