🌟 Good morning, Des Moines!
Your weekly nudge to get out, feel connected, and love where you live.
In this week’s AroundDSM:
💚 A Mediterranean spot where the portions are huge and the green sauce might steal the show.
💃 Never tried swing dancing? This anniversary party is the perfect excuse to start.
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are already starting — here are a few ways to join the fun.
🍽️ Restaurant Spotlight
The Green Olive | 1960 Grand Ave., West Des Moines |
Photo: #7 Gyro Kabob Royale | Emily Johnson
Photo: Chicken Shawarma Wrap with spicy potatoes
🥙 A reliable favorite when you’re craving bold Mediterranean flavor. We visited the West Des Moines location (they also have one on Fleur Drive) and ordered the Gyro Kabob Royale and the chicken shawarma wrap. Portions here are generous — the wrap alone felt like two meals — so come hungry or plan for leftovers.
🥔 Don’t skip the spicy potatoes. We didn’t quite know what to expect when we ordered them, but they ended up being a hit at our table. They’re tossed in The Green Olive’s signature green sauce, which is pretty much amazing on anything. (Pro tip: you can buy the sauce to take home and I recommend doing exactly that.)
💚 Mom-and-pop warmth with meals that last for days. If you’re looking for friendly service, reliably delicious food, and portions that stretch into tomorrow’s lunch (or the next day’s), The Green Olive always delivers. It’s the kind of place you leave full and already thinking about what you’ll order next time. 👉 View the menu here.
🤝 Partner Spotlight: Amazon Echo Spot
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Enjoy great sound with deep bass and clear vocals.
Check time, weather, and alarms at a glance.
Photo: Various delicious baked goods at Nadia’s French Bakery | Emily Johnson
🥐 Local Sweet Spot
Nadia’s French Bakery | 2705 Grand Ave. Des Moines |
If you need something delicious to bring to the office or a family get-together this week, Nadia’s French Bakery is a wonderful local stop. Owner Nadia Ahissou started baking for friends and family during the pandemic, eventually growing her passion into a thriving business that first gained fans at the Downtown Farmers’ Market where she famously sold out of hundreds of croissants in under two hours.
Today, her bakery offers an irresistible lineup of handmade French pastries and breads — think flaky almond croissants, chocolatines, baguettes, quiche Lorraine, and even sandwiches for lunch. If you’re looking for something special, this is a place worth visiting. 👉 nadiasfrenchbakery.com
Photo: Heartland Dance Classes | https://www.heartlandswing.com/classes
🎉 Top 5 Things to Do
The best bets handpicked for your week:
🌿 Spring Break Discovery Hike | Jester Park Nature Center
Kick off spring break the best way possible — outside. This family-friendly hike at Jester Park Nature Center is a refreshing way to shake off the last of the winter blues and start vacation with a little adventure. Expect a relaxed walk through the park while keeping an eye out for early signs of spring.
No registration needed and all ages are welcome, so just show up ready to stretch your legs and enjoy some fresh air.
| Friday, March 13th | 9:30–10:30 am | Free | polkcountyiowa.gov |
💃 Heartland Swing 3rd Anniversary Dance | Valley Junction Activity Center, West Des Moines
Put on your dancing shoes and help Heartland Swing celebrate three years of bringing swing dancing to the metro. The evening kicks off with a beginner lesson so anyone can jump in — no experience needed — followed by a lively night of dancing.
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just curious to try something new, this is a welcoming community event where the goal is simple: get people moving, laughing, and having a great time on the dance floor.
| Friday, March 13th | Lesson 7:15 pm | Dancing 8–10:30 pm | $15 at the door | heartlandswing.com |
🐦 Bird House Building Workshop | Drake Park Enclosed Shelter
If you’ve been thinking about inviting more birds into your backyard, this hands-on workshop is a great place to start. Join the city’s Environmental Educator to learn about Eastern Bluebirds and Wrens, then build your own birdhouse to take home and place in your yard.
All supplies are provided, and you’ll walk away with a cozy new home for your feathered neighbors plus a little more knowledge about the birds that call Iowa home.
| Saturday, March 14th | 10 am–Noon | $10 per birdhouse | Registration required | DSM.city/Birds |
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Around the Metro
St. Patrick’s Day fun is starting early this year, with celebrations popping up all over the Des Moines area — whether you want live music, a pub crawl, or a proper pint of Guinness.
Kick things off Saturday, March 14th at the Pre-Paddy Party hosted by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at The Shop DSM from 2–6 pm. Expect food trucks, live music, a cashless bar, and even a live auction where one lucky winner gets to be this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. No cover — just a free-will donation at the door.
Also happening Saturday is the Uptown Ankeny St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl (12–5 pm). Start at Firetrucker Brewery to grab your punch card, then hop between stops like Mullets, Uptown Garage, The Yankee Clipper, and The Waiting Room for drink specials and food deals along the way.
When St. Patrick’s Day arrives on Tuesday, March 17th, the celebrations continue. Sully’s Irish Pub in West Des Moines opens at 11 am with corned beef and cabbage, giveaways, and live music from the Stu Ryan O’Brien Irish Band from 4:30–7 pm.
Downtown, The Royal Mile is going all-in with an early opening at 8 am for breakfast, bagpipers from Iowa Scottish Pipes and Drums at noon, corned beef and cabbage served all day (while supplies last), and plenty of Guinness, Jameson, and festive shenanigans.
Whether you’re looking for a daytime crawl, live Irish music, or a proper pint, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the luck of the Irish this week.
| Saturday, March 14th & Tuesday, March 17th | Various locations | Multiple events across the metro |
🎬 A Red Carpet Affair: Oscar Night Party | Varsity Cinema
If you love movies, this might be the most fun way to watch the Oscars this year. Varsity Cinema is turning awards night into a full red carpet celebration with a live broadcast of the ceremony, trivia and games during commercial breaks, themed cocktails, and plenty of movie-loving energy in the room.
There will also be complimentary pizza (thanks to Dough Co.) plus catered bites, so you can settle in and cheer, debate, and celebrate the year in film with fellow fans. Dress up, wear a costume, or show up in comfy clothes — all are welcome on this red carpet.
| Sunday, March 15th | 5:30 pm | Get tickets |
Stop wondering what to do and start doing. Pick one and make it happen!
🐾 Pet Pick-Me-Up
Now get out there, Des Moines!
With local love,
Emily
AroundDSM
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