January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 1
Vaccinations are on the way, which means… Can you hear that? That’s the sound of the proverbial opera singer singing. It’s almost over. It’s nearly finished. Soon, we will stick a fork in this coronavirus and be done. Kaput. We may not be completely through with the worldwide pandemic just
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 2
For three consecutive years in the 1970s, four German friends synchronized their vacations to tour America. They would fly into New York City, rent a car and drive to Las Vegas. The only overnight stop would be at my place, usually in the middle of the country. Otherwise, they took
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Business Feature
While COVID-19 has disrupted “business as usual” in many ways, it has perhaps most drastically changed the way we communicate. Many face-to-face meetings have been eliminated, and businesses of all sizes have embraced videoconferencing as the next best option to gathering around the conference table. Some rely on virtual meetings
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Civic Skinny
Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz is an associate professor of communication studies at the University of Iowa, where she has taught for eight years. She makes $75,204 a year, according to state records. A year from now, she will take a one-semester sabbatical. She will, according to a Board of Regents document, “complete
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Political Mercury
Fresh from freshman orientation in Washington, D.C., Congressman-elect Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, says he’s encouraged at prospects for bipartisan work in the capitol on agriculture. Having a fellow Iowan — former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack — in the top job at the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be a big boost
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Film Review
Powerful acting is the engine to “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — a movie about, among other things, the struggle to achieve and maintain control. With a soundtrack that provides an immersive experience for the audience, dialogue seemingly fitting for the time period, and allowing the cast to maximize their talent,
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Food Dude
Tamales are corn’s most divine application. They are to tortillas as fentanyl is to street heroin— 60 times more potent, flavor wise, and relieving. One hundred years ago, the tamale queens of San Antonio became a famous tourist attraction. Tamales have been harder to find in Des Moines since Rosa
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Des Moines Forgotten
Do you remember when The Doors played Des Moines? No? Well, they did, and it went down in history as the worst show in their entire history of performing. Ouch! Bob Modersohn should be credited as co-author of this piece, as he brought this to our attention. Modersohn was a
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Joe's Neighborhood
The boxwood stump, buried by leaves, snagged my dragging foot and landed me face-first in the soft ground. Ker-plop. No fanfare. No discussion. And certainly no dissent on the part of my lightning quick reflexes. Just… bang. So here I am in the leaves. Observing the world from a new
Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Center Stage
One thing that we’ve learned about a pandemic such as this is that this virus has no concept of calendars, seasons, economics or aesthetics. This relentless Covid-19 invasion doesn’t care a whit about booking the next great Broadway show, the intricate interplay of crew, cast and volunteers to create an
Read More →
