dsmWeekly: July 27, 2022

Sammy Mila, the new owner of Creme, says she's eager to "share my creations in a way that's approachable, accessible, and best of all, local." Photo: Dera Burreson.

dsm EXCLUSIVE
Meet Crème’s New Owner and See Shop's Makeover

Writer: Karla Walsh

When Christina Moffatt’s parents started struggling with health challenges in 2021, she knew she couldn’t be a mom, wife, daughter, bakery owner, businesswoman, community advocate, public speaker and charity board member all at once. So she quietly put out feelers to individuals who she thought might be able to carry on the legacy of her beloved-since-2010 bakery brand, Crème. Moffatt found a familiar face—one whose work you’ve seen in dsm—to take over: Sammy Mila.

The conversations began in November 2021. This summer, Mila has been transitioning out of her role as a full-time food stylist and recipe developer at Dotdash Meredith. As of June 1, she has been the official owner. “Sammy is an amazingly talented and hardworking individual, and she was focused on keeping my staff—which was the most important thing to me," Moffat tells dsm. "I know Sammy will do amazing things with Creme.”

As a reintroduction to the neighborhood and to celebrate Crème’s 10-year anniversary, Mila and team are hosting an open house next Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Stop in for free mini cupcakes while supplies last, and stick around to buy a regular-sized cupcake in your favorite flavor. If the cupcake you choose is filled with sprinkles, you'll win a free gift card to the shop.

Baking has been Mila's passion since she decided to shift her major from biochemistry to culinary science at Iowa State University in 2009. “I love the chemistry, consistency and satisfaction baking brings to the table,” Mila says. “I’ve always wanted to have my own little space to treat as my ‘edible chemistry lab’ where I can throw flavors and brilliant colors together to create something different yet in an approachable way." Read more about Mila's ideas for new menu additions on our website.

Crème is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with expanded hours coming soon. Keep up with the evolving menu and upcoming events at
cremecupcake.com and on Instagram at @creme_dsm.

Skater Mami Tezuka in the women's park finals at last year's Dew Tour. The 2021 Dew Tour was used as the Olympic qualifying event. Photo: courtesy of Dew Tour.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Dew Tour Returns to Lauridsen Skatepark

For the second consecutive year, the Dew Tour will take over Lauridsen Skatepark downtown this weekend as skateboarders from around the world show off their talents. The runs will be split into street and park disciplines, along with adaptive competitions. Last year, the Dew Tour served as the Olympic qualifying event. Because this is a non-Olympic year, the event features the sport’s top athletes, and the competitions will go straight to finals.

The event is free, and spectators are encouraged to come watch their favorite athletes during their runs. See a full list of skate times here.

Also returning this year is the Dew Tour’s Battle of the Shops, where five Midwest skate shops will compete against each other. Des Moines’ own Subsect Skate Shop will be in the mix. Throughout the event, there will also be athlete meet and greets, giveaways, local food trucks and drinks. Find more event info here.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

National Balloon Classic (all weekend, times vary): This nine-day event begins Friday and goes all weekend in Indianola. See over 100 hot air balloons drift through the sky, or even hitch a ride on one for yourself. There will also be live music, food, drinks and fireworks (after the balloons have landed, of course). See the full schedule here, and purchase a ticket to attend here. The National Balloon Classic runs until Aug. 6.

“Fields and Flowers” artist reception (Friday, 5-8 p.m.): Artisan Gallery 218 will host a reception for its current exhibit, “Fields and Flowers,” which showcases 11 of the gallery’s artists.The works are in a variety of mediums, and each artist provides a statement on the exhibit’s theme. Meet the artists and see their work during the reception, or visit the gallery through Sept. 30 to view the exhibit. Click here to see the list of artists and event details.

Night of Bossa Nova (Friday, 8-10 p.m.): Jazz singer and musician Aviana Gedler, with backup from her band, will perform bossa nova tunes at Noce Friday night. Tickets are available here.

IOWA STOPS HUNGER
Barbecue benefit: This Sunday, feast on all-you-can-eat barbecue while benefiting those in need. The Food Bank of Iowa will host its annual Smoke Out Hunger event at Cowles Commons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with proceeds going toward the organization's mission to end hunger in Iowa. A ticket purchase includes food, dessert and craft beer from any of the nine vendors attending. There will also be table games and live music. Ticket prices range by age group, or you can purchase a family four-pack for $125. See pricing options here. Iowa Stops Hunger is a Business Publications Corp. initiative to raise awareness of food insecurity and inspire action to combat it.

A sneak peek at the back of the Harriet Curley Library, painted with the help of children in YMCA summer programs. Photo: Jake Sahr.

COMMUNITY

New Community Library Project Opens First Venue

Writer: Hailey Allen

The Out of the Box Initiative plans to host the grand opening of its first community library, located on the corner of 13th Street and Forest Avenue, on July 31 at 1 p.m. The event will include music and snacks, and anyone is welcome to attend. Jake Sahr, founder of the initiative and the nonprofit organization Attain, says this is the first of many small libraries that his group plans to open.

The library is the size of a small shed, about 120 square feet. The inside houses a collection of books by BIPOC authors, as well as other books by other authors that focus on diverse communities. It includes books for a variety of ages, from toddler to teenager.

The purpose, Sahr says, “is to provide knowledge for and about minority groups.” Through this project, Sahr hopes to uplift minority voices in literature and educate young people on the histories of diverse communities.

Named for the first Black schoolteacher in Iowa, Harriet Curley, the library operates similarly to a regular library. Patrons can hang out in the space while reading the books, or check out a book to take home, with the promise they will return it for other readers when finished.

Local artists Eris Ashley and Brazzy_515 painted murals on and around the library, with help from children in YMCA summer programs. “The library is going to look like it’s sitting in a pond, with a hopscotch element that leads to the door,” Sahr says.

Sahr says it took about $6,000 and six months to develop and open the Harriet Curley Library. Books were donated from local libraries and private donors, and funds were raised through a grant from ChangeX. To help fund the creation of additional libraries, you can donate to the group’s CashApp, $outtheboxdsm. Books can be sent to P.O. Box 41171, Des Moines, IA 50311. For more information and updates, check out their Facebook page.