When we choose to shop small and local, we keep more of our money in the community, which encourages more business, more artists and more jobs. Small businesses and local artists depend on the holiday season, just like the big boxes do.
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Posted inHot Tin Roof
Hot Tin Roof: Self Help through IKEA Furniture Assembly
The dream fills the room when we unpack — the parts — the makings of our soon-to-be kitchen table.I remember reading that IKEA furniture in particular is more self-gratifying than the non-IKEA do-it-yourself-put-it-together furniture because of the self-assembly required.
Posted inOpinion
Democracy in Crisis: Protestors arrested on Trump’s Inauguration Day are facing felony charges
The J20 caseis the first mass trial, beginning this week. Most of the defendants were arrested on Inauguration Day, after a protest (which the government has called a riot) resulted in several broken windows and other damage. Police officers threw more than 70 “non-lethal” grenades, sprayed dozens of canisters of pepper spray and cordoned off around 200 people in a “kettle” flanked by riot police and walls on all sides.
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: I’m getting the cold shoulder from the woman of my dreams
I’m a little blown away by how emotionally and physically intimate we had been for it to suddenly turn so cordial/superficial, literally overnight, without any major incident (besides her move) to provoke the change.
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: My girlfriend is so loud the neighbors are starting to retaliate
We have a thin-walled apartment, and while I try to be a considerate neighbor, she just lets it rip every time we get busy. The neighbors are starting to retaliate with drums and the Ramones, and we got our window egged one night.
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Selec — Teleph and homemade sin
To release two EPs under two different names within a few months of each other suggests Clancy Clark — aka Selec, aka Clarence Johnson — has been busy. According to Clark, horror at the election of Donald Trump motivated him to be more proactive at making and putting out music.
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Gloom Balloon — Drying the Eyes of the Goddess of Gloom, Underneath the Stars and the Moon
The songs on Des Moines band/project Gloom Balloon’s sophomore album were inspired by life-changing events of falling in love and the birth of Patrick Tape Fleming’s son Nilsson (who makes an appearance on the opening track, “Password”).
Posted inAstrology
Astrology forecast Nov. 15-28
Be faithful to your innovative ideas, Scorpio. Don’t let skeptics or conventional thinkers waylay you.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Ventriloquist Denny Naughton picks up his dummies again for a NCSML fundraiser
Denny Naughton and Friends CSPS Legion Arts — Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. “The first show I did was a talent show,” Dennis Naughton said, reflecting on his adventures as a ventriloquist. His mother had some advice after that fledgling performance. “Maybe next time you shouldn’t read the routine out a joke book,” she […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa State Senate Republicans finish investigating whether they’ve engaged in sexual harassment
Republicans in the Iowa State Senate have finished an internal investigation into whether their caucus created a hostile work environment, complete with sexual harassment and racist slurs, the Associated Press reported on Sunday. But the results of that investigation will not be made public.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Track premiere: Brendan Hanks reinterprets himself with “Your Exile By Algorithm”
This spring, during Mission Creek Festival, a lucky few were treated to a unique sci-fi dining experience. The Sci-Fi CoLab brought together dancing, storytelling and food to take attendees on an otherworldly journey. Providing the soundtrack was electronic musician Brendan Hanks. Hanks’ new record, Generations, which drops Friday, mines that science fiction experience. The full-length […]
