5 Things for Your West Des Moines Weekend

Chili and Cornbread for a Cure
Des Moines Golf and Country Club, 1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy., hosts a chili and corn-bred cookoff at 5 p.m. Friday benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Professional and amateur competitions are featured, and guests can sample tastings from the entrants, as well as partake in beer tastings and a silent auction. It’s $10 to attend and $35 to take part in the competition.

Eye Candy
St. Mark Lutheran Discipleship Center, 1105 Grand Ave., has invited its 2011 artists back for an All Artists Show continuing through Feb. 24. Several new artists will also be included. The opening reception is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, but the artists’ work will remain on display through Feb. 24 during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Refreshments will be served at the opening reception, which is free and open to the public.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Thanks to winter’s late arrival, a class Saturday at Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge, 2500 Grand Ave., is perfectly timed. West Des Moines Parks and Recreation presents a class from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on the basics of cross-country skiing and participants can practice their skills on the trail.

Proper clothing, equipment, and skiing techniques will be discussed. Pre-registration required, and the minimum age is 12. The smallest boot size available is men's 4 1/2 and women's 6. Additional information is available

Improve Your Life With Nichiren Buddhism
Develop the ability to live with confidence, to create value in any circumstance and to contribute to the well-being of friends, family and community by learning to practice Nichiren Buddhism and apply its principles to your daily life. An introductionto Nichiren Buddhism from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy.

Down Under Humor
Funny man Jim Short is this weekend’s headliner at the Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant, 560 Prairie View Drive. Shows are at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Originally from Australia and now based in San Francisco, Short has numerous television credits and has performed at the Montreal International Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. His act includes an original mix of personal observations on pop and social culture, world media and history, and TV and music references.