I have been remiss, dear readers, in not blogging already about this coming weekend. There is SO much going on, I can’t wait!

I will not miss the Arts Festival! Free to attend, it runs Fri-Sun, includes gorgeous displays of art, live music, fireworks, interactive activities and food vendors all over. An annual DSM event since 1958, it was rated in the top 10 Fair & Festival list by AmericanStyle magazine, was ranked 7th among 300 art festivals, by artists sales, in the ArtFair SourceBook and has won award after national award for years.

A complementary event, ArtFest Midwest, at the Fairgrounds is also free and features all midwestern artists. Admission and parking is free, this event is indoors.

And if its tunes you’re in the mood for, check out The Big Country Bash Sunday or Saturday’s Summer Jam!

And ongoing events like Nitefall on the River, DSM Metro Opera and Friday events at the Observatory will entertain.

Jazz in July begins on Tuesday!

~Courtney, the marketing girl

photo by Niki Brown

Posted in Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines | Leave a Comment

I love ice cream. Other than mint chip,  I haven’t met any ice cream I dislike. If someone came up with an ice cream diet, I’d try it. My great-grandpa ran a dairy decades ago, my mom grew up eating ice cream from his freezer and we’ve joked that we have ice cream in our blood.

All this being said, an article in today’s paper made me super happy – apparently, Iowa is an ice cream mecca! Blue Bunny ice cream (created in 1913, sold in all 50 states) is made in Le Mars, Iowa. And we have ice cream shops that date back 100 years or so.

Register’s article about ice cream in Iowa

Anyone up for a state-wide ice cream eating road trip!??

Posted in Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines | 1 Comment

Just thought you’d enjoy this glimpse into how cool Iowans are…

The “medical student” in the story is none other than DMU’s Laura Finell, D.O. class of 2010! Thanks, Laura, for being a nice example of compassion within the community.

Click the image of the article to read more.

Posted in Life in Des Moines, Osteopathic Medicine | Leave a Comment

We love, love, love seeing our graduates doing good and being heard. In today’s special mid-week edition of USA Weekend, several health topics were covered. The myths/reality of GERD was covered by one of our grads. YAY!

USA Weekend-health edition

Posted in DMU Alumni, DMU News, Health News, Osteopathic Medicine | 1 Comment

Contrary to the latest CNN headline, all of Des Moines is NOT evacuating. The entire state is waist-deep in rain water (that’s not an exaggeration for some areas!) and Des Moines’ downtown is undergoing a voluntary evacuation right now. But worry not, current or prospective student, community member, alumni or friend! Des Moines University is a mere few minutes from downtown but alas, we are high enough up and far enough from a river that we are not flooded.

Many, many Iowans have lost their homes, due to flooding or tornadoes. (This is NOT NORMAL IOWA WEATHER, btw, so don’t be scared!) When we know of tangible ways you can help, we will surely let you know. For now, if you’re inclined to help, please say a prayer, fill a sandbag, volunteer through United Way, or contact the Red Cross!

DSM Register’s flood coverage

CNN’s latest Iowa headline

Posted in DMU News, Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines | Leave a Comment

There’s a brand new event in DSM that has everyone hyped up. It’s called 80/35 (Referring to DSM being at the intersections of I-80 and I-235) and it’s a music fest that sounds amazing. Local and national acts will come together to play in a park downtown. It all goes down July 4 & 5 and includes such all-stars as The Flaming Lips, The Roots, Yonder Mountain String Band, Jakob Dylan, Ingrid Michaelson, Radio Moscow, Autumn Project and more. Check it out: 80-35.com

Tickets are $30 per day or $50 a 2-day pass and available at iowatix.com. BUT…..Juice, the weekly hip adult mag, is having a contest to win tickets and VIP access. Check it out!

Posted in Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines, New Students, Prospective Students | Leave a Comment