Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 19

On old US 6

Posted on Monday, August 19, 2013, at 2:35 PM by Jeff

The Quad-City Times has an article on David Darby, who has led the effort to get old US 6 signed through parts of Iowa. It may be a little much to say he “found the old route through all these towns … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on On old US 6
Aug 18

A Diagonal, not The Diagonal

Posted on Sunday, August 18, 2013, at 11:15 AM by Jeff

June 21, 2013: South of Victor on the original River to River Road. (The name is for the lettered street system.)

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on A Diagonal, not The Diagonal
Aug 16

State fair observations

Posted on Friday, August 16, 2013, at 11:34 PM by Jeff

In no particular order: Friday was the 30th anniversary of the hottest day ever of the Iowa State Fair — August 16, 1983, which was Older Iowans Day that year. I was there. However, the National Weather Service was not … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on State fair observations
Aug 15

This is where your school district went

Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at 12:00 PM by Jeff

July 5, 2013: Alphabetically, Ankeny and Arcadia are only separated by two towns. The demographic gulf between them, though, couldn’t be wider. Ar-We-Va closed its elementary schools in Arcadia and Vail in 2012 in favor of an addition at Westside. … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on This is where your school district went
Aug 15

The Wall Street Journal gets it on the O’Bannon case

Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at 9:38 AM by Jeff

The headline pretty much says it all: Worst-Case Scenario: The O’Bannon Case Barely Bruises Ohio State While Flattening Iowa State (If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, read here.)

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on The Wall Street Journal gets it on the O’Bannon case
Aug 14

Not so Extreme Sunday

Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at 12:56 PM by Jeff

For a while now, the Iowa State Fair has offered half-price admission on the last day of the fair, and certain days after 5 PM, and advertised it as such. This year, now that a ticket has risen to $11, … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Not so Extreme Sunday
Aug 13

Winding Stairs Festival photo gallery

Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at 3:41 PM by Jeff

These have no captions, but if you’re in them, you’ll know. Many parade pictures and the Max Morrison balloon tribute are included.

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Winding Stairs Festival photo gallery
Aug 13

Unclear on the Concept Dept., Money magazine edition

Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at 9:30 AM by Jeff

Ankeny — Iowa’s 10th-largest city in 2010 and 8th-largest school district in 2012 — is #37 on Money magazine’s list of “America’s Best Small Towns”. Waukee — Iowa’s 29th-largest city in 2010 and 11th-largest school district in 2012 — is #22 on … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Unclear on the Concept Dept., Money magazine edition
Aug 12

Keith Sash is fair’s Iowan of the Day

Posted on Monday, August 12, 2013, at 2:50 PM by Jeff

Better State Fair news that I originally intended to post earlier. Sash, currently mayor of Gladbrook, is a former Tama County supervisor involved in a lot of county groups.

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Keith Sash is fair’s Iowan of the Day
Aug 12

Of course you realize, this means war

Posted on Monday, August 12, 2013, at 12:24 PM by Jeff

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa-based animal rights group douses State Fair ‘Butter Cow’ with red paint The Des Moines Register has an article and video. Perhaps the Onion was on to something with its “Iowa State Fair Guards Told To Shoot Non–Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Of course you realize, this means war