Two mini-updates and a mini-review

This Sunday's Guitar Circle/Musicians Fighting Hunger is moving indoors + a mini-growers' market + a quick look at a bar/grill I often overlook.

Take It … Indoors! Update on Musicians Fighting Hunger This Sunday

The one-hour act includes Kade Rogers, Chip Albright, and Wolf Wolf. (The latter is my husband Dave Wolf and me.)

Greetings! Last week, I told you about the Guitar Circle concert I’ve helped organize this coming Sunday at 6 p.m. Four musicians are giving a one-hour benefit concert with the goal of stocking the free community fridge and pantry at Grace United Methodist Church.

Originally, the event was to be held on the beautiful lawn of this historic church (37th and Cottage Grove), but due to the infernal heat predicted this weekend, we’re taking it indoors. The church’s Fellowship Hall is a lovely space with comfy chairs, tables, beautiful stained glass, natural light … and air conditioning! Please join us. All details are here.

P.S.: Even though we’re moving this indoors, this is not a church service—it’s a community event. All are welcome.

Find plenty of parking on the south side of the building, off 38th street between Kingman and Cottage Grove. See you there!

Farmers Market Updates

Recent hauls from the last two Global Greens. There was so much more to snag. I don't know which I love more--Swiss chard or locally grown broccoli. But I do love it all.

I’ve told you about Global Greens, right? In late May, I went and there were only a few booths, but I wrote, “Watch them grow!” And indeed, they’re growing right along with the growing season! I went the past two Saturdays, and they’ve been expanding by the week. I noted about eight food vendors on the most recent visit.

Global Greens Farmers Market
1907 Carpenter Ave., Des Moines
Open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., May – October

Another Mini-Market

I also told you about the mini-farmers’ market behind the Des Moines Community Playhouse that runs on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 6:30. I asked readers to tell us of any other micro-markets around the metro area.

According to my pal Deb, home gardeners in her neighborhood gather to sell their produce at a veggie stand on the SE corner of Grand Avenue and 50th street in West Des Moines. She says the hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to close and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the summer.

Might be worth swinging by if you live in the area!

Sunday Night’s Alright at the Library

In a landscape of inconsistency, a restaurant that simply meets expectations can feel like a small triumph.

University Library Cafe
3506 University Ave, Des Moines
(515) 255-0433

Last Sunday evening, the power went out around 5:30. The alert promised it would be back by 7 or so, but I wasn’t about to gamble on a late dinner, so I started running through options for a quick bar-and-grill bite.

I had a craving for Hi-Fi Brew Lounge, but—like so many casual spots I enjoy—they’re closed on Sundays.

We ended up at The University Library Cafe, and you know what? It hit the spot.

I don’t make it to The Library often—mostly because the last few times I tried, there wasn’t a seat to be had. With only a half-dozen booths or so, it fills up fast.

But this time, with a storm rolling in and Drake out of session, we walked right in and slid into a booth with no trouble at all. And the food was simply everything we wanted it to be. A satisfying burger, a crispy chicken sandwich (both with oozy process cheeses that are just right for this kind of thing), puffy-crisp steak fries, and thin, deeply brown onion rings.

One more thing: I appreciate the option of 12-ounce beers in tulip glasses. I can never polish off a pint without it growing warm towards the last third or so. Leave it to the beer-savvy Full Court Press guys to offer the option.

P.S.: Did you know Full Court Press no longer owns Rita’s Cantina? A new group took over ownership this season. I thought I’d tell you, just in case you went recently and noted any changes.