Posted August 05, 2026in Joe's Neighborhood
“I don’t believe in gnomes,” my granddaughter says. I nod sagely — not being a believer in gnomes myself. “But I do believe in fairies,” she says seriously. And there we have it. Magic. From the mouth of a child. As an adult, that magic bucket gets pretty depleted. There
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Posted August 05, 2026in Center Stage
Each year, a bounty of local theatres in the Greater Des Moines area produces dozens of shows. Celebrating these performances beginning in 2015, The Cloris Leachman Excellence in Theatre Arts Awards has become a pinnacle event for recognition. These awards provide a rare time when not only representatives from these
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Posted August 05, 2026in Art News
This summer, 41 years after her murder, Ana Mendieta reached her career zenith headlining at London’s Tate Modern. That’s a top-five most-visited art museum in the world and number one for modern art. A retrospective of Mendieta’s career opened in mid-July with more than 120 works, tracing her breakout years in Iowa
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Posted August 05, 2026in Sound Circuit
When Hoobastank hit the music scene in the mid-1990s, one question followed them everywhere. “Interviewers ask, why such a stupid name?” co-founder Dan Estrin said. “We never said we love that name. We never walked around thinking we’re super cool and we came up with this brilliant name. There’s no
Read More →When will the lighting be fixed on the north end of the Coleman Bridge, where walkers/bikers are in the dark after sunset? We forwarded your question to the City of Des Moines. Here is the answer: “The lights on the Coleman Bridge have unfortunately been the target of recurring vandalism
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Posted August 05, 2026in Belly Up To...
For foodies who love discovering new dishes, the Iowa State Fair offers a giant menu of fried delights, foods-on-a-stick and cool confections to try, all within steps in one central locale. This year, the Iowa State Fair vendors will debut 84 new foods. With more than 200 food stands, options
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Posted August 05, 2026in Walks of Life
In backyards across the community, simple ideas are turning into unforgettable childhood spaces. Whether perched in a towering tree or built at ground level, these play areas invite creativity, independence and hours of outdoor fun. Cooke A tree fort of his own design Bill Cooke says he previously built a
Read More →‘The Salt King’ Look, I’m all for breezy, simple reads that whisk me away and rest my weary brain. There are times, however, in which my brain needs to be pulled out of its malaise and shaken up, like a good margarita. Thankfully, Natasha Pulley has the magical ability to
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Posted August 05, 2026in Lunch With...
Scott Turczynski bought the former Landus Cooperative property in downtown Bondurant that he is redeveloping into The Grain District. That project includes 25 acres, multiple silos and a vision to become something similar to The District in Ankeny. Recently, he purchased The Foundry in Valley Junction from Templeton Rye founder
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