Author Archives: Jeff

Nov 24

Christmas is not saved (in the temporal sense)

Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A more weighty matter than yesterday… The Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church has banned in-person worship until January 10. No candles for Advent (which starts Sunday). No Christmas caroling. No children’s Christmas program. No Christmas Eve candlelight service. No Epiphany. Now, … Continue reading →

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Nov 23

Christmas is saved (temporarily)

Posted on Monday, November 23, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

After the news that Apple was going to be the exclusive streaming home of Peanuts specials, including those that had aired on broadcast TV for decades, there was a backlash, here included. Apple listened, at least a little. “A Charlie … Continue reading →

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Nov 20

All-State, No-State

Posted on Friday, November 20, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Right now, Iowa’s best high school singers and musicians are supposed to be at Hilton Coliseum for All-State. A month ago they found out they would not be. The All-State honor was bestowed as if they would have performed, including … Continue reading →

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Nov 18

Video drive across I-74 bridge

Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

From WQAD. Strangely, the I-74 Bridge website stopped updating months ago. The webcams are stuck on June 1.

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Nov 16

‘Butter Cow Lady’ statue needs to be restored

Posted on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In Toledo, on a hill just north of the US 63/Business 30 intersection, is a non-butter sculpture from Iowa State Fair Butter Cow sculptor “Duffy” Lyon. It is of a cow and her calf. The Aug. 10 derecho ripped the … Continue reading →

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Nov 13

Iowa-bound I-74 bridge opens today

Posted on Friday, November 13, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s happening! (To steal the first line from KWQC’s story.) (WQAD’s story above.) The Iowa-bound/westbound/northbound I-74 bridge was expected to open early this morning. This replaces the 1935 bridge, the original of the twin bridges. Hopefully next November we can … Continue reading →

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Nov 11

Iowa’s 1920 Highway System: Plymouth County

Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 17, 2020: The loneliest intersection of 1920. IA 29 ended here; IA 27 went east and west. Western Iowa had nearly all of the primary numbers, save for 28, in the 26-through-37 span. As far as I know, it … Continue reading →

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Nov 10

Alex Trebek, 1940-2020

Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

Today we honor Alex Trebek. For over three decades he brought integrity, humor and intelligence to his duties as host of Jeopardy! He will be in our hearts forever. Thank you, Alex. Love from us all. ???? pic.twitter.com/w8abYY8SX5 — Jeopardy! … Continue reading →

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Nov 09

License Plate Letters – KAT

Posted on Monday, November 9, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 16, 2000: Shadow had the run of the corn crib — run of the farm, really — and we threw her kibble from a big bag bought at the elevator. She purred very loudly and enjoyed climbing onto my shoulder … Continue reading →

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Nov 06

Label-o-matic

Posted on Friday, November 6, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Labels are important when creating maps. This is an obvious truth, but I have a habit of missing the forest for the trees. Thus, when I created highway chronologies, I didn’t really consider the idea that my maps could be … Continue reading →

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