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Ongoing 
January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
June 
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September 
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Ongoing
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.
Orchid Oasis
  Just inside the Dome at the Des Moines Botanical Center you will find something new: The Orchid Oasis, an inviting place to admire some of the world's finest orchids up close--and, in the event you fall in love with one or two or three--they're for sale. Buy one--or two or three--and you will not only be taking home a beautiful plant that will go on flowering for weeks or months, you will be helping fund the general operating budget that makes the Botanical Center a thriving cultural attraction. The high-quality plants in the Orchid Oasis come from Iowa Orchids, the region's premiere growers. Each orchid comes with a how-to-grow sheet and when it's time to repot, contact Friends Director Elvin McDonald (515.323.6297 or e-mail emcdonald@botanicalcenter.com) and he will be happy to help you.
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. January - February 14: Gardens inspired by “A Charlie Brown Valentine” will include a scene from Charlie’s front yard with Snoopy’s dog house, front door step and a mailbox where kids can make a valentine for Charlie Brown. The front yard will be surrounded by grass and pink and orange blooming flowers. 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. In the 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.
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February
February 1-28, 2010, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm Botanical Blues
  SUNDAYS ONLY - Join local musicians as they escape from the cold, dry winter to the warm tropical environment of the Botanical Center. Every Sunday in January & February a different artist will be performing in the Dome from 1pm - 3pm. Admission $5.00 per person. Come down & join us for food, fun, and entertainment!
February 13, 2010, 10:00am-12:00pm Learn on Saturdays
  10 a.m. Landscaping with Trees, by Luke Miller (editor Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living). 11 a.m The Art and Practice of Gardening: planting/transplanting, pruning, training (including coppicing, pollarding, espaliering and topiary), weeds and mulching, critters, by Elvin McDonald.
February 13, 2010 Valentines Dinner
  The Des Moines Botanical Center welcomes you to join us for an elegant, romantic Valentines Dinner and enjoy the beauty of the dome. Seating is limited for this event. Reservations required. Doors open at 6:00pm, dinner is served at 7:00pm. $60.00 per person all inclusive. For reservations please call 323-6289 beginning January 2, 2010. Menu: Choice of one of the following entrees: Pan Seared Cracked Black Pepper Sirloin, Rosemary Chicken Breast topped with Riesling and Portabella Reduction Sauce, or Braised Shrimp Skewers with a Tangy Hoisan Sauce. All entrees are served with Tuscan Vegetable Blend, Parmesan Potato Cakes, Rosemary Foccacia Bread, Chocolate French Raspberry Cake topped with a Mixed Fresh Berry Glaze. Each guest will also enjoy complimentary Beer, Red and White Wines. **In order to cancel your reservation, you must call no later than 3:00pm on Tuesday, February 9th, otherwise your credit card will be charged.
February 14, 2010 Valentines Dinner
  The Des Moines Botanical Center welcomes you to join us for an elegant, romantic Valentines Dinner and enjoy the beauty of the dome. Seating is limited for this event. Reservations required. Doors open at 6:00pm, dinner is served at 7:00pm. $60.00 per person all inclusive. For reservations please call 323-6289 beginning January 2, 2010. Menu: Choice of one of the following entrees: Pan Seared Cracked Black Pepper Sirloin, Rosemary Chicken Breast topped with Riesling and Portabella Reduction Sauce, or Braised Shrimp Skewers with a Tangy Hoisan Sauce. All entrees are served with Tuscan Vegetable Blend, Parmesan Potato Cakes, Rosemary Foccacia Bread, Chocolate French Raspberry Cake topped with a Mixed Fresh Berry Glaze. Each guest will also enjoy complimentary Beer, Red and White Wines. **In order to cancel your reservation, you must call no later than 3:00pm on Tuesday, February 9th, otherwise your credit card will be charged.
February 14, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm Botanical Blues
  Performer: Steve George and Bob Pace
February 20, 2010, 10:00am-12:00pm Learn on Saturdays
  10 a.m. Shrubs for all Reasons by Ryan Bates (Ted Lare DesignBuild/Ted’s Gardens). 11 a.m. My Dad and the Buck Rose Legacy by Mary Buck.
February 21, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm Botanical Blues
  Performer: Thunderbird Kingsley
February 23, 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.
February 27, 2010, 10:00am-12:00pm Learn on Saturdays
  10 a.m. Streptocarpus and Other Gesneriads by Elvin McDonald, 11 a.m. Tea Plants and a Tea Tasting by Patricia K. Peterson.
February 28, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm Botanical Blues
  Performer: Cindy Grill and Alan Smith
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March
March 6, 2010, 10:00am-12:00pm Learn on Saturdays
  10 a.m. Growing Food Plants in Containers: Herbs, salads, tomatoes—and more, by Elvin McDonald.11 a.m. Community and Youth Gardens in Des Moines, by Teva Dawson (City of Des Moines, Parks and Recreation).
March 13, 2010, 10:00am-12:00pm Learn on Saturdays
  10 a.m. Growing Garlic and Salad Greens by Larry Cleverley 11 a.m. All Kinds of Clematis for Iowa Gardens by Rita Minard.
March 20, 2010, 10:00am-12:00pm Learn on Saturdays
  10 a.m. Plant a Perfect Perennial and the new Fleming Hardy Hibiscus by Marcia Leeper. 11 a.m. Dahlias and Other Summer Bulbs by Els Teunissen and Elvin McDonald.
March 20, 2010, 10:00am-2:00pm Iowa Egg Council Annual Egg Cookoff and Easter Bunny Visit
  Plan to attend the Iowa Egg Council Annual Egg Cook-off this year at the Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center! Sample "eggstraordinary" recipes while your children participate in various crafts & activities throughout the facility. Spend some time at our petting zoo including bunnies, chicks and ducklings. The Easter Bunny will be handing out treats. To request an entry blank with contest rules, contact the Iowa Egg Council at 1-877-IOWAEGG (877-469-2344) or via the website – www.iowaegg.org. For additional event information, please call the Botanical Center at 323-6290.
March 27, 2010, 10:00am-12:00pm Learn on Saturdays
  10 a.m. Hybridizing Lilies by Sue Williams. 11 a.m. Simplify Your Garden by Marcia Leeper.
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April
April 11-25, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm SUNDAYS ONLY: Tropical Tunes
  Beach babies, Bahama mamas and surfer dudes will groove to sailing songs, reggae, island and surf music. Be a “Parrot Head”: Wear your favorite straw hat and flowered shirt in the midst of the best indoor flower collection in Iowa. Nab appetizers and beverages at the Riverwalk Café. Regular admission rates apply; free for members.
April 11, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm Tropical Tunes: Taz and "Freight Train” Frank
 
April 18, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm Tropical Tunes: Jono smith and Larry Berenguel
 
April 22, 2010, 10:00am-5:00pm Earth Day
  Enjoy free admission to the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center on Earth Day - Wednesday, April 22, 2009
April 25, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm Tropical Tunes: Scott Long and Greg Sutherland
 
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or comments about the botanical & environmental center e-mail us at botanicalcenter@botanicalcenter.com


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