Drake After Class

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities

jthies — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:40:32 +0000

Although it’s finals and free time is hard to come by, it’s also the perfect time of year to give back to your community. Here is a list of a few ways to show your Christmas Spirit this year!

Adopt-A-Family

Urbandale Caring Corps

Sponsor a family/individual at the holidays by providing gifts, toys and a meal.

Take Down a Tree, Change a Life

The Heart Connection Children’s Cancer Programs

Valley West Mall

Join us as we take down our Happy Holiday Tree at Valley West Mall. Funds raised from the tree will help support families touched by childhood cancer as they participate in support groups, summer camps, and more.

Christmas Gift Drive

Beacon of Life Residential Center for Women — 1717 Woodland Avenue

Assemble gifts for the 34 women at the center.

December 12th 10:00 am

Provide Gifts for the Homless

Central Iowa Shelter and Services

Serving both women and men 18 years of age and older. Gifts of cloting and gift cards are encouraged.

Holiday Celebration for Seniors

Visiting Nurse Services

Help plan a holiday celebration for seniors. Volunteers can help with the meal and assist with serving and gifts.

All of these volunteer opportunities and how to get into contact with people in charge can be retrieved at the United Way website.

5 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays

jthies — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:02:41 +0000

The Nutcracker Ballet

December 11th-13th

Hoyt Sherman Place

Price: $19-39

http://www.balletdesmoines.org

Jolly Holiday Lights

November 24th-January 2nd

Water Works Park

Price: $9 per car

http://www.jollyholidaylights.org

World Holiday Dinner

December 10th 4:30-7:00 pm

Olmsted Center – Parents Hall

Ice Skating

Open NOW

Brenton Skating Plaza

Price: $3.00-$4.50

http://brentonplaza.com

Polar Express at the I-Max Theater

December 10th-January 2nd

Des Moines Science Center

Price: $11.25

http://www.sciowa.org/aspx/explore/sciimaxdometheater.aspx#317

A Guest at last Saturday Drake Men’s Basketball

Kuebari Lemea — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:48:28 +0000

Famous Guest

The most famous guest at last Saturday game.

Our Top Picks For The Week

Mark Carlson — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:56:59 +0000

Sledding! Get outside and go sledding! The snow has finally reached Des Moines, and don’t stay inside, get out and enjoy it! Our two favorites are at the Capitol Hill area, and Waveland Park.

Ice Skating! Brenton Skating Plaza. The Brenton Skating Plaza is open all winter long, and is a great place to enjoy winter in the midwest. Whether your a beginner or an expert, the Brenton Skating Plaza is a great place to enjoy yourself. No skates? No problem, the Plaza rents all sizes at reasonable prices.

Iowa Energy vs Dakota Wizards. Wells Fargo Arena. Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Go check out the closest thing to pro basketball in Iowa, the NBA D-league tips-off all winter long with the Energy at Wells Fargo Arena.

Ugly Sweater Party. Bogies Pub. Dec. 12, 8 p.m. Wear the ugliest Christmas sweater that you have in your closet. Party goes until 2 a.m. with prizes being awarded to the ugliest attire.

Annie, The Musical. Des Moines Playhouse. Throughout the month of December go check out the classical musical “Annie.” The Des Moines Playhouse is located a few short blocks from the Drake campus, on 42nd street. Tickets for adults are $35/20 depending on show time.

Winter Fun In Des Moines

Mark Carlson — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:07:03 +0000

The Drakeafterclass.com Video Crew hit the slopes to preview some sledding, but found that there is a better winter activity when there is no snow!

Open Studio Night

swilson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:11:07 +0000

Located in the center of downtown is Fitch Building home to Fitch Studios where collective group of artists work. This Friday they will be holding their annual Open Studio night. Students will have the opportunity to see work from two Graphic Design Professors Rebecca Eckstrand and Catherine Dreiss. On the first floor works on display will range from jewelry and sculpture, to graphic design and mixed media. And on the third and fourth floors the artists will have their studios open for self guided tours.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Open house is from 5pm-9pm at Fitch Studios, Gallery 304, 15^th Street.

Five Study Spots for Finals

swilson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:38:35 +0000

With finals just around the corner, we all know our favorite study spot in the library will be taken. No need to worry, DAC has scoured Des Moines and talked to Drake students. We discovered five places to take refuge when the herd has taken over your space.

Study Places – Slideshow Maker

Christmas Carol by Sungha Jung

Kuebari Lemea — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:01:38 +0000

Sungha Jung from China plays ‘Silent Night/Holy Night to usher in Christmas in this You Tube video.’ This is an amazing carol video that Drake students will want to see this season. It’s relaxing, it’s soothing, and good for the Holidays.

Watch the video. Leave a comment. Welcome to the festive time!

Holiday Sweets and Treats

mnoykhovich — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:24:41 +0000

Edible Cookie Ornaments

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vanilla frosting 

9 ring-shaped butter flavored cookies or any ring-shaped cookies  

1 roll (9 count) ring-shaped fruit flavored Life Savers 

1 1/2 to 2 yards red string licorice or ribbon

For more info on how to make these cookies click here

Ho-Ho Snowballs

2 6-ounce packages white chocolate chips 

1/4 cup heavy cream 

2 tablespoons bourbon or heavy cream 

6-ounce package slivered almonds, very finely ground 

1-1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

For more info on how to make these cookies click here

Chocolate Rum Balls

3 1/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers 

3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 

1 1/2 cups chopped nuts 

3 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 cup rum

For more info on how to make this click here

Gingerbread Cookies

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon baking powder 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

2 teaspoons ground ginger 

1 teaspoon ground cloves 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1 teaspoon ground allspice 

1 cup packed brown sugar 

1 gingerbread boy-shaped cookie cutter

For more info on how to make these cookies click here

Frosty Noggin

1 ½ oz Rum

¾ oz Creme de Cacao

3 oz. Egg nog

3 cup vanilla ice cream

For more info on how to make this drink click here

Peppermint Twist

1 oz Peppermint Schnapps

1 oz Kahlua

1 oz Brown Creme de Cacao

For more info on how to make this drink click here

Ginger Snap

¾ oz Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum

½ oz Ginger flavored Brandy

4 oz Egg nog

1 Ginger Snap

For more info on how to make this drink click here

Brighten Your Day

esteiger — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:37:05 +0000

Right next to the Starbucks in Drake West Village is Sunsation Spa, owned and operated by two Drake Business students. Sunsation Spa boasts to have the latest tanning technology available.

Their lineup of beds include Sunstar 20 minute bed, Solaris 15 minute bed, Sundome 10 minute standup bed, and the Solar Force 12 minute bed. They also offer the Rejuvasun with Omnilux which means “UV free light therapy session to clear skin problems such as acne as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” Minute packages start at just $25.99 to unlimited VIP tanning packages starting at $20.99 a month.

They are open 7 days a week to fit the college student’s lifestyle and no need to book an appointment just walk over in between classes. Mondays – Fridays: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sundays: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

For more details visit their website www.sunsationspa.com or check out their facebook page.