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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Food Dude

In the light of the dumpling moon

Early last month, NASA released the first-ever photos of Pan, the innermost moon of Saturn. To great surprise, the moon looks like a potsticker (gyoza in Japan). Asian media have dubbed it “the dumpling moon.”  Dumplings are a lifelong food. People learn to love them before they have teeth and

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Film Review

‘The Pigeon Tunnel’ presents rich anecdotes, thoughtful observations and candid confessions

In “The Pigeon Tunnel,” filmmaker Errol Morris engages in a four-day conversation with celebrated spy novelist David Cornwell (better known by his pen name, John le Carré, author of “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold” and “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”), revealing the fascinating exchange between two masters of

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Des Moines Forgotten

Remembering Hinky Dinky

November is a weird a month. We move from “spooky season” to “second mortgage season.” It’s that time of year for us to be with our families, overspend at the grocery stores and cook a minimum of two large meals where only a fourth of the food is eaten. It’s

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Joe's Neighborhood

DIARY ENTRY — THANKSGIVING, NOV. 23, 2023

The cardboard box is tucked under the eaves in the attic. Spiderwebs and insulation cling to the top. Old baby beds and suitcases and containers of long-abused toys surround it. Stale, warm air drifts down from the rafters. I breathe slowly.  Dusting off the flaps, I open it to see

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Center Stage

Wicked queens abound in November

When it comes to storytelling on stage, great antagonists provide the tension and counterpoints for each story’s righteous path. Tallgrass Theatre Company’s inaugural mainstage Seedlings production, “Wicked Queen,” and CAP (Class Acts Productions) Theatre’s “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition,” are two gems sure to delight young audiences — and

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Collections & Hobbies

Iowa’s disc golf scene, as told by Kyle Schultz

The disc golf community has seen steady growth across the country and especially in Des Moines. According to the PDGA’s (Pro Disc Golf Association) 2022 demographic report, 300 courses are listed in Iowa with 1,771 members. One of those members is local disc golfer Kyle Schultz. Schultz’s father was able

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Lunch With...

Mike Lavalle and Marc Navailles at Purveyor

More than anyone else, Mike Lavalle elevated the Des Moines dining scene over the last 50 years. Right or wrongly, he has been a step ahead of everyone else in Iowa. We asked him to lunch, and he invited us to his new project, Purveyor in East Village.  Our old

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Walks of Life

Super fans

What’s your favorite college team? NFL? NHL? Most of us have been asked similar questions at one time or another. Some people, however, don’t need to be asked. The team shirt and hat they are wearing, the banner hanging on their garage door, the bumper stickers on their cars, and

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Your View

Your View

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November 01, 2023 by Brent Antisdel in Sound Notes

Sound Advice

It’s not too early to celebrate the holidays with various music concerts at Hoyt Sherman Place. On Nov. 14, Motown Christmas features musicians from The Temptations, Miracles and The Contours. Tickets cost $44-$64. The Girl Named Tom are sibling musicians and the only contestants who won as a group on

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