Orchard Place raised nearly $100,000 for the children it serves in the fourth annual Adult Spelling Bee held earlier this month at Hoyt Sherman Place. “Spell Bound,” a team from the Iowa Clinic composed of Dr. Sunny Kaul, Chris Tertrand and Karen Mendenhall, won the competition.

Other honors went to “Buzzed,” a team from Ryan Cos. that finished second and also was cited for having the best cheering section, and to a pair of teams from Orchard Place. Its “Britney Bees” team, decked out in costumes that pop singer Britney Spears might wear, won the best-costume category and the charity’s “Pirates of the Caribee-an” raised the most money.

More fun came from teams from Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, Drake University and Grand View College who dressed as their respective schools’ mascots and dueled on stage. The event was sponsored by Bankers Trust Co. and the Iowa Clinic.

Market supports charities

The Market at Jordan Creek raised more than $9,000 for local nonprofit groups during its grand-opening events in March and April. The specialty gourmet market opened March 21 and hosted a series of events benefiting the American Heart Association, which received $4,400; Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Des Moines affiliate, $2,200; and the Food Bank of Iowa, $2,600.

Design exhibition

The Art Directors Association of Iowa is accepting entries for its 49th Annual Design Exhibition. Entries will be accepted in 19 categories ranging from advertsing design to sales promotion and interactive media. All work entered must have been created after March 1, 2006. Entries are due Friday, April 20, by 6 p.m. The official entry form, including exhibition rules and guidelines, can be found at www.artdirectorsiowa.org.

The exhibition will be held at 6 p.m. May 19 at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center at 1200 Grand Ave. Judges for this year’s competition are celebrated designers John Pobojewski and John Harris, both of Chicago, and Keith Knueven of Los Angeles.

New partnership

The Polk County Emergency Management Agency and the Kansas City (Mo.) Office of Emergency Management have agreed to assist each other during catastrophic emergencies and natural disasters. Under the terms of the agreement, emergency shelter services will be provided when either agency can no longer provide basic services to its citizens and general evacuations are necessary to save lives and ensure public health and safety.

“Our hope is that we will never have to use this agreement, but if we do, we will have had a chance to sit down with our counterparts in Kansas City and address each other’s expectations beforehand,” said A.J. Mumm, director of the Polk County Emergency Management Agency.