We're almost to the halfway point of dsm Restaurant Week! Through next Sunday, Aug. 29, more than 25 restaurants around the metro are offering lunch and dinner menus for $15-$25 per person and $30-$45 per person, respectively. Be sure to post on social media using the hashtag #dsmrestaurantweek to share your food photos and potentially be featured on our channels!

Unsure where to start? Food writer Karla Walsh compiled four Restaurant Week menu options, including gnocchi at Alba, panzanella salad from Centro, hummus at St. Kilda and apple, bacon and teleggio grilled cheese at Trellis.

Find the full list of restaurants and menus on our website.

Writer: Karla Walsh

Step into any supermarket—or shop online—and you’ll see a big, aisle-sized reminder that your salad dressing options go far beyond ranch, French and Caesar. But flip around one of those bottles and try to see how many of the ingredients you can recognize. Jenny Quiner, owner of Dogpatch Urban Gardens (DUG), a local farm focused on growing vegetables for salad products, is on a mission to change that.

Her dressings are made with an avocado oil base without artificial sugar, dairy, soy or gluten. She created the initial recipes a few years ago, based on trials in her home kitchen, then enlisted chef Jacob Schroeder of Crafted Food Services to tweak them for sales at the DUG FarmStand (5085 Meredith Drive) and Downtown Farmers' Market. Midwest Foods, which now helps bottle the recipes for wide distribution, did some final alterations to help the oils stay mixed, “so you won't see a separation of the various oils in the bottles,” Quiner adds. But that doesn’t require any added stabilizers or preservatives.

The dressings have been so popular that three varieties—lemon garlic vinaigrette, maple ginger vinaigrette and balsamic vinaigrette—are rolling out at 120 Hy-Vee locations across Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois and South Dakota. This includes five in Des Moines, two in Ankeny, plus Waukee and Altoona.

And if you want more ideas for how to use these dressings, I asked Quiner to share ideas for how you can put them to use. Click here to snag her four recipe ideas.

We are now accepting nominations for our second annual dsm Home Design Awards, which highlight projects in a variety of categories, including exteriors, interiors, details and more.

Do you have a project to showcase? Head to our website or go straight to the nomination form and fill it out. Local expert judges will determine gold, silver and bronze winners, unveiled at an event in the spring. We can't wait to see your stunning work!

The fall fundraising season is fast approaching, with charitable organizations hosting events and soirees for good causes. Here are three we have on our September calendar:

We always look forward to the Chrysalis Foundation’s aptly named Inspired event, and we’re sure this year will be no exception. The virtual event on Sept. 10 (11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.) will honor women who were first responders when the World Trade Center was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. Speakers include Susan Hagen and Mary Carouba, authors of "Women At Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion,” and Terri Tobin and Regina Wilson, law enforcement professionals who served at ground zero. Tickets range from $30 to $75 per person; buy them here. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Des Moines’ girls and women through Chrysalis’ after-school groups, high school peer mentoring, scholarships, and grants to local nonprofits.

The Max Wellman Quartet will perform at Oakridge Neighborhood’s annual Jazz Jewels and Jeans Sept. 17 at Noce. The event, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., will also include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and silent and live auctions. Money raised will support programs that help families become financially independent, including workforce development, financial literacy, and English language and citizenship. Tickets are $150, or $75 for those age 35 and under. Learn more and get tickets here.

LSI will host its 10th annual Empower Event Sept. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. Proceeds will support services and programs for refugees and immigrants. The evening will include a silent auction, dinner and music, as well as a panel discussion. Tickets are $75 per person.

Yes, the kids are back in school, but that doesn't mean your summer is over. Here are a few events this weekend to close out August—just be sure to stay cool in the hot temperatures.  

Dam to DSM (7 a.m. Saturday): This 20-kilometer running race starts near the Saylorville Dam and ends in downtown Des Moines. There are plenty of spectator spots around the course, so feel free to cheer on the participants. Or you can sign up to run yourself—registration is $75 and closes at midnight Friday.

Johnston Town Center Grand Opening (3 p.m. Saturday): There will be food trucks, concession stands, entertainment and games at the Johnston Town Center grand opening at Northwest 62nd Avenue and Merle Hay Road. The city will also hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for "Ripples," a 4,000-pound fish sculpture designed by Ames artist Reinaldo Correa, at 4 p.m.

Exile Music Fest (11 a.m. Saturday): Enjoy live music, food and brews at the Exile Music Fest at Exile Brewing Co. downtown. Aaron Kamm, Courtney Krause and the Isiserettes are some of the scheduled performers, while Exile, Top Bun and Gusto Pizza Co. will provide the eats. Tickets are $25.