Iowa is testing a new recycled plastic mixture in asphalt in several spots across the metro in hopes of extending the life of roadways.

Why it matters: Inclement Iowa weather, like today's Saskatchewan screamer, can take a serious toll on our roads.

• Taxpayers could save tens of millions of dollars in future annual road expenses if the experiments work.

State of play: More than 300,000 pounds of the additive known as NewRoad was used in metro road projects last year, the equivalent of 15 million water bottles.

• The first metro-area test using the patent-pending technology was launched five years ago in an Iowa Department of Transportation project along Northeast 22nd St.
• Preliminary results show a heavily traveled section near the Polk County Jail is holding up better than an adjacent portion that used conventional asphalt, Matt Miller, a construction technician with the DOT, told Axios.

What they're saying: NewRoad's Florida-based developer, New Village Initiative Advanced Materials Group (NVIAMG), claims its product can lower road costs as much as 30%, while simultaneously diverting plastics from landfills.

• Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon are already using it at some of their DSM metro projects, said Perry Beeman, a spokesperson for NVIAMG.
• It's also being tested in Pennsylvania and used in Minnesota and Florida, he said.

The intrigue: The plastics technology is also being used in concrete, which NVIAMG said makes the material as much as 63% lighter while maintaining its structural strength.

• Its building materials are cheaper and more resistant to fire, earthquakes, and hurricanes, according to the company.

What's next: The Des Moines test site shows the road is more durable and "you'll probably start seeing more of it," Shane Fetters, a field technician for the Iowa DOT, told Axios this week.

Editor's note: Beeman is a former journalist who worked with Jason and Linh in previous jobs.

2021 was a strange year for music in Des Moines and 2022 seems like it'll continue that way as Omicron shakes up venues and festivals.

• We chatted with Sam Summers, owner of Wooly's and First Fleet Concerts, to get his take on the local scene.

The next big thing: Expect to see more DIY and underground/basement shows. You may not realize it, but Des Moines' punk and counter-culture scenes are actually stronger now than a few decades ago, Summers said.

• Local artists are playing intimate shows everywhere, from their basements to VFW's.
• "That scene is big right now with these cool punk bands," Summers said. "It's just something that's naturally happening."

Worker shortages: Music venues in Des Moines aren't struggling with staff. But festivals are a whole different story, as people saw with long lines and supply shortages at Knotfest last September.

• Festivals use subcontractors and third-party vendors to help with their operations, and getting enough staff to do laborious jobs like haul porta potties is difficult, Summers said.
• But festival operators — including Summers' First Fleet, which operates Hinterland — learned from 2021 and will make sure this year goes more smoothly.

What's missing: An outdoor, mid-size venue that artists can book, especially over the summer months.

• Touring artists are looking for spaces that fit 1,500 capacity, but without Brenton or Simon Estes available right now, there's a hole in our venue availability.

What's exciting: "80/35 coming back is huge," Summers said. "That's a big part of the core of Des Moines."

💼 New job, new me. Check out the latest job openings.

1. Account executive at Embark.
2. Director of business development at Igor.
3. Marketing manager at Pitchly.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

There are some new faces behind the bar at Miyabi 9, but rest assured — the menu tastes the same, said co-owner Scott Le, a longtime Miyabi employee who purchased the restaurant.

What's happening: Miyabi Yamamoto aka "Chef Mike," recently sold the East Village staple to Le and his friend, Dom Khounlo, as he enters retirement.

• Le, who worked at the restaurant for 10+ years, said everything is still the same, all the way down to the fish vendor.
• "Hopefully, everybody just gives us a chance," Le said.

What's new: Expect some unique cocktails to come soon, as well as new rolls that are inspired by the co-owners' culinary ventures at other sushi restaurants.

Open: 11am-2:30pm and 5-9pm Tues.-Thurs.; 11am-2:30pm and 5-10pm Fri.-Sat.; 512 E. Grand Ave, Des Moines.

Saturday

🛍 Find your favorite thrifted sweater at the Vintage & Sustainable Market at Art Terrarium, starting at 10am.

Sunday

🧶🍺 Need some motivation to finish your craft project? Bring it to 515 Brewing and work alongside others, plus get $1 off your pours.

🐍 Explore all things slimy and scaly at the Iowa Reptile Show in Des Moines. Tickets are $10 for adults.

Monday

🙏 Listen to Jelani Cobb, staff writer at The New Yorker and professor of journalism at Columbia University, deliver the virtual keynote for the YMCA's MLK Jr. Day Prayer Breakfast. Register for free.

🎤 The city of West Des Moines is hosting a community celebration that includes a roundtable discussion and remarks by Audrey Kennis, the city's inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

👋 Jason here, with a disclaimer: I'm not looking to move.

• It's just fun to scroll through homes for sale and get a virtual peep into places I've long admired, like this recent listing.

5428 Woodland Ave., Des Moines — $825,000

Why I love it: It's a mid-century modern knockout that's finely landscaped on a more than 1/2-acre lot.

• Specs: Four beds, two baths, 4,180 square feet.
• Features: Four-season room, updated kitchen and a spacious family room with a fireplace.

Realtor: Kim O'Connor, Iowa Realty.