The
good
The Jim and Helen Hubbell Charitable Foundation
has contributed $200,000 to the Greater Des
Moines Public Art Foundation in support of Hub
Spot, a new pavilion and plaza displaying public
art along the Downtown Des Moines Principal
Riverwalk. The funds will be used specifically
for five large-scale sculptures called “Dangos”
by Jun Kaneko. The pieces will be installed
this September. Kaneko’s trademark Dangos are
hand-built, ceramic ovular sculptures resembling
vases without openings and were carefully selected
for Hub Spot by the artist. The Dangos will
be about seven feet high and covered in Kaneko’s
signature geometric patterns. According to Kaneko,
the Dangos will “enliven their surroundings
and shake the air.” Downtown Des Moines becomes
more interesting every year due to visions such
as these.
It was another successful year for the Planned
Parenthood Book Sale, which recently raised
$204,309.97. The spring sale featured more than
400,000 new and used books, collectibles, puzzles,
games and more. Throughout the five-day sale,
more than 7,000 shoppers traveled to the Iowa
State Fairgrounds to check out the bargains.
All of the money raised from the Book Sale supports
Planned Parenthood’s education and outreach
programs which serve more than 40,000 young
people and adults every year. The 2012 Fall
Book Sale will be held Oct.11-15.
The bad
At least by calling 911, you won’t get charged
$3.99 per minute. Last week, Oklahoma City police
arrested Clyde Hobbs, 72, after he made numerous
calls to 911 and talked about sex with the operator.
According to police, Hobbs called 911 a total
of 17 times and initiated a sexual conversation.
When they arrived at his home, Hobbs’ wife answered
the door. According to police records, Hobbs
had previously been arrested three times for
misusing 911. He was arrested and charged with
making false reports.
A 5,000-head hog confinement proposed for Dallas
County is threatening the economic development
of the city of Woodward, the ecological health
of the Beaver Creek Watershed and the livelihood
of Small Potatoes Farm, which provides fresh,
local food for more than 100 families in the
surrounding community. More than 70 neighbors
and customers gathered at Small Potatoes Farm
on May 8 to express concerns and make plans
to communicate these issues to the county board
of supervisors. According to documents, the
confinement, proposed by Mike Brelsford of Boone
County, would consist of two 2,500-head buildings,
processing 10,000 hogs a year, located 10 miles
from Brelsford’s home. The pigs, which will
be owned by the Cargill Corporation and be shipped
up from Texas, will generate about 1.3 million
gallons of manure per year within four miles
of the proposed connection between the Raccoon
River Valley Trail at Perry and the High Trestle
Trail at Woodward. It will be within three miles
of the city limits of Woodward, historic Lake
Robbins Ballroom and Picket Fence Creamery.
“We have 51 confinements in Dallas County already,”
said neighbor Deb Fleishman. “My property is
my little piece of heaven. I’m concerned about
the health effects, the odor, the damage to
our roads and water quality — this is our drinking
water and the health of our children we’re talking
about.”
The ugly
Jail doesn’t seem like the right punishment
for this dandy. Florida resident Ashley Barnes,
21, was arrested in Delaware last week after
she allegedly killed three kittens. According
to police, Barnes was visiting a friend in Delaware
when she stole the friend’s prescription medication
and credit card. When she was confronted about
the theft, Barnes walked into her friend’s bedroom,
grabbed three newborn kittens and crushed them
to death with her bare hands. Barnes then grabbed
a knife and threatened to kill herself. Officers
arrived on the scene and took her into custody.
One of the kittens died instantly, but the other
two had to be euthanized. Barnes was charged
with three felony counts of animal cruelty.
Jail? How about a mental institution.
What a great role model. Illinois resident
Rachael Toner, 34, was arrested last week after
she was found to be manufacturing methamphetamine
with three children nearby. According to police,
officers were called to the residence on a report
of suspected drug activity. Upon arrival, officers
found Toner, her three children and an active
meth lab. The kids were taken into protective
custody, and Toner was arrested and charged
with aggravated participation in meth manufacturing.
CV |
