Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 04

And the Big Ten picks…

Posted on Monday, June 4, 2012, at 2:00 PM by Jeff

File this under “never going to happen in a million years but thanks for the gesture.” Hold that thought, because this idea may sound a little nutty: The NCAA needs to institute a draft to end the torture. … 7. … Continue reading →

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Jun 04

Cedar Rapids off the island

Posted on Monday, June 4, 2012, at 12:23 PM by Jeff

It’s been the case since the flood in 2008, but today it was official. The Cedar Rapids city government is now headquartered in the old federal courthouse. Before now (before 2008, that is), it was located on Mays Island. For … Continue reading →

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Jun 04

Illinois trip Day 2

Posted on Monday, June 4, 2012, at 9:00 AM by Jeff

Harrisburg, Illinois, May 23 — This just in: Illinois is tall. Really tall. I realized that once I started truly studying my planned route. Fortunately (for once!) I overpacked. Route: I-57, I-74, US 45, US 150, to north cemetery in … Continue reading →

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Jun 01

Illinois trip Day 1

Posted on Friday, June 1, 2012, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Here’s the first post about my vacation at the end of May. More will come starting Monday. Champaign, Illinois, May 22 — I had the flexibility to put off this trip for a few days, and was glad I did. … Continue reading →

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Jun 01

License plate countdown — ZKJ, ZKM

Posted on Friday, June 1, 2012, at 6:00 AM by Jeff

Or, as the Czech said when asked to read the eye chart, “Read it? I know him!”

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Jun 01

Dodds spikes ISU

Posted on Friday, June 1, 2012, at 12:30 AM by Jeff

Big 12 commissioner Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds takes a swing at the cardinal-and-gold piñata: “Texas grads want to see Texas stuff. They don’t want to see Iowa State volleyball.” There’s absolutely no precedent for graduates of one university wanting … Continue reading →

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May 31

At NU High, school’s out forever(?)

Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at 3:11 PM by Jeff

Last day was Wednesday. Probably.

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May 31

Last lettered county road sign gone

Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at 1:34 AM by Jeff

May 20, 2003 Iowa switched from single letters on its county roads to the alphanumeric grid system around 1969. For a short period, the new designations were printed on the same green squares, probably until counties exhausted their supplies. One … Continue reading →

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May 29

An important point in conference changes

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at 1:51 PM by Jeff

A Kansas State blogger has written a long and informative post about WHY conference changes are happening now. (Hint: It’s about TV.) It covers a less-mentioned point: Conference affiliation has huge implications for the university as a whole, especially in … Continue reading →

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May 29

The end of US 269

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at 9:51 AM by Jeff

October 21, 2007. Photo’s color composition has been altered slightly. US Highway 269 never existed except for many years, perhaps a decade, on one sign in Kansas City — southbound I-35 at Exit 11. An initial glance might make one … Continue reading →

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