Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn. If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a merry one. If you celebrate Hanukkah, then Hanukkah Sameach! If you celebrate Kwanzaa, Heri za Kwanzaa!

Can you believe we’re about to say goodbye to 2024? As we head into the new year, we’re more excited than ever to keep the good stuff coming — more stories, more events, and more reasons to feel connected to this amazing community we call home.

In todays issue:

• 🌕️ Moon Fun

• New Year’s Festivities 🍾 

• 🥖 Hunger Free Holidays

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

Black Moon 🌑 

Mark your calendars for the upcoming new moon on December 30th. This will be the second new moon of the month, making it a Black Moon. This phenomenon occurs only once every few years and carries both astronomical and cultural significance. The Black Moon will rise in the sign of Capricorn, inviting reflection and goal-setting as we transition into a new year. Like all new moons, the Black Moon won’t be visible as the Moon is between Earth and the Sun in its orbit. For stargazers and spiritual seekers alike, this Black Moon offers a unique opportunity to connect with the cosmos and set intentions for 2025 under a dark, starry sky. Weather permitting, this would be an ideal time to visit local dark sky spots like Ledges State Park or Lake Red Rock for stargazing.

THE ROUNDUP 🧵📱

Ring in the New Year 🎉🍾🥂

New Year’s is a chance to embrace fresh starts and endless possibilities. But first, we celebrate. Not all of us are lucky enough* to be in Times Square to watch the ball drop, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to have a toast with a glass of champagne.

👉️ Check out this list of events from the Des Moines Partnership.

*You couldn’t pay me enough to attend.

515 Walnut 🏗️ 

Construction has begun at the corner of 5th and Walnut. What’s coming? A 33 story apartment tower that would be the largest residential project ever constructed in Des Moines. The idea of this tower dates back to 2016, with St. Joseph Group taking over in 2022 to revive the project. The building is set to open in 2027.

👉️ Full story here. 

Teehee’s Comedy Club 🗣️ 

The old Spaghetti Works building has a new tenant. Teehee’s Comedy Club, friends of The Dawn, will be taking over the space as it has been reclassified as an assembly and entertainment space. As we discussed in September, Teehee’s had closed their old venue and had taken the show on the road. We can’t wait to see how this turns out.

👉️ Full Story here. 

Around Town 🏙️📈

Food Bank of Iowa: Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope

Food Bank of Iowa has long been a cornerstone in the fight against hunger, working tirelessly to provide food to individuals and families across 55 counties in Iowa. With a mission to ensure that no Iowan goes hungry, they distribute millions of pounds of food each year to pantries, schools, shelters, and other partner organizations. Their efforts bring vital resources to underserved communities, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity.

This holiday season, Food Bank of Iowa, in partnership with Corteva—who is matching donations up to $100,000—is leading the charge with their Hunger Free Holidays initiative, running through December 31. This special campaign aims to ensure every family can enjoy a meal during the holidays, a time when the need for food assistance is especially acute. By donating or volunteering, you can help Food Bank of Iowa meet its goal of providing nutritious meals to those who need them most. Together, we can turn the season of giving into a season of hope for countless Iowans.

👉️ Donate here.

WHAT TO DO 🚨🏁

ARL Friends for Life Adoption Event
The ARL will have adoption counselors available on-site to help you meet the dogs. All dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, plus adoption fees for dogs 6 months and up will be 50% off.
📍 PetSmart
📆 Saturday 10-1

Pajama Skate
Get cozy and roll into the holiday spirit with Pajama Skate! Don’t forget to wear your favorite pajamas for a family night filled with skating fun, comfy PJs, and festive vibes.
📍 Skateland
📆 Friday 6-9
➡️ Tickets

Musical Storytime
Join local performer Craig Petersen (who starred in the Des Moines Playhouse's recent production of "Once") for a morning of singing, dancing, reading, and fun!
📍 The Little Book
📆 Saturday 10:30

Barn Quilt Painting Workshop
Combine your love for quilting and painting! Learn to paint your own Barn Quilt on 2 foot square wood boards. Bring your own pattern or pick from an inventory of options. All other supplies will be provided.
📍 Iowa Made Market
📆 Saturday 10-4
➡️ Tickets

Discover the Wild Days
DISCOVER the WILD days will allow you to Discover, Connect and Take Action for the animals in our care, the conservation organization we support, an understanding of what we do at the zoo.
📍 Blank Park Zoo
📆 Saturday 10-2

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer Weather Ahead

Thursday

High 44 | Low 41 | 🌦️ 

Friday

High 48 | Low 39 | 🌧️ 

Saturday

High 48 | Low 33 | ☁️ 

Sunday

High 49 | Low 30 | ⛅️ 

MUSIC SCENE 🎶🎤

Friday

Johnny Laws and Vince Cline | 6 | The Ducktail Lounge
Southbound | 6 | Decades Event Center
David Watson | 7 | Pally’s Bar & Grille
Problems & More | 7 | Lefty’s Live Music
Jordan Beem | 8 | Prairie Meadows
SubtleSound.Wav 008 | 8 | Wooly’s
The Sons and Sara | 8 | Doc’s Lounge

Saturday

Not Quite Brothers | 7 | Wooly’s
Heatbox and The Spooklights | 8 | xBk Live
Danny Spain Gang | 8 | Lefty’s Live Music
Monkeyfour | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
The Unfortunate Sons | 8 | Doc’s Lounge

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Football 🏈

It is officially bowl/playoff season. The Hawks and the Clones each qualified for bowl games and will be in action this week.

Iowa State 🌪️ VS Miami | 12/28 | Pop-Tarts Bowl 📍 Orlando, FL

Iowa 🦅 VS Missouri | 12/30 | TransPerfect Music City Bowl 📍 Nashville, TN

College Basketball 🏀 

College basketball season is underway. Here’s a quick update on each program as conference play gets underway in earnest.

• Drake Men 🐶 Next Game VS Belmont | 12/29 | Record: 11-0 (1-0)

• Drake Women 🐶 Next Game @ Evansville | 12/29 | Record: 6-5

• Iowa Men 🦅 Next Game VS New Hampshire | 12/30 | Record: 9-3 (1-1)

• #24 Iowa Women 🦅 Next Game VS Purdue | 12/29 | Record: 10-2 (0-1)

• #3 Iowa State Men 🌪️ Next Game @ Colorado | 12/30 | Record: 10-1

• Iowa State Women 🌪️ Next Game VS Kansas | 1/1 | Record: 9-5 (0-1)

• UNI Men 🐆 Next Game VS Southern Illinois | 12/29 | Record: 7-5 (1-0)

• UNI Women 🐆 Next Game @ Indiana State | 12/29 | Record: 5-6

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs

• @ Omaha Lancers | 12/28 | 6:05

Iowa Wild

• @ Rockford Icehogs | 12/27 | 7

• VS Rockford Icehogs | 12/28 | 6 🎆 Post Game Fireworks 💎 Diamond Giveaway

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves

• @ Mexico City Capitanes | 12/27 | 8

• @ Mexico City Capitanes | 12/29 | 4

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THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

I would love your feedback! You can respond directly to this email with any comments, recommendations, or ideas.

P.S. If you, or anyone you know, would like to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn, please contact me at [email protected] or respond directly to this email.