November 26, 2019 by Brent Antisdel
in Stray Thoughts
Mark Cady was right at home at the piano and was an occasional singer, too, maybe best known among family and friends for his rendition of “Easter Parade” each New Year’s Eve — a whimsical tidbit that widened the eyes of some people at his funeral last week. But it
Read More →Quote of the Week “Ponder for a long time whether you shall admit a given person to your friendship but when you have decided to admit him, welcome him with all your heart and soul.” -Seneca the Younger (d. Apr 12, 65 AD) Featured Cultural Offering AMES TOWN & GOWN
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November 19, 2019 by Brent Antisdel
in Stray Thoughts
Credibility is oh so fragile, and officials in Iowa’s largest school district dented theirs last week. Even people who don’t live in Des Moines should be troubled by what occurred, because there is a good chance, come January, the Iowa Legislature will respond in ways that could affect every other
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November 13, 2019 by Brent Antisdel
in Stray Thoughts
I was in Dubuque last week to toast a friend who was retiring after a long and distinguished career. There was a big community reception that was attended by scores of people. The speakers mentioned his many contributions to the company where he worked for 33 years. They commented on
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November 06, 2019 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 1
Learn about Des Moines diners’ favorite dishes at the chains and the indies. Literature and painting have chronicled the foods that delighted and enchanted people of other centuries. What foods are the contemporary equivalences of Cezanne’s peaches, Laura Esquivel’s (“Like Water for Chocolate”) quail in rose petal sauce, Jorge Amado’s
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November 06, 2019 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 2
Men with elite athletic ability invade Wells Fargo Arena, as the Iowa Wolves begin NBA G League action. More than a half million students lace up basketball sneakers each winter for their respective high school squads. Statistically, each has roughly the same chance of being struck by lightning — 1
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November 06, 2019 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 3
What is it, and which ones have it? Restaurant critics used to employ the word ambiance, or ambience, as a factor in their ratings. That’s not as common as it used to be, likely because the word is ambivalent. The Oxford Dictionary says use of the word exploded after World
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November 06, 2019 by Brent Antisdel
in Civic Skinny
UPDATE: On Nov. 13, Drake and the Des Moines School District announced plans to build a $19.5 million stadium just east of the Knapp Center. The 4,000-seat stadium would be used for high-school football and soccer games and soccer games by the Drake’s women’s and men’s teams. Under the agreement,
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November 06, 2019 by Brent Antisdel
in Political Mercury
And 7 other political takeaways 1. Retired Adm. Michael Franken of Sioux City, a native of the Sioux Center area of Iowa and a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, said he opted to bring his long military career to a close with the election of President Trump. “Having worked for
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Are community papers akin to a circus?
There’s times when producing a community paper can seem like being in a circus. One moment you are the acrobat balancing your way across a high wire and the next you’re the featured clown. I learned, while attending seminars in Massachusetts recently that the small tent and arena circus and
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