Author Archives: Jeff

Dec 22

A video clip that needs to be prepared immediately

Posted on Sunday, December 22, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

For the appropriate time on ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: I’m Hugh Downs… and I’m Barbara Walters… and this is… 2020! [Someone may have watched more TV newsmagazine shows than was healthy in the ’90s.]

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Dec 20

I-29 in Sioux City to be finished this decade

Posted on Friday, December 20, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

June 4, 2014: The national end of US 77 at the Missouri River and I-29 in Sioux City was converted from “Iowa’s Most Stupid Intersection” into a mostly-diamond interchange in the early 2010s. The decade-plus-long reconstruction of I-29 through the … Continue reading →

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Dec 19

2019: The Year in Food (7)

Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Cincinnati chili “three-way” with fries and the requisite oyster crackers. The fries were very good. 7. Camp Washington Chili, Cincinnati, Ohio (Oct. 31) I have consumed Cincinnati chili and lived. You might have heard of it under the name of … Continue reading →

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Dec 18

My seasonal challenge

Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

By the time I found out about the Marion Community Band, I had not officially played for more years than I had. But, thanks to all those early years of practicing, I was able to wobble my way back on the … Continue reading →

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Dec 17

2019: The Year in Food (6)

Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at 2:00 PM by Jeff

6. Sammy’s Pizza, International Falls, Minnesota (Aug. 19); Brooklyn Pizza Co., Seymour, Indiana (Nov. 1) One is from a small chain with all but two of its 15 locations in Minnesota; the other is a minor diner. The first was consumed … Continue reading →

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Dec 17

Playing the game the right way

Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In case you missed it, a great Jeopardy run (by someone who loves Star Wars!) ended Monday. Ugh. I definitely don't like playing bottom-up. #Jeopardy — Author Jennifer Quail (@jenniferquail) December 17, 2019 (note to self: do not look up … Continue reading →

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Dec 16

Do I have to haul this out again?

Posted on Monday, December 16, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I was in charge of the “mini-mag” for the yearbook my junior and senior years of high school. This was in the era of desktop publishing where we had the digital layout but not the digital photos. (We still had … Continue reading →

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Dec 13

2019: The Year in Food (5)

Posted on Friday, December 13, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

5. Pork Strip Basket, Iowa State Fair, near the southwest corner of the fairgrounds (Aug. 16) “Three delicious Chuckie’s Pork Strips, made from center cut pork loin; hand breaded with Chuckie’s Famous batter, seasoned waffle fries, creamy cheese sauce, bacon … Continue reading →

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Dec 12

2019: The Year in Food (4)

Posted on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

4. 10-ounce New York Strip, Big Vern’s Steakhouse, Shamrock, Texas (July 21) More steak in Texas? More steak in Texas, this time in a town with a population that has fallen below 2000 and whose famous landmarks are the tallest water tower … Continue reading →

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Dec 11

2019: The Year in Food (3)

Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 10:01 AM by Jeff

3. “Sopepizza,” Cornerstone First Edition Pizza & Subs, Tucumcari, New Mexico (July 17) From the menu: “Marinara, Mozzarella, and filling choice, stuffed in a sopapilla and deep fried.” What is a sopapilla, you ask (and I asked)? It’s a bread unique(ish) to … Continue reading →

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