Little Village magazine issue 284: July 1 - Aug. 4, 2020

A L W A Y S

F R E E

ISSUE 284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020

How to

k c a B Take r e m m u S r You Get Rec’d Soak up some vitamin D while staying safe

LV Recommends Rodney’s Jamaican Jerk & BBQ Goldfinch Tap + Eatery

Your Village Behind Quaker Oats’ Aunt Jemima brand

2 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

Black Fusionist Society project, 2020, Antoine Williams

VOL. 29 ISSUE 284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 ALWAYS FREE LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM PUBLISHER MATTHEW STEELE DIGITAL DIRECTOR DREW BULMAN ART DIRECTOR JORDAN SELLERGREN MANAGING EDITOR EMMA MCCLATCHEY ARTS EDITOR GENEVIEVE TRAINOR NEWS DIRECTOR PAUL BRENNAN CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ANGELA PINTO VISUAL REPORTER—PHOTO ZAK NEUMANN VISUAL REPORTER­—VIDEO JASON SMITH STAFF WRITER/EDITOR IZABELA ZALUSKA ENGAGEMENT EDITOR CELINE ROBINS FOOD & DRINK DIRECTOR

18

32

34

The Safe Outdoors

In Sickness & in Health

The Future is BIPOC

Hiking, birdwatching, canoeing and yoga tips for the End Days of summer.

An Iowa City couple get creative with their pandemic wedding.

To move forward, the Center for Afrofuturist Studies is looking back.

LITTLE VILLAGE

EMMA MCCLATCHEY

GENEVIEVE TRAINOR

6 - Letter/Interactions 12 - UR Here 14 - En Español 18 - Kent Park 22 - Birdwatching 24 - Backyard Yoga

28 - Cedar River 30 - Bread & Butter 32 - Sex & Love 34 - A-List 36 - Events Calendar 43 - Ad Index

44 - Your Village 47 - Dear Kiki 49 - Astrology 51 - Local Albums 53 - Local Books 55 - Crossword

FRANKIE SCHNECKLOTH DISTRIBUTION BRIAN JOHANNESSEN, DAI GWILLIAM, NORBERT SARSFIELD, NICOLE ELDRIDGE ADVERTISING ADS@LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM LISTINGS CALENDAR@LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM CONTRIBUTORS LILY ALLEN-DUENAS, JESSICA CARNEY, ROB CLINE, THOMAS DEAN, JULIA DESPAIN, JESSE GONZALEZ, MELANIE HANSON, LAURA JOHNSON, JOHN MARTINEK, K. MICHAEL MOORE, MICHAEL ROEDER, NORBERT SARSFIELD, TOM TOMORROW, SAM LOCKE WARD SUBMISSIONS EDITOR@LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM DISTRIBUTION REQUESTS DISTRO@LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM CREATIVE SERVICES CREATIVE@LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM CONTACT (319) 855-1474, 623 S DUBUQUE ST, IOWA CITY, IA 52240

Proudly serving

THE CRANDIC since 2001

Little Village is an independent, community-supported news and culture publication based in Iowa City. Through journalism, essays and events, we work to improve our community in the Iowa City, Coralville and Cedar Rapids area according to a few core values: environmental sustainability, affordability and access, economic and labor justice, racial justice, gender equity, quality healthcare, quality education and critical culture.

Letters to the editor(s) are always welcome. We reserve the right to fact check and edit for length and clarity. Please send letters, comments or corrections to editor@littlevillagemag.com. Little Village is always free; all contents are the licensed work of the contributor and of the publication.

If you would like to reprint or collaborate on new content, reach us at lv@littlevillagemag.com. To browse back issues, visit us at 623 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, or online at issuu.com/littlevillage.

A L W A Y S

F R E E

ISSUE 284 JUly 1–AUg. 4, 2020

How to

Take Backer Your Summ Get Rec’d Soak up some vitamin D while staying safe

LV Recommends Rodney’s Jamaican Jerk & BBQ Goldfinch Tap + Eatery

Your Village Behind Quaker Oats’ Aunt Jemima brand

Jordan Sellergren

POWERED BY CAFE DEL SOL ROASTING LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 3

Happy birthday to us.

July 2020 marks Little Village’s 19th anniversary, and we’ve got a lot to celebrate.

Despite the challenges Little Village and our community have faced in the last few months, we’re still kicking, and we’re still working hard every day to bring local, mission-driven journalism

Best of the CRANDI C

to the CRANDIC—always,

Bash, December 20 19

always, always for free. We’ve come a long way since 2001, but Issue #1, July Little Village,

2001

we’re not just reminiscing on this anniversary; we’re looking forward.

You look to Little Village for today’s stories, but the future is yet unwritten. The sustaining support of our community of readers helps us embark on new endeavors, adapt our publication to stay on the forefront of our industry and ready ourselves to write tomorrow’s stories. Support us with a recurring donation:

REGULAR

ITALIC

BOLD

$10/mo or $120/year

$20/mo or $240/year

$30/mo or $360/year

Regardless of the level of your support, all LV donors receive: •

Recognition on our Supporters page (aliases welcome)

•

Exclusive early access when we release new half-price gift cards

•

Access to a secret Facebook group where you can connect with other supporters and discuss the latest news and upcoming events (and maybe swap pet pics?) with the LV staff

•

Invitations to periodic publisher chats (held virtually for now) to meet with Matt and give him a piece of your mind, ask your burning questions and hear more about the future plans for Little Village, Bread & Butter Magazine, Witching Hour Festival and our other endeavors

•

The warm, comforting knowledge that you helped bring local news and culture coverage, accessible to all, to your community

Every month, Little Village reaches over 150,000 readers. Our goal is to convince just 200 of those readers to become a part of our network of supporters and help us keep Little Village “ALWAYS FREE.” Will you commit a monthly donation of any size to further our mission?

BECOME A SUPPORTER: littlevillagemag.com/support

OUR SINCEREST THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS: Mark Abrams Michelle Allen Arnold Anderson Scott Anderson Melissa Arey Alice Atkinson Bruce Ayati Jim Bailey Dan Bannister Jennifer Banta Steve Barnett Stephen Bartenhagen Donald Baxter Sharon Beckman James Beeghly Debbie Beermann Astrid Bennett James Beranek Marvin Bergman Susan Birrell Eliot Blake Carey Bostian Kenn & Pat Bowen Valerie Bowman Francis Boyken Matt Carberry Rachael Carlson Claire Castaneda Stephanie Catlett Maeve Clark JP Claussen Ken Clinkenbeard Paula Coder Damon Cole Patrick Collison Charles Connerly Chad Cooper John Crane Kevin Crawley Laura Crossett Tyler Crowe Dan & Laurie Cummins LeAnn Dahn Colin Daily Kajsa Dalrymple Pete Daminao Shawn Datchuk Wendy DeCora Julia DeSpain Franklin Dexter Wendie Dockstader Shirley Dohrman

Lori Dolan Rebecca Don Helene Donta Gayla Drake Sam Drella Jill Droll Ann Dudler Eric Dugdale Anne Duggan Stephen Dunham David Dunlap Jeff Dunn Wendy Durant Melody Dworak Nora Dwyer Carolyn Dyer Joan Dyne Judi Earley Ashley Eastham Linda Eastman Susan Eberly James Edelen Talitha Efimov Laura Engel John Engelbrecht Julia Erickson Evan Evans Tim Evans Rachel F Melissa Fath Michael Feiss Sue Fett Rebecca FieldsMoffitt J Richard Fikuart Colleen Fitzgerald Nike Fleming Lesanne Fliehler Andrew Forbes Lynn Franlin Karin Franklin Danette Frauenholtz Janice Frey Susan Frye Jerome Full Lynn Gallagher Joseph Galloro Donald Gardner Danyelle Gechas Cady Gerlach Eric Gidal Christpher Goodman Emily Gory

