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- 🌅 Major Shake-Up in DSM + The One Thing You’ll Regret Missing This Weekend!"
🌅 Major Shake-Up in DSM + The One Thing You’ll Regret Missing This Weekend!"
3/6
Nick Rivas
March 06, 2025
PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
It's Girls State Basketball week in the capital city! Let's give a warm welcome to teams and fans from across the state.
Remember to check out Bound for all results.
In todays issue:
Celebrating Iowa’s Trailblazing Women
Greg Edwards Retiring
Girl Scout Cookie Season is Ending
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
Celebrating Iowa’s Women in History 💜
March is Women’s History Month, and here in Iowa, we also celebrate Iowa History Month—the perfect time to highlight trailblazing women who shaped our state and beyond.
From the fight for women’s voting rights to breaking barriers in civil rights and Native American leadership, these three women left a lasting impact:
🌟 Mary Jane Coggeshall – Known as the "Mother of Woman Suffrage in Iowa," she fought tirelessly for women’s right to vote long before the 19th Amendment was passed.
✊ Edna Griffin – Often called "Iowa’s Rosa Parks," she led one of the earliest successful civil rights cases after being denied service at a Des Moines lunch counter in 1948.
🪶 Jean Adeline Morgan Wanatee – A dedicated Meskwaki leader, she became the first woman elected to the Meskwaki Tribal Council and worked to preserve Native culture and education.
These women paved the way for future generations, and their stories remind us why celebrating history—and the people who shaped it—matters. Click their names to learn more about their incredible legacies!
PRESENTED BY: Dapper DJs
Looking to make your next event unforgettable? 🎶 Dapper DJs, led by Riley Schneekloth (a.k.a. DJ Riled Up), brings nearly a decade of experience and a reputation for creating memorable celebrations across Central Iowa. With sharp style and a focus on top-notch entertainment, they bring energy and expertise to every event.
Whether it’s a wedding, corporate gathering, or a milestone celebration, Dapper DJs deliver more than music—they set the vibe and keep the party going all night long. From dazzling lighting effects to seamless transitions, they ensure every detail is covered so you can relax and enjoy the moment.
📆 Book Dapper DJs today and turn your event into a memory that lasts a lifetime!
🗣️ Exclusive Offer for DSM at Dawn Readers! 🎉
Mention DSM at Dawn when booking with Dapper DJs to enjoy a 5% discount on their services.
THE 515 REPORT 📱📰
Greg Edwards Announces Retirement
If you’ve been around Des Moines as long as I have, you remember what it used to be like—nothing like the vibrant, thriving city it is today. And a lot of that transformation can be credited to one person.
Greg Edwards announced yesterday that he will be stepping down as President and CEO of Catch Des Moines after 25 years of leadership. Under his guidance, Des Moines has grown into a nationally recognized destination, hosting major events, boosting local tourism, and earning countless awards. His passion and vision have shaped the way people experience our city.
Thank you, Greg, for your dedication, leadership, and all you’ve done to make Des Moines what it is today. Your impact will be felt for years to come.
Now, he can focus on something even more important—being Papa to my kids full-time. 😉
Botanical Garden Campaign
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden has launched the public phase of its $9 million capital campaign, aimed at enhancing visitor experiences and expanding educational programs. The campaign will fund improvements like new gardens, upgraded infrastructure, and additional community programming, reinforcing the garden’s role as a vibrant urban oasis. With $7.1 million already raised, community support is key to reaching the final goal.
Now Open in DSM
📧 Know of a new business opening? Let me know!
Nos Books | Drake
The Rook Room (Coming Soon) | Downtown
Tom Archers | West Des Moines
Hawaiian Bros | Waukee
HEART OF DSM ❤️
Supporting Future Leaders: Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa (GSGI) empowers young girls through leadership programs, community service, and hands-on learning experiences across Iowa and beyond.
The 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program is in full swing but ends March 23—so grab your favorites before they’re gone! This year also marks the final season for the Toast-Yay!® cookie.
👉 Ways to Buy:
Find a Girl Scout – Order directly from a scout you know
Visit a Booth – Use the Cookie Finder to locate a booth near you
Order Online – Starting February 21, have cookies shipped directly to your door
Celebrate Girl Scout Week (March 9–15) & National Girl Scout Day (March 12)
Girl Scouts will celebrate a week of service, leadership, and community engagement leading up to National Girl Scout Day on March 12. If you see local scouts out making a difference, take a moment to cheer them on!
🔗 Learn more or get involved: girlscoutsiowa.org
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
🎨 Pizza and Skate Night
Enjoy a fun night of skating with friends and family, plus pizza to keep you fueled!
📍 Skateland
📆 Friday | 🕔 5 PM
➡️ Skate
🛍️ Spring Open House
Shop the latest styles and seasonal finds at this boutique event.
📍 Purple Poppy Boutique
📆 Friday-Saturday | 🕙 10 AM
➡️ Shop
🐉 Art of Dragons Exhibition
Explore dragon-inspired artwork and mystical creations at this unique exhibit.
