Posted March 01, 2023in Civic Skinny
The abandoned east Kaleidoscope building at 515 Walnut St., now permanently closed, could soon be demolished to make way for a new addition to the downtown Des Moines skyline. Local developer Joe Teeling of Saint Joseph Group announced resurrected plans for 515 Walnut Tower, a mixed income multi-family project on
Read More →
Posted February 01, 2023in Civic Skinny
Each year, the Iowa Board of Regents approves professional development assignments (PDAs) for state university professors. Also known as sabbaticals, these allow universities to maintain “educational excellence” by encouraging “a vital faculty that actively pursues new developments in knowledge and teaching.” A total of 109 PDA requests were approved for
Read More →
Posted January 04, 2023in Civic Skinny
Last month, news broke that four popular vendors would not be returning to Iowa’s largest annual event after state audits suggested fraud. The Iowa State Fair ousted Hardenbrook Concessions; Pete’s Lemonade Shake Ups and Pete’s Ice Cream & Snow Cones; Dad’s Old-Fashioned Lemonade; and JR Services. When reached for comment
Read More →
Posted November 30, 2022in Civic Skinny
A “for sale” sign has been spotted at Bauder’s, Des Moines’ iconic ice cream shop and former pharmacy. Owner Kim Robertson said she is simply looking for a transition. “I’ve been here 51 years of my life, so I think it’s time that I just pursue options,” she said. “It’s
Read More →
Posted November 30, 2022in Christmas Skinny
Twelve drummers drumming… …for Randy Peterson, who has been writing sports at The Des Moines Register for 50 years…and Felipe Nogueira of Brazil, coach of the championship men’s volleyball team at Grand View University. (And how come Grand View (two words) University is on Grandview (one word) Avenue? Sounds like
Read More →
Posted November 02, 2022in Civic Skinny
Marty Tirrell, the sports broadcaster and conman, is back in Des Moines, wearing an ankle bracelet while on “home confinement status” until his release date from the federal prison system in August of next year. According to a federal official, Tirrell is working at Sports Byline, a talk-radio sports network.
Read More →
Posted October 05, 2022in Civic Skinny
“We are having a record year,” said CEO Gary Palmer at the September board meeting of Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel. “When we did our budget, we thought the inflation factor would hit us much earlier in the year,” said CFO Elaine Castelline. “So far, our customers are still gambling
Read More →
Posted August 31, 2022in Civic Skinny
The Prairie Meadows Board of Directors recently voted to extend the contract of CEO Gary Palmer, who had formerly planned to retire at the end of 2023. “I had a group of Prairie Meadows board members ask if I’d stay a little bit longer, and I told them I’d think
Read More →
Posted August 03, 2022in Civic Skinny
It’s that time of year again: Several athletics coaches at Iowa’s state-funded universities have amended their employment contracts. Although most took pay cuts in 2020 during the pandemic, they are back in the game. Last July, University of Iowa (UI) wrestling coach Tom Brands received a contract extension through June
Read More →
Posted July 06, 2022in Civic Skinny
Ever wondered about surveillance at Prairie Meadows Casino? With the jaw-dropping amount of cash traveling through the establishment every day, it’s no wonder the casino needs an equally astonishing amount of surveillance to discourage criminal activities. Technology includes 1,264 cameras, five LPRs (license plate capture cameras), 12 servers and 47
Read More →
