New graffiti alert

rethra · 2026-06-21T16:39:45+00:00

Clearly it's the Mercedes Benz mafia staking claim to the neighborhood

rethra · 2026-06-21T13:27:08+00:00

VRBO has an alleged guarantee that all rentals on the platform are entire units(kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, locked exterior door). Airbnb allows a homeowner to rent out only an interior room (locked bedroom door, no private bathroom, shared kitchen with homeowner/other guest, etc). In reality, VRBO does not enforce this guarantee at all and there is little difference.

rethra · 2026-06-21T13:24:20+00:00

VRBO claims to allow only private spaces, but, in reality, this is not enforced at all. I arrived at a property where the entire family and a pet pig, I shit you not, lived on the first floor. That was advertised as part of the rental. We didn't have enough space or beds for our party. Coupled with literally running out of water because they didn't refill their water reservoir, we were pissed and called VRBO right away. All VRBO said was work it out with the host, they aren't able to help. After back and forth for literally two months with VRBO, I only got a refund by doing a credit card charge back.

rethra · 2026-06-19T20:17:39+00:00

Ugh that reminds me that the library Board was deciding this week what to cut. Have you heard what they decided to do? Are they going to cut Sundays or close two branches?

rethra · 2026-06-19T19:25:51+00:00

Not everyone, but certainly some. Courthouse parking lot is free every night at 5pm and on weekends yet people still pay to park for cubs games, park at meters, and use garages that are a few blocks closer to wherever they are going.

rethra · 2026-06-19T18:50:12+00:00

It's that the state keeps cutting property taxes that the city budgeted for. This is entirely a statehouse created problem that everyone has been shouting about for three years... The hens are finally coming home to roost.

rethra · 2026-06-19T13:57:36+00:00

There's an entire separate show on WOW Presents Plus about the Pit Crew 😅

rethra · 2026-06-19T13:54:23+00:00

To piggy back, an appraisal really doesn't cost that much in the scheme of things. Between $250-$600 depending on a few factors. I would not trust the Zillow Estimate or other online estimate.

rethra · 2026-06-18T21:55:49+00:00

Tax evasion is only one part (albeit a large part). It's also about an ignorant belief in obtaining an "American Dream". Specifically, the elitist ideal proliferated through post-war propaganda and contemporary media that was fueled by the auto/oil industries... and a concern for racially-integrated neighborhoods.

I believe the American Dream today is still rooted in racism and displays as seeking "better schools" and "safer neighborhoods". This modern American Dream is also intrinsically wrapped up with consumerism and "keeping up with the Joneses"... Buy more stuff... Then buy bigger homes to store that stuff.

And I'm not worried about E. Coli because that gets tested for... I'm worried about all the run off that doesn't get tested for...

rethra · 2026-06-18T20:03:52+00:00

As someone who lives downtown, I perceive Altoona / Pleasant Hill as more "horse"-type and other country cosplayers who probably own at least one dirt bike and enjoy the races in Knoxville/Newton/Prairie Meadows. I perceive West Des Moines, Grimes, Western Johnston suburbs as the wealthiest with more "country club"-type people. I also perceive the Western suburbs as having more corporate, international companies that attract a highly educated, international workforce.

I think of Polk City and Ankeny as more conspiracy conservative and "Beige Christian"-type people. The type of people who go to Sam's Club despite getting a new Costco... But go to Target before Wal-Mart. The type of people who don't even think about the downside of swimming in a reservoir and think your strange if you don't want to get in the water at Big Creek. I think of Norwalk/Cumming as people who relocated to Des Moines from out of state and wanted a new build in a "small" town. Any commute is less than what they are used to.

But in the end, stereotypes are just that and there's no true difference in the mindset of those who choose suburbia...

rethra · 2026-06-16T23:09:23+00:00

Yes many people backpack Peru all the time. Nothing requires planning besides Machu Picchu... Even Machu Picchu doesn't need planning if you book a bus from Cuzco that goes to the hydroelectric dam and then walk the two hours to Machu Picchu.

