The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 66

idea w.n.sd, August te. 2000 C0MMpTYNEWS jwmmnm Applause Volunteers Gay bar cluster thrives on Des Moines' east side Hosts help keep campers happy BARS, from Page 1 president of the East Village Neighborhood and Merchants Association. "IVe been here since 1984. (Bar patrons and employees) have always frequented my business, and they help out any time I need anything in the neighborhood." Scott Neasham, owner of The Garden at 112 S.E. Fourth said the shift to the east side came after "a cleanup of the Court Avenue area" encouraged bar owners to move east of the river.

"This area was safer for us," he said. "We've had few problems here. They added new lighting all around our building, and the police department is just down the street." Daily's Pub opened three years ago. Its only problems were with a neighboring bar, the Hot Spot, which brought in a sometimes rambunctious crowd until it closed last winter. "I've had to lock the front door and let people out the back when they closed up for the night," said Daily's owner Betty Thielen, who said verbal harassment was the most common problem.

"For the most part, it's always been a safe neighborhood." Sgt. Dave Brown of the vice narcotics unit of the Des Moines Police Department said the east side is relatively safe. "I can only remember one occasion, possibly two, where we've been called there," Brown said of the east-side bars. "For the most part, they try to run a pretty good program. Any problems we might have seen have been minor." All the bars offer some form of entertainment, such as live music, drag shows or comedy.

Many hold teen-oriented programs, opening their bars to minors for alcohol-free programs. Many bar owners cite fund-raisers and community service projects as important aspects of the community. The efforts benefit such organizations as the All Iowa AIDS Project, Heros JOOY CROSSM ANREGISTER PHOTOS Fun, philanthropy: Scott Neasham, front, owns The Garden, and Scott Hoffman, back, is the manager. Left, Mongo AIDS War Bonds from Blazing Saddle raise money for research. gay-friendly.

"I would like to see more gay- owned and gay-friendly business es," Quinn-Starr said. "The gay and lesbian dollar is a mighty dollar. The money we have is expendable. Businesses shouldn forget that. "We're here, and we aren't go ing anywhere.

Reporter Jody Crossman can be reached at (515) 284-8266 or crossmanjnews.dmreg.coin MI and the Central Iowa Food Pantry. "Community service is really one of the most important things we do here," said Gary Moore, a bartender at the Blazing Saddle. "I think we have to continue to support the gay community. That's the only way we can grow." Many bar employees suggest that even though they provide a much-needed resource, Des Moines is not completely Teaching Excellence The following Des Moines-area teachers completed the Excellence in Teaching Institute at Drake University: Maribeth Newman, Hoover High School; Thea Handel, Hubbell Elementary School; Jerry Bell, Lovejoy Elementary School; Barbara Van Roekel, Meredith Middle School; Patricia Christiansen and Therese Ri- ordan, Park Avenue Elementary School; Kelly Neiber, Johnston High School. DeMolay Honors George Robinson of Des Moines was given the Legion of Honor award during ceremonies held at the Iowa Order of DeMolay annual conclave held at Wartburg College In Waverly.

This distinction is conferred on Masons who have performed unusual and meritorious service on behalf of DeMolay. Erik Brincks of Carlisle received the Most Valuable Player Award and was elected second vice president of the Iowa Court of Chevaliers. The Order of DeMolay is an or ganization of young men sponsored by various affiliated bodies of the Masonic lodges of Iowa. Naval Promotion Jon Way of Moore, formerly of West Des Moines, has been promoted to chief petty officer in the Navy. Way, a 1983 graduate of Valley High School, is the son of George and Marcia Williams of West Des Moines.

Writing Program Joseph Jolesch, West Des Moines, participated in a summer writing program for high school students at Carleton College, Northfield, Minn. Jolesch is a senior at Dowling High School. American Coed Pageant Hannah Kirby, 15, of Des Moines and Desarae Veit, 14, of Dexter have been selected as finalists in the Miss Iowa American Coed Pageant. Kirby is the daughter of Sheri and John Kirby; Veit is the daughter of Tamara and Gregory Veit. Travel Award Rick Fleener of An- keny has qualified for the Farm Bureau Financial Services top incentive travel award.

Agents and managers qualify for the award based on production and are invited to participate in the Ail- American trip to Sydney, Australia, in November. Morris Scholarship The following area residents were awarded scholarships by the Morris Scholarship Fund Harvey Beasley Clive; Ha Ngoc Dao, Phuong Dao, Inta Eppright, Amy Gomez, Jobie Hill, Mandi Hill, Cynthia-Jo Kikita Clark, Sarah Mitchell, Joseph Peterson, Raime Robinson and Charles Stewart all of Des Moines; and Ambre Moton, Ankeny. The Morris Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides financial and other assistance to minority students with a desire to pursue post-secondary and graduate education. Collegiate Scholar Cameron Schaffer, Des Moines, has accepted membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and will be honored this fall at Iowa State University. APPLAUSE recognizes people with noteworthy awards, scholarships or other accomplishments.

Mail information to Around Town Applause, the Des Moines Register, P.O. Box 957, Des Moines, la. 50304 or e-mail it to atnews. dmreg. com.