Stephanie Grabinski Richard Grabowski Lisa Greenberg Victoria Gress Bret Hackathorn Lauren Haldeman Jeri Halperin Robert Hamilton Kristy Hartsgrove Mooers Jandy Hartwig Anthony Haughton Chrystal Heasley Lisa Heineman Blake Hendrickson Lee Hilfman K. Kris Hirst Hans Hoershelman Connor Hood Sarah Horgen Katalin Hotsenpiller Rachel Howell Veronica Hubbard Kai Hwang Mirna Infante Jill Jack Trevor Jackson Christine Jennings Sarah Jewell Eric Johnson Jill Johnson Carolyn Johnson Eric Johnson Peter Kaboli Lori Karas Brent Kauffman Lyn Dee Kealey Andrea Keech John Kenyon Cassandra Kessler Noa Kim Al Kind Casey Kohrt Peg Kramer Travis Kraus Sandy Kray Jill Kromminga Katherine Kunau Melinda LaBarge Jesse Larpenter Priya Larson Duane Leitch Janet Lessner

Ben Lewis Peggy Linden Ashley Lindley Judith LiskinGasparro John Logsdon Nina Lohman Steve Long Jess Lopez Christine Luzzie Jenn Lynch Alison Lynch Teresa Mangum John Manley-Buser Lori Marshall Shona Martens John Martinek K Mathews Lindsay Mattock Heather McClatchey Benton McCune TJ McDonald Scott McDonough Barbara McFadden Alison McGoff Claire McGranahan Stacey McKim Melanie McNeil Camela Meade Jane Meggers Mark Meyer Forrest Meyer Stan Miller Virginia Miller Roby Miller Tara Minetos Joy Moel Martha Monick Molly Monk Ivy Moore Cat Morris Patrick Muller Susan Nehring Earl Nicewarner Mark Nolte Carrie Norton Phillip Ochs Harry Olmstead Mary Palmberg Adam Parker Lynn Partridge Jim Patterson Hal and Kath Penick

Susan Peterson Ashley PetersonDeLuca Michael Phelan Mark Pittillo Kate Pixley Randy Poole Nancy Porter Erin Pottebaum Dana Potter Anya Prince Luc Puis Julie Qidwai Christine Ralston Louise Rauh Megan Reding Elizabeth Reetz Barbara Rhame Ariane Rhone Chris Rich Ilana Roberg Katherin Roche David Roe Nancy Romalov Mary Russell Anna Salino-Hugg Teresa Salino-Hugg Sara Sauers Crystal Schmidt Andrew Sherburne Susan Shullaw Stephen Siglin Jacob Simmering Sondra Smith Kendall Smith Candice Smith Jeri Smith Brian Smith Zachary Smith Katharine Staniforth Kelly Stapella Sally Steele Mary Stein Rachel Stewart P.J. Stoppleworth Kalmia Strong Emery Styron Alex Sukalski Lindsey Sullivan Diane Sunshine Ashley Super Nasreen Syed Laura Szech

Julie Tallman Rei Tang Patrick Thalken Barb Thomas John Thomas & Sarah Clark Don Thompson Jim Torner Susan Totten Britanny Tullis Marcia Uhl Sarah Urion Mary Vasey David Venzke Christine Vincent Davis Vonk Christine WagnerHecht Bill Waldie John Warren Nicole Weber Kyle Wehner Teresa Weiner Jerrold Weiss Marilyn Welch Emily Wenzel Ryan West Amanda West Dorothy Whiston Joe Whitsitt Eric Wiedl Stephanie Wilkinson Jean Willard Pam Willard Edward Williams Aislinn Williams Edward Williams Dalayne Williamson Danielle Wirth Paul Wise Matthew Witry Shari Wood Laurie Worden Tony Xu John Yacopucci Miquel Yazdani Allison Yoder Julia Zalenski Carol Zumhof Lucky Star Davisson & Son Millwork Ascended Electronics

LETTERS LV encourages community members, including candidates for office, to submit letters to Editor@LittleVillageMag.com. To be considered for print publication, letters should be under 500 words. Preference is given to letters that have not been published elsewhere.

outdoor art installations at

Public Space One 229 N. Gilbert

July 11 Aug 14 curated by Louise Fisher

July 12-17 Jager Palad

July 19-24 Caitlin Mary Margarett July 26-31 Ayla Boylen August 2-7 Tim Tabor

August 9-14 Prairie School of Art

publicspaceone.com

THE MILL IS an important and sadly repeated lesson in Iowa City “institutions.� There have been beautiful, heart-rendering remembrances.

There have been wails of mournful surprise.

There have been valiant proclamations of

forthcoming financial heroics that shall save the day. The Mill has died its second and possibly final death. Long live the Mill.

Bars and venues in college towns are not altogether different than ones in other cities,

HAVE AN OPINION?

F U T I L E W R A T H

S A M LO C K E WA R D

BETTER WRITE ABOUT IT! SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR@LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM

except for the speed at which scenes, tastes and patrons change over. Here, it is much accelerated due to the median age of the town (replete with a baffling amount of personality costume changes that take place between the ages of 18 to 22—one semester’s disc golf trustafarian is next semester’s vegan tankie) and the brief window that most of these people are here. The Mill managed to weather 58 years of these rapidly shifting bellwether audiences. That in itself is laudable.

But I come not to memorialize the Mill, but to accuse its killers. It’s you. And it’s me.

We who now sit in mourning with our lamentations and gravemound rose, too often do we use the term “institution” as an exultant when that thinking was in fact the murder weapon. I have been privileged and poor enough to work at many such “institutions” and can assure you that as soon as the public thinks that way, they feel no compulsion to support that business outside anytime that perfectly suits them. Hell, it’s always been there, so it’ll always be there, right?

Well, no, obviously.

This is not just about COVID, or summer culture when the students are gone, or football season when it’s on. This is an ongoing shift that is and will continue. Because of the university’s monolithic centrality, and all its fringe perks that keep Iowa City from having the cultural impact of an ice cube, we expect all of the other businesses that flourish in its shadow to be as equally deep-rooted. Sadly it has been proven time and time again not to be the case. Yet each time we rend our garments and wail as if there was no way to have seen this coming. I think if we reflect on how we’ve spent our time and our money in the last year (prior to the plague), I think we’d have seen clearly.

We who live here (and I mean old-ass live in this motherfucker) need to stop treating Iowa City like it’s some kind of Living History Farms version of our 20s, where the Ye Olde Rentertainment or Tofu Hut will be ready to recommend a bootlegged VHS version of a Finnish horror series, or that any night of the week you can take a tipple at Gabriel’s Grog Shoppee while catching those

Keep Iowa City healthy: Cover your face You can spread COVID-19 even if you don't feel sick.

Protect others by covering your nose and mouth with a face shield or cloth face covering while in public.

We all have a role to play.

icgov.org/coronavirus LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 7

LETTERS & INTERACTIONS young upstarts Nirvana play a fetching tune. Those days are dead, and they died because we thought we could move on with our lives and they’d simply be waiting for us when we had a moment for them again. How has that method worked out for those impulse-buy house plants?

As the land these businesses sit on become worth more to developers and multinational chains, this cycle will continue to increase at a frightening clip unless we make ourselves actively involved in our local business.

I get it. We get older. Our jobs get earlier, longer, more demanding. There’s suddenly a bunch of kids who seem to be totally helpless living in our houses. We can’t be watching some mind-melting Japanese psych band while eating fried pickles and quaffing pitchers of rotgut on a Sunday night (I mean, I can, but I’ve arranged my life differently than yours).

But why can’t you? Having a vibrant, living, creative ecology costs more than money. We can’t just donate. We can’t just go to the fundraiser. We can’t just be mister big checks to shmooze the board members. We need to be there. We need to spend our time as well as our money.

We need to be that kind of audience for the art that we think we deserve.

Because it won’t be there when we decide that we’re finally ready for it.

There, that’s my eulogy no one asked for.

If you’ve read this far you owe every employee that until yesterday worked at the Mill a drink, a smoke and a hug.

—Chris Wiersema Letter edited for length

/LittleVillage READER POLL: Have you been tested for COVID-19?

No

89.5%

Yes, I tested negative

10.5%

Yes, I tested positive

0%

Yes, it was inconclusive

0%

The Mill is closing after nearly 60 years in Iowa City (June 18) 2020 is shaping up to be one of the worst years in recorded human history. —Stacey W. The musical history of this place is phenomenal. Can’t name all the amazing musicians I heard there. I worked there in the 70s...sad to see the old relic go. —Julian V.M. We need a “Save the Englert” level campaign to save The Mill! —Ben L. Loved watching Bo Ramsey, Pieta Brown and many other local artists perform here!

