New to Winefest this year, Sips & the City provides a casual, affordable alternative event for wine lovers and novices. On Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the State of Iowa Historical Building Terrace will transform into an uber-hip locale for people to mingle, sip on unique vintages and savor artisan breads and cheeses for a mere $30.

With live music provided by Eric Himan, an acoustic artist recently featured in Rolling Stone magazine, attendees can view the Des Moines skyline while enjoying products from 130 wineries and importers, with more than 200 brands represented and more than 500 wines poured.

After the event, participants are encouraged to "Know Downtown," as their Winefest wristband will get them discounts at the Alive Concert Series, Court Avenue Brewing Co., The Garden, Hessen Haus, High Life Lounge, Johnny's Hall of Fame, Royal Mile and Spaghetti Works.

Tickets for Sips & the City are available at all Dahl's Foods stores and at the door. For more information on Sips & the City, Saturday's Sip & Shop and other Winefest events, visit www.winefestdesmoines.com.

Walkathon aims to fund life-saving transplants

Eight high school boys who call themselves "Young Men Doing Great Things" have spent the last few months organizing a walkathon that will benefit the Children's Organ Transplant Association and help provide life-saving transplants for two little girls suffering from sickle cell anemia.

The PACE Walk-a-thon for COTA and Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon on the new Meredith Trail. Walkers will go from Principal Park to Gray's Lake and back in an effort to raise $10,000.

Anyone who wants to donate or help or walk should call 697-5764 during the school day. T-shirts are also being sold as a fund-raiser. There is no cost to be in the walk, but donation envelopes are available at PACE, 620 Eighth St.

The Round Guy pimps Huey Lewis

Still got a thing for Huey Lewis and the News? So long as you're not afraid to admit it in front of a few hundred people or so, attend a dinner and auction for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society dinner and auction on Friday at the Hy-Vee Conference Center and bid on a chance to see and meet Huey Lewis when he plays in Dubuque on July 29.

All this is courtesy of KGGO's Round Guy, who's vying to reprise his Leukemia Lymphoma Society Celebrity of the Year title, based on the amount of money raised for the society. The Round Guy lost his wife, Diane, to breast cancer in 1983 at the age of 25. He will also be auctioning off a rare, signed and framed lithograph of Muhammad Ali.

Seeing as how it's for charity, one could easily write off their love of Huey Lewis as a charitable donation in order to save some face. However, those not bold enough to profess that love publicly can still support the Round Guy in his quest by donating money to the society in the Round Guy's name. For more information on the dinner and auction, or to donate, call Jenna at 270-6169. CV

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