Cityview | Central Iowa's Independent Weekly

THE SOUND

The blues are an important part of the history (and future) in this country’s pop culture. So it is fitting that the Central Iowa Blues Society (CIBS) has secured Chicago Blues Legends featuring Pinetop Perkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Bob Margolin and Bob Stroger to headline the first day of its inaugural two-day Heart of America Living History Blues Fest at Living History Farms in Urbandale. Read More>>

BELLY UP

The Last Stand Bar & Grill
Windsor Height’s newest nightlife destination

Mustard’s has been a restaurant staple of Windsor Heights for years, but owners Dion Cobb, Deric Gales and Sam Smith wanted to expand into the bar business. After looking at options, they decided to turn Mustard’s catering room into The Last Stand Bar & Grill. Read More>>

ON THE TUBE

“Sons of Anarchy”
Tuesday, 9 p.m. (FX)
FX’s original series specialize in creepy protagonists — people you’d never invite to your kid’s birthday party. The classic example is “The Shield’s” Vic Mackey, who does the most awful things in spite of being a cop. Read More>>

FOOD DUDE

Joe’s Crab Shack

Consumer Reports subscribers (70,403 voters visiting 101 chains) rated restaurant chains for food, service and value. Of the top five chains (Black-eyed Pea, Sonny’s BBQ, Azteca, First Watch), only Cheddar’s serve greater Des Moines but two of three worst (Joe’s Crab Shack, Buffalo Wild Wings and Friendly’s) do. After first reporting this, Joe’s fans defended that chain. One wrote, “Joe’s is a parent’s Godsend, with a huge safe playground where moms can keep an eye on their kids without leaving their table.” Read More>>”

COVER STORY

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
It’s 4:45 p.m. and Dusty Kain’s legs are feeling tired. He’s been on his feet nearly all day working at Scheels in Jordan Creek Mall. But as he watches a dozen or so customers funnel to the check-out line with their Hawkeye football gear and the teenager begging his mom for money, Kain’s mind is far from what’s happening in the sports department store — his thoughts are on the big game tonight. Read More>>

CIVIC SKINNY

A phantom hotel, a bad poll for Culver, and fewer Register subscribers
Gov. Chet Culver now has the worst poll numbers since he took office two-and-a-half years ago. Only 36 percent of Iowans now approve of his governorship — and 51 percent disapprove. That’s a “negative approval rate” of 15 points, a phenomenally high number. He’s been in negative numbers for months, but never double-digit negatives. Last month, the negative was a depressing (for Culver backers) but manageable six points. Read More>>