As we prepare for the big day tomorrow, I’ve complied a few interactive maps that you can play with. With me not originally being from Iowa, I was most interested to see how Polk County and the State of Iowa voted over the last six presidential races.

Zoom in and take a look at historical voting here in Iowa, especially Polk County, our home.

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (384)

(5 votes, average: 4.20 out of 5)

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As you may know, November 1st is generally recognized as All Saints Day, followed by All Soul’s Day on November 2nd. So in spirit of this holiday, I decided to venture into downtown’s cemetery, Woodland Cemetery and get some photos against the wonderful fall backdrop.

But before we get to the photo’s here’s a little history about Woodland Cemetery. First of all Woodland Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Des Moines. It was founded in 1848, consists of over 65 acres and home to more than 85,000 graves. We saw gravestones dating back to the mid 1850s. Lot’s of Des Moines famous founders and leaders over the years can be found here.

If you are more interested in this cemetery, guided tours are available throughout the year, during good weather.

WHEN: The tours last about 1 hour 45 minutes and can be arranged by appointment. Call (515) 967-7708.
COST: $5
DONATIONS: Tax-deductible donations for restoration projects at Woodland Cemetery and its Catholic section, St. Ambrose Cemetery, can be sent to the office at 4909 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311.

Enjoy the photos!

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
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Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (384)

(9 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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According to reports there is a new festival being put together for the Holiday season. Here’s all the details that we have so far:

Holiday Lights Des Moines is a new annual celebration of the holidays in downtown Des Moines on Friday, Nov. 28 from 4 – 7 p.m. with the lighting at 6:28 p.m. Coming together on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving Day are carolers, horse-drawn carriages, specialty food vendors, family crafts, musicians, costumed characters, live performances, and more. Just past dusk businesses, city parks, street décor, city and county buildings will join together to flip the switch on downtown. At the center of it all will be a 52-foot lighted tree! The city tree along with the entire downtown – buildings, skywalks, parks, lamp posts, and decorations will, with a flip of a switch illuminate the night sky.

We will try and bring you more details as they emerge!

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (384)

(5 votes, average: 3.80 out of 5)

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I along with about 25,000 others attended a rally downtown today in support of Barack Obama today. With just four days to the General Election, Obama wanted to say thanks to those in Iowan who helped him with his first nomination victory during the Iowa Caucuses.

Here a few quotes from today’s rally along with a video slide show I put together from on his theme songs that was played today. I also have some video coverage that I shot today.

“I had confidence in the people of Iowa because I knew that the American people are a decent people and a generous people, willing to work hard and sacrifice for future generations. No where was that truer than here in Iowa. On the day of the Iowa caucus, my faith n the American people was vindicated and what you started here in Iowa has swept the nation. We’re seeing the same turnout, we’re seeing the same people going and getting in line, volunteers, people participating, a whole new way of doing democracy started right here in Iowa, and it’s all across the country now.” – Barack Obama

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (384)

(8 votes, average: 3.63 out of 5)

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Let’s take a look at some Halloween-inspired videos. We will start off with the History of Halloween from the National Geographic Channel.

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
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Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
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(4 votes, average: 3.75 out of 5)

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Since tonight is Beggar’s Night here in Des Moines, I thought I would share a few Halloween-inspired political cartoons that I found all over the internet. I think these will make you laugh. Tomorrow, I hope to have something more scary themed for actual Halloween.

The first three are from the Center for American Progress.

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (384)

(2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)

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Gateway Lofts

1719 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515-280-1962
Property Manager: Tina Braafhart
Website: www.gatewayloftsdm.com

Open House: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm; Sat. 10am-2pm;
Sundays & Evenings by Appointment

Pricing: starts at $950 a month

Units in Project: 80
Floors in Building: 3

Property Features:
• one bath loft flats with 850 to 1,311 square feet, starts at $950
• two bath lofts flats with mezzanine, 1,212 to 1,960 square feet, starts at $1,250
• true urban lofts with large windows and spacious open floor plans, and concrete flooring
• indoor first floor climate controlled parking and outdoor parking available for guests
• stainless steel appliances, gas ranges and microwaves
• true urban style concrete kitchen and bathroom countertops
• brazilian black slate tub/shower surrounds with true overhead rainfall-style showerheads
• in-unit washer and dryer
• limited, controlled access for your safety

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
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(4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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If you are thinking about making the move to downtown, one of the first things you are going to need to do is find yourself a great realtor with experience in the downtown housing market. Purchasing a condo or loft in an urban downtown area is much different than purchasing a condo or town home in the burbs. For one, you are not necessarily buying just square footage; you are mainly buying the downtown urban lifestyle that will come with the purchase of a downtown unit. Since the downtown lifestyle is an important aspect of your purchase plans, it’s my opinion that the realtor you choose, should also reside downtown. Suburban realtors just don’t have the insight to help the downtown buyer pick the perfect unit for him or her, again this is just my opinion.

With the above said, this will be an initial installment featuring a downtown realtor. For realtors that live downtown and sell downtown, I’ve come up with seven questions that the realtor will be asked to respond to. Their answers will help give prospective clients insight on choosing a realtor that is right for him or her in helping them select and complete a downtown real estate transaction.

1. How long have you been a realtor?
2. How long have you focused on the downtown market?
3. What makes you excited about selling in the downtown market?
4. Why is now a great time to purchase downtown?
5. What are the demographics of your typical client who wants to purchase downtown?
6. If you could change anything about downtown to increase people wanting to live downtown, what would you change?
7. A short bio about yourself and family.

Our first realtor will be my personal realtor, Tina Johnson.

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (384)

(7 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5)

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Here’s our October update of what Netflix DVDs downtown residents might are watching as of Monday, October 27, 2008.

Last month’s number one, The Final Season, has fallen to number two, and in at number one is movie from 1980, Flash Gordon. Not sure I understand it’s currently popularity here in Des Moines, but some people downtown must be renting it.

This month instead of posting a screen scrape from Netflix for the top 15, I am providing just the top 5 and trailers for each of them. Enjoy!

1. Flash Gordon

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closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
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(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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Today I was reading a post on AbsoluteDSM.com about development projects seeking Iowa’s Housing Tax Credits as an incentive to helping construction happen. Three of the projects are for downtown. These include:

Project – Renovation of historic building to housing with preference for artists
Number of Units –34 Total Units, 34 Affordable Units

Project – New Construction of Mixed Income Housing
Number of Units – 111 Total Units, 49 Market Rate, 62 Affordable Units

Project – Historic Rehabilitation, Ground Floor Commercial
Number of Units –66 Affordable Units

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Here’s the complete list: http://www.dmgov.org/mayor_council/agendas/2008_as/blue/08-650.htm or take part in the discussion at AbsoluteDSM.com. These three projects would make awesome additions to the downtown housing market.

closeAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (384)

(4 votes, average: 3.75 out of 5)

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