In one of the surest signs yet that winter really has given up and we can make summer plans, an expanded Out to Lunch series begins May 23 downtown. These events, which will be around town, feature food trucks, vendors and live music. They all run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), which is sponsoring the events with MidAmerican Energy Co., notes that all the events will be near the free D-Line shuttle.

The schedule:

May 23 at the west lawn of the Statehouse.
May 30 on High Street between Seventh and Eighth streets.
June 6 on Walnut Street between 10th and 12th streets.
June 13 at Cowles Commons.
June 20 on Walnut Street between Sixth and Seventh streets. 
June 27 on East Court Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets.