B-TOWN UNDERCOVER: Shawn Underwood Hangs Out At Sundance

Shawn's friend Michelle successfully deciphers Sundance signage and finds the restaurants. Or is it the screening rooms? by Shawn Underwood Every time I run into Scott (slave driver) Schaefer he inquires... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Mirrors

by Dave Markwell I had the unfortunate experience of passing a mirror the other day. I did not look as good as I felt and it made me mad. I felt like the mirror was tricking me, because in my head, I... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Walking the Aisle

by Dave Markwell After a 14 hour travel day, I am too brain-fried to trust the column I have written. I can’t tell if it’s good or if it sucks. When this happens I will pull something from my quiver... [Read more]

Your Empress Of Information Says ‘Fulfill Your Resolution To Read More!’

by Marilee A. Cogswell Manager, Burien Library ‘We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Resolutions

by Dave Markwell Sitting aboard Delta Airlines flight 822 heading east for a plane change in Detroit while traveling on a holiday “vacation” to Rochester, NY to visit my wife’s family, I glanced... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: A Christmas Card

by Dave Markwell I love going to the mailbox this time of year. Normally, I am shamelessly indifferent about receiving mail. Bills and junk mail have lost their allure for me. In fact, I usually outsource... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Clap Hard!!

by Dave Markwell Through the various trips and travels of my forty-two years, I have learned many things. Some of these things have come through very deliberate efforts, but probably the majority of the... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: The Christmas Omelet

by Dave Markwell This morning I made my wife an omelet. This act alone is not super noteworthy. I make her breakfast fairly often. The unusual ingredient in this morning’s meal was the extra time and... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Paradise…FOUND!!

by Dave Markwell Every year my Rotary Club donates dictionaries to all of the third graders in our city. Distributing the books to the students is always a neat event. It is fun seeing all of the young... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Thanks and Giving

by Dave Markwell I am not a big fan of parades. To be clear, I don’t really like parades on TV. I like them in person. This is an interesting fact only because I am actually enjoying watching the Macy’s... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Green Blankets

by Dave Markwell Sunday mornings are mine. I get up early, make a cup of coffee and watch my favorite show on television, CBS Sunday Morning. This is a news type program without the bad news. Imagine... [Read more]

Welcome Back Dave Markwell’s ‘FEEL GOOD FRIDAY’! Today: Empty Plate

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We're happy to welcome back to The Waterland Blog regular Columnist Dave Markwell, who unsuccessfully ran for Des Moines City Council. This is his first 'Feel Good Friday' column since... [Read more]

Kickin’ it Old School

  This week has been both a new education and a return to my roots.  School was released last week to the jubilant cheers of students and collective groan of parents. After the observations of... [Read more]

The Cat’s That

  As mentioned in a previous column, I am in a blended family.  Beyond the standard of his/mine when it comes to kids, we have a his/mine/ours regarding the matter of pets. Upon our marriage last... [Read more]

From Pookie with Love

Being a parent in a blended family requires the ability to not take yourself too seriously. I never knew how much so until this week. In preparation for impending military deployment, my eldest son... [Read more]

Time to Get the Party Started!

For all of you who are reading this locally, I hope you have been able to enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve had the last few days. For those who read this column from distant time zones, it’s a Des... [Read more]

FILL-IN FRIDAY: Meet Our New Columnist, ‘Missed Congeniality’

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Since Dave Markwell has thrown his hat into the ring to run for Des Moines City Council, "Feel Good Friday," his regular weekly column, has been put on hiatus. In its place, we'd like to... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Lawnmower Manifesto

by Dave Markwell My day began as it normally does: kind of lousy. In a well-intentioned, but poorly executed attempt to get a head start on my schedule, I tried to focus on some work that needed to be... [Read more]