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

Ope, there’s the Iowa winter we all know and love. Just a couple of weeks ago, it was teasing us with a hint of spring (and let’s be honest, it won’t be the last time). Now, we’re back to shoveling a foot of snow. Is that dramatic? Anyway, as of 6 PM Wednesday, Des Moines had picked up 6.4 inches. February really is the longest short month of the year.

With all that said, this week’s poll:

In todays issue:

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

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! 🎉
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Valley West Mall, a longstanding retail hub in West Des Moines since 1975, has been listed for sale. The two-story, 856,000-square-foot property sits on nearly 58 acres and is currently anchored by JCPenney. The sale follows a foreclosure in 2022 and aims to attract developers interested in transforming the site into a mixed-use development, potentially incorporating residential, office, retail, and entertainment spaces. The City of West Des Moines is keen on revitalizing the area to enhance activity in the middle of the community.

👉 Read More

Get ready for a thrilling spectacle as the Red Bull Soapbox Race makes its return to Des Moines on May 31, 2025, at the Iowa State Capitol Grounds. This event invites teams to design and build creative, gravity-powered carts to race down a course filled with obstacles. Teams are judged on speed, creativity, and showmanship, making for an entertaining experience for participants and spectators alike. Applications are open until March 31 for teams interested in participating. The event is open to the public, promising a day of fun and innovation.

👉 Full Details

Tag @dsmatdawn to get your photos published!

Des Moines is a city built on strong communities, and Invest DSM is working to keep those neighborhoods thriving. This nonprofit focuses on revitalizing key areas by supporting homeowners, improving housing stock, and encouraging private investment. By providing grants and resources, Invest DSM helps homeowners make exterior upgrades, assists small-scale developers with renovation projects, and works alongside residents to strengthen neighborhood identity.

Their efforts don’t just improve curb appeal—they build long-term stability and increase property values, ensuring Des Moines' older neighborhoods remain vibrant places to live. Through targeted investments, Invest DSM encourages a cycle of reinvestment, where private and public dollars work together to create lasting change.

How You Can Get Involved

To learn more about available grants, upcoming projects, or how you can contribute to the mission, visit investdsm.org. 🏡💙

Downtown Chamber Bags Tournament 🎲💼
An afternoon of fun and networking with the Downtown Chamber of Commerce’s annual bags tournament.
📍 River Center | Map
📆 Thursday | 🕛 12:00–5:00 PM
➡️ Register

Winter Blues Fest 🎶❄️
Get rid of the winter blues with top blues musicians from across the country performing in multiple ballrooms. This event is put on by the Central Iowa Blues Society.
📍 Marriott Hotel | Map
📆 Friday | 🕛 7:30 PM

Marc Maron 🎤😂
Comedian Marc Maron brings his sharp, introspective humor to Des Moines for a night of stand-up.
📍 Hoyt Sherman Place | Map
📆 Friday | 🕛 8:00 PM
➡️ Tickets

Des Moines Parent Summer Camp Fair ⛺🎨
Explore summer camps and activities for kids with local vendors and program representatives.
📍 Valley Community Center | Map
📆 Saturday | 🕛 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
➡️ More Info

Horizon Big Indoor Garage Sale 🏷️🛍️
Find hidden treasures and unbeatable deals at this massive indoor garage sale.
📍 Horizon Events Center | Map
📆 Saturday | 🕛 9:00 AM
➡️ More Info

Shiver on the River 2025 🥶🚣
Brave the cold and join your fellow village idiots at this annual charity event.
📍 Captain Roy's | Map
📆 Saturday | 🕛 10:00 AM
➡️ Tickets

Fairy Wings and Pirate Things 🧚‍♀️🏴‍☠️
A whimsical kids' event with crafts, activities, and dress-up fun at Big Grove Brewery.
📍 Big Grove Brewery | Map
📆 Saturday | 🕛 11:00 AM

Gals and Pals 💕☕
Celebrate friendship with coffee, sweet treats, and special Galentine’s Day surprises. Join Des Moines Girl for this monthly meet up.
📍 Creme | Map
📆 Saturday | 🕛 12:00–4:00 PM

Galentine's Pottery Painting 🎨🍷
Create your own pottery masterpiece with friends in a cozy, creative setting.
📍 Glazed Expressions | Map
📆 Saturday | 🕛 7:00–10:00 PM
➡️ Register

Des Moines Makers Market & Bar Hop 🛍️🍻
Shop local makers while enjoying craft drinks at this market-meets-bar-hop event.
📍 Big Grove Brewery | Map
📆 Sunday | 🕛 1:00 PM

Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

We finally have a little snow of the ground, with some more in the forecast for Saturday. Otherwise, look for some bitter cold overnights.

Thursday

High 16 🌡 Low 6 | 🌤️ | ❄ 17%

Friday

High 32 🌡 Low 23 | 🌥 | 💧24%

Saturday

High 26 🌡 Low -3 | 🌥 | ❄ 39%

Sunday

High 8 🌡 Low -5 | 🌥 | ❄ 5%

Thursday

Bob Pace & The Power | 7 | Lefty’s Live Music

Friday

A Valued Ties Day | 5 | Lefty’s Live Music
Serenade | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels | 7 | xBk Live
Parmalee | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Flatland Cavalry | 8 | Vibrant Music Hall
Drive Thurty5 | 8 | Back Roads Lounge

Saturday

Mancat Medicine Band | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Battle of the Bands | 6 | xBk Live
The Warren Haynes Band | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
The BASSberry CLAM | 8 | Lefty’s Live Music
Bad Decisions | 8 | Down Under Bar & Grill
Parranderos Latin Combo | 9:30 | Wooly’s

Sunday

Jordan Messerole | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Electric Cars | 6 | Lefty’s Live Music

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

Women

Hockey 🏒

Bucs | 18-22-2 (7th place - Western Conference)

Iowa Wild | 15-27-2-1 (6th place - Central Division)

G League 🏀

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

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

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