SERVICE SALES INSTALLATION Kirby Veit By MICHAEL COREY REGISTER STAFF WRITER West Des Moines, la. For 11 years, Tom and Marvel Griffey of Norwalk have put up with campers who have loud parties or wake them up at 2 a.m. to ask for help. But minor annoyances like these won't stop the Griffeys. The two volunteer as weekend campground hosts at Walnut Woods State Park.

"We love camping, and some of the friendliest people in the world are campers," Tom said. As hosts, the Griffeys assist weekend campers. They also pick up litter, mow grass and feed birds. Tim Gedler, park manager, said the Griffeys are a big help in keeping the park running. "Staffing is pretty short in the parks division right now.

We don't have the staff to work on weekends," he said. Before they began volunteering at Walnut Woods, the Griffeys used to camp often at the park. The atmosphere was different than it is today, Tom said. "It was a party place. There would be times I wouldn't go to bed until 4 o'clock in the morning," he said.

The Griffeys stopped camping at the park because of the disturbances, but things have quieted down since rangers began enforcing the rules more strictly, the Griffeys said. Although the park closes at 10 p.m., campers in the past were usually allowed to check in at all hours of the night. The Griffeys said this is no longer the case, but said they do allow campers who Support This is a revolving list of free, metro-area support groups. Addiction support: 255-2122. Adult Children of Alcoholics: 280-6462.

Al-AnonAlateen: 277-5059. Alcoholics Anonymous: 282-8550. Alzheimer's disease: 263-2464. Anxiety-related disorders: 221-1030. Attention-deficit disorder: 241-2300 or 263-51 84.

Better Breathers Club (adult lung disease): 278-5864. Brain Injury: 242-0263. Brain tumor: 965-1443. Cancer or life-threatening Illnesses: 244-8420. Caregivers of elderly parents: 964-4249.

Choosing Healthy Relationships: 243-5181. Chronic fatigue syndrome: 263-5184. Co-Dependents Anonymous: 221-2497. Concerned Persons (families, friends of people with addictions): 255-2122. Coping After Suicide: 286-3600.

Death of childsibling: 226-2141. Diabetes: 276-2237. Divorce Care: 255-2122 or 964-4249. Eating disorders: 263-5672. Epilepsy: 643-2529.

Fibromyalgia: 263-5184. Foster and adoptive parents: 289-4567. Freedom From Smoking: 278-5864. Gamblers Anonymous: 263-3030. Grandparents' support: 276-7544 or cmuicuuy T.

Griffey M. Griffey have come long distances to check in late. "It's going back into more of a family place, much more pleasant," Tom said. "It's just making sure they follow the rules," Marvel said. The couple began their ties with the park several years ago when Tom would help out the ranger by keeping an eye on things or help large groups check in.

Eventually, the arrangement became more formal, and the Griffeys now watch the park every weekend. Gedler said the Griffeys' reliability is what makes them so valuable. "They're almost like actual employees here at the park," he said. The Griffeys used to be at the park seven days a week during the summer, but Tom's health problems have limited the time the couple can contribute. "IVe been thinking about stopping," Tom said.

"But when it comes down to it, I'll keep doing it." The Griffeys said Gedler has had a positive effect on the park. "He's a good man. If it wasn't for that it wouldn't be hard to quit," Tom said. Reporter Michael Corey can be reached at (515) 284-8351 or coreymnews.dmreg.com Groups 243-5789. GriefShare: 255-2122.

Grief support: 271-1305 Hearing loss: 279-5248. Hepatitis 263-5505. Herpes: 800-647-5093. Homicide victim survivors: 286-3600. Incestchild sexual abuse: 286-3600.

Kinship Caregivers (grandparents who are parenting): 288-1981, ext. 332. Largely Positive: 241-5908. Life After Death of Spouse: 277-6969. Life from Life Transplant: 961-6559.

Lost Chord Club: 266-6805. Lupus: 888-279-3048. Manic depression: 244-9411. Mothers of Supertwins: 987-2522. Multiple sclerosis: 270-6337.

Muscular dystrophy: 278-8448. Narcotics Anonymous: 244-2277. Neurofibromatosis: 277-8494. Ostomy: 266-1057. Overeaters Anonymous: 255-0444.

Out-Reach In Central Iowa (gays coming out): 830-1777. Parents Anonymous: 288-1981, ext. 381. Parents Without Partners: 243-4586. Parkinson's disease: 241-2442.

P-FLAG (support for gays, lesbians, families and friends): 285-2747. Polio survivors: 243-2244. Recovery Inc. (mental health): 277-6071. Recovering Couples Anonymous: 279-5530.

Scleroderma: 282-6152. Second Chance Ministries (sexual addictions): 249-5998. Sexual abuse (support for victims and their families): 286-3600. Stroke Club: 263-5818. Sudden Infant death syndrome: 279-6928.

Spousessignificant others of those with mental illness: 254-0417, 274-1467 or 758-2271. Spouses of gays and lesbians: 277-3700. Successful Single Parenting: 255-2122. TOPS weight-loss: 225-3009. Tough Times Parenting: 830-1617.

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