We're giving away a $25 gift card to a local Des Moines restaurant because supporting the places that make our city actually feel like home matters.

Whether you're craving breakfast burritos, pizza that actually slaps, or that one dish you can't stop thinking about — this one's for you. Use it for date night, use it to treat yourself on a random Tuesday, we don't care. Just use it local.

Want in? Click here to enter. Takes like 10 seconds. And hey, if you've got a friend who's always asking "where should we eat?" — send them this. You'll both thank us later. desmoinesdigest.com/giveaway

End-of-Year Sprint Strategy: We're in the home stretch now. Help your student tackle the final push with these tried-and-true tips:

Need more than just last-minute study tips? Camp Homework offers affordable K–12 tutoring with real human tutors — not AI — starting at $150/month. camphomework.com

Kurt has been a paid musician since age 14, starting out in the pit orchestra of The Purple Cow Dinner Theater in a barn at Cutty’s Campground north of Des Moines. When he wasn’t playing drums, he was also waiting tables before the show, during intermission, and after — a job he says he hated every minute of.

Since then, his life has taken more turns than most people could imagine. He’s launched a downtown newspaper out of a Sherman Hill basement, managed a 40-person rotating band payroll at Adventureland, served as Director of Media and Public Relations at United Way, designed a city-wide entertainment shuttle, and earned a commercial driver’s license to drive motor coaches across North America.

Along the way, he’s opened for the Kentucky Headhunters, played behind Joan Rivers, and even invented a board game that still sits on his shelf today.

But most people don’t know any of that.

What they know — if they know him at all — is the ice cream. 🍦

Yet there’s a chapter in the middle of his story that changed everything: one morning, 53 high school kids on board, a green light, a tow truck — and years spent without the one thing that had quietly followed him since 1976.

What he lost, and how he found his way back, is the part of the story worth reading slowly. Click here for the whole story

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She started in her living room. Today, she runs one of Iowa’s most talked-about kitchen and gift stores.

At the Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona, customers often stop in their tracks when they walk in — the colors, the variety, the sheer volume of products packed onto every shelf, all carefully hand-picked by one woman who has been selling since she was a child.

Suzy Henriksen opened Suzy’s Kitchen & Gifts on January 1st, 2020, out of a two-room home office in Pleasant Hill. In just five years, she’s built it into one of the most unique kitchen and gift destinations in the state — and she did it all herself.

What makes the store different isn’t just the products — though there are hundreds of carefully selected items, including brands you won’t easily find elsewhere in Des Moines. Suzy is Iowa’s #1 Geometry microfiber towel retailer, and she also carries Swig, Brumate, NFL gifts, games, novelty items, and a constantly rotating mix of new arrivals every week.

But ask her what really matters, and she won’t talk about products.

She’ll talk about people.

“If I don’t love it, it doesn’t make the cut,” she says. But more importantly, she knows her customers by name, remembers their favorite colors, and genuinely cares how they’re doing. “It’s not about just the transaction,” Suzy says. “It’s about making people happy.”

We sat down with Suzy to hear how she kept her business alive through COVID, what it took to go from a home office to a mall storefront, and why she believes shopping local is about more than saving money. She also shares her favorite local spots around the Des Moines metro — including hidden gems worth discovering.

Don’t miss her upcoming Sip & Shop Ribbon Cutting on May 2nd at 9:45 AM, hosted with the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce — featuring swag bags, specials, and new product drops.

And here's some exciting news — Suzy is generously donating a Pink 32oz stainless steel Elemental mug to our drawing next month! The May drawing opens on May 1st, so stay tuned for your chance to win.

Visit her at 545 Bass Pro Dr NW, Suite 638 in Altoona, or shop anytime at shopsuzyskitchenandgifts.com →

Click here for the full story

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The Grand Blue Mile is one of those uniquely Des Moines events — runners of all levels race through downtown streets before finishing on the iconic Blue Oval at Drake Stadium. It's part of Drake Relays week, which means the energy is electric, the crowds are loud, and even if you're not running, it's worth going just to watch.

Whether you're a serious runner chasing a PR or just someone who wants to say they finished on the same track as Olympic athletes, this is your chance. Plus, there's a youth division for kids, so it's a great family event.

The whole thing wraps up in about an hour, and you'll get to experience one of the coolest sporting traditions in Des Moines.

📅 Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
🕒 Time: Evening (check website for exact start time)
📍 Location: Downtown Des Moines, finishing at Drake Stadium
🎟️ Info: grandbluemile.com

🥊 World Shot Put Series — Wed, April 22 | Drake Fieldhouse
Elite Olympic-level athletes go head-to-head in a fast, high-intensity shot put showdown — free and seriously impressive to watch.

🏅 Drake Relays — Thu–Sat, April 23–25 | Drake Stadium
Des Moines’ signature sports tradition returns. World-class track and field action on the legendary Blue Oval.

😂 Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour — Fri, April 24
One of the biggest names in stand-up comedy brings a nationally sold-out tour stop to Des Moines.

🌍 Folklore Festival 2026 — Sat, April 25
A cultural celebration of music, heritage, and community at Hoyt Sherman Place.

🍷 Eat | Drink | Architecture 2026 — Sun, April 26
A curated experience blending food, drinks, and architectural exploration across the city.

🎭 Cinderella (Theatre) — Fri, April 24
A live stage production of the classic fairy tale.

🎪 Junk Jubilee — Fri, April 24
A vintage and antiques marketplace full of hidden treasures.

🍤 Shrimp Boil on the Terrace — Fri, April 24
A relaxed outdoor food night with community vibes.

🛍️ Black Girl Book Fair — Sat, April 25
A community-driven celebration of books, stories, and culture.

🎨 Model Train Display — Sat, April 25
A family-friendly hobby showcase with impressive miniature worlds.

🎨 Folk Art Fair — Sat, April 25
Handmade art, crafts, and local creative talent on display.

🌿 Earth Day Celebration — Sat, April 25
A full community-focused day of environmental awareness and activities.

🎭 Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Theatre) — Sun, April 26
A classic story brought to life on stage.

🎭 Suffs — Tue, April 28
A powerful theatrical production with strong storytelling and history at its core.

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! 💬
DesMoinesDigest.com/feedback

Thanks for starting the week with us, Des Moines. See you Thursday! 🌱

— Alex | Des Moines Digest 📘|
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