20 innovative ideas for cities


One good idea can lead to another

 

In the tough economic times for both the private and public sectors that we face today, we might find ourselves wondering if any ideas are being put to good use and actually succeeding. Simply throwing more money at projects has left many Americans questioning the real value of “stimulus.” With this in mind, we find it refreshing to know that some efforts are truly working in the real world. From entrepreneurial education, to a museum of “found” objects, to snowmobile drag racing, the projects are as numerous as they are intriguing. Cityview contributor Douglas Burns helped to compile 20 of these ideas as this week’s cover story, hopefully proving that one good idea can lead to another.


 

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For the court: A screenwriter, a ventriloquist, “Felix.” Matt Whitaker can eliminate his greatest regret

 

If Tim Finn of Ames isn’t named to the Iowa Supreme Court, perhaps he could write a screenplay about the drama that led to the Election Day Massacre of three justices from that court.

“I enjoy writing short stories and have written one screenplay (“Riley’s Instructions”) which I entered into the Nicholl’s Screenwriting Competition of the Academy Awards (and I was one of the 7,000 entries which did not win!). I am currently doing research on a second screenplay about a young photographer in Iowa at the time of ‘The Spirit Lake Massacre,’” Finn notes in his application for the court.


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CIBS’ annual festival a cure for the winter blues

 

Year after year, the Central Iowa Blues Society (CIBS) has proven that there is no better way to beat the winter blues than its Winter Blues Festival featuring hot blues music. From local acts like Bob Pace and The Most Handsome Duo in the World, to regional artists like the Mary Bridget Davies and Kilborn Alley Blues bands, to national guitar slingers such as Alvin Jett and former Buddy Guy sideman Scott Holt, a more diverse mix of blues you won’t find until the summer festival season returns.

On Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 bands will grace six stages at the Downtown Marriott lobby, ballrooms and Rock River Lounge. The multiple band event will culminate with an after hours jam that starts at 1:30 a.m. and lasts until the wee morning hours. Still, blues fans won’t have to wait for the sun to go down to get down because a pre-fest party featuring live music kicks things off at 5 p.m. in the hotel’s lobby.

 

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Marriott buffet scores big victory

 

Like farsighted cows, beat writers covet other beat writers’ beats. Crime reporters want to be political pundits, political pundits wish they were sports writers, and sports writers want to be food writers. These aren’t always bad ideas. Hegelian dialectics suggest that creative visions result from offbeat observations. So this food writer jumped at what looked like a delicious opportunity recently when UNI came to Des Moines to play Drake in a women’s basketball game with conference leadership at stake.

 

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Tell us what you think about local politics, music, restaurants, bars, entertainment or anything else going on in Des Moines.

 

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