I was going to start talking about the overrated shows nominated for this year’s Emmy Awards (Monday, 7 p.m., NBC), as I don’t understand why critics have fallen for “Masters of Sex,” “Homeland” and “Boardwalk Empire.” But I got sidetracked by the much bigger list of nominated shows that are
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Posted August 20, 2014in Cover Story
The days might be getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean the list of fun and exciting things to do in Des Moines is shrinking as well. Gone are the days of hot weather and water-fueled fun; now it’s time for pumpkin patches, hot chocolate and holidays. It’s time to pull
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Posted August 20, 2014in Food Dude
When Fresh Café & Market opened last decade in West Des Moines, they splashed their logo, store and T-shirts with an odd shade of green. Wikipedia lists 21 natural shades of green and 36 additional ones. None seems exactly right, but “Kelly green” probably comes closest. Fresh’s is more like
Read More →Widespread Panic is coming to Iowa for two shows this October. Fans of the well-traveled jammers can check them out at the Paramount Theater in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 28, or closer to home at Stephens Auditorium in Ames on Oct. 29. Tickets for both events go on sale this
Read More →Brian Setzer “Rockabilly Riot! All Original!” Surfdog Brian Setzer is like your second favorite uncle. When he walks into the room, you’re always like, “Hey! Uncle Brian is here!” and everyone has a great time. But when he’s not around, you’re never like, “I wonder where Uncle Brian is?” Setzer’s
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Posted August 20, 2014in Duffy
T-shirt wit suggests that art is populist: “Art just happens.” “Everyone is an artist.” “Release your inner artist.” This makes me wary. I took art classes as a kid and realized quickly that few people are blessed with the innate talent to translate visions into arresting art. In this non-judgmental
Read More →When you run down the reasons for being on different social networks, so many are clear as day; Facebook connects you with friends and family, Twitter gives us insight into public discourse, and Pinterest illuminates the creative works of the world. For these and a handful of others, the utility
Read More →Although films and TV dramas are able to satisfy all kinds of fantasy one has in mind, with all the fictional and non-fictional stories in addition to CGI effects that are getting more realistic day by day, there is one aspect that holds the flat screens back from matching up
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Robin Williams, nonsensical news and supposed ‘Wake Up’ calls
Much of the TV coverage of the death of Robin Williams called to mind how awful the news can be when clueless reporters babble in their efforts to sound profound or knowledgeable. The stuff I suffered through reminded me of when the local folks mispronounce Nevada, Madrid or Louisa as
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