🌱 Des Moines Digest
Issue #57 |Monday, September 28, 2026
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Everything You Need for a Great Des Moines Week!
Good Morning, Des Moines!
Mark your calendar for Monday, because after a soggy weekend, we're finally getting a legit stretch of fall weather — sunny, mid-70s, and dry enough to actually enjoy your porch again. I'd pencil in Monday and Thursday as your best outdoor windows this week.
There's a lot packed into this issue: a century-old warehouse in the East Village getting a second life as office space, a City Council budget fight that could touch your local library, and two very different but very Des Moines events — one for entrepreneurs, one for people who take their coffee seriously (hi, that's me).
Grab your coffee, scroll down, and let's get into it. Have a great week out there.
No judgment here. But we all have a type. Which one are you? 👇
This week's question: What's dragging you outside while the weather's good?
☀️☀️ This Week’s Weather
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 74°F | 74°F | 73°F | 67°F | 65°F |
Conditions | 🌤️ Partly Cloudy | ⛈️ PM Thunderstorm | 🌧️ Periods of Rain | 🌧️ Rain + Thunderstorm | 🌦️ AM Rain, Then Sun |
Monday looks pleasant with a mix of clouds and sun. Tuesday turns stormier, with a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, followed by a rainy Wednesday and Thursday. By Friday, morning rain should give way to increasing sunshine, with cooler temperatures to close out the week.
📰 News Digest
📰 What's Happening in Des Moines Metro
🏗️ Century-old East Village warehouse getting a major makeover Demolition is underway at the former Nichols & Shepard threshing equipment warehouse at 108 SE Fourth St., part of a conversion project that will turn the historic building into Class A office space. It's the latest sign of East Village's continued shift from industrial roots to modern workspace. Source: Business Record
🏛️ Library cuts back on the table as City Council budget vote looms Des Moines is staring down a projected $12 million budget gap for the fiscal year that starts next July, driven largely by a new state law capping annual property tax revenue growth at 2%. City leaders have said library hours, branches, pool closures, and neighborhood policing could all be affected, and the City Council was slated to vote in mid-September on an initial package of budget savings to guide the final plan. Source: Axios Des Moines
🏦 New leadership named at Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines has named a new president and CEO, a notable leadership change for one of the city's larger financial institutions. Source: Business Record
📍 Downtown office building lands new tenant Nationwide Expos, a Florida-based company, has signed a lease for a sales office in the Insurance Exchange Building downtown — the one easy to spot by the red Travelers umbrella on its roof. Source: Business Record
🎗️ Estes Construction announces Q3 community grant recipients Estes Construction awarded its latest round of Community Impact Grants to a dozen local organizations, with funding split across youth programs, workforce development, and regional nonprofits. Source: Business Record
🍹 The Ultimate Guide to Des Moines Happy Hours
Need a good excuse to get out this week? Des Moines has plenty of spots where you can grab a drink, a bite, and a little after-work downtime without spending a fortune. From downtown favorites to neighborhood spots, happy hour is one of the easiest ways to enjoy more of the city for less.
We rounded up the best of it — happy hour specials, local bars and restaurants, drink deals, food specials, and more — in one guide.
📚 WEEKLY STUDY TIPS
Brought to you by Camp Homework
📚 Fresh Strategies for Parents and Students — New Tips Every Issue!
🎯 Break big assignments into smaller steps — instead of “finish the project,” help your student identify the next 15–20 minute task.
🧠 Ask your child to explain what they learned — explaining a concept out loud is a simple way to check whether they actually understand it.
⏰ Use short study sessions — 20–30 focused minutes can be more productive than sitting with homework for an hour while distracted.
📱 Put the phone out of reach during homework — even having a phone nearby can make it harder to stay focused.
😴 Protect sleep before a big school day — staying up late to cram often works against memory, focus, and learning the next day.
Learning doesn't stop when school is out. Camp Homework helps students build confidence, strengthen skills, and stay ready for the school year ahead. Learn more at camphomework.com.
🎟️ EVENT SHOWCASE
🚀 Iowa Startup Week 📍 Krause Gateway Center, Des Moines 🗓️ Starts Monday, September 28, 6:00 PM
If you've ever thought about starting something of your own — or just like being around people who are building things — this is the week to show up. Iowa Startup Week brings together founders, investors, and the broader Central Iowa startup community for a run of talks, panels, and pitch events. It's low-key one of the best free (or low-cost) ways to expand your network here, whether you're deep into your own venture or just curious what people are building in this city right now.
BIG EVENTS
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 28–Oct 1 | Krause Gateway Center + downtown venues | $99 GA / $249 VIP | |
Sep 27, 8:00 AM | Iowa Events Center | Ticketed |
Farmer’s Market
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Downtown Farmers' Market | Saturdays, 7 AM–Noon | Court Ave District | Free entry |
Valley Junction Farmers' Market | Thursdays, 4–8 PM | 5th St., West Des Moines | Free entry |
Beaverdale Farmers' Market | Tuesdays, 4–7 PM | Beaverdale | Free entry |
SMALL & LOCAL FAVORITES
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
September 29 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | East Side Library | Free | |
September 29 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Des Moines Art Center | $35 – $40 | |
September 29 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $51 – $60 | |
September 29 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Hoyt Sherman Place | $20 | |
September 29 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm | Hoyt Sherman Place | $35- $80 | |
September 30 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | North Side Library | Free | |
September 30 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | lucca | $75 | |
September 30 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $21.25 – $25 | |
September 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm | Des Moines Playhouse | $25 – $80 | |
October 1 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | South Side Library | Free | |
October 1 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Ankeny Art Center | Free | |
October 1 @ 5:00 pm - 8:15 pm | Des Moines Art Center | $125 | |
October 1 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | Free | |
October 1 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Polk County Heritage Gallery | Free | |
October 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm | Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center | $35.45 | |
October 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm | Ankeny Community Theatre | $20 – $25 |
We want to hear from you! Des Moines Digest exists to help locals find the best things to do, see, and explore across the metro — but we can only make it better with your input. Tell us what sections you love, what you skip, and what you wish we covered more. Whether it's a hidden gem, an event type, or just a quick "keep doing this" — we're all ears. Your feedback shapes every issue, so hit reply or click below and let us know. This digest is for you, Des Moines! 💬
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Thanks for starting the week with us, Des Moines. See you Thursday! 🌱
— Alex | Des Moines Digest 📘
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