PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.

It’s officially State Tournament SZN in DSM! For the next month, fans from across Iowa will be pouring into the capital city. Wrestling kicks things off this week, followed by girls’ and boys’ basketball in that order.

📍 Wells Fargo Arena is where all the memories will be made.

Need a great way to keep up with all the action? I’ve got you covered—thanks to Ben for this great resource:

🔗 Bound

🔍 We Want Your Input!

In todays issue:

• 🏛 Courthouse Bidding Begins

• 🏢 Latest Business Openings

• 🌪️ CYTown Reveal

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

PRESENTED BY: Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros

Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros offers a swift and cost-effective kitchen transformation without the hassle of demolition. Serving the Des Moines area, they specialize in updating existing cabinets, achieving a fresh look in just 3 to 5 days. Their process is designed to be less intrusive and more affordable than traditional remodels, making it an attractive option for homeowners seeking a kitchen update.

Visit Kitchenrefreshiowa.com today!

The 515 Report 🧵📱

Engage DSM

Registration began this week for Engage DSM: Resident Academy, a six-week civic engagement program designed to give residents an inside look at how the city operates and how they can get involved in local government. Registration is open through March 3, and the program runs April 2 through May 14.

👉️ Register

CYTown Update

Iowa State University has unveiled plans for "CyTown," a new entertainment district set to open in fall 2027. Located between Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum, CyTown will feature a medical facility, a 200-room Marriott hotel, retail and office spaces, a 3,000-seat amphitheater, and various restaurants. The project recently received approval from the Board of Regents. While work on the site has been ongoing for some time, look for the development to begin in earnest this spring.

👉️ Details

Courthouse Bidding

The online auction for Des Moines' historic Federal Courthouse at 123 E. Walnut St. is set to begin on March 3, 2025, with bidding starting at $60,000. The auction will conclude on April 21, 2025, at noon. Constructed between 1927 and 1929, this five-level, 66,765-square-foot building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of seven monumental public structures built along the Des Moines River in the early 20th century. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, currently occupying the courthouse, plans to relocate to a new facility at 111 Locust St. by mid to late spring 2025.

👉️ Full Story

Now Open in DSM

📧 Know of a new business opening? Let me know!

• Pause | West Des Moines

• The Fitz | Highland Park

• South Union Bread (Reopening) | Downtown

Around Town 🏙️📈

Nonprofit Spotlight: Prevent Child Abuse Iowa

This week, we're shining a light on Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, an organization dedicated to creating a safer future for children by promoting policies, programs, and partnerships that prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens.

Why It Matters: Every child deserves a safe, supportive, and loving environment to grow and thrive. Prevent Child Abuse Iowa works year-round to raise awareness, provide resources for families, and support community-based initiatives that strengthen child well-being across the state.

How You Can Help:
🔹 Attend the 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Conference – A chance to learn and engage with child welfare experts.
🔹 Volunteer or Donate – Support their programs that equip parents and caregivers with tools for healthy, safe child development.
🔹 Spread Awareness – Follow them on social media and share their message to help build a stronger, safer community.

To learn more or get involved, visit pcaiowa.org.

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

🏆 State Wrestling
The best wrestlers in the state compete for championship titles in one of Iowa’s biggest high school sporting events. Expect a packed downtown!
📍 Wells Fargo Arena 🗺️
📆 Ongoing | 🕛️ All Day

🥞 Flapjacks & Flannels
A cozy afternoon of good food and great beer—come dressed in your favorite flannel.
📍 Confluence Brewing Company 🗺️
📆 Friday | 🕛️ 12
➡️ Event Info

🍫 CITYVIEW's Chocolate Walk
Sample decadent chocolates while shopping at participating West Glen businesses.
📍 West Glen Town Center 🗺️
📆 Friday | 🕛️ 5–9
➡️ Tickets

☕ Cocoa & Crafts
Enjoy warm cocoa while creating a fun, hands-on craft project.
📍 Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 🗺️
📆 Friday | 🕛️ 6:30
➡️ Tickets

🛠 DIY in the Junction
Get hands-on with creative DIY projects while exploring Historic Valley Junction.
📍 Valley Junction 🗺️
📆 Saturday | 🕛️ 10 AM
➡️ Event Info

🚴‍♂️ Bondu Chowder Ride
A winter bike ride with a warm reward—chili, chowder, and drinks at the finish line!
📍 Reclaimed Rails Brewing Company 🗺️
📆 Saturday | 🕛️ 10:30 AM
➡️ Tickets

🌟 5th Annual Battle of the Bags
A cornhole tournament bringing the community together for fun and competition. Come out and support Prevent Child Abuse Iowa.
📍 Izaak Walton League 🗺️
📆 Saturday | 🕛️ 11 AM – 3 PM
➡️ Register

