We're on our second child going through pre-school yet somehow or another I had never taken the opportunity serve a turn as a class parent helper. Well that all changed last week as I was the designated "Parent Helper" for my daughter's nursery school class at Plymouth Congregational Church. Our son had attended another program where the opportunity did not exist for parents to assist as "helpers" but upon enrolling our daughter Lena at Plymouth last year we discovered that they encouraged active participation by parents in the classroom on a regular basis. The school makes it easy to sign up by posting a sign up sheet by each classroom. For one reason or another, it seems like the vast majority of parent helpers are moms, but dads get involved as well as grandparents. Not wanting to be... 02/01/2011

Deja & Joann Fouts | 515.249.7610 659 38th st, Des Moines, IA Move in ready North of Grand home. Walking distance to many Ingersoll Ave. shops and restaurants. 3BR/1BA Single Family House offered at $108,900 Year Built 1900 Sq Footage 1,158 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 8,133 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Unique turn of the century home. Original trim was saved when new replacement windows were installed.Recent major kitchen remodel with hard wood floors and lots of cabinets. New high efficiency furnace added in 2009. Fenced back yard. The back yard also features a patio and a small deck space. Mature trees provide lots of shade in the summer. NCF area, grant money may be avalible. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES -... 05/13/2010

La Hacienda Mexican restaurant, a Des Moines institution for many yearson Army Post Rd on the south side has migrated north and sprouted a new location at 3121 Ingersoll Ave in the old Baker's Square location. Well, it isn't exactly new, it opened last year in June. But Tuesday was the first day I could connive someone into springing for my lunch. Dave Tapp of Iowa News Brokerage was the willing participant who so generously extended the offer to meet me for lunch at a place of my choosing. Thanks Dave! I chose La Hacienda because it's close to my house and I drive by it everyday. Also I was eager to see what the owner Gustavo Perez had done with the Baker's Square space. Inside was the predictable southwest decor, although somewhat subdued. The outside seems to have gotten more of a ma... 03/25/2010