June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Art News
One hundred years ago, Elsa Neumann, Gertrude Shloss and Elizabeth Cowles — the original grand dames of Des Moines culture — created Civic Music Association of Des Moines (CMADM) and were determined to convince the world’s best musicians to perform in the city. By sheer force of their personalities, and
Read More →Summer officially starts June 20, so it’s time to dust off your camp chairs and get ready for outdoor live music. Why not head to the ’burbs to experience free local concerts? Ankeny: Sips and Songs in the District offers concerts all summer long. On June 13, Tony Bohenkamp opens,
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June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Your Neighbors
Helping build leaders for the future is no small task. That is what Lead DSM has been trying to do for 40 years. Lately, the organization has had the help of a mentor from its Community Connect Program, Brianne Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has bounced around Iowa her entire life. She grew
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June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Cars in the City
Even an auto manufacturer in business for 126 years needs to keep re-inventing itself to stay relevant with today’s technology-heavy cars. Buick, part of General Motors, has been considered a luxury brand that manages to remain affordable. The Buick 2025 Envision Avenir test drive was surprising, as I’ve never driven
Read More →1220 GRAND AVE., WEST DES MOINES SALE DATE: 2025-02-17 SALE PRICE: $755,000 SELLER: LINDEN INVESTMENTS LC BUYER: FRIES PROPERTIES LLC ACRES: 0.379 SQUARE FEET: 2,825 3301 111TH ST., URBANDALE SALE DATE: 2025-02-17 SALE PRICE: $240,000 SELLER: HORSEPOWER HOLDINGS LLC BUYER: MCCANN HOLDINGS LLC ACRES: 0.107 SQUARE FEET: 1,500
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June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Iowa Artist
With 195 artists showcasing their work at the Des Moines Arts Festival, only a selected handful represent artists from Iowa. Hanna Piepel from Ankeny will be displaying her hand-painted functional porcelain and ceramic pieces at the juried festival June 27-29 in Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park. Piepel’s inspiration is drawn
Read More →Does the city of Des Moines consider ways to improve traffic efficiency? For example, better timing of traffic lights, roundabouts, removing traffic lights, etc.? We reached out to the city of Des Moines with this question and received the following response from Ally MacLean, communications specialist for the city. “Yes,
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June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Belly Up To...
“Where’s the door?” My Belly Up companion asked this as we wandered into Hotel Fort Des Moines, inspecting possible entryways to an alleged secret speakeasy. The hotel concierge pointed to the nearby Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar. Close to the bar area, the waiter directed us to a clear glass
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June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Collections & Hobbies
For many children, their first experience with a train set would be something along the lines of Thomas the Tank engine and his group of pals. This is not the case for John and Judy Moller. In the basement of their former home lies the imagined world by John. John
Read More →You have heard it many times. A picture is worth a thousand words. The actual origin of the adage is spotty, but the saying clearly gained prominence in America in the early 20th century. Frederick R. Barnard published a column titled “One look is worth a thousand words” in Printer’s
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