Oh, the horror

Cricket Cookies and Mealworm Muffins sound about as appetizing as, well, eating crickets and mealworms. But the Iowa State University Entomology Club is inviting you to disregard your insect prejudices and discover just how "delectable" bugs can be during its Insect Horror Film Festival tonight in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

The celebration of insect life will include activities for all ages, including hissing cockroaches, giant millipedes, a butterfly tent, a honey bee display, insect displays and the aforementioned snacks at a tasting event. Then at 7:30 p.m. there will be a showing of "THEM," a film about nuclear tests in the desert that result in the growth of gigantic mutant ants that menace cities in southwest America.

The Insect Horror Film Festival was first organized in 1990 by the ISU Entomology Club. In 1992, the co-chairs traveled to Hollywood to appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

South African to display works at Drake

South African-born sculptor Ledelle Moe will present "Memorial (Collapse)," a collection of sculpture that looks as if they've tumbled from a monument that has crumbled and collapsed either through natural entropy or destructive force, at Drake's Anderson Gallery through Nov. 4. An opening reception will be on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. with a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m.

The work draws from the 2001 collapse of the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the willful destruction of the religious statues of Hindu gods in India and political statues in the Middle East. Moe's exhibition will also be supplemented by a lecture tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m., when she will reveal insights into the process of her large-scale sculpturing. The session will be in Room 336 of the Harmon Fine Arts Center.

For more information, contact the gallery at 271-1994.

Improv to benefit relief efforts

A night of improv comedy at the hands of Des Moines' Comedy XPeriment and Twisted Tragedy troupes will provide relief not only from the day-to-day doldrums
of a 9-to-5 life, but also for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The troupes' performances on Friday and Saturday nights at the Vaudeville Mews will raise funds for the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. They will be performing scenes based on audience suggestions. Nothing will be scripted or pre-planned.

Tickets are $6 in advance through IowaTix or $8 at the door. For more information, visit www.comedyxp.tv.

Hike for hunger

The Des Moines Hunger Hike, an annual 10K walk to show concern for those with limited access to food, will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. Hikers ask sponsors for contributions to the Des Moines Area Hunger Hike Inc., which establishes service agencies locally and internationally to provide free food or food-related assistance.
The Java Jews will play at 1 p.m., and the hike will begin at 1:30 at the West Side of the Iowa State Capitol and conclude at the State of Iowa Historical Building with snacks, cold drinks and music by the Josh Davis Band.

Contact Lucille Wilson at 279-1106 or pick up a collection packet at the Church World Service Office, 3816 36th St. CV

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