When Matthew von Schenkel moved to downtown Des Moines from Cedar Rapids last year, he was alone and needed something to occupy his time.

After getting inspired by similar concepts, he started "Hidden Des Moines" last August — an Instagram account that showcases the often overlooked beauty and secret crevices of the city.

As a new resident, it was just a fun project and a way for him to get acclimated to the city.

• His mom, a former photojournalist and videographer, always advised him: "Show people things in a way that they may not have seen it before," von Schenkel said.

Yes, and: For the residents who have quickly started to follow him, viewing Des Moines through his lens has become a unique way to see the beauty again in places quickly passed by.

Zoom in: One spot that made it onto von Schenkel's Instagram was the abandoned Kaleidoscope Mall — a spot that's now home to more birds than people.

• When he stumbled upon it, he thought it was eerie.
• But it prompted a photo and some curiosity. He researched its history and even wrote a blog post about Hubbell Realty hoping it would attract a Gucci store back in the 80s when it was dreamed up as a high-end mall.

The bottom line: Iowans are the ones who like to make fun of Iowa the most. But von Schenkel wants to do the opposite.

• "There’s so much more than what people assume comes with an insurance city," von Schenkel said.

Explore more Hidden Des Moines pictures or suggest places von Schenkel should visit here.

Two windows at downtown Des Moines' Central Library were shattered over the Fourth of July weekend.

• Illegal fireworks are believed to have caused the damage because investigators discovered burn residue on other sections of the building, Sgt. Paul Parizek told Axios Thursday.

Context: These aren't ordinary panes.

• They're part of a triple-glazed window that incorporates copper mesh to reduce glare.
• Each costs about $10,000 to replace.

State of play: Police are reviewing video footage to identify suspects, Parizek said.

• Insurance doesn't cover the panes, library director Susan Woody told Axios.

💬 Jason's thought bubble: Some people are just jerks.

Friday

🎥 Watch "Encanto" for free outside the Des Moines Art Center after sunset.

👭 Speed dating for moms: Find your "Mom Friend Forever" during three-minute get-to-know-you sessions at Valley Community Center from 5:30-8pm.

☀️ Ankeny's Summerfest starts today and goes through the weekend at The District in Prairie Trail.

Saturday

🌊 Learn how to paddleboard with Des Moines Parks and Recreation at Gray's Lake starting at 9am. Registration is $25.

😳 If you're feeling adventurous, stop by the "Testicle Festival" at The Hall and get your Rocky Mountain oysters starting at 3pm.

Question: Why does the City of Des Moines allow dumpsters to be parked on the streets for months at a time?

• This dumpster next to Capital Square has been the home [of] vermin and stench for at least 5 years. What is the deal? — Bruce Gast of WDM

State of play: Jason and Linh used to work in Capital Square. We can vouch that a dumpster had been parked on Fifth Street between Locust and Walnut streets for years and was still there in April when Bruce asked this question.

• Real Capital Solutions, Capital Square's management company, didn't return our inquiries about the matter.
• We forwarded Bruce's question to the city's neighborhood services department on April 21 and were updated on several occasions that city staff were looking into it.

Driving the news: The dumpster's longtime tenure on Fifth Street is over.

• After being contacted about the dumpster, Capital Square's management notified the city that it is being removed, Devin Perry, a DSM spokesperson, told us last week.

Of note: If plans change, owners will need to obtain a permit to relocate the dumpster on the street, Perry said.

🙋‍♂️ Got a question? Be like Bruce and hit reply.

🚫 A new career is unstoppable with our Local Job Board.

1. Project Civil Engineer - Data Center at Olsson.
2. EUX-Customer Experience Manager at Rockwell Automation.
3. Front Line Manager at Carmax.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

One of the things we've missed the most since the start of the pandemic is 80/35 and after a two-year hiatus, our unique, local music festival is back and with a stellar lineup.

Who we're watching: Big names on the paid stage like Japanese Breakfast, Father John Misty and Charli XCX.

• 👀 We'll be on the look out to see if Charli goes to The Blazing Saddle.

Yes, but: The beauty of 80/35 are the free local acts and up-and-coming artists. We'll be sneaking out of work early to go see Stars Hollow tomorrow.

• And never forget: Lizzo once played on the free stage in 2016.

See the full lineup for this weekend here.

The National Institutes of Health's "All of Us" Research Program mobile tour relaunches today at Ankeny's Summerfest following a pandemic hiatus.

• Hours are 5pm-10pm today; 2pm-10pm Saturday and Sunday.

Why it matters: It's designed to help recruit people from underrepresented groups take part in biomedical surveys.

• That's critical in building databases used to improve national health care.

Of note: Stops in DSM and Dallas County are planned for later this month.