April 29, 2015 by justin
in News of the Weird
It seemed like a good idea when the town of Celoron, New York, agreed in 2009 to pay for a bronze statue honoring the village’s only celebrity. Lucille Ball had spent her childhood years there, and even today, everyone “Loves Lucy.” The result was apparently a monstrosity, described in news
Read More →Iowa City native Tim Johnston has received very well-deserved rave reviews for his first adult novel, “Descent.” This page-turning thriller with its deeply developed characters and intense situations is one of the smartest, most engrossing reads I’ve come across in months. Grant and Angela Courtland, from Wisconsin, have treated their
Read More →Paid on April 15 Amount: $5,483.40 To: Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers (Illinois) For: Capitated services in the month of March Amount: $957.20 To: Accountemps For: Compensation for a temporary employee Amount: $15.99 To: ACME Tools (North Dakota) For: Steelie Dash Ball replacement Amount: $590 To: Contractor Solutions For: Two road plates
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April 29, 2015 by justin
in Tech Talk
One of the scariest things about being an adult is making large purchases. With every high-ticket item — be it houses, cars, refrigerators, washers or dryers — every buy reminds you that as an adult you need to be a responsible decision maker. Still, for those who can’t commit to mortgages
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April 29, 2015 by justin
in Center Stage
Even as the U.S. tour of “The Lion King” is finishing its run in Cincinnati, it’ll start setting up in Des Moines. The show travels with “a dupe,” as Ken Davis puts it — a backup. As production stage manager, Davis takes pride in the jaw-dropping math of “Lion King.”
Read More →Prettygirlhatemachine “Real is a Joke” Independent Do not let anybody tell you that there is not good hip hop coming out of Des Moines. Now, as it turns out, some of the very best of it came out this past week, courtesy of Prettygirlhatemachine. “Real is a Joke” is funky,
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April 29, 2015 by justin
in Political Mercury
The expansive, seemingly borderless roam of Northern Minnesota is the setting for “Heart of Wilderness,” an independent film that explores a claustrophobic blue-collar marriage strained by broken promises, deception and sheer isolation. Travis Wallien, a grit of a man, finds himself on the wrong, but winning, end of a drug
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April 29, 2015 by justin
in Locker Room
Superheroes. These days it seems like everywhere you look — from the movie theatre to shaving razors — you can’t help but see a costumed hero saving the day. While they may not be in our skies, this weekend they’ll at least be hitting streets during the Beaverdale Superhero 5K.
Read More →The owner of The Rusty Duck, located in Dexter, is opening BW’s Burgers at 3701 E.P. True Parkway in May. Brad Waldron, who is also the chef, is opening the new restaurant in the former Patty Pat’s, which closed in January. BW’s will offer 16- and 10-ounce burgers, sandwiches, salads,
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April 29, 2015 by justin
in Joe's Neighborhood
The dapper white-haired man sits elegantly entwined upon himself — leg over leg, arms crossed lightly, waist turned gracefully inward. A flower waiting to open. “I started what is now as an international plant society about Gesneriads. That is the African Violet Family, you know.” No, I don’t. In fact, I
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