It was a cold and stormy day. We met at Elly’s. Little coffee joint down by the river. My associate and I walked in, took a look around. Waitress smiled her way over. “Hi. What can I get you?” “Nothing right now, doll, thanks,” I said. “I got business.” He was waiting at a corner table. Back to the hard brick wall, mafia style, eyes on the door, like a guy who doesn’t want to get hit without a chance to go down with some cold steel in his mitts. He wore dark shades. Dark shirt. Drank coffee black as the devil’s heart. Gave us a nod. Yeah. He was the guy we were there to meet. The... Read More

They say home is where the heart is, and that’s certainly been the case with Jodi Royal Goodwin. The Housing Administrator for the City of Muscatine has poured her heart and most of her life into the cause of finding affordable and stable housing for people in need. “Stable housing makes a world of difference in peoples’ lives,” she said. “It makes a world of difference in what people can achieve when they have that security of a stable home. I want to be able to be a part of making changes that have a positive impact on peoples’ lives. I want to help people have a place that they can... Read More

Keeping your items safe and secure is what fires up the owners of Blue Flame, a secure storage facility at 18602 County Road in Fruitland, Iowa. How do they achieve that? “We have a very secure storage facility and buildings,” said Rocky Phillips Jr., manager of Blue Flame. “We have one building with temperature controlled units, indoor and outdoor parking, an access controlled gate and cameras all over to keep tabs on everything.” What led them to start up the business? “We noticed there were a lot of storage units in Muscatine and noticed a lot of them were full,” Phillips said. “We... Read More

It’s a good thing Matthew Clemens has horrible handwriting. The Muscatine-based mystery writer is closing in on almost 50 books in stores worldwide, solo and with writing partner Max Collins, but his history as a scribe began with his inability to inscribe by hand. “My handwriting was so bad in third grade that my teacher gave me assignments where I had to write a page from a book over, and over, and over again, to get me to practice my penmanship, because I guess she thought that was the best way to do it,” the sly, dry-witted Clemens said over lunch at Salvatore’s recently. “And, understandably,... Read More

People of all ages can get a punch out of Muscatine Boxing Club, and residents can take a swing at finding out about it at its 1808 Dewey Ave., Building A, location. While some may be interested in the more pugilistic aspects of the sport, including self-defense training, there are a number of reasons boxing is an excellent addition to your life, said Laura Liegois, communications director for the club. “It’s a lot more than just fighting, we have people who come in here who have never stepped in the ring and some never will,” Liegois said. “Boxing is a great sport for all ages in that... Read More

Travis Glynn is soft-spoken and quick to smile as he sips his coffee from a large mug at Elly’s in downtown Muscatine. He’s talking about his family, one of his favorite subjects, and the winter holidays, but he speaks with the same consideration and compassion on most topics, displaying the humanity and courtesy that informs his life and pursuits. Glynn has been involved in various progressive causes over the past decade in Muscatine, but he’s far from the stereotype of the strident radical. He’s extremely low-key and polite, is deliberate and quiet in listening to different viewpoints,... Read More

Muscatine’s Heart Society are cruising into new territory in their music careers – literally – with a shot at performing with such music business legends as John Prine, Patty Griffin, Lee Ann Womack and others. The local duo of Muscatine-born-and-raised Benjamin Eichelberger and former Mississippi resident Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger have been invited to perform on the 11th edition of Sixthman’s Cayamo cruise, an annual music festival held at sea on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl. Heart Society beat out several hundred artists through two rounds of voting in the Sixthman Soundcheck... Read More

Celebrate being a woman with Gilda’s Club of Muscatine by spending an afternoon of sipping, shopping and socializing! Glamming with Gilda takes place this Sunday Feb 24 from 2 – 4 p.m. at Rendezvous Banquet Facility (3127 Lucas Street Muscatine). New this year, Glamming with Gilda gives women in the Muscatine community an opportunity to celebrate being a woman by socializing, shopping and pampering themselves with other women in the area. Muscatine divas don’t need an excuse to pamper themselves… they can do so while supporting a good cause! Tickets are available for $25 each in advance... Read More

Calling all Superheroes and Sidekicks! It’s time to report to the YMCA! Partake in a Superhero and Sidekick Bash at the Muscatine YMCA (1823 Logan St. Muscatine) this Saturday Feb 23 from 2 – 4:30 p.m. Join the fun with a scavenger hunt, an obstacle course, nerf wars, and homemade marshmallow shooters. All are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero.  There will be plenty of games, crafts and snacks to keep you going.  Activities are geared to those 4 and older. Tickets are just $15 per couple and $5 per additional Superhero. To purchase tickets contact Amy Hessel at the Y by calling... Read More

If you’re feeling a little thirsty this weekend and want to help out a great cause, then we’ve got the place for you! Headbangers for Hayden will have their 2019 Limited Edition Gold-Rimmed Beer Glasses for sale this Saturday Feb 23 from 12 – 5 p.m. at Contrary Brewing (411 W Mississippi Drive Muscatine). For only $15 you will receive a Special Edition Gold-Rimmed Rastal Craft Grand Master pint glass with a complimentary pour! There will also be a raffle and 50/50 to enjoy! Hayden Daufeldt, son of Cory and Kendra Daufeldt, was diagnosed with Pineoblastoma, a rare brain cancer, in November... Read More