With the weather forecast for snow, now is the perfect time to be thinking about the Children’s Snow Carnival, which being held as part of the Des Moines Winter Games, on Saturday February 4 at Brenton Skating Plaza. 9:00am-12:00pm (noon)

Our warm and dry winter has left many dreaming of snow and the fun they can have. Why not help bring winter fun to life at the children’s snow carnival. We need volunteers to register participants, assist participants with coloring in the snow sculptures they make, assist with an obstacle course and help clean-up following the event.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older, able to maneuver through snow, stand for long periods of time in cold weather and have good customer service skills when dealing with the public, volunteers and staff.

Volunteers should dress appropriate for the weather which may include dressing in layers, winter coat, boots, scarves, gloves/mittens and anything else that may keep them comfortable outdoors for extended periods.

So bring on the snow and bring on the fun!!! Hope to see you there!!!

For more information, please visit www.dmparks.org or call (515) 248-6310 .

East Village Sunday Bazaar Returns Sept. 4th for 9 weeks!

Starting September 4th, the popular weekly fall event East Village Sunday Bazaar will return…bigger and better!

The kick-off will coincide with the HyVee Triathlon and will be from 10-6 on September 4th.  Stroll the vendors on East 5th and enjoy live music from 10-2 and 3-6.

Look for the event on two blocks of East 5th street from 12-4.  For information about becomming a vendor or performer for the event, contact amyhassebrock@hotmail.com.

At the annual meeting, several new members were elected to the Historic East Village board.  Prior to the annual meeting, the board elected two other members to fill vacant seats.  The current HEV board is:

Allyn Dixon, Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler, and Hagen, P.C.

Mark Pritchard, Accenti

Tyler Ferrie, Sticks

Marsha Steele, Found Things

Phil Parrott, Durrant Architecture

Mike Kinter, Kinter Construction

Amy Hassebrock, Aimee

Chris Burgeson, Iowa State Bank

Andy Beal, Beal Derkenne Construction

Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry, Blazing Saddle (re-elected)

Abra Pulley, Pulley Chiropractic (re-elected)

Josh Garrett, Jett and Monkey’s Dog Shoppe (Newly Elected)

Colleen McRae, Drake Law Student, Resident (Newly Elected)

Nancy Wilson, House of Bricks (Newly Elected)

Two board members with expired terms will not be serving again.  The Historic East Village thanks Cassie Sampson of East Village Spa and Carl Lingen of Employer Ease and Assure Healthlink for their service!

At the July Historic East Village Board meeting, new executive officers were elected.  Allyn Dixon is the new HEV President, Mark Pritchard is now the Treasurer, and Tyler Ferrie is the Secretary.  The board will elect a new Vice President next month.

The Historic East Village is so pleased to have been voted Best Shopping District in Des Moines by Cityview Readers.  The neighborhood was runner up for Best Bar District and Best Place to Take Visitors.  Also, many HEV businesses won or were named runners up in their categories.  For a complete list, click here.  Way to go!

Historic East Village and neighborhood businesses received many accolades

Click here to read the February 2011 Village Voice and learn about the HEV Gala, road closures, neighborhood events, people, and businesses.  Sign up to receive the newsletter via e-mail at on our home page at www.eastvillagedesmoines.com.

Get ready! The outdoor East Village Street Market begins Sunday, September 12th and continues through Sunday, October 31st 2010. Every Sunday, rain or shine!

Interested in getting a booth?

The HEV was happy to be able to host a Metro Arts Jazz in July Event on East 6th Street.  Neighbors and guests enjoyed the first Jett and Monkey’s Doggie Parade, followed by food, drinks, a kids area, and music by Hot Club of Des Moines.  Thanks to all who attended and volunteered!

Dog Parade, Jazz, Food, and Fun!

HEV Shop Ephemera Stationery Design Studio was featured in a DIY Ideas Magazine Article called Paper Chase, available at newsstands now.  Learn more at: http://www.ephemeradesign.com/blog/?p=618

eden, currently located at 500 e. grand avenue in the East Village is moving to their new renovated space at 418 e. 6th where Solar Loan Pawn shop used to be located.

A grand opening party is set for Thursday, July 15th from 5pm-9pm.

John and Jennifer Hansen purchased the building from Solar Loan back in 2007 and have been in the process of renovating the 1880 building ever since.  They wanted to play homage to the old space by salvaging as much of the building as possible.   By stripping the building down layer by layer, they were able to uncover a hickory floor, and a beautiful tin ceiling, both of which had been covered for decades. It was important to get as much light in the building as possible, so the couple took off a good portion of the faux stone on the front of the building to let in as much natural light as possible. They also put transoms above the interior rooms (bathroom, storage room) in an effort to minimize the need to turn on lights.

John and Jennifer met while working at the Younkers corporate offices in Des Moines and wanted to have elements of the old downtown Younkers store in their new space. The grand chandelier and counter salvaged from the Younkers Tearoom take center stage. Eden opened in June of 2003 and has slowly grown to be the Midwest’s premier bath boutique, with focus on carrying coveted, hard to find lines like Kiehl’s, L’Occitane, Tocca, Kai, Molton Brown, Diptyque, and Bugaboo.

The Historic East Village Board was happy to be present for the Center Street Bridge Opening on Monday June 28th.  The bridge is part of the Principal Riverwalk and a link to the East and West sides of downtown.

Marsha Steele, Chris Burgeson, Cassie Sampson, Tyler Ferrie, and Abra Pulley joined other HEV Board Members at the Bridge Opening Celebration.