📍 Des Moines New Age Shop
📆 Friday-Saturday
➡️ Explore
🛍️ Spring Craft, Vendor & Boutique Show
Find handmade crafts, unique gifts, and boutique items at this seasonal shopping event.
📍 Horizon Events Center
📆 Saturday | 🕘 9 AM - 4 PM
➡️ Shop
🎲 Boardgame Garage Sale
Get great deals on board games, from classics to hidden gems!
📍 Ironside Axe Club
📆 Saturday | 🕙 10 AM - 12 PM
➡️ Tickets
🐶 Pup UP Meet & Greet
Meet adorable adoptable pups and learn more about pet adoption!
📍 Just Paws Gourmet
📆 Saturday | 🕛 12 PM - 2 PM
➡️ Meet the Pups
🥊 Brawl at the Hall
Watch local fighters go head-to-head in an action-packed showdown.
📍 The Hall DSM
📆 Saturday | 🕖 7 PM
➡️ Event Details
🎶 The Request Line
A live music experience featuring audience-requested songs!
📍 xBk Live
📆 Saturday | 🕢 7:30 PM
➡️ Dance Party
🐩 Poodles & Doodles Meetup
Let your poodle or doodle run and play with fellow fluffy friends!
📍 Paws and Pints
📆 Sunday | 🕓 4 PM
➡️ Download the App
WEATHER 🌞🌡️
Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer weather ahead
Now that we've survived fake spring and second winter, it feels like real spring should be here—but we know better than to trust it just yet.
Thursday
High 44 🌡️ Low 31 | 🌤️ | 💧 17%
Friday
High 38 🌡️ Low 24 | 🌨️ | ❄️ 68%
Saturday
High 47 🌡️ Low 29 | 🌥️ | 💧 6%
Sunday
High 54 🌡️ Low 31 | 🌥️ | 💧 7%
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Scott Davis & Co | 7 | Noce
Matt Terronez | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
The Soul Searchers | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Steel Panther | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
Friday
Alex Kasznel & The Board of Directors | 5:30 | Lefty’s Live Music
Loose Gravel | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
David Watson | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Ducharme-Jones Band | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Dirk Von Stein | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Brian Congdon | 7 | Firetrucker Brewery
Suede | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Feel Right Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Heath Alan | 8:30 | Greenwood Lounge
Saturday
Women’s History Music Fest | 4 | Lefty’s Live Music
Velvet Trio | 4 | Doc’s Lounge
Jesse & the Medicine Men | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Folkfest of the North | 6 | Wooly’s
Malcom Wells | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Ian Munsick | 7 | Horizon Events Center
Severio Mancieri | 7 | Uptown Garage Brewing
Rural Route | 7 | Reclaimed Rails Brewing
Chris Botti | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Toast3r | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Scott Hammond | 8 | Doug’s Pub & Grub
Drive Thirty5 | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
The People’s Band | 8:30 | Mickey’s Irish Pub Waukee
Jeff Banks Band | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Knuckle | 9 | Yacht Club
Sunday
Steve E. George | 1 & 3 | Botanical Garden
Sumpin Doo | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Dark Below w/ Dirty Deals | 5 | Lefty’s Live Music
Scott Davis w/ Jamie Poulson Duo | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
AMPERS&ONE | 7 | Wooly’s
SPORTS 🏈🏅
College Basketball 🏀
It’s March, and that means it’s time for the postseason. Conference tournaments are underway for most teams this week, with the Iowa and Iowa State men finishing up the regular season this weekend
Men
Drake 🐶 VS TBD | Record: 27-3 (17-3)
📆 3/7 | 🕛️ 12Iowa 🦅 VS Mich St | Record: 15-14 (6-12)
📆 3/6 | 🕛️ 7#10 ISU 🌪️ @ Kan St | Record: 22-8 (12-7)
📆 3/8 | 🕛️ 12:30UNI 🐆 VS TBD | Record: 20-11 (14-6)
📆 3/7 | 🕛️ 8:30
Women
Drake 🐶 @ Valpo | Record: 20-9 (14-4)
📆 3/6 | 🕛️ 6Iowa 🦅 VS Mich St | Record: 21-9 (10-8)
📆 3/6 | 🕛️ 8ISU 🌪️ VS Ariz St | Record: 21-10 (12-6)
📆 3/6 | 🕛️ 5:30UNI 🐆 @ UIC | Record: 15-14 (10-8)
📆 3/6 | 🕛️ 7
Hockey 🏒
Bucs | 19-29-3-0 (7th place - Western Conference)
@ Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
📆 3/7 | 🕛️ 7:05VS Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
📆 3/8 | 🕛️ 6:30@ Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
📆 3/9 | 🕛️ 4:05
Iowa Wild | 20-30-3-1 (6th place - Central Division)
@ Rockford Icehogs
📆 3/7 | 🕛️ 7@ Milwaukee Admirals
📆 3/8 | 🕛️ 6
G League 🏀
Iowa Wolves | 4-21 (15th place - Western Conference)
@ Oklahoma City Blue
📆 3/10 | 🕛️ 12@ Oklahoma City Blue
📆 3/12 | 🕛️ 7
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].
