July 01, 2015 by justin
in On The Tube
“The Millers” Saturday, July 4 (CBS) Series Burn-Off: Talk about “unceremonious.” Dumped on Saturdays, on the Fourth of July? Damn. Canceled family sitcom “The Millers” (starring Will Arnett, Margo Martindale, Beau Bridges and J.B. Smoove) deserves a better send-off than this; there are far worse CBS comedies with far less-capable
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July 01, 2015 by justin
in Once Upon A Time
100 years ago (July 1915): Ordinance passed with a penalty for “powerful or dazzling headlights on motor vehicles on the public streets” to be “not less than $5.00 nor more than $100” and/or jail time “not more than 30 days.” ($5 is about $117 today; $100 about $2,350. Only one
Read More →Michael Kors and Anthropologie will open stores in Jordan Creek Town Center in late fall and spring. The national retailers have signed leases and will occupy the adjoining spaces on the mall’s first floor formerly occupied by Victoria’s Secret and Coldwater Creek. Michael Kors sells clothing and accessories for both
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June 24, 2015 by justin
in Cover Story
This is a story of corporate bid-rigging (absolutely), municipal corruption (allegedly), political in-fighting (definitely), opportunistic land-owners (seemingly), nasty lawsuits (certainly) and east-side-vs.-west-side chauvinism (naturally) in Des Moines. And of salvation. All the intrigue took place in the 1890s. The salvation is taking place right now. What is being saved is
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June 24, 2015 by justin
in On The Tube
“Humans” Sunday, June 28 (AMC) Series Debut: It’s not the future; it’s a “parallel present”(?). Whenever it is, “Humans” is a British production, which means a more subtle take on sci-fi than ‘Merican fare: A busy suburban London couple (Tom Goodman-Hill and Katherine Parkinson) buy a refurbished “Synth” (a human-like
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June 24, 2015 by justin
in Center Stage
For one show this year, Des Moines Metro Opera brought in a woman from the Czech Embassy in Chicago. She spent a week teaching the cast her language. For another, performers learned to juggle opera Italian and cowboy lingo: “Howdy, ragazzi!” And for the third, by Mozart, the design team
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June 24, 2015 by justin
in Sound Circuit
We spend a lot of time talking about “the next big thing.” But while many people are busy debating what it takes to be successful, the Holy White Hounds have quietly set out to do the damn thing. The most direct path to success is one that involves three steps.
Read More →Rapper Rick Ross was pulled over by a Fayette County deputy in Georgia on June 10 for a window tint violation. The deputy alleged that upon the opening of Ross’ window, he smelled marijuana, giving him the right to search the vehicle. Good thing too, because they found five “marijuana
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June 24, 2015 by justin
in Food Dude
Growing up in Des Moines during the 1950s and ’60s, I graduated from college before I knew what an avocado tasted like. Ashamed that I did not know what this fruit was when first offered one, I bit into it as if it were an apple, skin and all. I
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June 24, 2015 by justin
in Belly Up To...
What’s better than free craft beer after a bike ride? Raising money for charity and drinking free craft beer after a bike ride. Firetrucker Brewery is working to create community engagement at the young brewery, which will celebrate its first anniversary on Independence Day weekend. To start, each night, the
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