In Iowa, the first crack of a baseball bat signals spring more surely than blooming trees or warming air. Baseball marks the moment winter finally loosens its grip. Fans flood the ballpark for Iowa Cubs games, turning evening outings into a cherished seasonal ritual. The smell of fresh-cut grass, the
Read More →The 1970 song by Simon and Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” conveys our need for support and comfort during difficult times, using the metaphor of a bridge to symbolize help and solace. The lines “like a bridge over troubled water” and “I will lay me down” mean doing everything we
Read More →A reader recently asked how many years we have been conducting our Best of Des Moines readers’ poll. Good question. I bought CITYVIEW in 2004, and we have organized the poll for more than two decades now. I received some archives of past issues dating back to 1993 as part
Read More →Admittedly, I’m a slow learner. I have owned CITYVIEW for more than two decades now, and it has taken me a while to truly understand what readers want. Of course, some people think we should pound you over the head about who you should or shouldn’t vote for, tell you
Read More →We all hear about the people who work behind the scenes, but we rarely see them. That’s the idea. Some folks like to be front and center — and they should be. Others appreciate being in the support role, making sure the final presentations are precise. We see this with
Read More →Some people tell me that we Iowans love our Cyclones and Hawkeyes so much because we don’t have any “professional” teams. I caution them on their use of the word “professional,” as many players, coaches and members of the front offices of those teams would give them an earful. I
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Posted September 03, 2025in Publisher
You work all week. You are tired. And you just want some rest. I am right there with you. But, before you know it, years go by and you realize how little of this great Iowa life you have experienced. Going to shows at our amazing art galleries. Experiencing local
Read More →In the 1980s, arena rock was all the rage, and the music wasn’t from just ordinary rock bands. These were hair bands. Big hair. Twisted Sister. Mötley Crüe. Bon Jovi. Quiet Riot. Def Leppard. Poison. The list goes on. Were they bombastic? Yes. Over the top? Of course. Entertaining? Without
Read More →“Turn the channel, Shane. That show is making the living room dusty.” Those were my father’s words in one of his numerous attempts at humor while I was watching Silver and Scout kick up trail dust on “The Lone Ranger” TV show as a child. But Kemosabe, Tonto and their
Read More →You have heard it many times. A picture is worth a thousand words. The actual origin of the adage is spotty, but the saying clearly gained prominence in America in the early 20th century. Frederick R. Barnard published a column titled “One look is worth a thousand words” in Printer’s
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