Author Archives: Jeff

Nov 15

No room at the inn for ‘No Vacancy’ signs

August 2, 2016: The “No Vacancy” neon on the right side of the sign for the Big 12 Motel in Broken Bow, Nebraska, is as unfashionable as references to the Big 12 in Nebraska. From the “I noticed this and … Continue reading

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Nov 14

Mount Union disincorporation passes by one vote

Sixty-three votes were cast in a referendum on whether Mount Union should continue to exist as a town in Iowa. The vote was tied on Tuesday and was decided by one absentee ballot. The town will dissolve. (Story via KCCI, … Continue reading

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Nov 11

chicagomg

Over this decade, I have typically ended up driving through the Chicago area in one trip a year, usually hewing close to I-80. This year, however, I had set myself up to do it twice in a week — a … Continue reading

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Nov 10

Republicans expand rural reach in Iowa

New York Times visualization of the 2016 presidential vote by county. Note that the Driftless Area (NE IA, SW WI, SE MN) tilted Republican, and while not strongly so, it’s in deep, stark contrast to the 2008 map. First, go read … Continue reading

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Nov 09

Presentation on Floyd intersection tonight

October 4, 2016: Around the US 18/218 split at Floyd, the speed limit on the Avenue of the Saints drops to 55 mph. A meeting tonight about “proposed improvements” at the US 18/218 intersection in Floyd will include a presentation, … Continue reading

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Nov 08

Election Day

August 6, 2016: Seen in Brule, Nebraska. If Sweet Meteor O’Death does not grace us with his presence today it will be because he has decided we’re not worth it. GO SMOD! November 6, 2016: This campaign sign at the north … Continue reading

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Nov 07

Answering the important questions

From the top of the FAQ for Iowa City Liberty High School, opening in 2017 (and causing a minor future scheduling headache for the Mississippi Valley Conference): (BTW: “Child Centered: Future Focused”? That motto needs a comma, not a colon, … Continue reading

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Nov 03

Oklahoma preview

Passersby were amazed at the unusually large amounts of blood. Passersby were amazed at the unusually large amounts of blood. Passersby were amazed at the unusually large amounts of blood. Passersby were amazed at the unusually large amounts of blood. Passersby were amazed at the unusually large amounts of … Continue reading

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Nov 02

Jefferson Highway, White Pole Road named Iowa Byways

June 4, 2007: The start of the White Pole Road is marked at the east end of old IA 925 near Dexter. A press release from the governor’s office, reprinted on the DOT’s website, announces the creation of new Iowa … Continue reading

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Nov 01

That time I jinxed the Cubs

October 30, 2016: Nowhere to park, of course, but I did drive by Wrigley Field on the day the Cubs hosted a World Series game — one of only three days someone could say that since 1945. On the night … Continue reading

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