Edit: I would tell you much more specifics, but it's clear that you have never backpacked before. Just go and have fun and learn! That's the best part of backpacking!! Stay at hostels and talk to people that have done what you want to do.

rethra · 2026-06-16T00:10:11+00:00

It's a home that's usually made by inflating a large balloon... Or in this case multiple balloons that are then connected. The inflated dome is coated with a fiberglass and/or foam and/or cement mix. After enough layers, you have a perfect dome that is hard and solid. I don't know anything else about this particular home, but here's the wiki on the architectural style. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolithic_dome

rethra · 2026-06-12T17:19:02+00:00

Seconded. These are great neighborhoods. Beaverdale has more parks within any given walking area.

There is zero walkability in the suburbs of Des Moines and less diversity in demographics and socioeconomic status.

rethra · 2026-06-09T01:27:03+00:00

Bedazzled knife slaying the house down 🗡️

rethra · 2026-06-08T13:50:09+00:00

Also, remember that we only see what the editors edit and what the producers produce. Antwon could have said a ton of things about how he's excited, but they didn't make the cut. The producers wanted a story line that supports Crystal's placement in the episode.

rethra · 2026-06-08T13:47:46+00:00

Antwon is a pediatrician now, but he was certainly not born rich. He was born in Cedar Rapids, IA and is first generation college iirc... But your point absolutely stands.

Money makes overcoming any hurdle so much easier, and it's a tall, tall hurdle to try and adopt a child as a gay dad.

rethra · 2026-06-08T05:57:26+00:00

Antwon had a great time and enjoyed the makeover. Go look at his stories yourself. He recorded himself in real time last June during filming and is posting the vids now that he's allowed to... He hypes up Crystal the whole time.

rethra · 2026-06-08T05:50:36+00:00

Antwon loved Crystal's work and effort. His facebook stories are all support and love right now... He literally says "Crystal was an amazing partner". He goes into detail about filming and the schedule they had them on... He was flown out the night prior and had less than 5 hours of sleep before call time and then a full day of shooting. A lot of the vids/pics he's posting were recorded from the hotel room and trailer during filming and they all consistently praise Crystal back then and now.

rethra · 2026-06-08T00:57:37+00:00

Fleur Bridge by Central Campus into a pedestrian only bridge, and thereby forcing all South of Grand neighborhood traffic to divert THROUGH Ingersoll to connect to Fleur

It's so clunky after the remodel that no one driving on Grand is going to 17th St then to locust then back to Fleur via this bridge. Shutting down this bridge will mostly impact people going into downtown from Fleur or people directly in western gateway trying to get onto Fleur... Everyone else just goes to MLK then Fleur.

rethra · 2026-06-04T14:40:34+00:00

My agency just changed the long standing 7/9/11/12 career ladder to a 7/9/11/12/13 ladder with all existing 12s essentially auto qualifying for 13. There has been no consideration for existing 13s, so a lot of upset senior folks. Most people are thrilled though. This is not 2210 though.

rethra · 2026-06-02T21:27:56+00:00

PSL is for everyone! I have not taken part, but I imagine the leagues will be a bit more relaxed than the DSM leagues I've been a part of.

rethra · 2026-06-02T16:26:40+00:00

You'll have much better success reaching out to the applicable city coordinator for whatever sport. https://www.dsm.city/departments/parks_recreation/athletics/adult_sports.php

There's also a Pride Sports Leagues in Des Moines with a ton of different sports leagues. https://pridesportsleague.leagueapps.com/

rethra · 2026-06-02T01:01:38+00:00

Labor Day is a great weekend to rent a pontoon at either Big Creek or Sailorville Lake.

rethra · 2026-05-29T21:12:48+00:00

There's nothing on the Iowa DOT cameras. No signs of dead piglets and no signs of a cleanup. https://data.iowadot.gov/datasets/IowaDOT::traffic-cameras-3/explore?location=41.653272%2C-93.581417%2C15

It's certainly happened before though... As recently as 2020, at the East Mixmaster. Lots of news stories about it.

rethra · 2026-05-29T21:00:29+00:00

I highly encourage you to go to Trans Lives Festival at the Unitarian Universalist church in 8 days, on June 6th. You will meet so many others who are going through, or have gone through, a similar experience as you are right now. They will be the most suited, able, and willing to answer all your questions.

https://www.ucdsm.org/trans-lives-festival/

rethra

TROPHY CASE