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Hello Des Moines! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free back-to-school physicals, seven new dining spots, and Christmas in July + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Des Moines help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Helpful school prep opportunity: Free back-to-school physicals today at Des Moines University’s Olsen Center, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., for K–12 students. No insurance needed, interpreters available, exams by supervised DMU students -- see the physical exam details.
Fresh flavors are landing: Seven new dining spots are coming to Des Moines, from a Champagne lounge and tapas bar to T12 Distillery and a third ice cream shop on Ingersoll opening in September -- see what’s opening soon.
Holiday concert favorite returns: Mannheim Steamroller will bring its 2026 Christmas tour to the Des Moines Civic Center on Dec. 21. Tickets go on sale July 28, featuring holiday hits and immersive multimedia effects -- get the tour ticket details.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Green escape, right here: Des Moines Water Works Park is your easy win for a midweek reset, with riverside trails for a quick ride or jog, fishable water, shady lawns, and grill-friendly picnic spots. Pack a blanket, rally a friend, and let your brain go airplane mode for an hour.
Refresh your space: Locally owned Grand Furniture and Mattress makes it easy with curated styles, quick delivery, and stress free in-home setup, plus bilingual help if you want it. If your sofa is groaning louder than the 235 at rush hour, check them out this week for a painless upgrade path.
Brunch that hits right: HomeGrown Des Moines - Crescent is the kind of daytime spot where homemade Pop'd Hearts, croissant French toast, and biscuits with Berkwood's sausage gravy keep showing up in your daydreams. Stop in this week for fresh-squeezed OJ or a Windmill espresso, then call it self-care you can chew.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎸 School of Rock AllStars Tour @ xBk Live | Wednesday (7/22) at 6:00 PM – School of Rock AllStars blow into xBk Live with house bands from Cedar Rapids/Marion, Ankeny, and West Des Moines, serving an all-killer, no-filler rock show. Prepare to feel proud of Iowa’s kids, and a little underqualified, as they shred like tomorrow has chores.
🔬 Boom! @ Doanes Park Youth Center (Pleasant Hill) | Friday (7/24) at 10:00 AM – Curious why popcorn pops and your Tupperware pops its lid in the freezer? Science Center of Iowa brings a loud, clever show to Doanes Youth Center, playing with pressure, temperature, and states of matter using liquid nitrogen and combustible gases, and promising mostly intact eyebrows.
🍦 Ice Cream Social @ Norwalk Easter Public Library | Friday (7/24) at 4:00 PM – The library is sweetening the end of the summer reading challenge with free ice cream, an outdoor set from Celia, and lawn games. Kids burn off sugar singing along, you savor nostalgia and proof literacy still pays. If the weather sulks, it all moves inside.
🎬 Free Flicks: Movies in the Park @ Des Moines Parks and Recreation | Friday (7/24) at 6:30 PM – Ready to upgrade family movie night without upgrading your budget? Free outdoor flicks rotate through parks across Des Moines on a giant LED screen, bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks. Admission is free, weather permitting, and yes, Dory got canceled thanks to LED maintenance.
🎄 Christmas in July @ Wyckoff Heating and Cooling (Carlisle) | Saturday (7/25) at 8:30 AM – Saturday morning at the Wyckoff lot means one thing, Santa’s in sandals and the Carlisle Farmers Market is going full Christmas in July. Live music, kid-friendly chaos, mini donuts, smoothies, and strong coffee, plus the smug joy of shopping early.
🧩 Family Trivia Event! Disney Villian Takeover! @ Monsterama Pubcade | Sunday (7/26) at 12:00 PM – Disney’s baddies take over Monsterama Pubcade for a family trivia showdown, free to play with prizes, costumes scoring bonus points, arcade breaks, and Black Sheep Market Pizza Co. fueling the chaos. Finally, your kids’ villain obsession, and your Ursula contract law, might actually pay off.
📚 Forever Grand Book Fundraiser & Ice Cream Social @ Herndon Hall | Sunday (7/26) at 1:00 PM – Herndon Hall on Grand Avenue opens its doors for a rare peek, plus ice cream, classic cars, and a barbershop quartet, all benefiting the Forever Grand book project. Nostalgia with sprinkles, civic pride, sweet treats, and zero homework.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Des Moines report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy smoke before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. North northeast wind around 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 1 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThe Neuville in Three Lakes delivers 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2,511 square feet of polished living space, including a finished walkout basement. A bright foyer leads to two secondary bedrooms and a full bath, while the open kitchen shines with white cabinetry, stainless appliances, and a large island. Upstairs, the primary suite adds a walk-in shower and dual vanities.
Take a peek inside → |
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