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Arts and Culture

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Des Moines Metro Opera announces expanded commission of ‘American Apollo’

The Des Moines Metro Opera commissioned an expanded version of the opera “American Apollo” to be performed in 2024, the opera announced this week. DMMO is partnering with the Pyramid Theatre Company and the Des …

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Farmland Foods makes donation to Iowa FFA

Farmland Foods, the maker of bacon, sausage, ham and lunch meat, this week recognized the Iowa FFA Association and its positive impact in Iowa with a $5,000 donation. The donation is part of the 2021 …

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Food Bank of Iowa Chopped coming to the Iowa State Fair

Cooks and aspiring chefs can put their skills to the test in a new Iowa State Fair competition, “Food Bank of Iowa Chopped — Hot Dish Edition.” The Food Bank of Iowa is partnering with …

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Fort Dodge winery wins ‘best of show’ among sweet Rosés in international competition

Des Moines Register: Iowa may not be wine country, but that didn’t stop the state from producing what one competition named the best sweet Rosé of the year in an international wine competition earlier this month. …

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NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Why dollar stores are so popular

More than 34,000 dollar stores are in U.S., including several dozen in Central Iowa. In fact, there are more dollar store locations than CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Target combined, according to Zachary Crockett of the Hustle, …

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Year of pandemic proves big winner for Iowa Lottery sales

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa’s lottery proved to be the ticket for homebound adults starving for entertainment options during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lottery officials said Tuesday they are on track to smash all of …

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Des Moines’ Simon Estes Amphitheater closed until 2024

Axios Des Moines: The Simon Estes Amphitheater won’t reopen for another three years despite crews this month completing a $727,000 flood repair project at the venue, Des Moines Parks director Ben Page said Tuesday. Construction projects …

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Food drive planned at Principal Park

Fans attending the Iowa Cubs baseball game at Principal Park on July 10 can help stock the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s food pantry by bringing a healthy, low-sugar box of cereal to the park. …

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Sesame Street in Communities to supply 30,000-plus children’s books for donation at local clinics

Sesame Street in Communities and the Iowa Alliance for Healthy Kids today are launching a book distribution project that will distribute more than 30,000 books and 2,500 activity kits this summer through Central Iowa organizations to help …

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After announcing plans to turn to a third-party nonprofit to conduct police de-escalation training nearly a month ago, the Des Moines City Council approved a contract Monday night that solidifies training plans for the Des Moines Police Department valued at about $148,000.

Des Moines Register: Polk County supervisors today chose a new towing company for the sheriff’s office and the county after a series of complaints, including allegations of predatory practices, against the current contract holder. Supervisors Chair …