August 20, 2014 by justin
in Joe's Neighborhood
Maybe buildings aren’t just brick and mortar and wood and stone and paint and tile. Perhaps they absorb all the life that scuffs their floors, and gives voice off their walls, and pushes at their revolving doors. Sort of like that crumpled shirt on the bedroom floor that smells of
Read More →Two of a kind Rapper Wiz Khalifa, 26, was arrested at a Texas airport in May for possession of marijuana after TSA found a “green leafy substance” during a security check. He was taken into custody and later turned over to local police, who confirmed the substance was 0.5 grams
Read More →
August 20, 2014 by justin
in The Sound
Atmosphere comes from a different time. In the mid-’90s when Atmosphere got its start, gangster rap reigned supreme and the violent posturing of the rap lifestyle was at its most decadent peak. Atmosphere started down a similar path but made an interesting and important pit stop. “In 1995 I released
Read More →I was going to start talking about the overrated shows nominated for this year’s Emmy Awards (Monday, 7 p.m., NBC), as I don’t understand why critics have fallen for “Masters of Sex,” “Homeland” and “Boardwalk Empire.” But I got sidetracked by the much bigger list of nominated shows that are
Read More →
August 20, 2014 by justin
in Food Dude
When Fresh Café & Market opened last decade in West Des Moines, they splashed their logo, store and T-shirts with an odd shade of green. Wikipedia lists 21 natural shades of green and 36 additional ones. None seems exactly right, but “Kelly green” probably comes closest. Fresh’s is more like
Read More →
August 20, 2014 by justin
in Cover Story
The days might be getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean the list of fun and exciting things to do in Des Moines is shrinking as well. Gone are the days of hot weather and water-fueled fun; now it’s time for pumpkin patches, hot chocolate and holidays. It’s time to pull
Read More →Widespread Panic is coming to Iowa for two shows this October. Fans of the well-traveled jammers can check them out at the Paramount Theater in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 28, or closer to home at Stephens Auditorium in Ames on Oct. 29. Tickets for both events go on sale this
Read More →Brian Setzer “Rockabilly Riot! All Original!” Surfdog Brian Setzer is like your second favorite uncle. When he walks into the room, you’re always like, “Hey! Uncle Brian is here!” and everyone has a great time. But when he’s not around, you’re never like, “I wonder where Uncle Brian is?” Setzer’s
Read More →
Robin Williams, nonsensical news and supposed ‘Wake Up’ calls
Much of the TV coverage of the death of Robin Williams called to mind how awful the news can be when clueless reporters babble in their efforts to sound profound or knowledgeable. The stuff I suffered through reminded me of when the local folks mispronounce Nevada, Madrid or Louisa as
Read More →