“Creativity is the capital of the 21st century.” When Robert Bluestone shared this insight during his inspirational keynote for the 2010 Arts Advocacy Day in Des Moines, he was on target. Back then, tying arts to economy and education as an integral part of a comprehensive learning process was still in a formative stage. One […]
Central Iowa Community/News
Posted inCentral Iowa
Photo Gallery: Who let the dogs out in Johnston?
New sniffs and new friends were made in Johnston on April 11. Little Village joined Fitness Sports in Johnston for a Dog Wog and Cat Dash to celebrate National Pets Day. Pet owners were invited to bring their dogs and cats for a walk to the beautiful scenery of Terra Park. Some did laps around […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Pole to pole: Visiting every Des Moines strip club in one night
The Des Moines metro is home to five adult entertainment venues, a.k.a. strip clubs, and as far as I can tell, no publication has attempted to visit and compare them all. Someone had to do it eventually, and who better than myself, a gay man who has never set foot in a strip club? And […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Hundreds rally for LGBTQ Day on the Hill, protesting bills ‘meant to scare us back into the closet’
Around 200 demonstrators filled the Capitol Rotunda to protest anti-trans bills making their way through the Iowa Legislature, and meet with their representatives. The rally was hosted by One Iowa, a nonprofit founded in 2005 to advance LGBTQ rights, and One Iowa Action, for LGBTQ Day on the Hill last Wednesday, Feb. 1. Courtney Reyes, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
A new Oakridge mural celebrates the life of 14-year-old Yore Jieng
Six years following the death of 14-year-old Yore Jieng, who was killed by a stray bullet while riding in his older sister’s car, a new mural in the Oakridge Neighborhood will memorialize his life. This is the second mural dedicated to Jieng. Des Moines-native Jordan Weber designed and painted “King Yore I,” which was completed […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Iowa church wages four-year fight with IRS over hallucinogenic drug ceremonies
An Iowa-based church that allegedly charges members up to $800 to use a hallucinogenic drug in religious ceremonies is continuing to pursue a four-year battle to win tax-exempt status. Last year, the Iowaska Church of Healing sued the IRS in U.S. District Court, challenging the federal agency’s decision to deny the church status as a […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Des Moines’ historic Varsity Cinema reopening after four-year, $5 million renovation project
The Varsity Cinema near Drake University is reopening its doors to the community after being closed for four years. The historic Des Moines theater features “a variety of programming including prestige new releases, the best of art house & international, curated repertory series and classics, upscale genre and late-night movies, kids and family series” according […]
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DART buses will provide free rides to warming centers and overnight shelters for ‘the foreseeable future’
As winter begins to tighten its grip on central Iowa, DART buses will provide free rides to warming centers and overnight shelters in Polk County “beginning Wednesday, Dec. 14 through the foreseeable future due to extremely cold temperatures and wind chills,” the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority said on Wednesday. “Riders should tell bus […]
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What makes Ames’ tap water hooray-worthy?
Your drinking water has to be pretty top notch in order to get mentioned in a song like “Hooray! For Ames Water” by Smiling Stone Soup. But lucky for Ames, it’s just that good. Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Lyle Hammes says that good drinking water starts with a good water source. “We’re sitting on a […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
With polkas, live reindeer and lots of Krampi, Christkindlmarket Des Moines brings Old World holiday charm to Principal Park
The sixth annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines kicked off at Principle Park on Thursday night. The Christmas market, inspired by by the centuries-old European tradition of holiday markets is a celebration of German and Austrian heritage infused with seasonal charm. So if you can’t make it to Munich, or even Chicago, the Christkindlmarket in Des Moines. […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
As temperatures drop, DART is offering free rides to Polk County warming centers through Thursday
DART will provide free bus rides to warming centers and overnight shelters in Polk County through Thursday, Dec. 1, as central Iowa experiences severe cold temperatures and wind chills. “Riders should tell bus drivers when they board that they want to go to the warming center or shelter,” the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
From online stores to food trucks, microbusinesses are booming with help from Iowa SBA
Curtis Baugh champions small businesses. He even has an award to prove it. The senior business consultant at the Small Business Solutions Center at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families has helped thousands of people start and grow their businesses. The Iowa district office of the Small Business Administration (SBA) in May recognized […]
