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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Feature 1

It’s hockey time! — Iowa Wild and Des Moines Buccaneers prepare for battle as seasons draw near.

With fall upon us, the start of hockey is right around the corner with two teams raring to go. The Iowa Wild and the Des Moines Buccaneers are kicking off their seasons soon, and the fall slate for the Des Moines teams will be full of action. Wild coaches, players

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Feature 2

Fall Arts & Entertainment Guide

The school year is well underway, schedules have stabilized, and the frenzy of summer events and festivals is finally winding down. The calm may be a welcome relief to some, but for you adventure-seekers out there, fear not. If you’re itching for something fun to do, look no further than

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Business Feature

Switching to solar

More central Iowans are making the switch to solar, and it’s not just because of the tax incentives. On one hand, solar energy is seen as an alternative to typical means of electricity production: natural gas, coal and nuclear energy. On the other, solar panels are an investment and a

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Civic Skinny

Profits at Prairie Meadows. Firearm at airport. No more IMAX dome. Historic preservation grants.

“We are having a record year,” said CEO Gary Palmer at the September board meeting of Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel. “When we did our budget, we thought the inflation factor would hit us much earlier in the year,” said CFO Elaine Castelline. “So far, our customers are still gambling

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Political Mercury

Harkin says maybe it’s time for Grassley to retire

Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who has served in public office since the Eisenhower administration, should perhaps “retire” or “step aside.” This is the sense his former colleague Tom Harkin says he gets when traveling the state, talking to Iowans — including political independents, a voting block Harkin thinks

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Film Review

‘Sidney’ is about the man, not just his milestones

The inspirational story of Sidney Poitier is retold in this warm and thoroughly engaging documentary from filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, featuring commentary from Oprah Winfrey (the film’s producer), Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Quincy Jones, cultural critic Nelson George — and Lulu, Poitier’s costar in “To Sir With Love.” Most

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Food Dude

Destination Grille

Restaurants on the outskirts of town have been development pathfinders. When Eddie Webster’s opened in 1970, it was miles of cornfields away from the houses. It introduced central Iowa to flagons of wine, Alaskan ice cream cocktails, and a menu of steaks and lobster, no pasta or chicken. Eddie built

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Des Moines Forgotten

Beggars’ Night

I’m beating a dead horse when I talk about Beggars’ Night versus Halloween. Seemingly every news station and media outlet will have yet another story about the history of Beggars’ Night. And my Halloween-obsessedDes Moines Forgotten friends will once again rant about how offensive it is when I don’t celebrate

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Joe's Neighborhood

The gift of whimsy

Don’t get me wrong, there are serious problems in the world, and serious people are needed to keep us from killing ourselves and killing each other and to make sure we add baking powder to the cake batter. That tablespoon of baking powder is the difference between a cake that

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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Center Stage

Ballet Des Moines dynamically forges engaging new works

Central Iowa continues its strong upward trend when it comes to cultural enhancement through performing arts. The community, from patrons to corporations with a strong foundation of local support, helped central Iowa’s cultural scene remain solvent during the COVID years. The Symphony, the Opera, multiple theater companies, anchored by world-renowned

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