February 05, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in Your View
February 05, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in Sound Notes
Sound Advice
Valentine’s Day might be for lovers, but it’s also for live music. With cupid throwing arrows on a Friday night, you’ve got musical options. Jake Owen brings his Valentine’s Day acoustic set, “Down to the Tiki Tonk Tour,” to Hoyt Sherman Place with special guest Larry Fleet and support from
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February 05, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in Rants & Reason
Religion’s harvest
Hope or hatred? Invitations to social gatherings may request: “Please, no talk about politics or religion,” but that’s likely redundant because talking about one often invokes the other. So while we have said goodbye to the Iowa caucus, the legislature is in session, and politics and religion remain in play.
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February 04, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in Stray Thoughts
It’s time to overhaul, or end, the caucuses
For 40+ years, Iowa has been pulling the wool over the eyes of the free world every four years. It is time our state’s political leaders put aside their love of the national spotlight and retire the much-ballyhooed Iowa caucuses — or overhaul the process to address the obvious flaws
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January 22, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in Stray Thoughts
Remember, our imperfections don’t define us
Every one of us probably has a moment of dread from our grade school days squirreled away in the dusty recesses of our memories. Or many such moments. For me, it was in elementary school when it was my turn to sing a solo in music class. I would have
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January 21, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in The Culture Buzz
Greetings, Cultural Catalysts:
Quote of the Week “Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers.” -Anne Lamott, title of 2012 book Featured Cultural Offering LITTLE BLACK DRESS the fearlessly funny ladies’ night out musical makes for one wild and unforgettable evening with its hilarious show-stopping musical numbers, “Magic Mike” -influenced dancing, and loads of
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January 16, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in Stray Thoughts
Something for Legislature’s ‘To Do’ list
There is a retired businessman in western Iowa who bristles every time he reads a newspaper article from somewhere in our state about government officials who have misused their government credit cards for unauthorized purchases. This man is worried such abuses could be happening at the local county hospital since
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January 14, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in The Culture Buzz
Greetings, Cultural Catalysts:
Quote of the Week “One extends one’s limits only by exceeding them, and exceeding limits requires effort.” -M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled (1974) Featured Cultural Offering The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden will display Iowa artist Greg Thatcher’s Sacred Yews exhibit starting Saturday, 18 January, beginning with a reception from 5 – 7pm. The artist reception
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January 03, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in Tribute
Ken Fuson — 1956-2020
Here’s a one-paragraph, one-sentence, 293-word essay Ken Fuson wrote for The Des Moines Register on a warm spring day in 1995: Here’s how Iowa celebrates a 70-degree day in the middle of March: By washing the car and scooping the loop and taking a walk; by daydreaming in school and
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January 01, 2020 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 1
Cuddling therapy
When intermingling with people and getting hugs isn’t enough, this therapeutic and platonic touch may be the answer. Michelle White was looking for a way to fulfill her need for personal connection and touch. She had been single for several years and wanted affection. “Intermingling with people and getting hugs
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