A tricycle, angel wings, no clothes: There’s nothing quite like “UpDown,” who spent years at Merle Hay Mall and then in a private backyard on Des Moines’ east side.
It’s been quite the summer so far, full of actual in-person events (yes, in-person!) and other happenings. We’ve had a lot of fun covering all the fun. Here are three of our most-read stories since May, including some restaurant openings and the moving of a legendary(?) statue to the suburbs.
RC’s Diner: RC’s Diner, a new upscale diner in Windsor Heights headed by Joe Tripp and Simon Goheen, had a soft opening over the weekend. Contributor Karla Walsh has been along for the ride, breaking the news in May, then getting a sneak peek at the menu last week.
Naked trike angel: This statue of a naked, slack-jawed angel riding a tricycle lived at Merle Hay Mall for decades, then on the property of east-side resident Jerri Scott. But it was recently moved to Johnston at the head of a new recreational trail. The original story of “UpDown” is one of our most-read stories of all time, so we know most of you are as fascinated with (and amused by) this whimsical work as we are.
New West Des Moines patio: The new Anna Dolce Ristorante in West Des Moines, owned by Aposto’s Tony Lemmo, garnered some positive reviews from Karla Walsh, who said she would “make the drive from my downtown apartment for a slice.” The happy hour menu is enticing—all pizzas and appetizers are 50% off from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.
