We would love to hear from our community about their experiences of living in downtown Des Moines. Below are some questions that we invite you submit answers to. You could answer all of them or just some of them.

1. What were the reasons that you chose to live downtown Des Moines as opposed to one of the suburbs?

2. What do you think Des Moines would need to change about downtown to entice more people to make the move downtown?

3. What’s your favorite thing to do for fun downtown?

4. What’s your favorite hang out place downtown?

5. When you have out-of-town company visit, what’s one the itinerary when showing them around downtown?

Would you prefer to submit a post or article for publication here on Living Downtown Des Moines.com? If you have a passion for living in downtown Des Moines or just experiencing the many things to do when visiting downtown, we’d love to hear from you. Sharing your own experiences with others can be very rewarding. William Shakespeare said it best, “What is the city but the people.”

So, the rules to be a guest blogger are really simple, a few article guidelines are listed below as well as the five-step process to getting your post published.

Article Guidelines

• Your post may be anywhere between 150 and 1500 words in length.
• Author bio should be no more than 50 words or 250 characters in length.
• Affiliate links to your own blog are encouraged.

Submission Process

1. Register for an account, if you don’t already have one or log in.
2. Write your post, you can write it in multiple sessions, saved as a draft.
3. Edit your post to your liking.
4. Submit your post for review when ready.
5. Your post is queued for review and for publishing.

We look forward to hearing from you and to sharing your experiences about Downtown Des Moines with our readers.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
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(1 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)

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Note: This post was originally published on August 22, 2008.

Brenton Skating Plaza is now offering bike rentals. Explore Des Moines’ scenic trails and experience Downtown in a whole new way! Mountain, Road, and Hybrid bikes available for rental (one hour, 1/2 day, full day, or 7 day rentals) starting as low as $12 per hour.

I’m very excited to see that we can now rent bikes downtown for two reasons:

1. I don’t own a bike, but sometimes get the inkling to want to go for a bike ride.
2. I just got back from Provincetown last Saturday and had rented a bike there for the week and had a great time riding it and exploring the Cape.

According to local news reports Des Moines’ first bicycle rental facility opened this week at Brenton Skate Plaza. Brenton has teamed up with Bike World to rent out bikes during the ice skating rink’s off season and in an effort to draw more people downtown, specifically to the downtown trails and views along the Principal Riverwalk.

Rentals are available seven days a week, weather permitting, until the ice skating rink opens back up in November. They are hoping the bike rental season to run annually from April to November.

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
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(2 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5)

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Here’s a video tour of the Robert D Ray Asian Gardens that I took yesterday evening using the new iPhone 3GS. I hope you enjoy.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
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(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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Continuing with our series, Des Moines Picture of the Week, this week’s picture comes from one of my favorite photographers, Jacob Boyd and this one is from the 7th and Center Park-n-Ride facility downtown.

Jake says “I enjoy taking photos in Des Moines because I feel like there’s always somewhere new to go. Whether it’s photographing buildings downtown or a coffee shop, it seems like there’s opportunities everywhere.” Jake now has his own website to show off his great photography, at: http://www.jakeboydphotography.com/

Check out previous pictures in of our series, Des Moines Picture of the Week.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (294)

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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I made my first trip down to the Arts Festival yesterday afternoon around 4pm. My friend Todd joined me at about 5:30, and we had a great time. The musical performances by Collective Soul and Gavin DeGraw were great and the art on display this year was awesome.

I always try and make a purchase each year, and for my purchase this year, I purchased a set of original paintings on wood. by Mark Traughber, made with spray paint on primed wood from stencils that he designed and created. Each piece is 4.25″ wide, 6″ tall, .75″ thick. faced with a protective glossy finish. I can’t wait to decide where to install them at in my place!

Here are a few photos I took yesterday evening, it was hard to take photos as I kept getting distracted by the wonderful art.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
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(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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One of my favorite summer events is the annual downtown Des Moines Arts Festival. Here are some highlights about this year’s event, for more details check out their website at: http://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org

DATES: June 26 – 28, 2009

TIMES: Friday, June 26 – 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 27 – 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Fireworks at 10 p.m.)
Sunday, June 28 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Western Gateway Park, Downtown Des Moines, Iowa

WHAT: Des Moines Arts Festival
– 175+ Premier Professional Visual Artists sponsored by Aviva USA
– 24 Emerging Iowa Artists sponsored by Principal Financial Group®
– 24 Non-profit Organizations sponsored by Prairie Meadows showcasing services and activities
– GuideOne Insurance Interactive Mural presented by the Des Moines Art Center
– Non-stop live music on the U.S. Cellular Stage
– Gavin DeGraw and Collective Soul on Friday night proudly presented by
Hy-Vee in celebration of the Hy-Vee Triathlon and sponsored by Budweiser
– New Jazz & Wine Pavilion presented by Meredith Corporation
– Performing Arts Stage featuring dance, music and theatre
– Live Street Theatre
– 30 Interactive Arts Activities
– 376 students from 96 Schools in the Des Moines Art Center’s Nurturing a Student’s Vision Program
sponsored by Hubbell Homes
– Interrobang Film Festival presented by Nationwide
– 24 Eclectic Food Booths sponsored by Hy-Vee
– Sculpture Garden

ADMISSION: FREE

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
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(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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Now that the Des Moines Building is up for sale again, here’s what I think some philanthropist should do with that building and for the children of Des Moines.

Opportunity: The Des Moines Sports & Education Complex

Business Case: Thanks to the Pappajohns we now have great free art for our residents to appreciate and learn from. Now if we can find another donor that would like to give back to the community in a different way. Truth be told, I’m not much of a sports fan, never have been, probably from growing up in a family that obsessed too much about sports, but having living here in Des Monies for a little over six years now, I could see what I’m about to describe as totally possible.

