October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in Center Stage
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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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in Cars in the City
This month’s Cars in the City isn’t exactly a car. It’s a Polaris Ranger Crew NorthStar Trail Boss, a UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle). UTVs are mostly for off-road use, but that may soon change. As of July 2022, Iowa law says UTV and ATVs can now be driven in town,
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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in Your View
October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in People & Pets
One Thursday evening at the Valley Junction farmers market in West Des Moines, people of all ages circled around two balls of curly fur with wagging tails. As I clamored to see the spectacle, there sat Reese and Wrigley, two dogs soaking up all the attention. Reese, with his curly
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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in Walks of Life
A fresh coat of paint here, a demolished wall there. Through remodels big and small, local residents are changing their homes and loving where they live. Of course, it’s one thing to read about home improvement projects, but it’s another to see it with your own eyes. To view before and
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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in Your Neighbors
Isabel Martinez Santos serves as a bi-lingual Department of Justice representative and co-director of the legal clinic at the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. But, she said, “I am more than my work.” Her mother, fleeing violence and seeking safety and a better future, immigrated to the United States from
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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in Film Previews
“Till” PG-13 | 130 minutes Director: Chinonye Chukwu Stars: Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison “Till” focuses on the 1955 killing of a Black teenager as well as his mother’s subsequent efforts to publicize the case and get justice for her son. “Till” takes its inspiration from the real-life story
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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in Lunch With...
Paul Willis is a Cerro Gordo County pig farmer who has been as successful as anyone in the world for upgrading the taste of pork. He is farmer No. 1 for Niman Ranch Pork, the company he has run since it was created. He was in town last month for
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October 05, 2022 by Beckham Miller
in Collections & Hobbies
You’ve probably heard of horseback riding, but hidden in the heart of Des Moines is an equestrian sport of a different kind. A newly formed drill team called Escaramuza Quetzalli is both breaking barriers and upholding cultural tradition. Charrería is recognized as the national sport of Mexico, evolving from herding
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