Category Archives: Uncategorized

Here’s a reason Iowa needs to keep the presidential caucuses. A major media outlet left to its own devices went looking for a “small town” and found “this small town of Newnan, about 40 miles southwest of Atlanta” “a rapidly growing … Continue reading →

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.]

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 →

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 →

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 →

Lucas Grundmeier, my former Iowa State Daily and Des Moines Register cohort, has been named the Register’s opinion editor. I have yet to make peace with people around my age being in charge of things. (Like running a football team. Or … Continue reading →

November 18, 2009: Ten years ago, this baby came home. It is, by far, my longest-lived main Mac. In fact, it’s outpaced both the G4 tower and iBook combined. (I am very very hoping this blog post does not jinx … Continue reading →

2019’s calendar is 1985’s calendar (and also 2002’s calendar), so that means that this weekend — October 25-27 — is the same Friday/Saturday/Sunday as when the Back to the Future trilogy takes place. A fan documentary is airing Friday night … Continue reading →

I can’t be the first person to notice this, but a glance through Internet searches doesn’t bring up any immediate hits. Watch part of this clip from The Blues Brothers, starting at about 1:33. The relevant part is pretty short. … Continue reading →

 2017 Iowa map Minnesota turned over MN 253 and MN 254 to Faribault County on Oct. 1. Both of these routes ran south of I-90, to Bricelyn and Frost, respectively. Minnesota still has spur routes going to not just small … Continue reading →