Photo from www.nationalballoonclassic.com

Friday kicks off the national Hot Air Balloon Classic in Indianola, (a short hop south of Des Moines). This is such a fun, unique event. And if the weather is right, a great thing to do in the evening! It’s only $3 per adult and free for kids 12 or younger. OR bring a whole carload for $10. There are food and merch. vendors and usually kiddy rides, etc. along with all the hot air balloons to see.

My favorite part to see is at dusk when the balloons are all lit up against the night sky (like in the above photo). You can bring lawn chairs/blankets to sit in. No outside food or drinks or pets allowed.

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Summer is FLYING by way too fast, as it always does. At the start of the season, the best co-workers ever (my buddies here in the marketing department) & I started a “summer bucket list” on our office whiteboard so we would get outdoors a bit, try new places and spend more time together. It’s way too easy to work through lunch sometimes or eat at our desks. So we set a standing Wednesday lunch date and we try a place from the list.

Today our goal is to check out Tamale Industry. The only rule for the bucket list is it has to be new for one of us. Today’s will be extra fun because it’ll be new to ALL of us. I’m hoping to try a lunch tamale AND a dessert tamale.

What new place is on your list to try out? What place would you add to our list?

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Have you seen the big green machine? It’s our new mobile clinic!

It’s yet another way we’re providing health outreach to our community. Our Homeless Camp Outreach group uses it and our friends at Free Clinics of Iowa use it as well. Read more in today’s Register!

You will see it on Saturday at the Flatland Kids Triathlon in West Des Moines in case of any injuries, overseen by a grad and staffed by Des Moines Fire & Rescue.

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If you drive by & notice our campus looks quiet today, that’s because we’re closed for an extended holiday weekend. WOOHOO!!!

Offices are closed. The Clinic is closed. (If you have an emergency, visit your local ER) Even the Wellness Center is closed.

Cya tomorrow! Enjoy this glorious summer day.

Posted in Current Students, DMU Events, DMU News, Des Moines Events, Des Moines University Clinic, Prospective Students, Student Life | 2 Comments

There is SO MUCH GOING ON. How to decide what plans to make? Here’s some fun ideas to add to your list:

Head to the ballpark to witness a citizenship ceremony, I-Cubs game & fireworks on Sunday, July 4.

Yankee Doodle Pops is a huge annual tradition in Des Moines. This year it’s on the 1st at about 6:30 p.m. with jazz, then the orchestra begins at 8:30 to kick off the fireworks! Find a spot of grass or bring a lawn chair. The fun happens on the capitol grounds.

The suburb I live in, Urbandale, does a weekend long celebration of the 4th and I know I’m biased but their parade is THE BEST. Check it out Saturday morning!

And of course there’s the huge annual 2-day music festival, 80-35.

From Friday through Sunday you can see some cool restored cars and hot rods down at the fairgrounds. It’s the annual GoodGuys show! Or maybe you’re a “kick back outdoors” type person on the holiday. In which case you should check out a state park!

Here’s more info & a more complete listing of when/where to catch fireworks!

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One of my all-time favorite Des Moines festivals (& I pretty much love ‘em all) is the Des Moines Arts Festival and it’s THIS WEEKEND! The festival runs Friday: 4-10 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. downtown near the sculpture garden. Street parking is free. Browsing is free. There’ll be live tunes and amazing works of art to browse & possibly buy.

Plus, all food eaten outdoors while in good company is extra delish. At the festival, try a hot dog, pizza, Greek specialty, caramel apple, chips with nacho cheese, pork chop on a stick, veggies & noodles, shish kabob, cheese curds, perogies, lemonade, ice cream, fried rice, samosas or kettle corn and enjoy.

Learn more on the festival website or on Facebook. Check out the Register’s interactive map of the festival.

There’s also ArtFest Midwest going on Saturday & Sunday in the Varied Industries building of the Iowa State Fairgrounds  and you can take a bus between the two. This one is also free admission and parking. From 11-5 they have a free workshop for kids to make a puppet. Ongoing artist demos all day.

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