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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in Sound Circuit

Rocky Raccoon

Beatles tribute band performs magical history tour. As a 5-year-old farm kid, Tom Murphy listened to his mom’s big-band era music of Glenn Miller or his dad’s country tunes of Johnny Cash. One day he turned the dial on the radio station and caught the Beatles’ song “Revolution.” Mesmerized, he wondered, “How could this be so different than my parents’ music?”

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in People & Pets

Carrying a big stick

Buddy’s obsession delights the neighborhood. When Buddy — a soft-coated Wheaten Terrier — and his owner invited me to go for a walk with them, I eagerly joined. After all, I was curious to learn about the tale of Buddy’s stick. Here’s how it started. When Kim and Matt Coulter

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in Rants & Reason

Resolve not to self-destruct in 2019

There’s little reassurance in scholarly, religious or glib comments that “we’ll survive.” Maybe instead of wishing one another “Happy New Year” for 2019, we should say something like “Stay sane” or “Peace be with you.” Such alternative hopes may seem particularly appropriate because of the concerns of the day, but, really, each day of

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in Couch Surfing

Eric Garst

Highway construction worker offers advice on holiday weight, personal time and bike paths. Due to the upcoming “no one works” holidays, all of us writers had early deadlines. So… confession! My January couch surfer actually stayed with me back in early November. Twenty-eight-year-old Eric Garst (no relation to the seed

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in The Dish

A roar to the end of 2018

The impending demolition of the Kaleidoscope building displaced many a longtime lunch spot. December went out with a roar, as usual in the food business. It seems there are tax benefits to opening a restaurant before a year’s end. This year, BAH Brazilian Steakhouse, Terra Grill, Teddy Maroon’s, the area’s

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in Belly Up To...

Discover the ‘secret’ of The Flying Moose

Happy hour, basement party atmosphere are a big draw. On a Monday night, the Flying Moose in Clive bustled with the after-work crowd looking to start the week off right with two-for-one drinks. But these bargain drink hunters don’t need to leave at 6 o’clock, as this happy hour goes

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in Art News

Big names in world art

A star-studded year The local art scene experienced a star-studded year in 2018. Two of the really big names in world art visited the Des Moines Art Center for exhibitions of specific areas within their bodies of work. First, Sterling Ruby came for the opening of “Sterling Ruby: Ceramics” a

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in The Sound

Newsboys United

Part of Winter Jam Tour Spectacular that features 10 acts Christian music’s largest tour brings its Winter Jam Tour Spectacular to Wells Fargo Arena on Jan. 25. With 10 acts, touring in 46 cities, the show boasts Grammy-award winning artists Newsboys United, American Idol finalist Danny Gokey, Rend Collective, and Mandisa, as well as musicians

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in Iowa Artist

Jeff Rider uncensored

Artist encourages debate When you walk into Jeff Rider’s studio at Mainframe Studios, you’ll find artwork with skeletons, a butterfly, candy corn and Monopoly play money. Glancing at the paintings, you wonder, “Is it surrealism? Modern art? Mixed media? Or (D) – none of the above?” “I don’t categorize my

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January 02, 2019 by Brent Antisdel in Book Review

Book Reviews

‘My Year of Rest and Relaxation’ The unnamed narrator of “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” has one goal in mind: to remain asleep for as much of the day as possible. She accomplishes this goal by finding a quack psychiatrist who is willing to prescribe her an elaborate mix of sleeping and antianxiety medication. With

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