—Ryan S. So grateful to have grown up in a town with a place like The Mill. My first stage. Gracias to Keith, Pam and Marty. —Kelly P.

Road closure allows Northside restaurants to take to the streets (June 22) I sure do hope the street stays closed during the nicer months. It lends a great feel to the area. We were there yesterday after getting takeout pizza from Pagliai’s. Kids ran around, people enjoyed themselves. It was perfect.

—Michelle A. Lets make this a permanent pedestrian area.

—Bob B. I think we’re beyond that point. Parking is already a pain downtown. Now with more high density residential/mixed use buildings going up, it’ll only get worse. Great idea to help businesses temporarily, and but we can’t keep eliminating through streets in a town this size. —Joe H. Only a loss of eight parking spots but an increase in outside seating of ~100 benefiting a dozen Northside restaurants and bars. —Goosetown Cafe University of Iowa suspends ticket sales for 2020 football season as it tries to figure out how social distancing will work at Kinnick (June 22) It should be about 1,000 maximum attendance including the teams. Why is Barta even mentioning 100% attendance? Ridiculous.

What if players on a team get COVID? That entire team has to quarantine. They miss two games. Their opponents miss games.

Championship will more or less go to whatever team remains healthy. No bowl games, period.

Just play a few televised exhibition games and

BLACK LIVES MATTER 8 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

How to find us these days ...

TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED SOCIAL DISTANCING Print editions of Little Village will only be available online and in the following locations until further notice:

OUTDOOR RACKS IN IOWA CITY:

Dubuque & Washington NW & SE corners Clinton & Washington NW corner and inside at the north and east entrances of the Old Capitol Mall 623 S Dubuque St 110 S Linn St Market & Linn NW Corner OUTDOOR RACKS IN CEDAR RAPIDS: 1100 3rd St SE By the entrance to NewBo City Market 3rd St SE & 11th Ave SE

By Raygun 120 3rd Ave SW By Dash

ORDER CURBSIDE OR DELIVERY FROM ONE OF THESE LOCAL RESTAURANTS, AND GET A COPY DELIVERED FREE. (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST) Brewhemia Cedar Rapids Marco’s Iowa City Pop’s Iowa City Trumpet Blossom Iowa City The Wedge Iowa City Iowa City Farmer’s Market or

REQUEST A COPY WITH YOUR CHOMP ORDER

Little Village was one of four Iowa news outlets recognized for its COVID-19 coverage in the Local Media Association/Facebook Journalism Project’s first round of grants. Help us continue to expand our coverage by making a voluntary cash contribution: LittleVillageMag.com/support.

all players get an extra year of eligibility.

—Drew L. If I die from this virus because people can’t go a season without sports, my ghost is going to be pissed. —Samantha C. Planned Parenthood and ACLU of Iowa file a lawsuit challenging new abortion restriction passed by Iowa lawmakers (June 24)

Local business leaders urge people to wear face masks as Johnson County sees a record-setting increase in COVID-19 cases Reynolds needs to read up on the division fallacy. She’s right that statewide numbers are stable and encouraging, but that doesn’t mean it’s true for each individual part of the state.

Johnson County’s numbers are not “heading in the right direction.” —Matt D.

The Republicans didn’t even give 24 hours notice about these new restrictions when bringing them up this year and allowing the women of Iowa to have their voice heard. So why should they expect women to have to wait 24 hours for the outcome of their legislation? —Zach G.

Iowa Department of Education guidance for reopening schools says requiring face masks is ‘not recommended’ (June 26)

They knew full well that restriction is unconstitutional, they just want the tax players off Iowa to pay for another frivolous lawsuit.

—Ronda K.

Does IDE want parents to choose NOT to send their kids to school in the fall? This is gross negligence. Hopefully individual school districts are smarter. —W.M.

This policy is so disrespectful of teachers, students and staff members. It’s ridiculous.

—Alice K.

S T R E S S F R A C T U R E S

10 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

JOHN

MARTINEK

IOWA CITY NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE

INTERACTIONS

s

ie

es o

pa

rt

ss

ic

o

cla

br

rn

fa o

ya o

207 NORTH LINN STREET, IOWA CITY 319.338.1332 • WILLOWANDSTOCK.COM

Classic & Contemporary Furniture Lighting Housewares & Gifts Registry Corner of Dodge & Davenport Street Iowa City, Iowa 319-354-2623 info@designranch.com www.designranch.com

207 NORTH LINN STREET, IOWA CITY 319.338.1332 • WILLOWANDSTOCK.COM LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 11

COMMUNITY

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

UR Here

Destination: Unknown Right now, the only certainty is uncertainty. BY THOMAS DEAN

W

e are in a coracle with no oars or rudder, heading to an unknown fate. We are in peregrination.

So that’s my topic for the return of UR Here. Rarely have I just not known what to write about for this column. Even though I was ecstatic that Little Village was coming back to print, I was at a loss as to what to write. Not because of a lack of possibilities—rather the opposite. The COVID-19 pandemic and its significant restrictions on our lives provide myriad opportunities to talk about our relationships with home, what community means, our relationship with nature—all the things I focus on in this column. The economic fallout that has followed and now the civil unrest of the Black Lives Matter movement are also rife with profound, unprecedented stories of our society today—local, statewide, national and global.

I HAVE NEVER FELT SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR SOCIETY AND OUR WORLD THAN I DO RIGHT NOW. Julia DeSpain / Little Village

After a couple weeks of mind-swirling, I’ve realized my writer’s block about today’s world, especially COVID-19, is due to uncertainty. Although so much has happened on all the fronts I mention—some things with whiplash-inducing swiftness—we are still in the early stages of the pandemic (despite what our state and federal government say, as well as those making unsafe forays out into public life again). One answer to the question “what is going to happen?” that we must all sit with is “I don’t know”—and that’s the only answer I at this point am able to give.

I have never felt so much uncertainty about the future of our society and our world than I do right now. I might have felt 12 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

something like it during the few days of the Cuban Missile Crisis had I had any inkling, but I was only 3 years old. Probably the only other time in my life that came close was the fall of Communism in eastern Europe. I watched slack-jawed as the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Empire crumbled between 1989 and 1991. There was a sense of anticipatory joy about what lay ahead, but what we’ve ended up with is hardly what most would have predicted.

So now—not knowing if and when a COVID-19 vaccine will be developed, not knowing how long the pandemic will persist, especially as lack of cooperation with public health measures increases, not knowing what the depths of the economic fallout

will be, not knowing if we are at the beginning of a social justice revolution or if our enthusiasms will be quashed or wane—“I don’t know” is honestly about all I have to offer right now. There have been signs of resilience and strength in our local community and in the country, but also clear demonstrations that we find ourselves seriously wanting. I don’t know which directions will be our strongest heading.

Recently I have been reading about Celtic mythology and spirituality, and the concept of peregrination has captured my imagination. Very old Irish stories of the immrama and echtrai had their heroes set off, often in

Cont. >> on pg. 42

Inspiring art in uncertain times

The Englert needs your help!

From March to May, we experienced a $385,213 shortfall in earned revenue due to the cancellation of more than 80 events.

We have rewritten our plan for sustainability in 2020 which includes cost reductions and new sources for cash, but we need the help of the Friends of the Englert to fill the gap.

30%

How can you help?

Operational Cost Reductions

25% Grants

24%

LOW INTEREST LOANS

Donate to our Friends Program

Increase your normal donation

Set up your donation as a recurring gift so that we can count on your support

21%

FRIENDS OF THE ENGLERT

Did you know that Friends of the Englert get great perks?

From early access to tickets, to passes to our festivals, Friends perks are our way of saying thank you for your support.

Donate online at:

ENGLERT.ORG/FRIENDS

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 13

COMMUNITY En Español

El camino largo: Pensamientos sobre la representación POR JESSE GONZALEZ

D

urante mis largas manejadas por carretera de camino a pueblitos de Iowa para reunirme con presidentes y directores ejecutivos bancarios, que por lo general son hombres blancos, he comenzado a reflexionar sobre mis experiencias como un joven MexicanoAmericano viviendo en Iowa. He logrado desentramar observaciones varias, tales como ser la única persona de color en mi lugar de trabajo, visitar gerencias ejecutivas de

SIENTO QUE NO PUEDO SER GENUINAMENTE YO, Y NECESITO TENER MÁS CUIDADO CON LAS PALABRAS QUE USO Y LA MANERA EN LA CUAL ME PROYECTO QUE MIS COMPAÑEROS BLANCOS, PARA SER TOMADO TAN SERIAMENTE COMO ELLOS EN ESTOS AMBIENTES. ME SIENTO SOLO. instituciones financieras predominantemente blancas, o darme cuenta de que el cuerpo estudiantil de la Universidad de Iowa (mi alma-mater) históricamente ha sido y hoy día sigue siendo predominantemente blanco.

