AABP EP Awards 728x90

The Elbert Files

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Recession? Probably Not.

An uncomfortable connection between interest rate cuts and recessions was explored by Minneapolis-based economist James Paulsen in a recent Paulsen Perspectives newsletter.  

Seven of eight recessions between 1969 and 2020 were preceded by Federal …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Frank Allen’s Wild Ride

When 19-year-old Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Allen arrived at Fort Des Moines in 1848, he brought with him gold coins in a burlap bag.

David Wiggins’ 2002 book “The Rise of the Allens: Two Soldiers and …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Creating Des Moines

Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Allen was an early Iowa banker who built Terrace Hill, the Iowa governor’s mansion, in 1869, before business failures forced him to sell it to Frederick M. Hubbell in 1884.

Frank Allen …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Our buffalo cat

Cooper, our 18-pound, 13-year-old orange cat has a new name.

Most of the 15 cats Amy and I have parented over our 49 years of marriage had multiple names and backstories, including Cooper.

“The Buffalo” …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Agricultural evolution

Iowa’s agricultural economy is a series of contradictions wrapped in an enigma.

The enigma is the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the massive federal agency that controls the farm economy, along with other divergent functions.

The …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: A case of bad wiring? 


Sculptor Tony Smith’s “Willy” in Des Moines’ Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

It had been a long time since I’d seen my friend, K.C., and I wanted to ask him a question.

I found him in the …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Woodland’s women

A note from Dave Elbert: Last week, I wrote about men at Woodland Cemetery; this week is about women buried there. You can sign up for a Sept. 7 tour of women’s graves at the …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Men of Woodland

Author’s note: Today, I focus on men buried in Woodland Cemetery. Next week, I’ll introduce you to the cemetery’s interesting women.

Imagine how upset you might be if the name on your tombstone was carved …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Weather impacts

Climate change is transforming two key pieces of Iowa’s economy – agriculture and insurance.

Although many Iowa farmers are not convinced that shifting weather patterns are the result of human activity, they do adjust to …

Elbert web

The Elbert Files: Central Iowa’s wooden speedway

It’s difficult to imagine today, but 109 years ago Valley Junction was briefly the home of a mile-long, banked, oval racetrack made of wood. 

Yes, wood. The undercarriage was wood. The racing surface, including banked …