The year 2005 has been a year of transition in Central Iowa, mainly because it served as a convenient way to get from 2004 to 2006. Other than that, it was a lot like most years. Here’s a sketchy and inaccurate look back:

City Manager Eric Anderson lands a new job, creating substantial government savings when he stops using the office copy machine to update his resume. Later in the year, events czarina Mo Dana departs; panic sets in, and it’s decided to retool the annual Arts Festival as either a workshop on picture framing or “a really nice garage sale.”

More downtown housing projects get under way. Developers say they’re confident they’ll find plenty of tenants.

The newspaper scene shifts as Cityview and Pointblank combine and The Des Moines Register launches Juice. A Cityview official tells a reporter that Juice is “insulting to the intelligent reader.” Later in the year, Cityview Editor Jon Gaskell appears on the cover of his paper dressed as Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz.” (This is true.)

The $60 million Science Center of Iowa opens, and several of the displays actually work. The facility’s long-awaited IMAX theater draws modest interest for its first offerings, then scores a huge success with a Tom Hanks feature film. SCI Director Mary Sellers begins scouring video stores for the first season of “Bosom Buddies.”

Michael Gartner, once involved in an “exploding pickup truck” scandal at NBC News, is named president of the State Board of Regents. Later, two dormitories at Iowa State are leveled with carefully placed explosive charges. When questioned about it, Gartner breaks into a Tom Brokaw imitation and dashes out of the room.

Fritz Junker bravely carries on with efforts to liven up the local music scene despite the tragic loss of his original first name. He receives crucial help from City Council member Leo Mikekiernan.

Half a dozen more downtown buildings are slated for rehab as residences.

The Iowa Events Center opens for its first concert in an atmosphere of frenzied excitement, only to find that the entry doors are the actual size shown on the blueprints, or approximately 1 inch tall. Global Spectrum can’t find the piece of paper with the contractor’s name on it, so pins the blame on General Manager Andy Long. Later in the year, Long is forced out after allowing the front office to run dangerously low on paper clips.

A proposal for whitewater rafting in downtown Des Moines creates a burst of excitement. It’s followed by a suggestion for hunting deer in the skywalks, which generates less enthusiasm.

Powerful real estate magnate Bill Knapp is accused of land-grab chicanery in a Sunday newspaper story. By lunchtime on Monday, the newspaper building has vanished, jittery city officials say they don’t remember it ever being there and publisher Mary Stier is spotted working as a waitress.

It’s announced that every building downtown will be turned into condos. City leaders unveil a plan to move everyone living in Carlisle into 801 Grand “by force if necessary.” The McCaughey family immediately claims the 39th and 40th floors.