There's always a fun crowd at a dsm unveiling party. Just ask Josh Dreyer, Kari Heitzman, Jonathan Brendemuehl or Liz Adelman. Join us next Tuesday.

A NEW ISSUE, A FUN PARTY

The March/April issue of dsm magazine will be unveiled at a party next Tuesday, March 1, and you're invited! We'll gather at Minnesota Cabinets in the Galleria on Swanson, 9351 Swanson Blvd. in Clive. Networking, food and festivities run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the short program at 6 p.m. We have a stunning cover story you won't want to miss. So come on out; we'll have fun.

Gorgeous White Oak Dining Table - Built to Surprise Our Client!
See video and photos of this beautiful custom-built dining room table. A perfect fit for this client's new kitchen and Craftsman-style family room. ...

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A half century of pretty steady work has led Paul Simon to the Civic Center.

STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

Legendary singer/songwriter Paul Simon, 74, will perform a two-hour concert May 18 at the Des Moines Civic Center. Tickets go on sale this week: tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb. 24) through Ticketmaster for donors who support Des Moines Performing Arts; Friday for public sales through the Civic Center box office as well as Ticketmaster. According to the tour website, tickets will range from $65 to $380; there is a two-ticket maximum purchase. The Des Moines appearance is part of a 31-show North American tour.

This illustration shows the character and scale of the sculpture "A Monumental Journey."

THE FINE ART OF JUSTICE

The $1 million fundraising campaign for a major new art installation should be completed this summer, with hopes of an autumn ground-breaking, according to M. Jessica Rowe, director of Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation.

The Foundation's campaign is in support of a 30-foot-tall geometric sculpture to commemorate the founders of the National Bar Association, created in Des Moines in 1925. The association endures as America's oldest and largest professional group of predominantly African-American lawyers and judges.

Designed by renowned artist Kerry James Marshall of Chicago, the black brick sculpture entitled "A Monumental Journey" will be in the form of two giant cones, one seemingly precarious in its perch atop the other. The form was inspired by African "talking drums," used to communicate over distances.

The sculpture's location has not been finalized, although sites along the riverfront or in the vicinity of the state's Supreme Court building have been proposed.

In other news from the Public Art Foundation, three new directors have been named to three-year terms on the board: West Des Moines oral surgeon Darren R. Jirsa, Urbandale hospice nurse Kimberly Shadur and Des Moines attorney Kim Jay Walker. In addition, former board member Lois Fingerman was selected for emeritus status on the board.

Activewear is a growing category, joined by Meredith's SHAPE Active line shown here.

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

Meredith Corp. just announced a partnership with retailer Von Maur for sales of its SHAPEŽ Active collection of women's activewear, created in partnership with Apparel Bridge LLC. Shape magazine is a Meredith publication. Von Maur joins SHAPE Active's initial retail partners DicksSportingGoods.com, kohls.com, Equinox gyms and Amazon. Von Maur has 11 pieces from SHAPE Active available online. The retailer plans to bring more of the collection into select stores this spring. It operates 30 stores in 14 states in addition to its online business.

The Argentine wines of Susana Balbo will be featured at "Women in Wine" next Thursday.

WINE, WOMEN, BUT NO SONG

On the strength of fine malbecs and cabs, Argentina has earned a reputation as a source of high-value wines. One of that country's leading winemakers, Susana Balbo, and her wines will be the topic of the Des Moines Social Club's first "Women in Wine" program March 3. Balbo was named the 2015 "woman of the year" by The Drink Business magazine. Hosted by Gateway Market's wine and beer director, sommelier Abbe Hendricks, the Social Club's 6:30 p.m. class will include tasting four wines that have come to define Argentine excellence, plus small plates. Tickets are $40 online.

United Way of Central Iowa's recent campaign raised $28 million. Not bad for an old-timer.

HAPPY 100th TO OUR UNITED WAY FRIENDS

United Way of Central Iowa is celebrating its centennial this year. The Business Record's Dave Elbert provided this look back at a century of success. Keep it up, United Way! (You don't look a day over 90.)