Durante esas largas horas mañaneras de manejada, muchas cosas pasan por mi cabeza.

Me mantengo firme a mi identidad y disfruto escuchando banda, un tradicional género musical mexicano. Al tiempo que escucho la música, recuerdo con nostalgia las largas manejadas por autopistas de doble línea desde el aeropuerto de Guadalajara al pequeño pueblito mexicano que visito ocasionalmente para ver a mi familia.

Al acercarme al pequeño pueblo de Iowa en el que estaré trabajando, me encuentro 14 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

Julia DeSpain / Little Village

a mí mismo preparándome para sentirme intimidado e incómodo porque seré la única persona no blanca en las reuniones que más tarde ese mismo día, y durante el resto de la semana, estaré dirigiendo con ejecutivos banqueros.

Dado que a menudo me siento fuera de lugar, como si no perteneciera a estos espacios, me muestro titubeante a compartir mis pensamientos cuando discutimos temas de trabajo en las reuniones. Siento que no puedo ser genuinamente yo, y necesito tener más cuidado con las palabras que uso y la manera en la cual me proyecto que mis compañeros blancos, para ser tomado tan seriamente como ellos en estos ambientes. Me siento solo.

De las varias instituciones de las que he sido

parte a lo largo de mis carreras profesionales y educativas en los siete años que he vivido en Iowa, cada una de ellas ha enfatizado la importancia de diversidad e inclusión cultural.

Sin embargo, ninguna ha sido capaz de superar los problemas sistémicos que fueron diseñados para impedir que las poblaciones minoritarias alcancen el mismo nivel de éxito y posición social que sus homólogos blancos. Varias de estas instituciones, incluida la Universidad de Iowa, tienen programas que intentan ayudar a los estudiantes minoritarios de secundaria en sus carreras educativas. Aún así, solo el 6.8% de la población estudiantil es latino/a/x y el 3% negra. Sí, la población del estado de Iowa es más del 90% blanca, pero casi la mitad del alumnado de la UI son estudiantes de otros

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

estados.

Aún así, parece haber un déficit dado los números mencionados, y se debe hacer mayores esfuerzos para cerrar la brecha o hacer que estos programas sean más exitosos.

Mientras continúo reflexionando sobre mis experiencias, los problemas sistémicos se hacen más obvios. Está claro que los grupos de personas marginados en el campo bancario y en el de las finanzas, tanto profesionalmente como en el acceso educativo, lo cual es alarmante. Sin un mayor énfasis en asegurar que los grupos marginados de personas tengan el mismo acceso a los recursos y oportunidades que sus homólogos blancos para adquirir el mismo conocimiento y calificaciones a través de la educación, las poblaciones minoritarias continuarán sin voz y no estarán representadas en estos campos.

La intención de promover diversidad e inclusión ha sido una más bien vacía, lo cual me lleva a preguntarme, ¿Cuándo les va a importar lo suficiente como para hacer algo verdaderamente significativo a aquellos que no sufren esta adversidad—pero tienen el poder?

The Long Road: Thoughts on Representation WRITTEN AND TRANSLATED

BY JESSE GONZALEZ

D

uring my long drives down double-lane highways on my way to small Iowa towns to meet with predominantly white bank executives, I often reflect on my experience as a young Mexican-American man living in Iowa—first as a student at the overwhelmingly white University of Iowa and in my current profession, where I am the only person of color in my entire workplace and most of the financial institutions I visit.

Throughout those long morning hours of driving, a lot goes through my mind. I remain true to my identity and enjoy listening to Banda, a traditional Mexican music genre. I reminisce on the long drives from the airport in Guadalajara to the small town in Mexico I occasionally visit to see family.

As I approach the next Iowa town I will be working in, I find myself needing to prepare

COMMUNITY

IOWA CITY SOUTH OF BOWERY IMPORT SERVICE SPECIALISTS Audi, VW, BMW, Volvo, Subaru, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Mazda, Mini Cooper, Jaguar, and other imports

Professional Printers for 65 Years 408 Highland Ct. • (319) 338-9471 bob@goodfellowprinting.com

www.whitedogauto.com

to feel intimidated and uncomfortable given the fact that I will be the only non-white person in the meetings I will be conducting later that day and throughout the week with bank executives.

Since I often feel out of place, I am hesitant to share my thoughts when discussing work matters in meetings. I feel that I cannot be my genuine self and need to be more cautious of my word-choice and the manner in which I conduct myself than my white coworkers to be taken as seriously in these environments. I feel alone.

Of all the educational and professional institutions of which I have been part in the seven years I have lived in Iowa, all have emphasized the importance of cultural diversity and inclusion. However, not one has been able to overcome the systemic issues designed to hold back minority populations from attaining the same level of success and social standing as their white counterparts. Several of these institutions, including the University of Iowa, have programs that attempt to aid high school minority students in their educational careers.

Still, only 6.8 percent of the student population is Latino/a/x and 3 percent black. Yes, the state of Iowa’s population is more than 90 percent white, but nearly half the UI student body are out-of-state students.

The diversity program’s shortfalls seem to be reflected in the underrepresentation of people of color in my fields of finance and banking in Iowa. A greater emphasis needs to be placed on bridging the gap to make these programs more successful.

As I continue to reflect on my experiences, systemic issues become more apparent. It is clear that minority groups are marginalized in my industry, which is alarming. Without a greater emphasis placed on ensuring that marginalized people have the same access to resources and educational opportunities as their white counterparts, minority populations will continue to be voiceless and underrepresented in these fields.

The claim to promote diversity and inclusion has been an empty one, leaving me to wonder, when is someone unaffected by this adversity, with the power to do so, going to care enough to make a difference?

Jesse Gonzalez lives in West Des Moines and has been a professional in the banking industry for five years. Jesse is passionate about social issues that he has observed through his experiences as a young Mexican-American man growing up in California and living in Iowa for the last seven years, both as a financial professional and former college student.

OPEN FOR CURBSIDE CARRY-OUT AND CHOMP DELIVERY

SERVING BREAKFAST ALL DAY! FEATURED IN MIDWEST LIVING ONE OF THRILLIST’S BEST DINERS IN AMERICA VOTED BEST BREAKFAST/BRUNCH IN THE CRANDIC!

330 E MARKET ST., IOWA CITY • 319-351-1470

REC’D

How to

Hike Kent Park Hit the trails and channel your inner naturalist.

BY EMMA MCCLATCHEY

Emma McClatchey / Little Village

Kent Park North Trails Main trail (2.1 miles)

Pond walk (+0.5 miles)

P

Valley View Prairie Parking Lot

Whip-Poor-Will Shelter

P

Wetland Loop (+0.4 miles)

Prairie View picnic spot and walk (+0.5 miles) Conservation Education Center Wetland

Don’t forget Permethrin treated clothing and/or repellant

18 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

F

.W. Kent Park in Oxford is one of eastern Iowa’s most picturesque and diverse parks—1,052 square acres of forest, lakes and prairie and an ideal spot for hiking, camping, picnicking, birdwatching and (in non-pandemic times) letting your kids loose on the park’s playground or at a youth summer camp.

Kent Park’s most popular feature is its 27-acre lake, surrounded by a family- and dog-friendly paved loop trail, beaded with benches, a beach, fishing spots and historic bridges. It’s certainly worth the hype—but journey a little deeper into the park and you’ll find enough crisscrossing trails to choose your own hiking adventure 20 times over, staying socially distanced in the process.

Care for a recommendation? Try this 2.1-mile walk along the park’s northern boundary, containing minimal elevation changes, nice wide paths and a smorgasbord of sights.

Hike ‘er Up GET STARTED Drive north past the campgrounds

Wood painting. After you’ve

and shelters, and park in the

passed this clearing, take the next

Valley View Prairie parking lot.

path you see going off to the right.

