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Posted July 15, 2015in The Sound

War never changes

When talking about bands making it big outside of Iowa, people tend to pose the question like there is a large amount of luck involved. “Who will be next?” — as though it is a lottery. That, of course, completely overlooks the fact that there is a ton of hard

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Posted July 15, 2015in Guest Commentary

Who knew? Candidates love the USA!

For a moment, on July 5, I longed for Nov. 9, 2016, the day after the presidential election. Then we’d be rid of insidious campaign ads, overblown rhetoric and questionable press coverage. But it dawned on me (1) at my age I should savor each day and not wish time

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Posted July 10, 2015in Uncategorized

P.O.D.: From boys into men

Since its formation in 1992, Payable On Death — more commonly known as P.O.D. — has benefited from a level of stability that can be difficult for many musical acts to maintain. In the 23 years of the band’s existence, there have been two lineup changes: bassist Traa Daniels joined

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Posted July 08, 2015in Cover Story

Murals of Des Moines

They can be found all over Des Moines. The downtown and East Village areas are peppered with spots of color that catch your eye as you drive past. Faces looking back at you, scenes lamenting times gone by, moments of creativity, stories of change, hopes of the future — all

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Posted July 08, 2015in On the Move

Hurricane Grill and Wings opens third Iowa restaurant

The island-inspired full-service restaurant Hurricane Grill and Wings recently opened at 3340 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. It is the third location for franchisee Darin Beck, CEO and founder of Barmuda MMC. Hurricane Grill is known for more than 35 signature flavors of fresh jumbo wings, ranging from buffalo

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Posted July 08, 2015in Sound Check

Bilal “In Another Life” Entertainment One It almost seems like Bilal does not want people to like him as much as they should. Back at the turn of the 21st century, Bilal was coyly flirting with R&B while popular musical tastes were anywhere but. He has always been a talented

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Posted July 08, 2015in Book Review

‘The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey’

When Rinker Buck was a young boy in the 1950s, his father took him on a covered wagon trip “to see America slowly.” That trip was the seed that led to his book “The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey.” Buck and his brother, Nick, an experienced team driver, go

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Posted July 08, 2015in Political Mercury

Bernie Sanders can say ‘I don’t know.’

Bernie Sanders is drawing big crowds as the little guy fighting big things. Big money. Big banks. The democratic socialist senator from Vermont wants to “break up” those banks, and calls for the like-minded to sign a petition on presidential campaign website. So does he think Iowa farms are getting

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Posted July 08, 2015in Your View

Dem disappointed in Jindal

OK. So what is a liberal Democrat doing at the rally for Bobby Jindal in Waukee on June 30? I want to see all of the 15-plus candidates in the flesh and evaluate them myself. Also, I’m retired and I can! Bobby Jindal is a first-generation American from the Punjab

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Posted July 08, 2015in Rap Sheet

Two of a kind

Less than a month after being busted on a drug charge, rapper Rick Ross was booked for kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated battery, but this time he is being held without bail. After forcing his groundskeeper into the guesthouse at gunpoint, Ross proceeded to pistol-whip the man, causing him to

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