I am an inveterate moviegoer. I once had an English teacher tell me that the best thing I wrote were a few spontaneous paragraphs on The Empire Strikes Back. I thought my essays on Raymond Carver and Flannery O’Connor had been pretty good. Guess not. more

Aug. 8, 2001: A group of volunteers worked alongside workers from Scott County Ready Mix to pour more than 100 yards of concrete for a new skateboarding park in Eldridge. A committee supporting the skatepark had been formed a year earlier, and members had sought input from local youth, including on design aspects. The land was donated by the public works department, and the city also helped match fundraising efforts. While the concrete was expected to be completed by the time school started, metal skateboarding equipment would be purchased in three stages, corresponding with skill level. more

If Iowans want a glimpse of their future, they might just look to the south. To Missouri. more

"We missed an opportunity to save fuel and reduce pollution when we chose a traditional intersection over a more efficient one. Our community leaders should support the use of roundabouts in future development ..." more

Gather round, friends, and I shall tell you about Countryside Community Theatre’s production of “Mean Girls” – a cautionary tale of fear and lust and pride, based on actual events where people died. more

Best to get the bad news out first. Our subscription prices are going up. more

Aug. 3, 2011: After having saved the post office twice before, McCausland residents were gearing up for another fight after the U.S. Postal Service announced it was one of two post offices in Scott County being eyed for closure. The other was in New Liberty. Nearly 180 communities in Iowa were on the list for closure consideration, and approximately 90 would be closed. Nationwide, the USPS was reviewing more than 10% of its locations, due to a decline in mail volume and customer visits to post offices. more

There are many reasons Eldridge should start the process of building a full-time, professional fire department. As our community grows larger, we can expect more fires and EMS calls. Residents and businesses should be prepared to cover the costs of running an effective fire department. And residents should remember that those costs are about saving lives and property. more

There’s a scene in the cult classic film, The Big Lebowski where John Goodman’s character, Walter, has gotten himself into a bit of a situation and he wants to assure himself that he’s in the right. So, he keeps haranguing Jeff Bridges’ The Dude with the question, “Am I wrong?” After a few rounds of this, The Dude finally snaps back with, “You’re not wrong, Walter. You’re just an …” more

I could hardly eat Saturday morning. It was early. I sipped my coffee, picked at a bagel. I felt like I was headed for surgery. My morning activity was slightly dangerous—it carried inherent risks, I mean—and it would require complete trust in professional expertise. It was also something I had to do, a necessary procedure. more

Over the past two decades, 3D printing has transitioned from a niche manufacturing solution to a hobby anyone can pursue. Yet as the technology has become more accessible, a growing trend undermines much of its creative potential. more

July 27, 2011: Walcott was gearing up to welcome at least 15,000 people to town as the last “day stop” on the RAGBRAI trail before the ride wrapped up in Davenport. Riders would be greeted by “Walctoberfest,” an Oktoberfest-style event at Victory Park. “We’re excited. And we’re as ready as we could be,” said mayor Jim Couper. The mayor said more than 200 residents had signed up to volunteer for the event. “That is just a crazy outpouring of town support as far as I’m concerned.” more

"As another Moonlight Chase and Eldridge Summer Festival comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the 41st annual Moonlight Chase and this year’s Summer Festival such an incredible success ..." more

"As President of LULAC Council 10, it is my moral obligation to denounce the egregious conduct of federal immigration authorities whose targets too often seem to have little hope of the due process guaranteed by the United States Constitution ..." more

Regular readers of this column will remember that a groundhog named Geoffrey lives in my backyard. I once caught him sunbathing on my wooden porch. Together we like to eat raspberries growing from the brambles by my garage. I live alone and so does he. Groundhogs are the least social marmots, the Internet tells me. I did not realize they were in competition. more

This newspaper—the one in your hands right now—you can do anything with it. more

July 18, 2001: Dr. Tim Dose took over the reins of the North Scott School District. Just the sixth superintendent in district history, Dose said he was enthusiastic about getting to work. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to be here. My family and I are genuinely excited about the opportunities that have been given to us, and for me, change is a good thing. Coming to this district has stirred me up again.” Dose had served as superintendent in Monticello since 1993. more

"In sports, we have to have a minimum level of trust in the process of the game. We like calls that go for us, and we grumble, but accept when they don't. For the players, it’s all about momentum, without having to worry about the process ..." more

There are times I wish Countryside Community Theatre only did one show per summer. They suffer from not having a lot of lead time in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. When I went for a preview night of “Guys and Dolls” on June 25, it was only their fourth day in the auditorium, and the show opened last Friday. more

July 11, 2001: An Eldridge couple was looking to bring a hotel to town. A partnership group, led by Kirk and Teresa Foecking, submitted plans for the hotel, which would be located near the Highway 61 interchange, just east of Hardee’s. They had purchased the land and were in the process of filing for the rezoning. If successful, they hoped to be able to break ground on the 62-unit hotel, which would be a Rodeway Inn, a franchise of Choice Hotels, by August. The Foeckings said they wanted to facility to be an affordable option for travelers, but also something the community could take pride in. “I think Eldridge deserves better than a ‘cheap’ hotel,” said Kirk. “We feel that this will be a real good match for the city.” more