July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Civic Skinny
Park place. Des Moines continues to be a solid destination for those looking to live within walking distance to a park. According to Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit that helps create parks and protect public land, 75% of Des Moines residents live within a 10-minute walk to
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Political Mercury
The opening line of AI 2027, a forecast about the exponential explosion of artificial intelligence, is jaw-dropping. “We predict the impact of superhuman AI over the next decade will be enormous, exceeding that of the industrial revolution.” But as the forecast from insiders in the artificial intelligence industry continues, that
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Film Review
Blast off for a vibrant, heartwarming adventure that proves original storytelling still has a place in today’s entertainment landscape. While it may not reach the emotional heights of Pixar’s very best like “Inside Out” or “Coco,” “Elio” delivers a thoroughly entertaining experience that will delight younger audiences with that childhood
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Food Dude
Soul food is having a moment in Des Moines. Two new brick and mortar cafés devoted entirely to this African-American style of southern roots cooking are up and running. Every time we visit, they are busy. That’s probably the closest this most resourceful style of American cooking has ever come
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Des Moines Forgotten
This is my first July in Des Moines without the 80/35 Musical Festival (excluding the two pandemic years). I know it was not just one factor that ended this nearly 20-year run in Des Moines. When I am having an emotionally charged discussion about this, I often put the blame
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Joe's Neighborhood
“Fill the bathtub with water,” my wife yells in a high crescendo while gesturing with her hands as if she is has me by the ears and is trying to shake some sense into me. Naturally, being a good husband, I treat this cry for help with all the love
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Center Stage
The Des Moines Playhouse has developed a strong tradition of a summer musical, adding a roster of collegiate talent home for the summer to their shows. Their summer musical tradition continues with “Waitress,” the multiple 2016 Tony Award nominee in a year when it was up against a rich pool
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Cars in the City
Summertime in Iowa means spending time outside, soaking up the sunshine and experiencing the great outdoors. For some, cranking open the windows on their vehicles or opening the sunroof on their SUVs is just enough breeze. For others, an open-air ride on a speedy two-wheeler is an ideal way to
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Your Neighbors
The mission statement for Mentor Iowa, an organization founded in 1974, is to provide trained volunteer mentors to at-risk children in need of a positive adult role model. They do this by working in partnership with the children, their families and the community. Executive Director Marty Lester has led that
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July 02, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in People & Pets
Two of Sarah Ohms’ pets seemed to appear randomly, right at the moment when she wasn’t looking to adopt a pet. Caydence, a redbone coonhound, came into her life seven years ago. Ohms was volunteering at the Animal Lifeline when a litter of six puppies needed homes. With two remaining
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