The Animal Lifeline Thrift Shop, located at 3304 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines, expanded its hours to Mondays and an hour earlier every day. Located in the Park Avenue Plaza, the shop sells clothing, jewelry, art, kitchen items, furniture, games, electronics and more. It features an eclectic mix of vintage
Read More →What hooked me was the bit with the table. Early on in “Spring Awakening,” the in-the-round set converts to a boys’ classroom, with no more props than chairs and a table. Once the “Master” quits the room, his teen charges explode. They tear into “The Bitch of Life,” spitting out
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August 13, 2014 by justin
in Joe's Neighborhood
“Don’t stare,” our mothers instructed, as they pulled one arm away from whatever caught our fancy. This parental technique, always hopeful and always coming from a good place, was always a disaster since our remaining limbs and extended necks then swiveled in the other direction, away from our fast-walking, arm-yanking
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August 13, 2014 by justin
in Film Review
“The Hundred-Foot Journey” 3 stars Rated PG 122 minutes Drama Starring: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal The foodie-romance genre has been oddly absent from American cinema lately. It’s been seven long years since “Ratatouille” (2007) reminded audiences about their taste buds. Even then, that was an animated kids’ movie
Read More →The Muffs “Whoop Dee Doo” Burger Records It’s usually not a good sign when a band takes an extended hiatus from releasing new music. But any reports of The Muffs’ demise have been greatly exaggerated. A decade after their last release, Kim Shattuck, Ronnie Barnett and Roy McDonald have not
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August 13, 2014 by justin
in The Sound
The key in life is to continue learning. Not every decision that doesn’t pan out is automatically a mistake, as long as you can take something away from it. It’s that ability to learn and grow that’s got Katelyn Epperly where she is now. The Des Moines native has been
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August 13, 2014 by justin
in Food Dude
Some of the folks who love the Iowa State Fair refuse to eat there. Each year I hear from readers who find the fair’s concessions disgusting, unhealthy or overpriced. So the first week of that big event seemed like an appropriate time to revisit a couple institutions that offer something
Read More →Single show tickets for the Des Moines Symphony’s 2014-2015 Masterworks Season go on sale Monday, Aug. 18. This year’s season includes performances of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, as well as selections from Mozart, Chopin and Dvorak. Single show tickets range from $15 to $55 and are available
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August 13, 2014 by justin
in Civic Skinny
Dick Olson, a good mayor, a good guy and a good neighbor, died last week in a car crash in Maine. He was 85. This is from Jim Duncan: “Dick Olson was a tough guy. He defined the term. He grew up without parents, raised by grandparents who spoke no
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August 13, 2014 by justin
in Locker Room
In life there are ups and downs. A lucky few will travel around the world, perhaps see the Eiffel Tower, while others will simply go around the corner as they walk the dog. The same goes with sports. Some will make it to the professional level while others are destined
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