Posted August 04, 2021in Political Mercury
The 49-year-old South Dakota governor is supremely telegenic and wonderfully folksy, smart and unapologetic. The recent Family Leader Summit in Des Moines served as a one-two punch, and something of a conservative strategy preview of the next two election cycles: hit Democrats on national issues, notably critical race theory on which speaker
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Posted August 04, 2021in Film Review
“No Sudden Move,” a crime thriller about the mobs that ran the Motor City, proves once again that the crooked path to a quick payday never goes smoothly. Set in the wild American Midwest of Detroit, Michigan, “No Sudden Move” is, on the surface, a crime thriller about the mobs that
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Posted August 04, 2021in Food Dude
The slow-roasted prime rib at AJ’s was as marvelous as it gets. Some of the disappearing classics of the last century have been coming back, at least in a few places. Hot beef sandwiches, hot pork sandwiches, meatloaf and even the Herbert Hoover-driven chicken and noodles of the Great Depression
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Posted August 04, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
World’s largest man, Bobo the clown, Siamese twins and chameleons To think that it has been two years since the last Iowa State Fair is bonkers to me. I did attend the food truck deal they had last August, which was fun but obviously not the same. I am also
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Posted August 04, 2021in Joe's Neighborhood
It’s time for a visit between two women with 192 years lived between them. “When I was in Indianapolis during World War II, I lived in a large house that only boarded girls. I was 17 years old.” My 94-year-old mom sits low in the front passenger seat as we
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Posted August 04, 2021in Center Stage
Local producers plan for live shows in 2021-2022. With the irrepressible determination of fresh flora emerging from the devastation of a forest fire, the cultural landscape is sprouting new theatrical blossoms. Companies discovered virtual ways to keep producing content to audiences. Some were by Zoom, others more polished. All offered
Read More →“Respect” Director: Liesl Tommy Stars: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, “Respect” is the remarkable true story of legendary music star Aretha Franklin’s journey to find her voice in the
Read More →‘Black Sun’ I have been aching for a vacation lately. A universal feeling, it seems these days. If you’re like me and can’t get away just now, then I have the book for you. Reading “Black Sun” is an experience. Filled with heart-stealing characters and writing that is so lush and
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