October 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Sound Circuit
Party rock band plays mega hits. When musician Mike Maly put together a new band four years ago, he envisioned playing new wave music. He soon switched gears. Des Moines wasn’t a “new wave type of town.” So, he and his wife, Vanessa, and former bandmate Bob Adams agreed on
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September 05, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Stray Thoughts
Distraction appears to be a main focus so far in the race for Iowa governor. Election Day is two months away. The decision Iowans make on Nov. 6 will be an important factor in where our state is headed. But instead of having a full and frank debate over important
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September 05, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 1
Live theater, outdoor adventures, tunes, art… This is your go-to source for entertainment in central Iowa. Autumn winds will soon be whipping. Falling temperatures and televised football games often mean central Iowans will spend more time indoors. But the end of summer doesn’t mean the end of the road for quality entertainment.
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September 05, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 2
Where is the love for Des Moines’ insurance industry? The Equitable Building defined the Des Moines skyline for decades. Now it’s done by The Principal Financial Group’s 801 Grand and the EMC building. All three were built by insurance companies. On paper, the insurance industry looks like the professed dreams of
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September 05, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Feature 3
Immigrants from across the world call Iowa home. They come from all walks of life and from all corners of the globe. Aksana Barodka first saw the United States in 1994 as part of a summer exchange program that brought a group of teens from Belarus to New Hampton. Lalnghak Sanga
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September 05, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Civic Skinny
After six-and-a-half years of proceedings — and $987,849.80 in billings to taxpayers — George LaMarca is withdrawing as the state’s lawyer in the never-ending discrimination and defamation and retaliation lawsuit filed against former Governor Terry Branstad and five members of his administration by former Workers Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey. The
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September 05, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Political Mercury
A universal basic income is best response as capitalism turns on ‘normal people,’ Democratic candidate for president says. Andrew Yang is seeking to shake the very foundation of how Iowans see themselves, how they measure their lives with an expected sense of fairness in day-to-day commerce, a belief that hard
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September 05, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Film Review
If you’re interested in seeing R-rated puppets, you’re better off revisiting “Team America.” Sometimes a movie comes along that you really want to see succeed. Such was the case for “The Happytime Murders.” With a trailer that featured no shortage of profanity, the hilarious Melissa McCarthy, and a rather unique
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September 05, 2018 by Brent Antisdel
in Food Dude
Who doesn’t love dumplings? A friend who spends time in France each year was baffled about the popularity of Subway with the Gallic people. A lover of French breads and cheeses, she began asking “Why?” The answers were consistent. French restaurants and delis are too prescribed. A croque monsieur invariably
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