Center Street Bridge, Photo Courtesy of Abra Pulley

HelpingHome, one of the East Village’s newest retail stores, focuses on making home healthier, safer, cleaner and more comfortable places to live. It’s located at 315 E 5th. Phone is 440-0791.

Proprietor Jim Baker was inspired to start Helping Home after 20+ years in healthcare marketing and sales management, specializing in new product development and admissions. Combining that with an interest in how and where we live as we move through stages of live, and a personal commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle all led him to the East Village location.

Baker is also planning to distinguish his store from the standard retail venue by offering weekly programs and guest lectures on contemporary topics including green building, practical urban composting, and alternative ways of treating disease.

Store hours are Monday-Wednesday and Fridays, 10Am-6. Thursdays Noon-8 pm. And Saturdays 10-2.

Habitat for Humanity is planning to build 10 homes in 20 days starting September 13th.  The homes will be in the Historic East Village boundaries.  Habitat expects that 3000 volunteers will help to add more than $1 million in affordable housing to the community.  For more information, please click here.

Chrissy Jensen opened Domestica in the Northwestern Hotel Building at 321 East Walnut #150.  Chrissy offers “supercool home and personal accessories” and seeks to promote the value of handmade/cottage industry craftsmanship.

Chrissy brings over 10 year of experience in photo and film set styling to her shop.  In 2003/2004 she discovered the indie craft movement and has been involved since.  Chrissy offers personal shopping services both in-store and through her website, www.shopdomestica.com.

When choosing a location to open Domestica, Chrissy knew immediately she’d be in the East Village because of the foot traffic, the other stores in the area, and general feel of the neighborhood.  When not at Domestica, she loves eating at Open Sesame and can’t resist the patio at the Beechwood during the hotter months.

East Village Office Suites is a new full-service office suite complex in the renovated buildings at 301 and 307 East Walnut. Their goal is to make it easy and affordable for small businesses and professionals to have a professional presence in the East Village area.

By including the expenses typically incurred in setting up an office such as reception or secretarial assistance, phone an internet services, copying, mail, and more.   Sharing those expenses with other businesses and professionals, East Village Office Suites gives tenants a way to know, up front, what your overhead will be each month.  Dickey and Campbell Law Firm are currently tenants in the East Village Office Suites and look forward to more businesses and professionals joining soon.

For more information, please visit www.eastvillageofficesuites.com

HEV Annual Meeting and Social June 28th

Join us on Monday, June 28th at 6:00 pm for our annual meeting and a social at Baby Boomer’s (303 E. 5th).  The annual meeting is a great opportunity to visit with your neighbors and with board members. All voting members of the East Village are encouraged to attend and vote for the candidates of their choice to fill the positions and continue the good work of the board.  The board will provide cookies and beverages, additional food is available for purchase from Baby Boomer’s.

To be a voting member of the East Village, you must complete a membership form and deliver it to Marsha Steele at Found Things, Cassie Sampson at East Village Spa, or mail it to HEV, inc. PO Box 643, Des Moines, IA 50309 by June 18th.  Note that members in the “friends” category are not eligible to vote in the election per HEV by-laws.

Click here to download the membership form

Lucca owner, Steve Logsden has opened a new pizza restaurant in the East Village, Bagni di Lucca at 407 East 5th.  Read an article in the Des Moines Register here.

Handling Noise Concerns
East Village is a diverse neighborhood, which makes it an ideal place to live, work, shop and have a great time.  Sgt. Misti Allison with the Des Moines Police Department has asked us to help share with residents the appropriate steps to take when they feel that noise levels in the neighborhood are too high.

First, she has alerted the Watch Commander on First Watch Patrol (9 pm-7 am) about businesses that frequently generate noise calls.

Second, she asks that residents call the NON-EMERGENCY number, 515-283-4811, to report excessive noise in the neighborhood. Those calls will be logged. All residents with noise complaints are encouraged to call as often as concerns arise. The Watch Commander has several officers on this shift that can use a noise meter to track issues.

Lastly, Sgt. Allison states that if residents are dissatisfied with results they get after calling dispatch, they can let her know by contacting her at 515-250-6439 or mrallison@dmgov.org. The Des Moines Police have a commitment to quality of life and Sgt. Allison stresses that she doesn’t want residents to be afraid to call.

Meet your Neighbors-Bryan Smith

New in Town

We’re pleased to welcome Vitae Design Collective to the HEV!  They feature limited run designer pieces, kitchy accessories, and innovative multi-media pieces.  Vitae Design Collective has moved from their former location downtown into 400 East Locust ste. 4 (formerly occupied by Urban Belly.)  For more information about their selections and updates about their grand re-opening, click here.

HEV Gala 2010 to be Spectacular!

Historic East Village is prepared for an incredible Gala event on March 30th at the beautifully restored Iowa State Bar Association Headquarters at 625 East Court (with ample free parking!).  Gala provides the primary funds for the HEV to achieve their mission to lead the preservation, support, and development of the East Village Community.

The fun starts at 6:00 pm with live jazz, silent auction items, wine and beer, and food from your favorite Historic East Village Chefs.  Auctioneers Ed Wilson and Sonya Heitshusen will lead the live auction with exciting once-in-a-lifetime packages we’re keeping under wraps! Tickets are $40 in advance (click here to purchase…scroll to the bottom of the first web page for ticket link) or $50 at the door.  This is the can’t miss event of 2010 in the Historic East Village!