Right across the road is a trailhead

Look out for: Animal tracks

marker, though it may be obscured by some vegetation. Take the

GO RIGHT

grassy path and enjoy the prairie

Frolic through a grassy, flower-

flowers and view of an idyllic farm

filled field for about one-tenth of

in the distance. You’ll pass a cluster

a mile, then head right at the fork

of regal pine trees on your right.

back toward the woods, where the trail turns to gravel. This path, too, will lead to a fork—step off to the right to rest on a bench overlooking one of Kent Park’s gorgeous, fish- and frog-filled ponds, then take the trail going left to continue your hike.

Look out for: Iowa’s state flower, the wild rose WALK THE LINE When you reach the first fork in the road, go right. (The left side takes you on a 0.4-mile detour to a nearby pond—feel free to

Look out for: Purple prairie clover

take it if you have the time.) At

and gray-headed coneflower

Now open with reduced hours:

boundary for a little over a mile.

DON’T DISTURB THE BIRBS

11 AM–5 PM Monday through Saturday

Hiking in a straight line may seem

Cross the bridge and ogle the

dull, but this stretch has plenty to

colossal oak trees growing in and

offer, including shade as you walk

around the ponds as you continue.

in and out of lush tree canopies.

The gravel trail leads you to the

Eventually, the greenery opens up

Conservation Education Center,

on your left to reveal a beautiful

around which researchers are

hill of farmland, worthy of a Grant

conducting ongoing studies of the

this point, you’ll follow the park

PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASK TO SHOP! 105 S. Dubuque St. on the Ped Mall, Iowa City

REC’D

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

Asian-inspired & traditional pizzas UNIQUE APPETIZERS & SANDWICHES

IOWA BEERS ON DRAFT CEDAR RAPIDS’ ONLY TIKI BAR

1006 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids

Emma McClatchey / Little Village

3 1 9 . 3 2 0. 9 9 9 2 fong s pi z z a . c om FONGSCR

park’s birds. There is a popular, paved loop trail of about 0.4 miles that begins at the

FONGSpizzaCedarRapids

Conservation Center, as well as bathrooms nearby.

Look out for: Tagged birds and moth cocoons RECONNECT Head towards the main road and walk along the roadside for a short distance, passing the Whip-Poor-Will Picnic Area, until you see an enticing grassy path off to the right. This will connect you back to the trail along the park’s boundary— turn left to go back where you began.

Look out for: Colorful mushrooms on dead trees

Your Design. Your Home.

With education, backgrounds, and professional experiences in interior and graphic design, our in-house, on-site design team is available at no additional cost to help transform your space into something you love.

BONUS: NICE VIEW If you’d like to plop a cherry on top of your hike, or just want a spot to enjoy some lunch, take the trail leading off of the lot where you parked, towards the small shelter and picnic table on the hill.

Soak in the lovely view and breeze. The

Carpet | Tile | Hardwood | Window Treatments

rest of the trail is just about a half-mile, and shaped like a wonky horseshoe. It’s a short but refreshing jaunt, with trees

RANDYSFLOORING.COM 20 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

on your left and prairie on your right, connecting back to the main road.

Look out for: Monarch butterflies

Don’t let other people’s opinions win.

COMMUNITY

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

27 categories, including Best pandemic adaptation

25 categories, such as Best overall musician

GOODS & SERVICES

and Best local nonprofit

and Best poet/spoken word artist

25 categories. Best new business, Best Bookstore and Best Homebuilder, for example

HEALTH & REC

FOOD & DRINK

Over 50 categories, not limited to Best burger, Best sushi, Most commendable COVID precaution game and Best restaurant to cure your hangover

25 categories, like Best fitness instructor, and Best place to experience nature

Nominate your own business, nominate the people you miss from the beforetimes, nominate the folks you are still able to support and nominate the ones you look forward to supporting again

NOMINATE YOUR BUSINESS BY JULY 31

Recognition in the annual Little Village Reader-Selected Local’s Guide to the CRANDIC (Dec. 2020) Winner’s plaque for your business + promotional graphics for your website/social channels S $200 local gift pack ER N N I Up to 75% ad credit in Little Village, Bread & Butter and on LittleVillageMag.com W : E Free ticket to the party of the century December 2020 (Entirely depending on EIV

REC

public health events, details TBD)

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

VOTING BEGINS AUGUST 1

LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC

REC’D

How to

Birdwatch From Central Park to Iowa City, birdwatching is for everyone.

BY NORBERT SARSFIELD

Red-Winged Blackbird Loud, aggressive bird of fields and marshes. Males have distinct red and yellow patches on their wings, females are streaked brown and resemble a large sparrow.

Norbert Sarsfield

2

020 has been a fraught and fractious year. It seems like every morning we wake to find ourselves beset by a new calamity demanding our full attention. While it is our duty as decent human beings and good citizens to be informed and to put our minds and bodies to the task of creating a safe, just society, we can’t accomplish that work if we are exhausted, anxious and stressed out.

A remedy for this malady is to step away for a bit and connect with nature through birdwatching.

You can watch birds from your own window by putting up a feeder. Suet feeders will attract woodpeckers and nuthatches; thistle feeders will bring finches and chickadees; and seed feeders will appeal to a wide range of birds. To discourage house sparrows, which are an invasive species that displaces native birds like bluebirds, avoid seed mixes that include millet and instead consider using safflower seeds.

A great way to learn how to ID birds is with the Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It is free, easy to use and has a great collection of bird photos and audio of bird songs and calls.

22 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

Essentials Binoculars are helpful but not necessary

Tick defense Permethrin treated clothing and/or picaridin repellant

Birdwatching app Recommended: Merlin Bird ID

An even better way to reap the rewards of birdwatching is to get outdoors and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature.

This can have real therapeutic benefits; simply standing still in a natural area, being in the moment, aware of the songs of birds as they flit about in a nearby bush, can be a powerful mindfulness exercise. Thankfully, there are a number of wonderful natural areas in our region with great birdwatching opportunities.

In the immediate Iowa City area, Hickory Hill Park, Waterworks Prairie Park, Terry Trueblood Recreation Area and the Sycamore Greenway Trail are all wonderful places for birding. A little farther afield, Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, Macbride Nature Recreation Area (home of the Iowa Raptor Project) and Kent Park are all highly recommended. You might also consider joining the Iowa City Bird Club, a local group that leads birding field trips (these are currently on hold due to COVID-19) and helps to conserve bird habitat.

Whether in your own yard or in a local natural area, bird watching offers a great way to get outside in a safe, socially distant manner.

Enjoy! —Norbert Sarsfield

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

Birds: Check ‘em Out

American Goldfinch Iowa’s state bird. A year-round resident, but it is only in the spring and summer when adult males take on their distinctive bright yellow and dark black coloration. Frequents fields, roadsides and thistle feeders.

Barred Owl Common owl in Iowa City’s Hickory Hill Park and other areas with large, mature trees. Listen for its distinctive “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” call.

MES O C L E W E IV H THIS ES! IP R T S L L A F O BEES BEE SHARP. BEE UNIQUE. BEE YOURSELF.

Brown-Headed Cowbird Iowa’s only parasitic bird, it lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species and allows them to incubate the eggs and raise the young cowbirds.

Purple Martin Spring and summer resident of Iowa. The pond at Waterworks Prairie Park has a well-established Purple Martin house that offers great viewing opportunities.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker One of several species of woodpeckers in Iowa, it nests in tree cavities. Will visit backyard suet feeders.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak Spends spring and summer in Iowa and winters in Central and South America. Large bill allows it to eat a variety of seeds; will visit backyard seed feeders.

Tufted Titmouse A personal favorite for its loud, clear song. Small grey bird with white chest and a subtle touch of burnt sienna under its wing.

White-Breasted Nuthatch Often seen working its way up and down tree trunks; often visits feeders. Has a distinct annoyed, nasal vocalization.

755 S Gilbert St, Iowa City | (319) 338-5589 honeybeehairparlor.com honeybeehairparlor

AWARDED BEST PUB 2015, 2016 & 2018

KITCHEN NOW OPEN UNTIL 1AM THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 23

REC’D

How to

Be a Backyard Yogi An easy-going sequence for the quarantined.

