Overheard recently and too often: "There is nothing to do in Des Moines!"

This is a false impression of our little city and I only wish more people, both within and outside of Des Moines, would give us a second glance.

Here we have so many little shops, a wonderfully stocked Hallmark Drug Store, banks that invite a myriad of services.

On Marine View Drive, alone, you can find many good places to enjoy lunch or dinner and some even tout, "The best breakfast anywhere!" The Reuben, a newer sandwich shop brings you New York style Reuben sandwiches and many more treats to entertain your gourmet pallet. Wally's Chowder House takes you to Cape Cod or Nantucket with every visit. Anthony's Home Port and Salty's at Redondo satisfies a need of the more formal dining experience.

Grocery shopping begins with our own QFC at the entrance to town, coming from the airport.

If you run out of gas or are just low, there is Elsey's Texaco Station, which also specializes in mechanical work and tire installation.

We have E. C. Computers to solve your computer needs and electronics galore. We have a little theater that plays nearly first run movies, too!

Nightlife--have you tried the new Lighthouse Tavern, The Yardarm, or Butler's?

This is not "big city" nightlife but it exposes you to a crowd of good people and your neighbors, among whom you can feel safe and welcome.

These are only a scant few of the many prospects offered in our community.

Part of the problem is that many of our small business proprietors do not have the gigantic budget to support advertising and publicity that is sorely needed.

Often, you meet people who go all the way to Burien, Federal Way, and Kent when we have similar venues right here in Des Moines.

We also are blessed with a goodly number of professional offices here in Des Moines, including doctors, dentists and a truly wonderful veterinary clinic next to Boston Pizza.

To make our city greater and more enjoyable, we need to do more local "exploring" and evaluating what is available to us before going elsewhere.

Many of us do miss the annual Waterland Festival and I am among this population.

The Waterland Festival did little to help our businesses but it was a time to pause, enjoy, and have the fun implied by "festival."

What is really missing here is the presence of a Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. As a chamber, we were able to do a large amount of advertising and publicity to invite new residents and businesses to Des Moines.

So when you hear "nothing to do in Des Moines," isn't it much ado about nothing?

Pat Nardo

Des Moines