June 17, 2015 by justin
in Art News
The Des Moines Social Club celebrated its first anniversary in its permanent home recently. Nearly 10,000 people showed up one night as part of that anniversary. The next day the organization’s impresario and visionary announced his resignation as director. It was a remarkably well-timed decision. Zach Mannheimer moved to Des
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June 17, 2015 by justin
in Political Mercury
I guess it’s my job to catch these sorts of things. And I’m sure not on the short list of Joni Ernst boosters or apologists. But it never occurred to me, this questioning of the presence of Cy and Herky, the mascots for Iowa State University and the University of
Read More →Intrigued by the mention of the 1,382,855 ranked book by Michael Gartner, “Outrage, Passion and Uncommon Sense,” in last week’s Civic Skinny column, I quickly Google searched the subject. I found a 14-minute CSPAN2 video with the author. It was fascinating. I immediately ordered the book. Now I am half
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June 17, 2015 by justin
in The Sound
In 1990, after nearly 20 years as frontman of seminal punk act The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell walked away. The schisms within the band had been growing for years, and Cornwell increasingly believed that the band’s best work was behind it. Still, leaving one of the UK’s most successful punk acts
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June 17, 2015 by justin
in Joe's Neighborhood
The crack of a bat against a ball. The rising crescendo of the crowd as the striker roars toward the goal. The muted pound of the runners flying down the far side of the track. These are all sounds of spring sports as they turn slowly toward summer, then summer to
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June 17, 2015 by justin
in Film Review
There are certain elements you need in order to make a “Jurassic Park” film more than just name. Are there dinosaurs? Do they escape in an unlikely fashion? Are there a couple of annoying kids that the film insists upon trying to make you root for? All of these things
Read More →FairFest happens this week, down in tiny, weird Fairfield, Iowa. Get down there this June 19 through June 21 to check out 50 acts on three stages, including headliners Cyril Neville, Elephant Revival and Greg Brown. Other acts include Pieta Brown, Shook Twins, The Pines, Chad Elliott, Christopher the Conquered
Read More →Muse “Drones” Warner Bros. After the grandiose cacophony of 2012’s “The 2nd Law,” Muse decided to take its next album back to the basics. So, of course, “Drones” is a fully orchestrated concept album with more than a hit of Queen on the aftertaste. As musicians, Muse is fantastic. This
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June 17, 2015 by justin
in Your Money
Paid on June 2 Amount: $460 To: 5 Star Show Goats For: Central campus lab supplies Amount: $500 To: Airbrush Body Creations LLC For: East High post prom Amount: $800 To: All American Timing For: Girls track meets Amount: $520 To: Canoesport America Inc. For: Intro to kayaking and
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Political promises: On collision course with reality?
On the sidewalks of New York, longtime mayor Ed Koch, would ask passersby “How’m I doin’?” Iowa legislators would be ill advised to ask that, given the awful record of the 86th General Assembly. Sadly, in Iowa government, promises seem to outnumber progress and production — that’s certainly so in
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