BY LILY ALLEN-DUENAS

W

hat better practice to turn to in times of turbulence than yoga? Whether it is self-care, solitude or gratitude you’re seeking, both beginner and experienced yogis can find refuge on the mat.

Some yoga studios have reopened with COVID-19 mitigation measures, but there is still no more safe and convenient place to get your yoga fix than at home. If you can salute the sun while basking in sunlight, even better.

Here is a backyard, beginnerfriendly yoga sequence for you or the whole family, designed to bring a balance of strength and fluidity to your body.

Courtesy of Lily Allen-Duenas

gentle bend in the knees. Inhale

exhale and in the standing back

here in Anuvittasana, and exhale in

bend that you inhale.

the next pose.

Standing Side Bend Standing Forward Fold with

(Urdhva Hastasana)

Shoulder Opener

This standing side-bend is

1. Standing Backbend

(Uttanasana Variation)

repeated four times in total,

(Anuvittasana)

A backbend followed by a forward

changing back and forth from

Steps 1 and 2 are to be practiced

fold is perfect for awakening

right side to left side two times. To

three to six times each, alternating

the back muscles and providing

stretch the right side of your body,

one after the other.

lubrication to the spine. Keep the

raise your right hand in the air,

hands tightly clasped together,

clasp your right wrist with your left

behind the back, sliding down to

with the intention of getting the

hand and actively pull your body

the thighs, to engender a gentle

arms as close to the earth as

in the left direction. Make sure you

backbend. In the next pose, the

possible. Make sure to keep a soft

aren’t rotating or twisting, and

arms launch overhead, inducing

bend in the knees. Remember that

that you are pulling the body as

a strong shoulder opener. Keep a

it is in this yoga pose that you

evenly as possible. Also, make sure

Clasp the hands together

Sequence

1.

2.

9.

24 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

3.

4.

10.

5.

11.

6.

12.

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

that your head stays in between

body gently from side to side and

your shoulders. You should feel

shaking the head gently in “yes”

an intense stretch along your side

and “no” motions. Keep a bend in

body, especially in your obliques.

your knees and focus on complete

Inhale as you reach up, and exhale

relaxation. Check in with your

as you fold to the side.

neck and make sure your head is dangling loosely. Ragdoll is a

4. Revolved Chair Pose

gentle stretch to the legs, mainly

(Parivrtta Utkatasana)

the hamstrings and quadriceps, as

Place your hands in prayer in front

well as to the shoulders, arms and

of your chest, and then slowly bend

the lower back. It’s a very loosey-

your knees and sit back as if you

goosey pose that should feel

are about to take a seat in a chair.

relaxed and pendulous.

This should activate the quadriceps and glutes. Then twist the body to

6. Downward Dog

the left, placing the right elbow on

(Adho Mukha Svanasana)

the outside of the left knee. Keep

To get into Downward Dog from

your knees in alignment, and focus

the previous asana, inhale your

on distributing more weight in the

arms upward and then exhale your

heels than the toes. Press palms

arms forward until your hands

together firmly to create space

touch the ground. Place your hands

between the collarbones. Hold for

firmly on the mat, fingers spread

five breaths and then transition to

wide, and then step back into the

doing the other side.

pose; your hands should be about

fresh cut, beautifully arranged, locally-sourced flowers

the width of your shoulders, and 5. Ragdoll Pose

your feet should be spaced the

(Uttanasana Variation II)

width of your hips. Focus your

Inhale and reach the arms above

intention on drawing your heels

the head, exhale and fold forward,

toward the mat. Breathe calmly for

grabbing a hold of your opposite

five breaths.

elbows, and hang heavy. Hold for up to 10 breaths, swinging the

7.

8.

Weddings & Events • Local Delivery Workshops • Flower Subscriptions Wrapped Bouquets • Custom Arrangements

13.

14.

207 NORTH LINN STREET, IOWA CITY 319.338.1332 • WILLOWANDSTOCK.COM LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 25

REC’D 7. Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana) From Downward Dog, draw your right leg forward and step your right foot in between your hands. Drop your back knee to the mat and untuck your toes. Shift your weight forward, into your front bent leg, and notice the pull that this creates on your hip flexors (the ligaments between the pelvis and your thigh bone). Relax here and commit to keeping your front knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Hold for five breaths.

8. Low Lunge Arms Raised (Anjaneyasana Variation) Raise your arms upward, coming out and up from the side until your palms touch overhead. Inhale and look up. Keep your front knee deeply bent at a 90-degree angle. You will only hold this pose for one inhale.

9. Half Splits (Ardha Hanumanasana) Exhale and lower your hands from Anjaneyasana until your fingers lightly touch the ground. Keeping your fingers tented, shift your weight backward until your glutes are past your heel, and until your front leg is completely straight. Gently continue to lower your chest toward your outstretched leg. Breathe deeply for five breaths.

10. Twisted Low Lunge (Parivrtta Anjaneyasana) Slowly shift your weight forward on an inhale until you are back in the low-lunge position from 8. Given that your right knee is bent and forward in front of your body, reach back with your right arm outstretched and catch your back foot in your hand. Shift your front foot out toward the edge of the mat a couple of inches, to gain the distance that you need to keep your chest open and to ensure you have enough space to deepen your twist. This is a very dramatic stretch for your quadricep muscle. Hold for three to five breaths.

Repeat poses 6-10 on the left side, then return to Downward Dog to transition to 11.

11. Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I) In Downward Dog, move your right foot forward in between your hands. Plant your back heel down at a diagonal angle, so your toes are pointing to the front corner of the mat. Then, reach your arms upward on an inhale, coming from the outside and then 26 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

reaching the arms upward—making a big circular motion out of the arms before drawing the palms together over the head. Commit to a deep bend in your front knee, making sure your knee is bent at a 90-degree angle to engage your leg muscles. Look up and inhale.

CEDAR RAPIDS NEW BOHEMIA/ CZECH VILLAGE

12. Humble Warrior (Baddha Virabhadrasana) Exhale and lower your arms from Warrior I, and reach behind you to clasp your hands together. Lift your chest and intentionally lengthen your spine. As you exhale, shift your weight more into your front foot, and fold forward, bringing your chest and torso inside of your front leg. Keep your hands launched overhead, with the intention of drawing the arms and hands toward the mat. Hold for three to five slow breaths. Then, on an inhale, lift your torso upward.

13. Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) Slowly extend your arms outward, parallel to the length of your mat. Turn your back foot out to a 90-degree angle so that it is parallel to the back of the mat. Your front foot will not change position. Focus on keeping your pelvis, torso and chest facing the side. It will only be your head that turns to face forward. Sink into this asana by continuing to bend the front leg until it’s at a 90-degree angle, and on keeping your arms straight and strong.

14. Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana) To reverse or revolve your Warrior Pose, which is sometimes called Peaceful Warrior, turn your front palm to the sky as you inhale. Then, as you exhale, draw your top arm overhead until it curves in a beautiful “C” shape over your head, arcing behind your body. Slide your bottom arm down your leg and feel a deep stretch in the obliques.

Return to Downward Dog, and then

Black Earth Gallery Art Consulting

repeat 11-14 on the left side.

Namaste.

Lily Allen-Duenas is a certified yoga teacher and travel writer. She’s a big fan of avocados and sweet potatoes in any form. You can find her writings on health, wellness and travel at wildyogatribe.com.

for businesses and personal homes, pop-up shows and public art events blackearthgallery.com @black_earth_gallery blackearthgallery@gmail.com If art isn’t important, then why does it have so much power?

Come work with us

JOHN@NEWBO.CO • (319) 382-5128

REC’D

How to

Canoe the Cedar River There are 18,000 miles of river trails in Iowa, but the Cedar River is easy to access, wide enough to maintain a safe physical distance from anyone else there and can be done in an afternoon. BY JORDAN SELLERGREN

Jordan Sellergren / Little Village

Route Palisades-Kepler State Park

If you’re new to the canoe, take one on a lake or pond

There are two great options

to practice balance, paddle strokes and steering before

for a quick float from

hitting the river. And seriously, never stand up in one.

Palisades-Kepler State Park’s Lower Launch:

Lower Launch

• 3.5 miles (appx. 90 minutes) to South Cedar

Palisades Dam

Natural Area (Look for a concrete ramp and wooded parking area at your right.)

