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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Film Review

An emotional wallop

“The Last Jedi” does not “go the way you think.” A long time ago in a move theater far, far away, a completely unique and wondrous story was conceived, written and adapted to the silver screen. It was filled with captivating characters, memorable moments and incredible ideas. These weren’t actors

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Food Dude

Hilltop still sits on top

The family-owned, traditional Italian Des Moines café has anchored its neighborhood since 1950. For west side patrons such as I, Hubbell Avenue seems to end at Tursi’s Latin King at its intersection with University Avenue. That concept might be changing. Big Al’s, just one block northeast of Tursi’s, brought a

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Your Neighbors

‘Undead end’

Narrative art becomes a local man’s passion and job “I draw stuff,” says Jason Wright. The professional artist and comic book maker has also been described as an all-around swell guy. Wright has a unique artistic talent, and in August of 2014 he released the first of what will be

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Joe's Neighborhood

The unexpected greeter

“On With Life, this is Carol, may I help you?” Maybe. Carol Murken’s desk is just in the entrance. An entrance with couches and large windows and sunlight and plants and airiness. I’m not fooled by the casual spa eeling of it all. Not even by the scenic pond out front. Nope. This is

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Center Stage

Keeping dreams alive on the bare boards

Tallgrass Theatre Company produces series A tenacious theatre company continues its steadfast growth, thanks to a solid core of dedicated volunteers, judicious use of resources, and some innovative programming. “Tallgrass Theatre Company was founded in 2002 by me and James Stephenson,” explains Jessie Phillips, the company’s executive director. “Our first

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in At Home With

A house made of stories

In the Zacharias family’s student-built house, memories are what count In the spring of 2015, the Winterset High School building trades class was in jeopardy. They needed a demand for projects to keep the program afloat. The class, taught by a contractor, provided students with the opportunity to build a

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Duffy

Duffy’s View

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Stray Thoughts

Iowa leaders have been dithering too long

You’ve got to hand it to people along America’s Gulf Coast who support their families as commercial shrimpers and fishermen. They certainly are patient. For the past 25 years, the challenges they face in finding an adequate supply of shrimp and fish have grown larger and more expensive. And Iowans

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Couch Surfing

Kevin Gentilcore

Hailing from Denver, Colorado, comes Kevin Gentilcore. He crashed into Des Moines on his way back from New York to see some friends. Kevin is a graphic designer who also runs an independent comic book publishing business called Creephouse Comics with co-conspirator William Tooker. As a thank you, he placed

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January 03, 2018 by Brent Antisdel in Rants & Reason

For 2018: Let Trump be Trump! But let someone else be President!

Last January, many of us feared the New Year, what with a person routinely referred to as a liar, sexual predator, egomaniac and worse about to be inaugurated as the nation’s 45th president. With the onset of 2018, trepidation has changed from the Trump who justified our fears to being

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