The other week I submitted a letter, "Not Dead Moines", and with much after thought, we decided to experiment with the possibilities available in our town.

Well, the opportunity came with an e-mail from the Des Moines Yacht Club, inviting our community at large to join them at their beautiful clubhouse for a New Year's Celebration. Here was a perfect example of a treasure overlooked in Des Moines.

So if you thought there is nothing doing in Des Moines you missed an "open to the public" New Year's celebration at an unbeatable ticket price! This was also the initiation of the new Commodore for 2009 that saw the retiring Commodore off for wherever used commodores are relegated to.

The other day, there came an urgent need to find a new toy for our dog, Teddy, and it was only a hop, skip and a jump to Soggy Doggy, next to our QFC in town to find just the right teddy bear for his Christmas present.

On a sadder note, a family member back in Boston passed and flowers were needed on short notice. We have two excellent florists in Des Moines and you only need to get out of your car and walk a few paces to send flowers anywhere in the world and other places as well. The flowers arrived on time and were appreciated.

So you spilled spaghetti on your good shirt; well you will find some really good cleaning services down on 7th Avenue, not far from where the old post office once stood. This is The Des Moines Cleaners.

I can only hope that the spaghetti was enjoyable at Butler's Tavern where they have "Spaghetti Night" every Monday beginning a 6 p.m.

Bo Collelo provides us with an outstanding array of fresh fruits and vegetables along Des Moines Memorial Drive. He makes the meatballs and his wife, Dawn, provides the sauce which is incomparable. Alora, mangiamo!

So much for spaghetti! Next to our cleaner you will notice a wonderful little shop carved from days of yore (I think I lived in Yore once) which specializes in children's clothing for all the young, "growing up" ages.

Some used, reconditioned and much of the newer things for your children or grandchildren. Good prices too. It is called, "Annie's Attic", by the way. Oh and say "Hi" to Cathy!

We have many small businesses in Des Moines who are really happy to provide goods and services but they are plagued with small budgets that rarely include much for advertising and publicity. They depend on good will and word of mouth for their existence. We can help a great amount by spreading the word when you are customer in Des Moines.

You know what else? Just stopping in and greeting the owner of a small business will make you both feel especially good. Sometimes, it is just a matter of driving around a couple of our blocks in Des Moines to discover us; try it; it will be a rewarding experience.

Take a stroll on our Marina and listen to the gulls scolding overhead because you are not allowed to feed them. Watch them bombard the parking lot with clams to open them for their dinner.

Let your dog enjoy the fresh salt air and remember to pick up after it.

Finally, if you are reading this newspaper, look into the advertising section and when you find a business or service that appeals to you, let them know how you "discovered them!"

There is much to do and be in Des Moines, but you must get out and feel its pulse to know its depths.

So, get out of the car, walk a few steps, look into that which has caught your interest and whatever else, you will likely hear, "Please come again!"

Pat Nardo

Des Moines