3.5 miles

1

• 8.7 miles (appx. 3 hours) South Cedar Natural Area

!

to Sutliff Access (Look for a steep concrete ramp to your left, just before the Sutliff Bridge and Tavern.)

5.2 miles

The Palisades Dam, built in 1936, has deteriorated significantly and the steel enforcements can be hazardous to boaters. We recommend

F14

putting in downriver from the dam at Lower Launch to avoid a potentially dangerous river experience.

Courtesy of Mount Vernon Historic Preservation

28 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

Sutliff Bridge

Sutliff Access

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

Essentials River awareness: Check your river

to safely tie the boat to the top (or

levels before you go at waterdata.

remember to bring them on the

usgs.gov. If it’s high on the chart or

boat with you). Park the boatless

by your own observation, consider

car where you plan to take out (be

rescheduling the trip. Pay attention

considerate when parking!), then

to the weather both where you’ll be

ride together to launch.

rk andma city l a w an io

paddling and upriver.

Zip bag/dry bag: Bring a secure Know your route: Check out

zip bag for sunscreen, SPF lip

iowadnr.gov for water trail maps.

balm, a waterproof bag (a ziplock will do) for your phone, your car

A canoe and paddles: Rent, bor-

keys and any other items you con-

row or buy. If you or a friend don’t

sider essential.

have a canoe, SOKO Outfitters in Cedar Rapids rents kayaks with

Cooler and provisions: A couple of

transport rigs for around $50/day

sandwiches, fruit, sparkling water,

plus a credit card number. Craigslist

a beer or two, a coozy and an in-

and Facebook Marketplace can be

sulated bottle of ice water are my

a great source for used boats, too,

go-tos. Don’t litter. Don’t get drunk.

but keep in mind that anything over

A river is not the time or place

13 feet must be registered through

to double down on your drinking

Iowa DNR.

problem. Just enjoy the natural world and have some respect for

Life jackets: It is required by

your mortality and that of the

law in this state to carry one life

person you’re sharing a boat with.

jacket per person on your vessel.

Bring only what you can handle

According to the U.S. Coast Guard,

and you’ll be more likely to survive

84 percent of drowning victims

the float as well as the drive home.

were not wearing them at their time of death, so—just do it.

Appropriate attire: Layers are a must. When the sun is hot, you’ll be

Transportation: Few things baffle

glad you brought a button-down. A

an otherwise intelligent river

hat with a wide brim and sunglass-

paddler like how to efficiently

es are advised, and you’ll have to

transport oneself to and from

put your feet in the water, so wear

a float. If you don’t have a non-

sandals that will stay on your feet

participating driver willing to drop

or shoes that can get nasty.

15 South Dubuque St., Iowa City, Iowa • 319-337-2681 www.prairielights.com

Jiang Hu

Asian Street Food

you off at launch and pick you up at takeout, plan on taking two cars.

Help out: Pick up garbage along

In both vehicles, have all necessary

the way. Throw it in the boat until

ratchet straps, bungees and ropes

you have access to a trash can.

No rack on your car?

Use ratchet straps to tightly secure the middle of the boat through your car doors. Pool noodles can be used to keep the boat off the roof.

Center and secure the front and back of the boat using ropes.

A secure boat while driving is crucial! Once it’s tied on, shake the boat with both hands. If the car moves with it, it should be ready to go.

Hand-Pulled Noodles • MaLatang •Asian Barbuque 110 E Court St, Iowa City • 319.569.1733 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 29 JIANGHUIC

BREAD & BUTTER LV Recommends

Rodney’s Jamaican Jerk & BBQ 1104 S Gilbert St, Iowa City 319-541-1330, rodneysjamaicanjerk.com

T

here is a mystique to food truck dining that’s difficult to describe.

If you’re a food truck fan, you know what I mean. It’s an adventure, a quick stop for lunch more satisfying than fast food. Often messy to eat, food truck fare brings us together in the dark after an evening with friends or offers a solitary midday meal in the sunshine.

In general, food trucks offer a limited menu, served up quickly—with limited space, equipment and staff. In food preparation, this can be a recipe for disaster. There is a specific art and science to consistently providing quality meals at reasonable prices from a mobile kitchen.

Rodney’s Jamaican Jerk & BBQ food truck in Iowa City is a shining example of excellence in these skills. Typically set up on South Gilbert Street and catering to the lunch crowd, Rodney’s specializes in jerk seasoned chicken—a rarity in Iowa. And they do it very well.

Curry goat, fried plantain, cooked cabbage and fried dumpling. Jordan Sellergren / Little Village

Jerk seasoning is a rather unusual type of dry rub barbecue, containing a mix of peppers and some of the “sweeter” savory herbs and spices—clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger—as well as other ingredients.

This results in a tangy, spicy and sweet mix that hits every corner of one’s palate while enhancing, Richiard Rodney Jordan Sellergren / Little Village

rather than covering, the flavor of the meat.

Unlike a sweet Texas barbecue sauce, for example, which typically relies on brown sugar or molasses to add sweet notes, the flavor combinations in jerk feel lighter on the tongue, and the heat is softer and deeper.

OUR SERVICES, WITH DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AND UI EMPLOYEES:

454 FIRST AVENUE, CORALVILLE, IA 52241 319-338-1815

30 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

hello@arnottkirklaw.com

• Immigration • Family and Juvenile Law • Business Law and Litigation • Business Formation - LLCs and Corporations • Uniform Commercial Code • Estate Planning and Probate • Real Estate • Criminal Defense • Insurance • Expungement • Drivers License Reinstatement

LittleVillageMag.com/Dining LV Recommends

Rodney’s Jerk Chicken is some of the absolute best of this I have experienced. The smoked, juicy chicken blends perfectly with robust heat and tangy Caribbean sweetness in every mouthful.

Rodney’s dinner meal provides roughly a quarter chicken, a healthy portion of red beans in rice and two sides, for a very reasonable price. Sides vary, but can include a delicious savory boiled cabbage, slightly sweetened dumplings and fried plantains.

The truck offers other options on a rotating basis—shrimp po’boys, goat curry, chicken tacos and burritos, jerk loaded fries and rib tips are all occasional possibilities. In keeping with the magic of food trucks, on any given day one might find an unexpected dish on the menu.

Like many food trucks, hours of operation can be a little unpredictable. I imagine this has much to do with the quantity of food they can prepare for a given day. In general, they open between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., and are usually closed by 3 p.m. or so. Best advice is hit them up early in the lunch rush!

Rodney’s also offers catering; their website provides specifics. For details and up-to-date info regarding the truck, including menus and availability, I would recommend following them on their Facebook page.

In the realm of eastern Iowa food truck culture, Rodney’s Jamaican Jerk & BBQ is changing the game. It’s a great spot for a casual lunch with friends or co-workers or to take to the park and chomp on in the summer sun. Check them out, make sure you have plenty of napkins on hand and enjoy the food! ––K. Michael Moore

Goldfinch Tap + Eatery 740 10th St, Marion 319-826-2047, goldfinchtap.com Editor’s note: The reviewer dined in-house before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Iowa. Meals from Goldfinch can be ordered for take-out and delivery via Chomp.

A

s a Marionite, it’s exciting to see the new restaurants popping up in our cute little Uptown, especially ones with my favorite cocktail of all time—the French 75—on the menu. Goldfinch Tap + Eatery makes the sweet-and-sour drink with on-tap Prosecco, gin, simple syrup and (this part is key) fresh lemon juice.

Opened in September 2019 by Josh Immerfall, owner of Donnelly’s Pub in Iowa City, Goldfinch has been the talk of the town, offering upscale drinks and food, including salmon with polenta and pan-roasted chicken with gnocchi. The menu also offers some decidedly non-fancy options, like onion rings (albeit with dill and blue cheese added) and a creamy French onion dip, a favorite of my friends. It was the perfect thing to snack on as we competed in Goldfinch’s Tuesday trivia night, the hardest trivia event I’ve ever been to. (Did you know Robert Henri was part of the Ashcan artistic movement? I did not.)

