dsmWeekly: January 12, 2021

The Breakfast Club, a new restaurant coming to the East Village, is expected to open by late January.

OPENING SOON: THE BREAKFAST CLUB

Writer: Karla Walsh

Just like the classic 1980s film of the same name, no one will feel out of place at the Breakfast Club, a new restaurant opening in the East Village late this month, says co-owner Josh Holderness.

Housed in the renovated Dumpling Darling space (212 E. Third St.), the Breakfast Club "will lhave something for everybody, whether it’s a working breakfast, family outing or a big group of friends,” Holderness says.

The menu, created by co-ownerJoe McConville, will be sizable, featuring ample vegan offerings (avocado-tomato jam toast), sweet treats (cinnamon roll pancakes) and savory classics with a twist (the Notorious B&G, a jalapeno biscuit with a fried egg, crispy bacon, and sausage, bacon and ham gravy). The Vegan B&G is smothered in Impossible Foods' breakfast sausage sauce, which, Holderness admits, “if you had told me it was vegan, I wouldn’t believe it.”

“Everyone has their greasy spoon favorites, and we’ll still continue to love those, but this offers a more contemporary take on those traditional breakfast items,” Holderness says.

The dining room, which Holderness promises will be "energetic and upbeat," will likely be open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily to serve breakfast dishes and a limited menu of lunch-oriented items. Eventually, the Breakfast Club may open on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. You can follow the restaurant's Facebook page for news on the official launch date.

In addition to Holderness and McConville, co-owners include Tony Lemmo, Tom and Annie Baldwin, Ted Hawley and Tommy Bomstad.

“I personally thought for years that a fun breakfast place with great coffee, cocktails and food has been lacking in Des Moines," Holderness says. "As you travel, you often see breakfast places that are packed on a Tuesday morning with various age groups, demographics—one side of the room having a business meeting and other groups casually having a great time.”

Emanuel Mitchell, hired as the Des Moines Public Library's deputy director in September, calls DMPL a "hidden jewel."

STRONG LIBRARIES MEAN STRONG COMMUNITIES

Writer: Luke Manderfeld

For Emanuel Mitchell, libraries have “always been the center of great communities.” That conviction drives Mitchell in his new role as deputy director of the Des Moines Public Library system.

“I always wanted to make change in my community, although it was not until much later in life that I realized the library was where I would achieve my lifelong goal," Mitchell says. "As I look back over my life, libraries in some form have been a part of my growth. Learning something new fascinates me ... and giving back to society as a whole is the fuel that motivates me to make the impossible possible.”

Growing up in Philadelphia, Mitchell spent much of his time at local libraries, then worked in one while attending college at Tuskegee University in Alabama. As an intern with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office after graduation, he was glued to law publications. He started his career with the public library system in Atlanta, and over the years has worked for public, academic and even prison libraries. He joined DMPL last September, moving here with his wife and two children.

He calls the DMPL a “hidden jewel.”

“The system, the engagement from the community, the programs, the growth and how the city has transformed over the years made [Des Moines] the perfect place to make that next step in my career,” Mitchell says.

His goal for 2021 is to operate safely during the pandemic while delivering “the same high level of excellent services and programs that have been delivered in the past, just in a new format” virtually and socially distanced.

A few books Mitchell suggests checking out:

“The Big Bad Wolf” by James Patterson: As a children’s librarian in Atlanta, Mitchell found the story of the wolf in the “Three Little Pigs” tale intriguing. Patterson’s adult thriller “will be a favorite read for me until the end of time,” he adds.

“A Beautiful Constraint” by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden: This nonfiction book focuses on transforming your limitations into strengths, and it’s one of Mitchell’s favorite reads from 2020.

“A Promised Land” by Barack Obama: Mitchell hasn’t read the former president’s latest memoir yet, but it’s next on his list.

James Peterson owns Iowa Brew Tours and is an expert on the local beer scene.

BEER PRO SHARES HIS FAVORITE BREWS

This story will appear in our January issue, available online tonight. For a behind-the-scenes look at the rest of the magazine, sign up for our dsm Dinner Party, 7 p.m. Thursday. You can sign up for free and hang out with our hosts Karla Walsh, Deidre DeJear, the River Center and the dsm team.

Writer: Karla Walsh

James Peterson is no novice when it comes to all things ales, stouts, IPAs and beyond. As the owner of Iowa Brew Tours, he admits that narrowing down his favorite beers made right here at home is “very tough. Each year, the diversity and quality continue to improve in the Des Moines beer scene.” Sip your way through some of Peterson’s current favorites at home, then when you’re ready, visit this website to book a tour to try them straight from the keg.

