Celebrate the summer equinox by wearing your whites. What these have to do with each other, we're not sure. But the Des Moines Botanical Center is planning a progressive dinner, dubbed the "White Hot Party," for the occasion on Friday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m.

The meal will be served throughout the Botanical Center and gardens beginning with wine and cheese on the lawn. The meal features a choice of beef tenderloin medallions in a roma tomato glaze, a tilapia filet with a mango fruit salsa, or coconut-encrusted chicken breast with a sweet chili glaze. The meal also includes an appetizer and wine tasting, Riverwalk chowder and a dessert and coffee course.

The cost is $50 per person for the full meal package or $20 for the appetizer and wine tasting only. Reservations are inquired by calling 323-6288 or 323-6289.

Israel-Palestine unrest relayed in lecture

On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, a young American whose grandparents live in Des Moines, was killed by an Israeli bulldozer as she protested the demolition of a Palestinian home in the Gaza Strip. Now, Rachel's parents are traveling with the family whose home Rachel was trying to protect to raise funds for the rebuilding of the 3,100 homes destroyed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.

Rachel's story, and those of the thousands of Palestinians left homeless in the wake of Israeli settlements and security zones, will be relayed at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, at the Des Moines Islamic Center, 6201 Franklin St. The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

Drake acquires Holocaust transcripts

A 1953 Drake Law School alumnus, Howard Haft, has donated a complete 42-volume transcript of the Nuremberg Trials to the Drake Law Library. The transcripts detail Nazi Germany's Holocaust against the Jews before and during World War II.

The trials ran from 1945-1949 at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice, bringing to public awareness what are perhaps the most monstrous crimes against humanity and peace in recorded history.

The Drake Law Library staff is currently cataloging the transcripts, which are expected to be available to researchers by fall.

Liberate Katie Holmes

McLaughlin Cameron Designs is starting a campaign to liberate Katie Holmes, the doe-eyed B-lister known for her role on "Dawson's Creek," from the clutches of bearded beau Tom Cruise, who's become increasingly strange thanks to his involvement with the Church of Scientology.

To communicate the premise of its campaign, the design company has created T-shirts, mugs, hats, buttons and more all bearing the phrase "Free Katie." The firm's Web site, www.freekatie.net, says, "Join the movement to liberate Katie, a young, gifted actress held captive by forces we may never understand. Even one summer of captivity is too long for one so bright."

While we take exception with the terms "gifted" or "bright," we agree that nobody deserves the disgusting rash/dry skin-thing surrounding the actress' mouth thanks to Cruise's facial pubes. CV

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