March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Political Mercury
Speaker of The House Mike Johnson is just wrong on his decision to deny a request from the family of the late civil rights leader and presidential candidate Jesse Jackson to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol. Historical precedents swing both ways on this. Dick Cheney and Charlie Kirk didn’t lie
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Film Review
When was the last time a studio movie made you genuinely uncomfortable? Not in a jump-scare or gore-centric way, but in a “wait, did they just go there?” way that lingers in your brain for days? Gore Verbinski’s “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” poses that question repeatedly, and the
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Food Dude
The Pappajohn Sculpture Park (PSP) district was, not too long ago, the best restaurant district in Iowa. It attracted Mike and Lisa Lavalle, Marc Narvailles, David Baruthio, Scott Carlson, George Formaro, Paul Rottenberg, Derek Eidson, Sean Wilson, Carly Groben, Diego Rodriguez and Tony Lemmo, among other restaurateurs. That’s a virtual
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Des Moines Forgotten
For years I have lived on west side of Des Moines on Polk Boulevard. I have driven on Grand Avenue going one direction or another more times than could be calculated. But, since I lived in this neighborhood since 2009, I have never met a college student who attended Des
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Joe's Neighborhood
“The Zen view is something you glimpse in passing and that comes as a surprise — to wake you to the moment and a flash of hidden truth.” Rivvy Neshama, “Recipes for a Sacred Life.” I started running again. Yup, I stopped about 1990 because of knees and back and
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Center Stage
While climate traditions are being tested, Des Moines Performing Arts assures us that their March theatrical offerings come in roaring like a lion, and continue to roar. Whatever the swings of nature, a marvelous bounty of performing arts awaits cultural consumers. Also, nothing helps dispel the winter blues like pondering
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Lunch With...
Edgard Camacho is a French-born Venezuelan-American artist. We asked him to lunch recently, and he chose Flora, Suman Hoque’s café in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Hoque has characterized his lunch and brunch offerings with transcultural touches from his East Bengali heritage. Soups are fantastic with a chickpea soup
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Collections & Hobbies
The pickleball craze is no secret. It has been the fastest-growing sport in the country for the past four years, according to the 2025 Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Participation Report. It makes sense that the craze has hit the Des Moines metro. After all, gyms and parks alike
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Your Neighbors
What does one think of when imagining a therapy session? Could it be Dr. Melfi and Tony Soprano? The stereotypical therapy chair that is often depicted in other media? Most likely, you imagine a person and a room. That was not Jacqueline Schimel’s vision. Schimel, an Iowa State and Capella
Read More →
March 04, 2026 by Brent Antisdel
in Art News
March brings great news for Des Moines’ art scene. As part of Civic Music’s centennial celebration, Bria Skonberg visits Sheslow Auditorium with her bright vocals and Louis Armstrong School trumpet. She is perhaps the hottest act in jazz, having led the Mighty Aphrodite Jazz Band, the Big Bang Jazz Band
Read More →