1. Neon Hazy IPA, Barn Town Brewing (Clive): This citrus India pale ale is juicy, creamy and full of flavor, plus it has nice dry hops.

2. Mistress Boudica Irish Dry Stout, Mistress Brewing Co. (Ankeny): The flavor, texture and color reminds me of a local version of a Guinness-style stout, which is perfect for winter with its hops and richness.

3. All About That Base, Brightside Aleworks (Altoona): If you like your beers clean, tart and sour—and I do—definitely ask for this brew if you see it on tap.

4. Arctic Breakfast, Fox Brewing (West Des Moines): Mainly available in the winter months, now is the perfect time to indulge in this rich, nutty, creamy and dark beer. Roasted barley and chocolate malt make it taste like dessert.

5. Blood Orange Wheat, Reclaimed Rails (Bondurant): For something lighter-bodied, this golden-colored American pale wheat beer is what I have in mind when the temperatures start to climb toward spring. It’s fruity, bright and smooth.

Annie and Dave Ducharme-Jones will perform in the Botanical Blues series on Feb. 7. Photo: Ivory House Photography.

BOTANICAL BLUES SERIES RETURNS THIS MONTH

One of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden's most popular events is back. Botanical Blues, a two-month series featuring local blues musicians, returns on Sunday, Jan. 24, at the conservatory with Brian "Taz" Grant. The events will be in-person with a number of pandemic precautions, including limited group sizes of four, required face coverings, and social distancing.

Botanical Blues runs weekly through March 28, and Trellis Cafe will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for each performance. Advanced ticketing is required. You can reserve a spot through the Botanical Garden's website or by calling 515-323-6290. Admission is free for members; $10 for nonmembers.

Here's the set list through March. Performance times are 12:30 and 2:45 p.m.

Jan. 24: Brian "Taz" Grant
Jan. 31: Royce Johns
Feb. 7: Ducharme-Jones
Feb. 14: The Drama Kings
Feb. 21: Major Blues and the Mugshots
Feb. 28: Brian "Taz" Grant
March 7: Jodi Bodley and Dewey Cantrell
March 14: Bryce Janey
March 21: Matt Woods
March 28: Dennis Kain

Sian Proctor, a geoscientist and analog astronaut, is one of nine speakers as a part of Des Moines Area Community College's Celebrate! Innovation series on March 10-11. Photo: Dr. Sian Proctor

DMACC UNVEILS 2021 CELEBRATE INNOVATION SERIES

We all could use some inspiration these days. Des Moines Area Community College announced its Celebrate! Innovation Series for March 10-11, featuring nine speakers, including a NASA analog astronaut, a leading oceanographer and deep-water explorer, and a top wilderness survivalist. The events, free for all, will be held virtually via YouTube, Facebook Live and e360tv, a free livestreaming platform.

“We’re thrilled to continue Celebrate! Innovation in 2021, with an inspiring line-up of speakers set to join us virtually from around the globe,” founder and DMACC West Campus Provost Dr. Anthony Paustian said in a statement. “This series has grown so much over the years, and it continues to expand and inspire."

You can check out more information, with details on the speakers, here.

Zuli Garcia put together a fundraising campaign to help feed the Latino community during the pandemic.
Photo: Emily Blobaum.

IOWA STOPS HUNGER
WHEN HUNGER CALLED, GARCIA ANSWERED

Writer: Rachel Vogel Quinn

Zuli Garcia’s phone never stops beeping, even in the middle of the night. Latino families are always reaching out for guidance in navigating the pitfalls of life in this country, including poverty and food insecurity.

Garcia, 44, grew up in Southern California but moved to Des Moines 25 years ago. She quickly became known as someone who could help families in need. “If I see or hear of anyone struggling, there is no doubt in my mind to step in and help,” she says.

When the pandemic took hold last March, Garcia started hearing from more and more families in need of food. She began raising money on Facebook and through Spanish-language radio stations to fund a new organization that would feed as many people as possible, with a focus on the Latino community. Local businesses, grocery stores and restaurants—many of them Latino-owned—donated food. And the nonprofit Eat Greater Des Moines provided both food and financial support.

Read the rest of the story, from our new January issue, here.

Iowa Stops Hunger is a year long Business Publications Corporation initiative to bring awareness and action to food insecurity in Iowa.