I (heart) Des Moines » Things to do

Des Moines-area Farmers Markets

Chris Snider — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:25:32 +0000

The Des Moines Downtown Farmer’s Market opens on May 2, but that’s not the only place to get farm-fresh produce in town. Here’s a rundown of all the farmer markets in the Des Moines area.

Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market

Where: Historic Court Ave. District
When: Saturdays 7 a.m. to noon
Season: May 2 to Oct. 31
Web site

Valley Junction Farmers Market

Where: Fifth Street and Railroad Park in West Des Moines
When: Thursdays 4-8 p.m.
Opening day: May 7
Web site

Drake Neighborhood Farmers Market

Where: 25th and University Ave. in Des Moines
When: Wednesdays 4-7 p.m.
Opening day: June 2
Web site

Altoona Farmers Market

Where: 6th St. Pl. SE, north of Haines Park
When: Fridays, 4 to 7 p.m., June to September
Opening day: TBA

Ames Farmers Market

Where: Main Street Depot, downtown Ames
When: Thursdays 2-7 p.m.; Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Season: May 2 to Oct. 31
Web site

Ankeny Farmers Market

Where: SW Third Street and Maple Street
When: 8 a.m to noon Saturdays
Season: May to September
Web site

Johnston Farmers Market

Where: Merle Hay Rd. and NW 62nd Ave.
When: 3-7 Tuesdays
Season: May to October

Parks Neighborhood Farmers Market

Where: 147 E. Euclid Ave.
When: 3-6 p.m. Thursdays
Season: June to September
Web site

Urbandale Farmers Market

Where: Living History Farms
When: 4-7 p.m. Mondays
Season: June 1 to Oct. 12
Web site

Waukee Farmers Market

Where: Downtown Triangle on 6th St. south of Hwy 6
When: 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays
Season: June to September
Web site

Photo credit: Deborah Leventhal

January sports calendar

Chris Snider — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:02:30 +0000

Sports fans have plenty of chances to catch their favorite Des Moines teams in January.

Jan. 10 – Iowa Chops vs. Manitoba, 7:05 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: Isiserettes perform during the game.

Jan. 11 – Drake men’s basketball vs. Wichita State, 6 p.m., Knapp Center

Jan. 13 – Iowa Chops vs. Toronto, 7:05 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena

Jan. 15 – Iowa Energy vs. Anaheim, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: Ladies Night

Jan. 16 – Iowa Chops vs. Quad Cities, 7:05 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: Fierce broomball game during 1st intermission, Iowa Corn Growers Night

Jan. 16 – Des Moines Buccaneers vs. Cedar Rapids, 7 p.m., 95KGGO Arena
Promotion: Buc beer night, teacher appreciation night

Jan. 17 – Drake men’s basketball vs. Northern Iowa, 11:05 a.m., Knapp Center

Jan. 17 – Iowa Chops vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: Animal Rescue League’s Pucks for Pups – Bring your dog to the game.

Jan. 17 – Des Moines Buccaneers vs. Chicago, 7 p.m., 95KGGO Arena

Jan. 17 – Iowa Energy vs. Austin, noon, Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: Energy cup giveaway

Jan. 19 – Iowa Energy vs. Fort Wayne, noon, Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: Mediacom presents Kid’s Day with Dora the Explorer

Jan. 20 – Iowa Chops vs. Rockford, 7:05 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena

Jan. 22 – Iowa Energy vs. Dakota, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: GO GREEN Night

Jan. 23 – Drake women’s basketball vs. Bradley, 7:35 p.m., Knapp Center

Jan. 24 – Iowa Chops vs. San Antonio, 7:05 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena

Jan. 24 – Des Moines Buccaneers vs. Fargo, 7 p.m., 95KGGO Arena
Promotion: 70s night

Jan. 25 – Drake women’s baskeball vs. Northern Iowa, 2:05 p.m., Knapp Center

Jan. 27 – Iowa Energy vs. Tulsa, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: 2-for-1 sideline tickets

Jan. 28 – Drake men’s basketball vs. Evansville, 7:05 p.m., Knapp Center

Jan. 29 – Iowa Energy vs. Sioux Falls, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: Military Appreciation Night

Jan. 29 – Des Moines Buccaneers vs. Fargo, 7 p.m., 95KGGO Arena
Promotion: Service industry night

Jan. 30 – Iowa Chops vs. Peoria, 7:05 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: $9.95 for an end zone ticket, cowbell, Wendy’s combo mean and Chops towell

Jan. 25 – Drake women’s baskeball vs. Creighton, 2:05 p.m., Knapp Center

Jan. 31 – Iowa Energy vs. Sioux Falls, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena
Promotion: Grinnell Mutual presents “Saturday Night Fever” (70’s Night) with Quick Change

For tickets and more info:

Where to sled in Des Moines

Chris Snider — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:07:09 +0000

The Des Moines Register recently ran a list of places to go sledding in Central Iowa. I put the list to a map.

Photo by Rosebud via flickr

Celebrate the holidays with local sports teams

Chris Snider — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:57:47 +0000

Looking for a way to entertain out-of-town guests this holiday season? Area sports teams give you plenty of choices.

Iowa Chops hockey

Dec. 20 vs. Peoria, 7:05 p.m.
Dec. 27 vs. Rockford, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena
Tickets: $10-$17 | Buy tickets

Iowa Energy basketball

Dec. 25 vs. Reno, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 vs. Utah, 4 p.m.
Dec. 31 vs. Bakersfield, 5 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena
Tickets: $5-$20 | Buy tickets

Des Moines Buccaneers hockey

Dec. 19 vs. Cedar Rapids, 7 p.m.
Where: KGGO Arena
Tickets: $8-13 | Buy tickets

Drake Bulldogs basketball

Dec. 20 vs. Iowa, 3:05 p.m.
Dec. 31 vs. Missouri State, 2:05 p.m.
Where: Knapp Center
Tickets: $5-25 | Buy tickets

Where to ski in Iowa

Chris Snider — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:05:25 +0000

by Joe Shlabotnik

Sleep Hollow Sports Park

Where: 4051 Dean Ave., Des Moines IA | map
Phone: 515-262-4100
Lift tickets: $15-22
Web site

Seven Oaks Recreation Center

Where: 1086 222nd Drive, Boone IA 50036 | map
Phone: 515-432-9457
Web site

Sundown Mountain

Where: Dubuque, Iowa
Phone: 563-556-6676
Lift tickets: $365 for a season pass; $39 for weekends and holidays; $32 on weekdays
Web site

Mt. Crescent Ski Area

Where: Creston, Iowa
Phone: 712.545.3850
Lift tickets: $39 Friday, Saturday and Sunday; $32 Monday-Thursday
Web site

Riverside Hills

Where: Esterville
Runs: 6
Lifts: 3
Vertical drop: 190