February 26, 2013 by justin
in Uncategorized
February 26, 2013 by justin
in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
Iowa’s economic authority board members award their own companies with incentives
DES MOINES – Members of an Iowa board charged with doling out millions to lure business to the state often work for companies that benefit from the incentive programs they oversee, an Iowa Watchdog review shows. Additionally, Iowa Economic Development Authority board members donated thousands of dollars to political campaigns,
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February 20, 2013 by justin
in Sound Notes
Sound Notes Pick o’ the Week
The Des Moines Symphony is the 2013 recipient of Bravo Greater Des Moines’ Bravo Encore Award for its “sustainable, entrepreneurial and innovative programming,” a worthy choice thanks to its unceasing efforts to enrich, educate and enliven the capital city. Speaking of the Symphony, world-renowned violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg returns to Des
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February 20, 2013 by justin
in Cover Story
Almost (in)famous
“We’re the penultimate folk-rap band. We’re the Greenday of…whatever it is we’re doing.” That was my introduction to D.D.E.P., a Des Moines musical comedy duo that performs under the stage names of M.C. Lyrical and $Mic (pronounced “Money Mike”). What does D.D.E.P. stand for? “We’ve never told anyone,” said Lyrical.
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February 20, 2013 by justin
in Film Review
Breaking soap
“Beautiful Creatures” 3 stars Rated PG-13 124 mins. Drama Starring: Alice Englert, Viola Davis, Emma Thompson An imaginative, adolescent, gothic romance, “Beautiful Creatures” arrives with considerably more camp and intellectual humor than the “Twilight” franchise to which “Creatures” is sure to be compared. Emma Thompson and Jeremy Irons trade off
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February 20, 2013 by justin
in Belly Up To...
Hull Avenue haunt revived
Most bar owners claim their establishment is a “Cheers” kind of pub. Not Tom Morris, owner of The Hull Avenue Tavern. It’s simply not that kind of place. He does claim, however — in bold writing on the new sign out front — that his bar is “Des Moines’ oldest
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February 20, 2013 by justin
in Joe's Neighborhood
Being an Iowa Farmer
Have you noticed that the topic of weather is the great equalizer that turns us all into Iowa farmers this time of year? You can be the librarian at the Downtown Library, a CEO at Nationwide or a checker at Hy-Vee, and out of your mouth will come these words:
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February 20, 2013 by justin
in Book Review
‘Gone Girl’
Courtesy of Beaverdale Books Review by Sally Wisdom Crown June 5, 2012 $25 432 pp. As she handed me “Gone Girl,” my friend smiled wickedly, said “this is deeply disturbing,” and warned me not to plan to get anything else done once I started reading it. Nick and Amy meet
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February 20, 2013 by justin
in Locker Room
Paint pistol battles
The room is still; the air thick with anticipation. Spectators gather around the outside netting to watch and discuss tactics they would use to ensure victory if roles were reversed. The four on the field — two teams of two — no doubt have their own plans of attack. Peering
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