Category Archives: Iowa Miscellaneous

Mar 25

In which I am mentioned very vaguely in the Atlantic magazine

Posted on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 11:05 AM by Jeff

In the April 2014 issue of the Atlantic, and already online, there is a long piece by Adam Doster called “Fighting Over the Field of Dreams.” It’s about the field and the Ballpark Heaven development. About three-fifths of the way … Continue reading →

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Mar 24

But it won’t make the writing on ‘Girls’ any better

Posted on Monday, March 24, 2014, at 10:51 AM by Jeff

Lena Dunham’s character on the HBO series “Girls” has been accepted into the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. This may be inspired by the fact that one of the show’s story editors has an MFA from the workshop (NSFW-ish, both for the explicitness endemic … Continue reading →

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Mar 09

Oxymoron of the week

Posted on Sunday, March 9, 2014, at 10:48 AM by Jeff

“Clive Town Center.“

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Feb 07

Emerald ash borer found in Black Hawk County

Posted on Friday, February 7, 2014, at 11:02 AM by Jeff

No, this isn’t about highways or schools, but it is about Iowa, and in this case, something close to Tama County. The sighting in Waterloo is the fourth in a county not bordering the Mississippi River. Hug your ash trees, … Continue reading →

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Jan 27

Mother Nature, you’re mean when you’re drunk

Posted on Monday, January 27, 2014, at 1:59 PM by Jeff

At least it’s above zero.

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Jan 21

What Girl Scout camps have in common with school consolidation

Posted on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at 11:50 AM by Jeff

Today, a trial starts in Scott County to stop the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois from selling four camps in the state, reports the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Meanwhile, the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa also intends to … Continue reading →

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Jan 06

Greetings from Hoth

Posted on Monday, January 6, 2014, at 12:33 AM by Jeff

When it gets below 250 Kelvin, you know you’re in trouble. Remember, being cold builds character. Des Moines’ three lowest highs for Jan. 6 are -10, -3, and a balmy 1 above; Waterloo’s are -15, -6, and -5. Monday’s temperature … Continue reading →

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Jan 04

On the DOT’s new logo

Posted on Saturday, January 4, 2014, at 2:46 PM by Jeff

When the Iowa Department of Transportation released its redesigned homepage in July, I was very disgruntled. I saw the triumph of style over substance, a three-button splash screen that obscured more than it helped. (In other words, I had the … Continue reading →

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Jan 03

IA 2 no longer runs through Fort Madison

Posted on Friday, January 3, 2014, at 11:00 AM by Jeff

December 18, 2006: Near the foot of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad bridge across the Mississippi River in Fort Madison, all three components of this sign assembly have changed: US 61 is now Business 61, the Hiawatha Pioneer Trail … Continue reading →

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Jan 02

Ox Yoke Innterstate on I-80 closed

Posted on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at 12:04 PM by Jeff

The Ox Yoke Innterstate restaurant at the I-80/US 151 interchange has closed, reports the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The original in the Amana Colonies will remain open. Business likely suffered after the Wasserbahn water park across the street closed in June. … Continue reading →

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