To those of you who mourned the loss of the grandest public space in Des Moines and miss it to this day, cheer up! The Main Library building on the river is in process of becoming the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. With just a few more thousand left to raise toward their $29 million fundraising goal, the World Food Prize is moving ahead with plans to create a space in honor of Norman Borlaug (and if you don’t know who he is, let Penn Gillette tell you) and as a teaching facility for up and coming agricultural scientists. Most parts will be re-opened to the public and the grounds surrounding the building will be redesigned into a beautiful garden.
Last week, my friend Jim and I got permission from the World Food Prize folks to enter the building and photograph the WPA murals in the basement as well as the architectural features of the rest of the interior. (Jim’s photos will appear in Part 2.)
Continue reading ‘Des Moines on the Down Low: Old Main Library (Part 1: WPA Murals)’
Saturday night the David Haack Trio released their new CD, “Who Am I” to an enthusiastic audience at Java Joe’s 4th St. Theater. The Trio is David Haack as the lead singer and guitarist, Colin Peterson on bass, and Patrick Baker on drums. Joining them for the show was tenor sax man Michael Chesnik. Chesnik, an Iowa native, now resides in Japan where he plays with jazz groups. His guest spot with the Trio is one of several performances this week, mostly centering around his alma mater at Ankeny High School.
The CD Release show had a rollicking party atmosphere, with nearly every seat in the 4th St. Theater filled and lots of shuffling back and forth to the counter at Java Joe’s for drinks and snacks. Whether folks were listening attentively from their seats or mingling around the edges of the room, they were clearly moved and driven by the music.
Continue reading ‘David Haack asks “Who Am I?”’
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If you’ve driven, walked, bussed, or biked around in the East Village, perhaps on your way from the main area of shops to Ban Thai or something, you’ve probably noticed a defunct service station at E. 2nd & Grand. The building was built in the Mission architectural style, once popular in the 1930s, and housed one of the first full service gas stations in the metro area. The East Village is about to lose this important landmark to a pay-per-month parking lot and time is running out to save this cool building!
Continue reading ‘***UPDATED*** Des Moines on the Down Low: Mission Impossible’
Ever wondered what’s behind the door marked “staff only” or what’s on the roof of the police station?
I’m Kelli G and I’m going to take you there!
Look for my photo series, “Des Moines on the Down Low” here on WhitePoison.com to see behind the scenes of some iconic Des Moines locations.
I’m always taking suggestions for places to photograph in Des Moines, so if you have ideas, send them my way. I especially want to hear from you if you have access to some intriguing hidden place that’s usually off-limits to the public. Shoot me an email at kelli.griffis@gmail.com or leave me a comment here on the website.
