Des Moines 2023

Renovations

to increase home value

Personalization: We all want to make our home unique to our own character. However, when it comes time to sell, buyers want to envision themselves in the home, which can be difficult if the entire home is personalized to you. Avoid any personalization that is difficult to undo and stick to a nice universal outlook that speaks to everyone.

Landscaping: Just like with personalizing, it’s best to keep it simple. Some home buyers may love how elaborate your landscaping may look, but most of the time they’re considering the cost of upkeep or the difficulty of maintaining that look. A clean lawn with curb appeal is the best first impression to give to potential buyers.

Closet Space: Some of us are minimalist and can do with a larger room by sacrificing closet space, but most potential buyers value the importance of storage. Remember, buyers want to see themselves living in the home, and a lack of closet space might send them looking elsewhere.

Bold Paint: Freshly painted rooms are a great way to brighten up your home. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a little color into your home but keep in mind that buyers may not favor the same colors you do. Stick to keeping the colors subtle with small accents and focus more on neutral tones to appeal to potential buyers.

Trendy Designs: Barn doors and patterned tiles may look great to some buyers, but avoid trendy designs that might be outdated when you decide to sell. No matter how tempting the latest home design trend may be, the classic look is always the safest bet.

DIY Projects: Projects that you build yourself are great, but only when they’re done professionally. This is important to potential buyers so make sure if you’re going to do your own home project, that you do it exceptionally well. This also applies to repairs, quick cover ups will only get you so far. These sort of projects can either increase or decrease the value of your home so make sure you know what you’re doing before proceeding.

Long-Term Necessities: When it comes to renovations, keep in mind that not every buyer needs a built in office desk, or a workshop, or anything that may seem like a great idea to you. Tread carefully when adding permanent fixtures, not all buyers have the same vision as you when it comes to changes made. Make sure your room structures allow the flexibility for potential buyers to make their own changes.

Restaurants

RoCA

Casually stylish brick-walled eatery serving New American entrees, small plates & craft cocktails.

208 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: (515) 282-3663 | Web: www.rocadsm.com

Alba Restaurant

Colorful, upscale American restaurant & wine bar with reclaimed doors hanging from the ceiling.

524 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: (515) 244-0261 | Web: www.albadsm.com

Centro

High-ceilinged ex-Masonic temple turned contemporary Italian wining-&-dining destination.

1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: (515) 248-1780 | Web: www.centrodesmoines.com

Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?

Send in a recommendation for your favorite restaurant to be added to our list. Be sure to mention why you think they are worthy of being featured and include a link to their website.

Bubba

Southern favorites & a large array of whiskies offered in a relaxed, stylish setting with a patio.

200 10th St, Des Moines, IA

Django Casual brasserie dishing up French standards crafted with seasonal ingredients.

1420 Locust St, Des Moines, IA

Americana

Casual place with modern decor serving steaks & chops, plus Asian-inspired sharing plates.

1312 Locust St, Des Moines, IA

Buzzard Billy’s

Roomy, laid-back eatery featuring food with Louisiana roots, TVs to catch the game & a deck.

615 3rd St, Des Moines, IA

Eatery A

Creative Mediterranean dishes & wood-fired pizza in a stylish space with reclaimed Iowa wood.

2932 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA

The Iowa Taproom

Historic, industrial haunt with over 100 regional craft beers & locally sourced American fare.

215 E 3rd Street #100, Des Moines, IA

HoQ Restaurant

Stylish farm-to-fork restaurant featuring a rotating menu of New American fare & a bar.

303 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA

Skip’s

Veteran restaurant serving American cuisine & pasta dishes in a classy space with a full bar.

4000 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA

Lucca Chic outpost serving modern & traditional Italian dishes, some with North African influence.

420 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

Hip American eatery & cocktail bar with a humorous horror theme.

300 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA

JUL 13

Sky Parade

Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Sky Parade! Gorgeous hot air balloons fly over our city square as we honor and showcase Indianola, including our fabulous downtown, where you’ll find great eats, unique boutiques, old-fashioned sundries, modern-day apothecary, breweries, bakeries, and more! Learn more at catchdesmoines.com.

Jul 15

Water Lantern Festival

Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven’t met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience. Learn more at waterlanternfestival.com.

Jul 15

DSM Local Fest

Des Moines is a vibrant and thriving community, but sometimes it can be hard to keep up with all the amazing things that are happening. That is why we came up with the idea for DSM Local Fest. This festival creates a space for people to come together and connect with representatives from local businesses, musicians, artists, and non-profits. By bringing everyone together, we hope to bridge the gap in awareness and collaboration in our community. We believe that DSM Local Fest is a celebration of all things that make Des Moines special, both now and in the future. Learn more at eventbrite.com.

AUG 10

Iowa State Fair

The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a

million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is Iowa’s great celebration, a salute to the state’s best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. Learn more at catchdesmoines.com.

SEP 10

2023 Des Moines Concours D’Elegance

Create your memories at the Des Moines Concours d’Elegance! The Concours is the Midwest’s premier annual exhibition of distinctive antique, vintage, classic and special interest motor vehicles that are selected for exhibition each year. The event is held each year on closed streets surrounding the Western Gateway Park and the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden in downtown Des Moines. Learn more at catchdesmoines.com.

OCT 21

Ghoulish Gala

Descend upon Salisbury House & Gardens for our annual Ghoulish Gala fundraiser, an elegant and ghostly affair you don’t want to miss! Enjoy a variety of wine, beer, hard seltzers, signature spooky cocktails & mocktails and other tasty libations as you drift through the historic halls discovering exciting entertainment and surprises around each twist and turn. Feast on a variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening as you mingle with friends. At 8:00 pm, the supernatural celebration continues with a legendary dance party, sure to move even the most stoic of vampires out of their coffins. Learn more at catchdesmoines.com.