🐶 Pup Up Meet & Greet
Meet adoptable dogs and learn more about pet adoption!
📍 Pet Supplies Plus 🗺️
📆 Saturday | 🕛️ 12
➡️ Event Info

✨ Glow Gala
A celebration supporting Dress for Success Des Moines, featuring dinner, entertainment, and a great cause.
📍 Hilton Downtown 🗺️
📆 Saturday | 🕛️ 6
➡️ Tickets

🛍 The Loop Secondhand Market
A curated market featuring secondhand and vintage finds.
📍 East Fifth Studio 🗺️
📆 Sunday | 🕛️ 12
➡️ Event Info

⛸ Swiftie Sunday
A Taylor Swift-themed skate session—dress up and enjoy Swiftie vibes on the ice!
📍 Brenton Skating Plaza 🗺️
📆 Sunday | 🕛️ 2–5
➡️ Event Info

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer weather ahead

Hopefully, everyone's water pipes are still intact—there’s light at the end of the tunnel!

Thursday

High 7 🌡️ Low -13 | 🌤️ | ❄️ 6%

Friday

High 14 🌡️ Low 8 | ☀️ | ❄️ 6%

Saturday

High 30 🌡️ Low 20 | 🌥️ | 💧 7%

Sunday

High 40 🌡️ Low 32 | 🌥️ | 💧 7%

MUSIC SCENE 🎶🎤

Thursday

RITTZ w/ Doc Backer | 6 | Lefty’s Live Music
Beggars’ Bargain | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge

Friday

Night Bees | 5 | Lefty’s Live Music
Brian Congdon | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Kelsie James | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Jordan Messerole | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Matt Woods Roots Music | 7 | Temple Theater
Brother Trucker | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Satsang w/ Sierra Marin | 8 | xBk Live
Toast3r | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Kinda Petty | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Neva Alden | 8 | Sister’s Place
Dead Cats & Danny Potter | 9 | Lefty’s Live Music

Saturday

Sonia De Los Santos | 11AM | Civic Center
Lake Drive & Others | 5 | Lefty’s Live Music
BNTB | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Fresh Fighters | 7:30 | Wooly’s
Holding Hour Album Release | 8 | xBk Live
High Bidders | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
The Unfortunate Sons | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
The Band SPAM | 9 | Doug’s Pub
Mike Walsh Band | 10 | Lefty’s Live Music

Sunday

Soul Searchers | 1 & 3 | Botanical Garden
Avey Grouws Duo | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Get Off My Lawn | 5 | xBk Live
Al Welsh | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom

SPORTS 🏀 🏒 

College Basketball 🏀 

College basketball season is in full swing. March Madness will be here before we know it. Here’s a quick snapshot on each local program along with their next game.

Men

• Drake 🐶 @ UNI | Record: 24-3 (14-3)
  📆 2/23 | 🕛️ 3

• Iowa 🦅 VS Wash | Record: 14-12 (5-10)
  📆 2/22 | 🕛️ 3

• #8 ISU 🌪️ @ Hou | Record: 21-5 (11-4)
  📆 2/22 | 🕛️ 1

• UNI 🐆 VS Drake | Record: 19-9 (13-4)
  📆 2/23 | 🕛️ 3

Women

• Drake 🐶 VS S. Ill | Record: 17-8 (11-3)
  📆 2/20 | 🕛️ 6

• Iowa 🦅 VS UCLA | Record: 18-8 (8-7)
  📆 2/23 | 🕛️ 1

• ISU 🌪️ @ Bay | Record: 18-9 (9-5)
  📆 2/22 | 🕛️ 1:30

• UNI 🐆 VS Missouri St. | Record: 13-12 (8-6)
  📆 2/20 | 🕛️ 6

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs | 18-24-3 (7th place - Western Conference)

• @ Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
  📆 2/21 | 🕛️ 7:05

• @ Sioux City Musketeers
  📆 2/22 | 🕛️ 6:05

• @ Sioux Falls Stampede
  📆 2/25 | 🕛️ 7:05

Iowa Wild | 16-28-3-1 (6th place - Central Division)

• @ Rockford Icehogs
  📆 2/21 | 🕛️ 7

• @ Chicago Wolves
  📆 2/22 | 🕛️ 7

• @ Grand Rapids Griffins
  📆 2/23 | 🕛️ 4

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves | 4-16 (15th place - Western Conference)

• @ Sioux Falls Skyforce
  📆 2/20 | 🕛️ 6:30

• VS San Diego Clippers
  🐺 Alpha’s Birthday
  📆 2/23 | 🕛️ 3

• VS San Diego Clippers
  📆 2/24 | 🕛️ 6:30

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

I would love your feedback! Reply here or email me anytime!

Want to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn? Let’s chat! [email protected].