Looks like West O is introducing a new beer this fall benefiting the C&G collective called Blood Round! Can’t wait to try it!

Over the last few weeks I thought I'd check out some of the new taprooms here in Iowa. I have to say these two new ones from Singlespeed in Waterloo and Big Grove in Iowa City are by far the best in Iowa. I went to the best taprooms in San Diego and Big Grove would probably be in the top 5 if it was in San Diego.

Big Grove

Perhaps this already exists but I haven't seen it. I think it'd be helpful for the beer enthusiast community here at CF to keep a running thread of when local beer releases are happening, as well as when/where the releases are distributed. Kind of a continuous thread to keep us all in the loop and help each other find great beer.

A couple currently:

-Big Grove's Big Ed hit DSM metro stores this week. As of this morning, Ankeny Prairie Trail Hy vee had about 20 four-packs for $14.99. Big Ed may be the very best NEIPA made in Iowa.
-Big Grove Colorado Smuggler is getting released at the brewery this week, and should be in the metro around this time next week. IMO, this is the second best NEIPA that BG makes.
-There are still four packs of Founders KBS Mackinac Fudge floating around. Not an Iowa brew but I know one that has had alot of hype (and its very very tasty). Huxley Fareway is a little honey hole for it. 4-5 four packs left for $19.99
-Confluence DDH Des Moines IPA dry hopped with Cashmere and Nelson Sauvin is all over the state right now. Don't sleep on these; and stellar deal for $10.99.
-TG Hopsmack is in the metro if you still get excited about TG IPA's (IMO they've been surpassed by a few other local breweries). There was plenty at North Ankeny Hyvee this morning.
-North Ankeny HyVee also has a few bottles left of Surly Darkness 2020. I'd assume they're floating around most of the state right now.

My god has this gas station gone to ****. Employees are clueless and slower than humanly possible, bathrooms are terrible, etc. Using my rewards was almost an impossible task for the person working tonight. Using what I have in rewards left and switching full time to kwik star or QT. End of rant.

WOW
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I would occasionally stop by the high school football forum by to see what the 7 people that still used that site had to say. Looks like it is now on3.com, or at least that is where I get sent when I type in iowapreps.com. It is still run by rivals but posting is behind a paywall. All the old forums are gone.

Looking for some advice/info. We have a family member that wants to attend a couple of home games this year. (She has a permanent handicap parking license plate.) Do the fill up fairly early. Also what about the handicap spots by Hilton? Any tips appreciated.
Thanks

All that I see available for the Iowa game are re-sale tickets.

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Since I've started a Marvel Cinematic Universe thread to post any updates on that front, I figured it was only fair to also get rolling a new DC Extended Universe thread too. For those unaware of what I'm talking about, what Marvel has done over the past 7 Years with their their shared universe movies/TV (Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Incredible Hulk...etc.), DC is also trying to produce themselves with their own characters in a shared movie universe.

The very first film of this shared universe was Man of Steel (already released) and is soon to be followed will a whole new slate of movies:





NO previous DC movies are connected to this new universe (Examples: Batman Begins, Superman Returns, The Dark Knight, Green Lantern... etc) in any way prior to Man of Steel. Next up is Batman vs Superman being released March 25th, followed by Suicide Squad being released August 5th. Here are the two trailers for those:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WWzgGyAH6Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI3hecGO_04

This thread will be the place to post any new news or thoughts on the DCEU in the future. With that said, who else is looking as forward to Batman vs Superman as I am???

In the Des Moines metro, there is a brand new chain link fence that runs along the south side of Beaver Creek between the Des Moines River and the Merle Hay exit. And I believe that I saw a similarly placed fence south of the metro near Raccoon River and I-35. Other than attempting to keep flood debris off the interstate I have no idea why it was installed. I am guessing others know the real answer, so my question, why the fence?

On Wednesday's edition of CFTV, Jake Brend dives into the relationship between T.J. Otzelberger and Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan. We also hear what Audi Crooks had to say about her lifetime memory of winning a gold medal. Plus an update on Curtis Jones' big night in the Summer League.

Over the next two weeks, we will break down the 2025 Iowa State football team position by position. We start today with the quarterbacks. Enjoy.

Anyone on them? Know friends on them?

I do think these are crazy (in a good way) drugs that has the power to change the world and fight an epidemic of diabetes and obesity, especially in the US.

Pricing is a concern of course but with more and more companies getting into the space, the competition will bring prices down much like Blood Pressure and Blood thinner medications did over the years.

