Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 24

Continued peasantry

Posted on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Stewart Mandel, in the Athletic, did his every-five-years ranking of the college football hierarchy. The landed gentry in Iowa City got even more landed, moving up to Baron. Ames? Well, there’s some lovely filth down here in peasantdom. If I … Continue reading →

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Jun 22

Gladbrook school demolition in final stages

Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

June 17, 2022: The southeast corner of the Gladbrook school building, as seen last week during Corn Carnival. A piece of paper on one of the few remaining windows of Gladbrook’s school building announces the fitness center — the half-million-dollar … Continue reading →

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Jun 20

Meeting on I-380 expansion Tuesday

Posted on Monday, June 20, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Tomorrow night the Iowa DOT will hold an in-person information meeting in Cedar Rapids about six-laning part of I-380. The meeting is at the DOT office near Kirkwood Community College at 5 PM. An “at your own pace” meeting will … Continue reading →

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Jun 17

Seven days in June, 1972

Posted on Friday, June 17, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

June 17, 1972, is depicted in cinema, with the actual security guard playing himself: June 23, 1972, saw President Nixon sign the Education Amendments of 1972, including Title IX, into federal law, enabling scenes like this: January 29, 2012: Iowa … Continue reading →

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Jun 16

100th Corn Carnival is this weekend

Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 16, 2004: This corn float (?) appeared multiple years in the Corn Carnival parade, including Gladbrook’s 125th anniversary in 2005. Gladbrook’s Corn Carnival is being held for the 100th time this weekend. Director O’Connor has received word that the … Continue reading →

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Jun 13

Cascade business route rerouted

Posted on Monday, June 13, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

At the fall 2021 meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Iowa submitted an application to change the route of Business US 151 in Cascade. The application starts on page 4 in this large PDF. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Cascade business route rerouted
Jun 10

Ankeny’s growth makes Alleman nervous

Posted on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Currently, NE 126th Avenue in Polk County between Elkhart and just north of Polk City is a paved but rural drive, and the I-35 interchange is undeveloped. That could change soon if Ankeny has its way. Ankeny, which just passed … Continue reading →

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Jun 08

Luana school converted to rec center

Posted on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Luana school, part of MFL-MarMac, closed in 2001. According to the March 21, 2001, North Iowa Times, closing the building would save the district $100,000. Opposition to the plan was less about closing Luana and more about busing young … Continue reading →

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Jun 06

Rebuilding Cylinder (sort of)

Posted on Monday, June 6, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s not matchsticks, but still very impressive. From KCAU: Since completing the depot in 2018, Joyce has replicated 19 of the town of Cylinder’s original business buildings. He uses the town’s centennial book as a guide. “Here’s the livery and … Continue reading →

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Jun 03

City of Chopped Liver

Posted on Friday, June 3, 2022, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

May 29, 2017: Hint enough for you? “The Midwest,” for $1000, on Monday’s “Jeopardy!”: The name of this second-largest city in Iowa mentions a tree and alludes to a river. There are multiple cities in Iowa that mention a tree … Continue reading →

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