Opinion
The empty space where Paul Harvey's words used to be
Paul Harvey's last Saturday Broadcast, Feb. 7, 2009... [VIDEO]
"A great tree has fallen, and left an empty space in the sky…"
No, this is not a column about the July 11 storm, although I have seen enough storm-damaged yards to know that many of you can understand that feeling.
Who's the smart aleck that invented the English language?
I've had fun catching up with a neighbor "kid" I used to play baseball with, and well, I practically lived at their house during my childhood.
We talked briefly about spelling.
I notice all the time, I can write an article, proofread Dean's articles, scan the e-mail that is sent in and THINK I caught all the typos.
Understanding the impact of federal assistance on affected property owners
Since hearing the news that President Barack Obama has made a Presidential Declaration designating Benton Countyas a "Major Disaster" area, many local residents have asked us at Vinton Today what this means to local citizens.
We can answer that question in one word: Nothing.
Others have speculated that the damage from Hurricane Irene will hurt Vinton because the federal funding that had been offered to Vinton.
What is Faith? - Part Two
Last time, I attempted to explain the nature of faith: it’s a complete and total trust in someone or something. To summarize, the conversation narrowed towards the nature of ‘religious faith’ or ‘faith in God.’ Even if someone claims there is no god, that person still exercises faith in someone or something other than God, for God certainly does exist whether we think he does or not. The modern day lesson of the Ahkoond of Swat
As writers, we often approach a topic knowing what we want to say, but feeling that something is missing. So in our writing, we do some research, hoping to stumble upon the information that will help us clarify what it is we are thinking or feeling.
For me, today, it's the Ahkoond of Swat.
I can hear you now, all of you:
The Who?
Of Where?
No, you baseball fans, I did not mean to write "The Sultan of Swat," although I now understand the historical background of the Middle Eastern character who lent babe Ruth his nickname.
Please share the pop can redemption machine
Dear Editors,
I have a pet peeve to air. John's is the only place in town to take empty pop cans for refunds, and John's hours are limited. So why is it that people with a dozen garbage bags of empty cans(or actual pickup truck loads of cans like on Monday), take their cans to John's? If they have that many cans to return, take them to Cedar Rapidsto The Can Shed.
GOD'S PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GET THEIR FEET WET
Matthew 14:22-33
Romans 10:5-15
Do you have beautiful feet? Have you ever thought about feet being beautiful? Oh, yes, feet can be achy. they can be stinky. Feet can be calloused, dry or dirty. How the Iowa Caucus became such a big deal with a 3 percent success rate
Every presidential election cycle, I watch unheard-of politicians, and a few whose names we know, come to Iowa, hoping to be the victor (or at least do better than the pundits expected) of the "first in the nation" caucus.
I always wondered, "What's the big deal?" and "Why Iowa?"
More specifically, I wonder: Why does Iowa, with less than 1 percent of the population, have such a big impact?
Blame it on Jimmy Carter.
Ode to The State Fair Butter Cow Battle
From: 2011 State Fair-goer
To: The person or persons who put the "Go vegan" message on the Butter Cow at the State Fair.
Congratulations! Your feat was pretty impressive. As I stood in the Agriculture Building, I wondered how you were able to sneak in, where there was obviously no public access, to find a way to put your message on the sacred cow (pun intended) of Iowa's most famous annual event.
The Iowa State Fair: Why we go
When it's time to confess your most serious flaws, you need to find someone who's been in your shoes, someone who can relate to how you feel, and why you have done what you did.
I did that recently, choosing to share something I had never admitted to anyone before. I confided into a former colleague and close friend.