Posted August 03, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
When I started my radio show “Iowa Basement Tapes” in July of 2018, I set out to research and preserve Iowa’s punk rock and counterculture history. Over the last four years and more than 200 consecutive episodes, I am still finding new bands and people who were influential on punk
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Posted July 06, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
I am forever a student when I hear stories about Des Moines’ music history. The majority of my passions stands with the state’s punk rock scene, but I enjoy more sophisticated things, too. In December 2021, my friend Matthew sent me a text stating that he had memorabilia from KRNT
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Posted June 01, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
It’s bittersweet to write this piece on the event that would eventually become the Des Moines Arts Festival (DMAF). Since 2011, I had been involved with DMAF and its Interrobang Film Festival as a programmer and event producer. In 2021, I retired from that position so I could focus on
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Posted May 04, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
A year and half ago, we lost an important piece of Des Moines’ cinema lovers’ history, Video Warehouse. Many stories have been told about the place since its closing was announced, but I have a particular memory that not many people may be aware of — a digital series called
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Posted April 06, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
On the morning of March 23 at 10 a.m., many Iowa communities held a statewide test of their tornado sirens. This was different from the usual Saturday noon test, or as I like to tell people, the “lunch siren.” We are now several generations separated, but I remember hearing stories
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Posted March 02, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
The Willkie House of Des Moines is not forgotten. It’s actually still very active. But some of its history at 900 17th St. may not be recognized as it should be. Willkie House was originally established in 1917 as an extension of the War Recreation Board for Black Officers at
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Posted February 02, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
As a child, I would go to Wacky Waters Adventure Park between Davenport and Walcott. When I was 9 years old, a wave pool was installed. If you wanted to know what it felt like to be tumbled by large, ocean-style waves in an overcrowded pool, then you were in
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Posted January 05, 2022in Des Moines Forgotten
As a child, my father would drag me to Town and Country Bowling and Cocktail Lounge in Rock Island, Illinois. I remember a giant Chief Black Hawk sign in front of it. This was sometime between 1989 and 1991, when smoking was still allowed in public places. Guests would walk
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Posted December 01, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
On Oct. 19, 1950, Woolworth’s had its grand opening at 504-508 E. Locust. For the last 10 years, I thought variety stores were a front for some type of shady black market deal. Amazon, Walmart and Target have seemingly taken over every type of retail flavor we can think of.
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Posted November 03, 2021in Des Moines Forgotten
Former East 14th Street restaurant and bakery brings back great memories for people, especially at Thanksgiving time. As a former employee of Bishops Buffet in Cedar Rapids in both the Lindale and Westdale Mall locations, I still have nightmares from memories of the Thanksgiving and Christmas day craziness. Bishops
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