Resident here love sports and getting their kids involved in sports programs of all types. This business opportunity would be mostly a not-for-profit enterprise, but there would be an associated for-profit business to work into the place. So here’s how this would work.

The overall building would need to be renovated to make this vision work. The bottom floor of the building would feature a a lobby that is decorated in sports memorabilia and sports photography of local teams, both community teams and local school teams. Off of the lobby would be an entrance into a for-profit business which would be your typical sports bar with all of the plasma TVs hanging from the walls and ceilings but instead of them being tuned into national or college sports, they would be tuned into local community sporting events, for example high school basketball or football events. During non-live coverage of local sporting events, there would be previously recorded games running or sports education films, or events featuring home-town heros, such as Shawn Johnson. The restaurant would feature your standard sports bar fare, such as burgers, chicken wings, salads, etc. There would be definitely family spin to the restaurant.

On the other side of the lobby would be smoothie bar and health cafe. This area would feature pre and post training and work out shakes and meal replacement snacks. From the lobby, visitors would take elevators or stairs up to the desired floor based on the sports their children would be taking. For example, there would be a floor or area dedicated to the following sports-related activities: basketball area would feature a gymnasium-style area where youth could learn to place basketball and participate in team practices; wrestling area; gymnastics area – named after Shawn Johnson; actually each area could be named after a significant hometown hero in that sporting event; indoor track and field; ballet area – area set up learning ballet; boxing area; kick-boxing area; karate and other martial arts. You get the idea, just imagine a 14 story building filled full of sports areas.

So the way this would work is that youth ages 5 to 18 that live in the 50309 zip code would be able to sign-up for and attend any sports training free of charge. For youth outside of 50309, they would be able to buy a yearly membership for each child that would let them learn as many sports as they want to sign-up for. Membership dues would be on sliding scale based on their parents income.

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (294)

(3 votes, average: 2.33 out of 5)

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Continuing with our series, Des Moines Picture of the Week, this week’s picture comes from Flickr user Scott LaBlanc, also known as LostShaker and is of downtown skyline.

Scott says “”The vast majority of the pictures in my portfolio have been taken in and around downtown Des Moines. As a photographer I enjoy the variety of lakes, parks, and urban environments within just a few mile radius. Des Moines is full of character and is a great subject.” You can check out more of Scott’s photography at: www.scottlablancphotography.com.

Check out previous pictures in of our series, Des Moines Picture of the Week.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (294)

(4 votes, average: 3.75 out of 5)

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It started just a couple of weeks ago, but Des Moines is taking a less from the City of Chicago, that lessen being offering free yoga in the park for area residents.

On Saturday mornings, beginning at 9am, June through September, you can go to Gray’s Lake and take a free yoga class. No experience or pre-registration is required. Parking available at the north-side beach.

Check out some pictures from last week’s event, courtesy of Tina Johnson, your downtown gal and others on Gray’s Lake Park Facebook page.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
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(4 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)

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A reader of this blog pointed me to a new report published this week by The Brookings Institution, MetroMonitor. The report ranks the nation’s 100 largest metro areas based on economic performance. DesMoines is included in the top 20 strongest-performing metro areas in the United States.

MetroMonitor provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the recession on metropolitan America. The report examines six key indicators – employment, employment change by industry, unemployment rates, wages, gross metropolitan product, housing prices, and foreclosure rates – through the first quarter of 2009.

You can read the report and check out the many maps and tables available here:
http://www.brookings.edu/metro/MetroMonitor.aspx

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
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(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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An article in today’s Des Moines Register states that Des Moines’ economy has been rated the 14th strongest in the nation.

Here are few highlights from the article:

• Employment: Ranked 15th, with a 1.3 percent decline from its peak. The 100-metro average decline was 2.7 percent.
• Unemployment rate: Ranked third, at 5.2 percent in March, a 1.2 percentage-point increase from a year earlier. The 100-city average was 8.8 percent, with a 3.7 percentage-point spike.
• Gross metropolitan product: Ranked 60th, with a 3.5 percent decline from its peak. The U.S. average decline was 3.3 percent.
• Average wages: Ranked 77th, with a 0.2 percent increase over the 2008 fourth quarter. The 100-metro average was 0.4 percent.
• Housing prices: Ranked 36th, with a 0.1 percent one-year jump, compared with a 6.9 percent decline for the 100-metro average.
• Real-estate-owned properties: (those that go back to mortgage companies after unsuccessful foreclosure auctions): Ranked 55th, with 2.32 per 1,000 properties that could carry mortgages. The average was 3.87.

You can check out the full article here:  http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090617/BUSINESS/906170346

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
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(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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The last Saturday of every month through September, shoppers now have a new venue, at least from 9am to 2pm that day. Market Day, a new a monthly market for people who want to sell or buy recycled and reclaimed objects and original art, takes place in a 120-year-old East Village warehouse at 118 S.E. Fourth St., south of Court Avenue.

Vendors who have refinished, repurposed or antique items or original art may request a spot in the market. Vendors will pay $20 per event. No commissions are charged, but vendors must be approved in advance.

Shoppers should expect to bring their own bags for small purchases.Two additional days are planned for October and a Black Friday sale will be Nov. 27. More information is available at www.marketstreetmediafoundry.com.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
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(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

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Continuing with our series, Des Moines Picture of the Week, this week’s picture comes from Flickr user Dan Schneider, also known as Teufel657 and is of downtown looking down Locust St from the Capitol.

Dan says “I like to photograph Des Moines because of the great buildings and architecture. There is always livly movement downtown, and great scenes that can be captured.”

Check out previous pictures in of our series, Des Moines Picture of the Week.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (294)

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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