Friday, September 4, 2026

Join our email blast

January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Lunch With...

Fabiola Schirrmeister at El Fogon

Fabiola Shirrmeister is a Sonoran-born-and-raised media producer/host who came to Des Moines six years ago after working for Spanish language media mega nova Telemundo in Puerto Rico and for Azteca America in Tucson. After working for Latino Iowa radio, she is embarking on a new career self-producing video content for

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Sound Notes

Sound Advice

Wine and music go together, right? That’s what Brandie Ubben thought as she created her own rockin’ bottles of wine, called “Vine’yl Anthems.” Each bottle takes a spin on a popular rock song. Bottles include, “Sippin on a Prayer,” “Nothing But a Good Wine.” “Pour Some Vino on Me” and

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Collections & Hobbies

The thrill of the hunt

“I buy and sell comics and have a pretty large collection,” says Jeremy Downs. The 34-year-old Des Moines-area resident might be understating reality a bit. “I’d have to get back to you on a count, but probably around 10,000 right now, at best guess.” Downs buys comic book collections of

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Cars in the City

Toyota Venza

This month’s car feature is the 2021 Toyota Venza. If you think the model name sounds familiar, you’re right. The previous Venza sold from 2009-2015. For 2021, the Venza is a hybrid model, a mid-sized crossover SUV. A quick hybrid explanation means that the vehicle is powered by an internal

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Art News

The inauguration of Moberg’s new building

Moberg Gallery stayed busy during the pandemic by moving into its own building behind Noah’s on Grand Avenue. To open, they are showing off the new space and its tall ceilings with a large international show of big works. With Jason Woodside as curator, the exhibition “Sway” brings together art

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Belly Up To...

The Hall

In West Des Moines’ Valley Junction, a 120-year-old former railcar building houses a three-for-one treat. It includes The Hall, a beerhouse; the Foundry, a distilling company; and a community food kitchen. The Hall was established three years ago and is a wide-open mess hall, reminiscent of youth camp seating, where

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Iowa Artist

Jill Woodward

As Jill Woodward has worked to perfect her art during the past three decades, she’s arrived at one important realization: It’s OK to make mistakes. Even if a painting of hers looks “wrong” or the mood appears off, it’s fixable and she embraces the mess. “An art teacher once told

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in People & Pets

Hairless, quirky cat

Sai doesn’t look like a typical cat. There is no tiger stripe, tuxedo or calico cat look, nor does he have soft fur. Instead, his huge triangle-shaped ears sit atop his angular face, while his wrinkled skin resembles an aging man’s bald head. Sai is a sphynx cat, also known

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Book Review

Book Reviews

‘The Vanishing Half’ Desiree and Stella Vignes are inseparable identical twins growing up in the mid-20th century in a tiny town in Louisiana. As children, they witness the racially motivated murder of their father and, as teenagers, escape the town to New Orleans, leaving no trace. After almost accidentally passing

Read More →
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel in Commercial Real Estate Transactions

Commercial Real Estate Transactions

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS IN POLK COUNTY FROM NOV. 2, 2020, THROUGH DEC. 15, 2020. 974 73RD ST., UNIT 8, WINDSOR HEIGHTS SALE DATE: NOV. 2, 2020 SALE PRICE: $127,250 SELLER: IOWA SERVICE OF PROCESS LLC BUYER: OLIVER, MICHAEL B. SQUARE FEET: 1,250 ACRES: 0.107 3022 S.E. 14TH ST., DES

Read More →