January 11, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Morain
Before I get into the theme of this column, a few words about last Thursday morning’s mass school shooting in Perry would be appropriate. If I could find some. I can’t. There are no words. Many, many Iowans and others from outside the state have expressed their sympathy to Perry
Read More →From Iowa’s cultural epicenter, Mainframe Studios at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, comes your Listener-supported Community Voice, the Award-Winning independent radio station, KFMG-LP 98.9 FM (streaming simultaneously at www.kfmg.org), bringing you music, literature & cultural content. – John Busbee for The Culture Buzz The Culture Buzz Archive Library –
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January 08, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Stray Thoughts
Like many Iowans, my thoughts have been rather chaotic since the horrible news from Perry High School last week. The events were so sad and senseless. A 17-year-old student was dead, having shot himself. An 11-year-old sixth-grader, known for his big smile and cheerful outlook, was dead from three gunshot
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January 04, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Morain
More and more, the holiday season has morphed into a movie season as well. That probably results from a combination of viewers’ free time with family, high-profile studio marketing at this time of year, the multiplication of movie channels on television and electronic devices, and who knows what else? Whatever
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January 03, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 1
With the first El Niño event set to hit since 2019, this winter is projected to be unseasonably warm. Above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation on the horizon give everyone a reason to leave the house, and our guide will tell you where to go. ART Take in local and international
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January 03, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 2
“Iowa is a special place that has crafted itself to claim a big part of the future but, at the same time, never sacrificed those values of person and community upon which a successful society must rest.” — Hugh Sidey Iowa’s glorious and renewable productivity was fashioned by
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January 03, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Business Feature
When local meteorologists announce snow is on the way, it’s a sign for most of us to stock up on groceries and plan to stay inside. Those who make their living from the removal of that snow, however, make sure they are ready to go 24 hours before it even
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January 03, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Civic Skinny
The IABD (Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division) released its annual report for the 2023 fiscal year. It reported a total revenue of $478,259,852, which is a 3.34% increase from 2022. Unsurprisingly, $445,830,313 of that came from liquor sales. It appears many Iowans enjoy the Christmas spirits considering December had the highest
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January 03, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Political Mercury
Twenty one years ago, Chuck Offenburger and I had ringside seats for a rare and fascinating journalistic forum: the now late George “Lefty” Mills, the legendary Des Moines Register reporter; the late Bob Beck, the former publisher of Centerville’s Daily Iowegian, a towering figure in journalism and Republican politics for decades; and my
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January 03, 2024 by Brent Antisdel
in Film Review
Hayao Miyazaki’s return with “The Boy and the Heron” after a decade-long hiatus is akin to a resounding symphony, marking a significant resurgence of his dormant voice. This eagerly awaited tale weaves personal experiences and artistic essence into a mesmerizing fable. “The Boy and the Heron” is set in 1944,
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