Posted January 04, 2023in Political Mercury
The Iowa Democratic Party, in a little more than a month, will elect a new state party chair. A leader poised for the position is rural Iowan C.J. Petersen, the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party’s Stonewall Caucus, a leader on LGBTQ issues, and the former communications director for U.S.
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Posted January 04, 2023in Film Review
Rewind your mind to 2009: It was the worst financial crisis and recession since the Great Depression, Barack Obama is sworn in as president, and “Avatar” hit the big screen. The positive reception upon the film’s release, however, has shifted arguably to much more critical (at least for critics vs.
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Posted January 04, 2023in Food Dude
The Cooper’s Hawk is a marvelous-looking bird that preys on robins and chipmunks and such. It was not named for James Fenimore Cooper, who created the character Hawkeye in “The Last of the Mohicans.” Do not go to Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant expecting to find taxidermic hawks, which are
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Posted January 04, 2023in Des Moines Forgotten
As I write this on the afternoon of Dec. 20, my phone is blowing up with warnings of the upcoming blizzard that is forecasted. The temperature has dropped significantly in recent days, and it feels more like the middle of January, less the anticipation of holiday festivities. As of right
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Posted January 04, 2023in Joe's Neighborhood
“It’s not opening,” my wife says with just a tinge of panic as the glass doors allowing us to leave the Paris train station stay firmly closed. That’s not the advertised deal. You are supposed to put your train ticket in the slot just like you did 10 miles earlier
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Posted January 04, 2023in Center Stage
Each new year holds the annual promise of allowing us to refresh ourselves and sally forth into another 365 days of adventures. Regardless of age, many find a special joy in witnessing the reaction of children to creative wonders. The world of theatre is an especially vibrant gateway to imagination
Read More →COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS IN POLK COUNTY FROM NOV. 7, 2022 THROUGH DEC. 7 2022. NO ADDRESS LISTED SALE DATE: 2022-11-07 SALE PRICE: $1 SELLER: METRO FIBERNET LLC BUYER: METRONET INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP LLC SQUARE FEET: 672 ACRES: 0.528 125 VALLEY WEST DRIVE, WEST DES MOINES SALE DATE: 2022-11-08 SALE PRICE: $2,250,000
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Posted January 04, 2023in Film Previews
“A Man Called Otto” Director: Marc Forster Starring: Tom Hanks, Rachel Keller, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Based on the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “A Man Called Ove,” “A Man Called Otto” tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grump who no longer sees purpose in his life following
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Posted January 04, 2023in People & Pets
An abandoned street dog, a dog with two broken legs, and another dog weighing only 7 pounds all found love and healing with their new owners. Sarah Jennings and Kristen Formanek are advocates for adopting dogs, especially of their shared favorite, chihuahuas. Jennings initially was unsure of the breed. “I
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Posted January 04, 2023in Lunch With...
Mariela Maya is a Peruvian-born restaurateur who opened her dream bistro just before the pandemic and somehow managed to keep it alive by sheer determination, personal will and the help of good friends and family. She is now about to open a second restaurant, which, like her first, will bring
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