This year the Drake Neighborhood sponsors its 22nd annual Historic Home Tour. Several neighbors have agreed to open their homes for the tour. A special thanks to those folks hosting for the first time!

This year you will be touring the section of the neighborhood that lies just east and north of the Roosevelt Cultural District. To date, the tour includes homes on 35th street, 39th and 40th Street and on Kingman Blvd. Most of the homes on tour were built very early in the 20th century: 1912-1919, with a couple others constructed in the '20s and '30s.

This year the Drake Neighborhood sponsors its 22nd annual Historic Home Tour. Several neighbors have agreed to open their homes for the tour. A special thanks to those folks hosting for the first time!

This year you will be touring the section of the neighborhood that lies just east and north of the Roosevelt Cultural District. To date, the tour includes homes on 35th street, 39th and 40th Street and on Kingman Blvd. Most of the homes on tour were built very early in the 20th century: 1912-1919, with a couple others constructed in the '20s and '30s.

As part of our effort to make the Historic Preservation and Cultural and Entertainment District Tax Credit program as effective as possible, the State Historical Society of Iowa will conduct an informal public hearing on Monday December 17, 2007, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. to review the program’s administrative rules.

Everyone, especially those in Des Moines, is welcomed to attend the hearing at the State Historical Building. Please RSVP to Beth Foster-Hill at the number below if you will be able to attend.

Location
State Historical Building
600 East Locust

What: Building a Sustainable Iowa - Advanced Workshop
When: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Des Moines Botanical Garden

Iowa Center of Sustainable Communities is hosting the 3rd Building a Sustainable Iowa Workshop January 7th through 11th, 2008. We are excited to be bringing back Marc Richmond for the full week to do this professional training.

There is a free homeowner green expo and seminar on January 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.

What: Building a Sustainable Iowa - Basic Workshop
When: Wednesday, Jan. 9 and 10, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Des Moines Botanical Garden

Iowa Center of Sustainable Communities is hosting the 3rd Building a Sustainable Iowa Workshop January 7th through 11th, 2008. We are excited to be bringing back Marc Richmond for the full week to do this professional training.

There is a free homeowner green expo and seminar on January 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.

What: Building a Sustainable Iowa - Basic Workshop
When: Wednesday, Jan. 9 and 10, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Des Moines Botanical Garden

Iowa Center of Sustainable Communities is hosting the 3rd Building a Sustainable Iowa Workshop January 7th through 11th, 2008. We are excited to be bringing back Marc Richmond for the full week to do this professional training.

There is a free homeowner green expo and seminar on January 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.

Acme Tools is having their 2nd annual fall tool show/sale this coming Thursday through Saturday (November 1-3, 2007). The store will be featuring:

• Representatives from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Delta, Makita, Fein, Freud, Powermatic, Porter-Cable, Bosch, Festool and others on hand to demonstrate some the newest tools and equipment available today.

• Over 70 different pieces of woodworking equipment on display, including Delta, SawStop, Powermatic, Jet, and General brands.
• Chainsaw carving demonstrations on Friday and Saturday.
  

The Des Moines Historic Preservation Commission presents.... a workshop on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.

All projects receiving state or federal historic tax credits must conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Rehabilitation. However, even if your project is not receiving tax credits, these standards also represent the "gold standard" for historic rehabilitation. Understanding the Standards can help one gain an intimate knowledge of the historic character and qualities of their home.

From the event flier:

If you are interested in completing a nomination to enter a property on the National Register of Historic Places, please join us for the State Historical Society of Iowa’s National Register of Historic Places workshop. This casual workshop will be held in the Heritage Classrooms, at the Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street, Des Moines.

Location: Des Moines Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave.

Suzanne W. Morse, president and founder of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change, will speak on "Smart Communities: What Makes the Difference." Author of "Smart Communities: How Citizens and Local Leaders Can Build a Brighter Future," Morse's work in developing citizen leadership and in building thriving communities spans three decades.

Information for this even came from the Des Moines Register Datebook online.