Ongoing
	Gallery Shows
	The North Wing Gallery at the Botanical Center is currently showing the photography of John Gaps III, all of which looks at the natural world through water as liquid, solid or gas. Initial response from visitors and staff has been so favorable the show has been extended through March 31. While in the North Wing, also check out the photography of Bob Bergazyn in the Levitt room and recent paintings by Vicki Ingham in the Walsh room. A large oil painting by Concetta Morales is hanging in the Oak room, a preview of the show that will follow Gaps at the beginning of April. On the opposite side of the Botanical Center, in the Show House Corridor, you will find Ron Durnavich’s extraordinary scenes of nature through his emotion/abstraction paintings.
	Honor System Library
	The Swartz room in the North Wing at the Botanical Center holds more than 2,000 books about plants and gardening. The books are available to peruse on site or to check out. We have many books about growing vegetables, herbs and fruits, not to mention all kinds of flowers, shrubs, trees and vines. Access to the library is available to all members, volunteers, badge-wearing Master Gardeners, and visitors attending business meetings in the North Wing or visitors who have paid admission on entering the Botanical Center.
	Storytime in the Gardens
	Children can enjoy different crafts and activities with each new garden design. Enjoy new products in the Garden Gate Gift Shop, including theme-related books and menu items at the Riverwalk Café, corresponding with each new garden design. February 15 - March: The dome will be filled with brightly colored bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, alliums, hyacinths and a variety of unusual bulbs. The garden design is inspired by “There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe” and will include a giant shoe, porch swing and children’s toys. Easter lilies will be incorporated for the holiday. April - May: The Dome's gardens will transform into home for Wilbur the pig, Charlotte the spider, and other farm creatures inspired by the book "Charlotte's Web". The gardens will feature fencing, farm machinery, barn doors and a vegetable garden with corn, kale, peppers and tomatoes. In the Show House - January-March: The Show House will feature stories for the littlest children, including nursery rhymes, fairy tales and fables. There will be a giant rocking chair under the pavilion. April-June: The Show House will feature stories about the wildlife we find in our gardens, both real and imaginary! Featured books are "Peter Rabbit", "Where the Wild Things Are", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".
	Show House
	The Show House will feature stories for the littlest children, including nursery rhymes, fairy tales and fables. There will be a giant rocking chair under the pavilion. Featured stories and rhymes are: Mary, Mary Quite Contrary; The Tortoise and the Hare; There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe; The Alphabet Song; Hansel & Gretel and The Ugly Duckling.
	Learn on Saturdays
	Hone your garden skills with Friends-sponsored Learn on Saturdays garden talks, beginning January 9 and ending March 27. Two different talks will be offered every Saturday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. (except January 23, when one long program is planned) Admission is free to members, volunteers and badge-wearing Master Gardeners; otherwise, entrance fees to the Botanical Center apply ($5 adult, $4 senior, $3 youth ages 4-17). All classes are held in Levitt except February 27, which will be held in Swartz.
_____________________________________________________________
July
July 27, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
_____________________________________________________________
August
August 8, 2010, 4:00pm-6:00pm	Friends of the Botanical Center - Funday Sunday
	Bring your family, invite your neighbors and join us in celebrating one of the world's most loved desserts at Funday Sunday, August 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. Especially if it's a hot day, we promise a cool event with all the ice cream you can eat and refreshing cold drinks - yes, you may have an old-fashioned root beer float - accompanied by live music in a garden setting with fragrant roses, scented herbs and a river view on the North Terrace Rose and Herb Gardens at the Botanical Center. Dress comfortably - we suggest you wear your gardening gear - and bring a free-will contribution to benefit the Botanical Center.
August 31, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
_____________________________________________________________
September
September 25, 2010, 10:00am	Goldfish & Tropical Plant Giveaway
	First come, first serve - we're giving away goldfish and tropical plants. After your regular paid admission to the Botanical Center, line up to receive your goldfish and/or tropical plant - FREE!! More details to follow.
September 28, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
_____________________________________________________________
October
October 26, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
_____________________________________________________________
November
November 11, 2010, 10:00am-5:00pm	Veterans Day - Free Admission
	Veterans can enjoy free admission to the Des Moines Botanical Center in honor of Veterans Day!
November 30, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
_____________________________________________________________
December
December 28, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
_____________________________________________________________
Home
The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center welcomes your comments and questions. If you have questions, or comments about the botanical & environmental center e-mail us at botanicalcenter@botanicalcenter.com Copyright © 2005-2009 Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center. All rights reserved. Legal Terms of Use