If I ever qualify, I’d definitely consider it. My insurance has a bunch of hoops for those without diabetes.

Maybe one day nearly everyone just does a once a year injection to help regulate blood sugar.

Received a email that Jeff is retiring on Sept 1 this yr. Wish him well in his retirement and with his Parkinson challenge. IMO they are some pretty big shoes to fill. I think he did a good job of growing the Association. Even though I'm a long ways from a big donor he always had a handshake and a hello for me whenever I ran into him somewhere. It'll be interesting to see who gets that position as well as who gets selected as the next ISU president.

What T.J. Otzelberger and Milan Momcilovic had to say about Momcilovic taking the next step in 2025.

Just ran into JJ. Looks like maybe a broken arm? Makes sense he hasn’t been practicing

Cody Chittum has officially hit the portal.

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A year ago I would have told you you were nuts. My fiance would go ride while I was playing golf and that seemed like a really good setup. Here we are, a year later, with multiple friends already taking the hobby on and now I'm pretty convinced I should. So, first thing is the bike. I would like something that is good enough that it helps me like the sport, but my budget is probably in the $1500 range with the idea that if I truly like doing it and do it enough, I'll upgrade quickly if I want to. The brands most accessible to me are Trek, Cannondale, and Specialized. Anybody have any pieces of advice or knowledge for me as I equip myself?

July 11 is a big anniversary for the WBB program.

Starting early this year but this team...



Added Heise back. Removed the oddity of Dwayne Pierce remaining a Cyclone.

The results?



The updated roster would be #15 after Illinois and before Arizona.



That projection is in the range of fighting for a top-four seed in the Big 12 tournament.



There is a strong possibility Houston and BYU maul the conference like... well, two cougars.

I've pretty much had it with my extremely poorly constructed wooden privacy fence. Another couple of sections succumbed to the strong winds a few weeks ago. Seriously considering bucking up and putting in a nice vinyl one in its place. We'll likely be selling in the next few years and I figure it would be a big upgrade on curb appeal. Anyone done something similar and had a good experience with a company in the DSM area?

Listened to the new Williams and Blum this morning and have some tips as a veteran European traveler. Went to Ireland for three weeks in 2016 (which is, sadly why we're not going next month). They referenced their sponsor, Northwest Bank, as a place to get Euros before you go. I recommend that you only get enough to get you from the airport to town as you will get a better exchange rate from a bank ATM in Ireland. Don't get more than 100 euros if getting them in advance.

Be sure to use a bank ATM only, either inside of a bank or just outside. Do not use Eurolink or Euronet or similar continent-wide companies as you will get hosed. Avoid airport ATMs or exchange kiosks unless its a dire emergency.

Always transact and pay for ATM or any credit card transactions in the local currency - that is the Euro. You will be asked either by the machine or the waiter etc, if you want to convert to the dollar - the answer is no. You can check with your local bank to see if their network is compatible with European banks, We've had no problems and we are small town.

It's a good idea to let your financial institution know when and where you will be traveling so your card isn't refused. Some credit card companies no longer require notification but it's a good idea to double check there as well.

Credit cards will be readily accepted in cities, maybe in rural areas, When we were in England last spring, we had to use cards, there were basically no cash transactions. Even a Euro or less for a pay toilet was by card.

If you are going to Northern Ireland you will use British pounds instead of Euros, although I think some places will take both. N Ireland is part of the United Kingdom along with England and Scotland and their currency is the British Pound.

Also if going into Northern Ireland, as of this past January you will need an ETA authorization to enter the country. Not Ireland, just Northern Ireland. You'll need to get it online in advance. It costs about $16 and is good for two years unless you passport expires before then. We connected at London Heathrow on our way home from Portugal in May and even though we never left the airport, we were advised to each have an ETA. You need your passport when you apply and the ETA is automatically added to the passport.

You can check TripAdvisor.com for specific info on Ireland by reading the forum page or checking on activities. The best place to get cash in Italy in 2022 was actually the Post Office.

Last thing, if you're renting a car in Ireland I'm sure you're aware that they drive on the wrong (they say right) side of the road. We were on a tour bus and the first morning as we approached a roundabout I leaned the wrong way and nearly ended up in the aisle. I didn't drive there, but my brother did once and he recommended taking all the insurance you can get. Double check with your personal insurance or any credit card support, but the shoulder on the very narrow rural roads is either a stone fence or thick hedgerows and trees. Lots of scratches.

Have a great time everybody. We'll be watching!! Go Cyclones!