NOV 30

Christkindlmarket Des Moines

Experience a German-inspired Christmas Market at Principal Park. Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of the holidays as you participate in a 750 year old tradition. Shop regional vendors selling old-world, handcrafted products from wooden vendor stalls; enjoy lively performances of polka music, traditional dance and choirs in Yuletide Hall; participate in children’s activities; sip Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and savor European-style Iowa craft beer. Learn more at catchdesmoines.com.

DEC 10

Tidings and Treasures

Get your Christmas shopping done while you make a major impact! Visit our Christmas shop this year and support local and global missions organizations and businesses this holiday season! Learn more online at allevents.in.

FEB 10 2024

Winter Blues Fest

Des Moines’ Winter Blues Fest is a highly anticipated annual event that often takes place toward the beginning of the year. Featured are notable acts in the blues sphere as well as food and drinks. Learn more at eventseeker.com.

MAR 16 2024

Shamrock Stroll St Patrick’s Day Weekend Bar Crawl

An unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Official Shamrock Stroll event! Get ready to embark on a festive journey filled with bar crawling, live entertainment, and an abundance of fun. Learn more at eventbrite.com.

Apr TBD 2024

Wine Women & Shoes Festival

An engaging and exciting fundraising event where community-minded, philanthropic women (and a few good men) gather to sip, shop, savor, and support a worthy cause in a chic, fun, and innovative way. Visit us online www.winewomenandshoes.com.

JUN 28 2024

Des Moines Arts Festival

The Festival features visual arts, live music, performing arts, interactive arts activities, Interrobang Film Festival, and plenty of eclectic food and beverage booths providing guests with an arts and culture experience to remember! Learn more at desmoinesartsfestival.org.

With lodging, food and entertainment all included in one price, choosing to do a vacation on a cruise gives great value. Traveling on the sea can be extremely fun, but it is important to choose the correct cruise line. If you’re going to spend a lot of your vacation time on a cruise ship, it may as well be one of luxury. Thankfully, there’s many luxury cruise lines ready to cater to your every

whim while ferrying you to and from some of the world’s most mesmerizing destinations in plush comfort. Some offer exotic voyages to faraway destinations, while others attract travelers with comfortable cabins and stimulating enrichment programs. Use this guide as a starting point to find out which luxury cruise fits best for your next vacation.

We made a list that factors in itinerary affordability, health ratings, and reputation among experts and travelers.

1 2 3 4 5

SILVERSEA OCEANIA REGENT SEVEN SEAS SEABOURN

EATING THE PSYCHOLOGY

Control weight gain and compulsive eating behaviors by making better choices about the food that you eat.

Control

weight gain and compulsive eating behaviors by making better choices about the food that you eat.

ConsumptionSome of us more than others realize that what we eat can effect how we feel such as eating too little or too much. We should be able to enjoy what we eat but also feel better when we do.

Eating healthy is a challenging task that many of us

strive to achieve but often fall short.

InfluencesCultural, social, family, and economical factors may be a direct influence linked to our food and eating behaviors. However, a more serious influence such as stress, boredom and anxiety can play a larger role as many of us eat as a coping mechanism. Although it can

sometimes help bring relief and ease feelings, it often leads to regret and build more negativity. Avoiding the problem with food will often create another problem with self-image when suffering from weight gain or other negative affects caused by unhealthy eating.

Weight ManagementHere are tips to help you manage your weight.

For starters, never skip a meal. By skipping a meal, you’re allowing yourself to become

hungry later which can result in reckless binge eating. Be sure to plan your meals ahead of time and limit night time snacking. This will allow you to always be one step ahead

of your weight by creating a routine. If you’re getting a craving between meals, try to exercise or find another way to distract yourself from food.

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Eating Diary - This is a great tool to keep track of your eating habits. Record what food you eat and when you eat it. Also take note of how you feel after eating and if you were doing anything while eating such as using your phone or watching TV.

By recording your habits, you will be able to pinpoint which foods and activities to avoid. The diary can also assist you when you’re working with a dietitian to help you make the best decisions.

PRIDE CENTER DES MOINES

Born to promote the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and ally community in Central Iowa. Web: desmoinespridecenter.org

CAPITAL CITY PRIDE - DES MOINES, IA

Capital City Pride is a 501(c)(3) organization that brings together the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and queer community along with their friends, allies, and supporters. We do this by producing events that inspire, educate, commemorate, and celebrate our diverse community and culture with and for the greater Des Moines metro. Web: www.capitalcitypride.org

PRIDE SPORTS LEAGUE

Providing recreational and networking opportunities through sports to the LGBTQ+ community in Central Iowa. Web: pridesportsleague.org

IOWA QUEER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR COALITION

The Iowa Queer Communities of Color’s mission is to use an intersectional lens to address the inequity of services, lack of support and space, socioeconomic disparities, and institutional racism experienced by our communities through education, advocacy, intentional inclusivity and organizing. Web: www.facebook. com/IowaQueerCommunitiesOfColorCoalition

TRANSFORMATIONS IOWA

Transformations Iowa is a support group for transgender and non-binary people with meetings in Des Moines. Web: www.facebook.com/transformationsiowa

CAPITAL BEARS

Capital Bears is an inclusive group which focuses on providing the LGBTQIA+ community a safe and accepting social network. Web: www.capitalbears.org