Rowers Race Through River Bend This Weekend
Friday, September 26th, 2008
Rowers and crew fans from all over the country will converge on the River Bend Neighborhood this weekend for the Head of the Des Moines Regatta, hosted by the Des Moines Rowing Club. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the regatta, slated for Saturday, September 27. The event runs all day, from 8:30 am - 5 pm.
Races on the Des Moines River run between Prospect Park (entrance on north side of Hickman Road, around 1100 block), and and the Botanical Center downtown. A map of the course is here. More than fifty races will be rowed throughout the day.
Admission is free for all spectators, and there will be children’s activities in addition to the races. Live music will be provided by local favorite, Mr. Babers’ Neighbors.
The Des Moines Rowing Club (DMRC) was founded in 1983 and hosted its first regatta that year. It now consists of around 200 members and draws participants from throughout central Iowa. The club boasts several River Bend residents among its membership, including Julia Martinusen and novice rower Jacob Lewin.
No, those aren’t unidentified flying objects; they’re juggling clubs whizzing past the head of six year-old Catherine Lewin. On an unseasonably warm November morning, we spied veteran juggler Bill Petsche (right in photo) and his son, Jack, practicing their 2-man juggling routine. When we asked whether we could take their picture for the neighborhood blog, Bill agreed, on the condition that Catherine would “volunteer” to be part of the photo. To my great relief, Catherine stood stock still, and Jack and Bill struck up a flawless throw-and-catch rhythm.
The Friends of the Forest Avenue Library are holding a garage and book sale Saturday, September 8, to clear out extras from their recent remodeling. The garage is accessible from 13th Street Place and will be open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Rower Jill Emmert informs us that the 24th Annual Head of the Des Moines Regatta, one of the oldest rowing competitions in the Midwest, is coming up September 29.