MidIowa Paranormal is running a contest and YOU could win the chance to go along with them as they investigate a major paranormal site somewhere in Des Moines, Iowa!
This could be you!
Read on for details on how to enter!
Continue reading ‘Ghost Busted: Win a spot on a paranormal investigation!’
To those of you who mourned the loss of the grandest public space in Des Moines and miss it to this day, cheer up! The Main Library building on the river is in process of becoming the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. With just a few more thousand left to raise toward their $29 million fundraising goal, the World Food Prize is moving ahead with plans to create a space in honor of Norman Borlaug (and if you don’t know who he is, let Penn Gillette tell you) and as a teaching facility for up and coming agricultural scientists. Most parts will be re-opened to the public and the grounds surrounding the building will be redesigned into a beautiful garden.
Last week, my friend Jim and I got permission from the World Food Prize folks to enter the building and photograph the WPA murals in the basement as well as the architectural features of the rest of the interior. (Jim’s photos will appear in Part 2.)
Continue reading ‘Des Moines on the Down Low: Old Main Library (Part 1: WPA Murals)’
The David Haack Trio’s latest CD, “Who Am I” came out April 25. All the tracks on it hit iTunes later this month. But because we love you, we’ll let you listen to it here first. Click on the White Noise music player to your right.
The CD plays like a musical diary. David clearly put a lot of thought into the CD as a whole, not just individual songs, so listen to it from start to finish. Pay close attention to Haack’s guitar work. It really shines on this album. Colin Peterson’s bass gives a solid, almost retro feel, especially to the rock tracks. Master of rhythm Patrick Baker’s drums rumble and his high hat pitter patters all the way through. Catchy originals come straight from the heart and David’s vocals reveal his vulnerable side.
David Haack Trio, “Who Am I” on White Noise at WhitePoison.com.
Saturday night the David Haack Trio released their new CD, “Who Am I” to an enthusiastic audience at Java Joe’s 4th St. Theater. The Trio is David Haack as the lead singer and guitarist, Colin Peterson on bass, and Patrick Baker on drums. Joining them for the show was tenor sax man Michael Chesnik. Chesnik, an Iowa native, now resides in Japan where he plays with jazz groups. His guest spot with the Trio is one of several performances this week, mostly centering around his alma mater at Ankeny High School.
The CD Release show had a rollicking party atmosphere, with nearly every seat in the 4th St. Theater filled and lots of shuffling back and forth to the counter at Java Joe’s for drinks and snacks. Whether folks were listening attentively from their seats or mingling around the edges of the room, they were clearly moved and driven by the music.
It’s Monday. It’s 40 degrees outside and the sky is spitting unflavored Icee mix down on your head. You’ve drug yourself in to work fueled by a sad cup of coffee and a Pop Tart. Face it, you need help to get through the rest of your work day. White Poison delivers! We’ve got new music up on the White Noise Player. Please direct your attention to the player on the right hand side of the page, plug in your headphones (unless you work from home, then stick it on the stereo,) and get your local music fix.
This week’s featured artist is Calous.
If I had to sum up Calous in one word it would be STRONG. Their rhythms are driving, their vocals are full of adrenaline. They’ll send that shock down your spine that you need to kick it in to high gear at work and battle your way to the top of the office typing pool.
White Noise local music player. To your right. Go now.
A certain section of the Des Moines population went home a little bit tousled and flushed after its first encounter with Detroit-based band, Electric Six at the Vaudeville Mews on Thursday night. Front man Dick Valentine pulled all the right moves and made it a memorable night that I’m pretty sure was as good for him as it was for us.
(Click on any of these pictures to go to the complete set on Flickr.)
My parents told me all about Riverview amusement park when I was little. Nestled on an island between a streetcar suburb and the Des Moines River on the northeast side, Riverview was the only place around to ride a roller coaster or a speed boat or a tiny train. Adventureland literally swallowed it up in the late 1970s, appropriating several of the rides, and ultimately closing the park to eliminate the competition. For those Des Moinians who grew up spending all their pocket money on ride tickets and skeeball, and those who had their prom, wedding reception, or sock hop at the Riviera Ballroom, no flashy suburban amusement park could ever take the place of the original family entertainment park.
Continue reading ‘Des Moines on the Down Low: Riverview Retro’
Now that the weather’s warming up I’ve got new tires on my bike and I’ve been riding to work. For the most part the automobile drivers I share the road with are respectful and cautious. But last night my husband Brandon was harassed by a pair of rednecks in a pickup truck. They first drove up alongside him and tried to startle him in to crashing. When that didn’t work, they followed him, getting menacingly close, shouting epithets. When Brandon turned a corner and disappeared behind a big tree, the guys got out of their truck to look for him.
I suspect these are the same douchebags that pulled the same crap with me late last summer.
Does anybody out there have any advice for dealing with vehicular bullies? I’m seriously considering going Q on my bike and adding some James Bond style sideways rocket launchers and exploding thumb-tack bombs to my bike.
****UPDATED INFO AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST! SCROLL DOWN!!!****
*******FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE! SCROLL DOWN!!!********
If you’ve driven, walked, bussed, or biked around in the East Village, perhaps on your way from the main area of shops to Ban Thai or something, you’ve probably noticed a defunct service station at E. 2nd & Grand. The building was built in the Mission architectural style, once popular in the 1930s, and housed one of the first full service gas stations in the metro area. The East Village is about to lose this important landmark to a pay-per-month parking lot and time is running out to save this cool building!
Continue reading ‘***UPDATED*** Des Moines on the Down Low: Mission Impossible’
With the recent activities surrounding Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s observance on January 19, I’ve been on the lookout for people who are still living the lessons he taught us about non-violent resistance and compassion for our fellow humans. Continue reading ‘Extend a hand, unclench a fist.’
