dsm Magazine

05/29/2026

🚲 New trail. Fresh air. Endless adventure.

One of the best ways to experience a Central Iowa summer is from the seat of a bike. Whether you're cruising the Raccoon River Valley Trail, exploring a local greenway or discovering a route you've never ridden before, this Summer Bingo square is calling your name.

Then check off "Explore a Bike Trail" on your dsm Summer Bingo card and share your ride using for a chance to be featured in our July/August issue.

Want even more summer inspiration? View all the bingo squares and discover dozens of ideas for making this your best Des Moines summer yet: https://dsmmagazine.com/dsm-summer-bingo/

☀️🚴 Adventure is waiting.

05/29/2026

On any given afternoon, children in SEEDS might be learning ballet, building a custom bike, sketching out a business plan or testing out any number of other creative skills. Founded in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Des Moines nonprofit expands access to arts and enrichment opportunities for Black and brown youth.

Des Moines has a thriving arts scene, but barriers to access and a lack of representation keep many Black and brown youth on the margins. SEEDS aims to close that gap through “culturally affirming programming in dance, visual arts, storytelling and entrepreneurship.”

Photo: Jami Milne Writer: Kendra Esau On any given afternoon, children in SEEDS might be learning ballet, building a custom bike, sketching out a business plan or testing out any number of other cr…

05/28/2026

Five shows. Eight hosts. Hours of content. And none of it would be possible without our sponsors.

Thank you to our incredible partners for supporting the BPC Streaming Network and helping us bring meaningful conversations and fresh content to audiences everywhere.

Discover new content right at your fingertips: businessrecord.com/bpc-streaming-network/

05/28/2026

If you have to have someone deliver bad news, you could do a heck of a lot worse than Mary Brooks. Just ask any of the thousands of kids she’s had to politely dismiss, or the millions watching on TV.⁠
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Brooks, who lives in West Des Moines, is the head judge of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Yes, she rings the bell. And yes, she tells contestants they’re out. But she does it with such encouragement, you almost want her to come over to your house and give you a little pep talk when you’re having a bad day.⁠
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They’re called “Mary’s moments,” and in the time between a speller hearing the bell and walking off the stage, Brooks highlights the accomplishments that brought them to that dramatic moment so they leave the stage with their head held high.⁠
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“It was always such an awkward moment [after the bell],” said Brooks, who has been part of the bee since 1972. “I don’t want that attention, but I do want the speller to have that moment of hearing something personal and positive that they can remember.”⁠
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Ahead of the bee's finale tonight, read about Brooks and her journey to national spelling bee fame:

As head judge of the national spelling bee, Mary Brooks rings the fateful bell whenever a contestant misspells a word. Photo: Craig Hudson / Scripps National Spelling Bee Writer: Jane Burns If you …

05/27/2026

“When you are spreading joy, you are receiving joy.” ✨

Meet Dr. Richard Deming — Des Moines oncologist, founder of Above + Beyond Cancer, cyclist, and dsm Magazine Sage Over 70 honoree. In the newest episode of Joyful Aging, Dr. Deming shares how purpose, movement, and staying engaged in life continue to fuel joy at every age.

Produced in partnership with WesleyLife, this inspiring video series celebrates dsm Magazine’s Sages Over 70 honorees who are redefining what it means to age well.

▶️ Watch episode now at https://www.wesleylife.org/pursue-your-joy

05/27/2026

Back then, Glamour Shots had lived rent-free in your brain so long that your geometry teacher had taken to snapping in your face whenever your eyes glazed over, daydreaming about which look you’d choose on your big day. Would you go for the feather boa? Or the leather jacket to fulfill your motorcycle destiny? Maybe the top hat and satin gloves would make the best picture to display in your locker when that cute guy walked by every morning.

Those were simpler times, before our phones could generate AI-filtered looks at the push of a button. But where’s the fun in that? In no way does it compare to choosing a costume that a dozen strangers have already worn on the same day.

Fortunately, the creative team at DSM House of Design is offering a new service — Foxy Shots — that revives the whole Glamour Shots experience for a new era. It brings back all that glossy fun for a new generation.

Today’s the day, today’s the day, today’s the day! You scrimped, you saved, you gave up Saturday nights with your besties to babysit that kid down the street so you could make it to the finish line…

05/26/2026

Noah was famous for taking care of animals for 40 days and 40 nights. Sandra Gustafson has been at it for far longer.

For 20 years now, the local artist has quietly worked her magic at Union Park’s Heritage Carousel, one polished hoof and painted mane at a time. For a few days every spring and fall she painstakingly sands, paints and seals the 30 wooden animals and two chariots that carry 40,000 to 50,000 visitors during the three-month season, which opened last weekend.

Some of the animals need more attention than others:

The Heritage Carousel at Union Park. Writer: Michael Morain Photos: Duane Tinkey Noah was famous for taking care of animals for 40 days and 40 nights. Sandra Gustafson has been at it for far longer…

05/22/2026

Clearer vision starts with the right procedure — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

At Modern Vision Centers, patients receive a comprehensive eye analysis and personalized treatment plan using some of the most advanced vision correction technology available.
Located in West Des Moines.

Read full feature article in dsm Magazine: https://dsmmagazine.com/2026/04/30/modernvisionscenters-trendsetters-may26/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnqdE6g7d7AgKeapfgsX1AAQIqaIKL9r99YugSmxtrJCavX_fXw2RblhoXPeU_aem_H97ywqJHBM29GG3DP7XXtQ

05/22/2026

Long weekend vibes 🍦

If you're out and about, bring your bestie along too. Just make sure Lassie is leashed unless the establishment’s rules say otherwise. Add these pet-friendly patios to your summer bucket list:

  At Snookies, the pup cones are a popular treat. Photo: Emily Kestel Add these pet-friendly patios to your summer bucket list. Just make sure Lassie is leashed unless the establishment’s rule…

05/21/2026

On the latest episode of the DSM Wealth Podcast, presented by Revol One Financial®, Michelle Mahoney, senior vice president at CAPTRUST Wealth, discusses the growing financial influence of women and the generational shift reshaping wealth management.

Mahoney shares that by 2030, an estimated $34 trillion in assets is expected to shift to women, while women are projected to control 75% of discretionary spending within the next five years. She also reflects on how financial decision-making within households has evolved over the past three decades, with couples increasingly dividing responsibilities based on strengths and interests.

Stream new episodes of the DSM Wealth Podcast, presented by Revol One Financial®, every month at https://dsmmagazine.com/dsm-wealth-podcast/

Sign up for our twice-a-month newsletter featuring content on giving, saving, investing, and spending, written by financial expert Steve Dinnen: https://dsmmagazine.com/dsmwealth/

05/21/2026

We celebrated the release of our annual Inclusion publication on Tuesday morning with a special event at the Krause Gateway Center. Readers, leaders and community members gathered for a light breakfast at Allora Cafe DSM, followed by a program that featured people from the magazine. In all, eight guest speakers from business, education, health care and the arts discussed how they’re making Central Iowa a welcoming place where everyone feels they belong. Read about them, and a whole lot more, in our 2026 Inclusion magazine, available online: https://www.pageturnpro.com/Business-Publications/113440-dsm-Inclusion-2026/sdefault.html