'Presidential' debates, government shutdowns, bio-sancturaries
...and FERN AND JOE ARE BACK! So much good stuff this week..and a couple invitations
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Laura Belin lists four takeaways from Iowa Republicans’ latest budget votes. Also, check out Belin’s in-depth analysis of Iowa politics and government.
Dave Busiek ‘tried’ to watch the GOP presidential debates but, after 15 minutes, gave up. He’s a man who planned and participated in debates and says it’s time to end the current format after watching this debacle unfold.
Veteran television newsman Dave Price had a similar reaction. He offers an alternative to the current debate format, too. Dave is going to host live Zoom calls for subscribers. If you don’t already, become a subscriber to get these notices.
Art Cullen fielded a few questions in Okoboji, where many asked him the question on so many minds: What the hell happened to Iowa politically?
The price of market power should be scrutinized, writes Cheryl Tevis in her column, giving perspective to consumers' insatiable reliance on ordering goods through Amazon.
Robert Leonard weighs in on why Ty Rushing, a distinguished Iowa journalist, was not allowed into a DeSantis event, even though he was fully credentialed:
But this also begs the question, why does every Black person have to be like Jackie Robinson when so many white people are MAGA racist assholes?
Jane Nguyen offers a harrowing story by guest writer Jessica Bliss, born Le Thanh Tâm, in Quy Nhon, Vietnam in 1974. She was one year old when the emergency evacuation to Saigon began.
GRIEF
Read this: What Grief Taught Teresa Zilk.
FERN AND JOE
They’re back! We love the conversations these two have via their column. You will, too. "I grow old…I grow old…I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.”
SPORTS
ISU Football is back, and so is our own Rob Gray. We missed you, Rob! Oh, says he, don’t become a Vikings fan.
FOOD AROUND IOWA
Wini Moranville gives readers a sneak peek into the new restaurant, Either/Or, at 6222 Grand Ave., Des Moines, with a nod to the ‘fine, fine’ Reuben sandwich and homemade pickle. Yum. And take a 36-hour trip to Iowa City, Moranville counsels, including an itinerary with recommended highlights. Let’s go!
Doug Burns discovered a new, thriving food business at the Council Bluffs Latino Festival. It’s a story of fitness, entrepreneurship, and growth.
And Beth Hoffman writes a lovely Farm Meditation about what getting up early is like on the land. Check it out. She has a new venture, Writing on the Farm.
TRAVEL
Dana James, publisher of Black Iowa News, traveled to Keene, New Hampshire, to attend a Radically Rural Summit. Read about her epiphany experience.
John Naughton toured five states, attending six events. He gets around! From jazz to outdoor theater, he takes us with him in this week’s column.
Jeff Morrison reflects on the experience of attending his first Okoboji Writers’ Retreat. As is usually the case with this columnist, he brings depth to his experience and what was learned.
Darcy Maulsby, author and keen observer of Iowa traditions, took up a paddle for a cause. Read about project AWARE.
THIS AND THAT
Mary Swander brings a podcast to readers via her Emerging Voices column. In this episode, she interviews Agronomists Russ Mullen and Jill Mortenson about the need to create a bio-sanctuary movement.
Kurt Meyer opines about a study saying Iowa is good for something. Retirement. As these subjective listicles go, it’s an interesting read. We missed listing Meyer’s column last week, titled Our Own Best Critic… one writer’s advice to another.
In Pat Kinney’s View From the Cedar Valley, he writes about the scars of war. They hit close to home for Pat.
Junk political talk has the same toxic impact on the body politic that junk food has on our physical health, writes Barry Piatt.
Watch out for hammocks, warns Jody Gifford. She has reason to give caution.
Julie Gammack has former Des Moines businessman John Neubaur on to talk about how he’s found Tai Chi yoga as an antidote to Parkinson’s disease. Subscribe to join her Monday Zoom lunch call.
POETRY
Touch the Earth, writes Suzanna de Baca, in a poignant salute to those who literally ‘get their hands dirty.’
AN INVITATION
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