Meat is where they shine. My dad, a lifelong Iowan speaking with some authority on the matter, said the pork tenderloin was one of the juiciest he’s had. The popular Goldfinch Tavern, a loose-meat sandwich with onions and sweet pickles, is billed

Cont. >> on pg. 42

Pork tenderloin and mac and cheese. Jessica Carney / Little Village

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 31

COMMUNITY

Courtesy of Megan Gogerty

Sex & Love

A Marriage Story One Iowa City couple’s socially distant “plague wedding” gave their community a much-needed reason to celebrate. BY EMMA MCCLATCHEY

“H

ere’s the thing that’s true of every good wedding,” says newlywed Megan Gogerty. “You spend so much time, money and energy worrying about if the napkins are going to match the table setting and is the caterer late and what did I do with my ascot? But then you get there and you realize none of that matters.

The only thing that matters is the person in front of you who you love, and the people around you. And frankly, this pandemic has really brought that to our awareness.”

Rather than postpone their nuptials, as others have in light of COVID-19, Gogerty, an Iowa City-based comedian, actor and playwright, and her fiancé Chris Rich, a set designer, moved theirs up by seven months.

Utilizing Facebook Live, some festive face masks and their creative skills, the couple

tied the knot on June 7.

“We were never going to have a traditional wedding, but I wasn’t expecting a plague wedding!” Gogerty said. “But it was so joyous … it became really clear how hungry our community was for some good news.”

The two met three years ago at a fringe drama festival in Alabama. Rich was working as an instructor at the University of Southeast Alabama at the time. He said he became “infatuated” with Gogerty as soon as he saw her one-woman play, Lady Macbeth and Her Pal Megan.

“Someone who is so intelligent, so empathetic, so vulnerable in her art—I was just fascinated,” Rich said. “She made me laugh pretty constantly.”

The feeling was mutual.

“We had a real meeting of the minds right away,” Gogerty said. “I knew right away

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

when I met him; I was like ‘Oh, here he is!

Here’s the one!’ We speak the same language and we hold the same values.”

Before they’d even formally dated, Rich told Gogerty he planned to move to Iowa City to be closer to her. Even though they were “desperately in love with one another,” Gogerty feared him uprooting his life when there were so many variables—would her kids like him? Could he tolerate Iowa’s snow and ice?

Rich made the leap anyway, getting his own home in town. On their first date in Iowa City, Rich proposed to Gogerty over dinner at Thai Spice.

“I did not say no, but I had concerns,” Gogerty recalled. “And Chris said, ‘Well, tell me your concerns.’ I started rattling them off and by the time I got to my 15th concern, Chris says, ‘OK, let’s see if I can address them, and when you’re ready, you ask me.’”

Over the next year and a half, Rich bonded with Gogerty’s children (his border collie Schooner helped sweeten the deal) and moved in with them. Rich was hired by Riverside Theatre and has crafted sets for Gogerty’s original productions, including for the highly acclaimed Feast. in October.

“The designs he has done for Riverside have blown open the doors of the imagination,” Gogerty said. “He is my absolute favorite collaborator.”

“It was wonderful to be a part of the process from the ground up, which is not normally how a designer works,” Rich said, echoing Gogerty, “She’s my all-time favorite partner and collaborator.”

On Christmas Day 2019, Gogerty recruited her two kids to help with a special present for Rich.

“The children wrapped themselves up in big moving boxes like presents and jumped out of the box saying, ‘Merry Christmas, she wants to marry you!’” Gogerty said. Rich’s answer, of course, was yes. “And everybody cried.”

They reserved the North Ridge Pavilion in Coralville for an afternoon wedding in January 2021. Then COVID happened.

“We entered into this period of uncertainty. Right now there’s a real question about what’s going to happen in the fall, in the winter. I thought, I don’t want to wait till January only to discover we can’t get together,” Gogerty explained. “So we decided to hell with it, let’s just get married already. We’ll

Cont. >> on pg. 42

We’re waiting to go Back to the Movies until we can reopen safely and comfortably.

Until then,

YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED order your concessions bundles, become a FilmScene member, or see our virtual screening room at

ICFILMSCENE. ORG LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 33

COMMUNITY

NEWS YOU CAN TRUST.

90.9 910

FM

NEWS | STUDIO ONE Black Fusionist Society project, 2020, Antoine Williams

AM

NEWS

LITTLE VILLAGE? HELP US KEEP IT FREE.

Voluntary contributions from readers like you help keep Little VIllage free for everyone to enjoy.

Chip in today: LittleVillageMag .com/Subscribe 34 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

Activated Archives

Iowa City’s Center for Afrofuturist Studies launches a website designed to hold Black past, present and future. BY GENEVIEVE TRAINOR

O

n Nov. 10, 1898, a massacre occurred in Wilmington, Delaware that you can add to your mental list of “shit you didn’t learn in school” right between the destruction of Seneca Village in Manhattan to make way for Central Park in the 1850s and the razing of Black Wall Street in 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Some 2,000 white men staged a coup to overthrow the (majority Black) city’s legitimately elected Fusionist government. Black and white political leaders were expelled from the city, Black property and businesses were destroyed and an estimated 60 people were killed.

The incident is the subject of a transmedia historical fiction project from Antoine Williams, current artist in residence at the Center for Afrofuturist Studies. And Williams’ project is the inaugural work on the CAS’s new website, launching July 1.

“Antoine was supposed to be an in-person resident this summer, and just because of COVID, we didn’t think it was safe to bring him out from North Carolina,” said Anaïs Duplan,

ine W illiam s

LOVE

A-List

Anto

Stream online: IowaPublicRadio.org or the IPR app.

founding curator of the CAS, a program of Public Space One. “But he had these ideas for a digital project that he was working on, and I knew that we were building this platform, and so the timing just kind of aligned.”

“He’s going back into that moment and imagining a mythology for [the Fusionists], imagining what it would have been like had that not happened,” Duplan said.

In addition to building the project on the site, Williams will present a program in mid-July (date yet to be determined) in conversation with arts advocate, organizer and curator La Tanya Autry. In conjunction with that, the CAS will begin collecting public responses to Williams’ work, which will also be hosted on the website.

The CAS began developing the new site with web designer Rahul Shinde a year ago, with the goal of engaging more meaningfully with out-of-state audiences. Based on analytics, Duplan notes about 50 percent of visitors to the current site are local. The other 50 percent, he says, are from New

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

York, Chicago, L.A.—the CAS wanted a better way of reaching people who couldn’t attend programs. “[Shinde] basically built something that was customized to what we needed as an organization. Kalmia [Strong, PS1 program director], specifically, is an archivist, and so having her present in those conversations was helpful.

Even on the back end, the website is ... based on a database; whenever we’re inputting things, we’re archiving and making that available.”

The project took on new weight when COVID-19 hit.

“I think that not being able to gather during the pandemic has forced us to come to a new understanding of what we do and how we can do what we do without being able to come together. And one thing that has emerged from that is that at the core of our work is a desire to preserve Black culture,” Duplan said. “An archive is kind of a game-changer in that we can start to think about decades down the line, these artifacts are preserved for audiences of the future.”

Duplan, who also works as program manager at Recess in Brooklyn, New York, has seen a push in other arts spaces for archiving (which he calls the “forgotten aspect of arts administration”), specifically of Black art and stories.

“It feels harder to access Black art history than it is to access white art history,” he said.

“It’s in these archives at museums or universities, but if it’s not on view or it’s not being taught, nobody really knows it exists. So [we’re] really just trying to make something that’s widely accessible, but that’s still interested in preservation.”

In August, CAS intends to expand that with a broader call for submissions from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) contributors that will be collected into a printed publication of written work and an album of oral histories. The hope is that people will use that rhetorical space to explore the world happening right now, around them.

“The website launch is kind of the beginning of this larger campaign for us around thinking about archiving but also citizen journalism,” Duplan said. “The fact that everyone has a smartphone now means that we can all be watchers and all be protest documenters, and we can more easily expose injustices because we have these tools. So not just thinking about archiving in terms of artworks but also in terms of day-to-day lives.”

Genevieve Trainor, LV Arts Editor and board member at PS1, believes in the power of stories.

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 35

NEW N! IO LOCHigAhwTay 1 West 521

ity

Iowa C

EDITORS’ PICKS

CALENDAR

Daiya vegan cheese & gluten-free crust available!

TheWedgePizza.com

www.thewedgepizza.com

Large 14” 2-Topping

Add a second large 2-Topping

$1399

ONLY

JULY 1–AUG. 4, 2020

$1199

Aug. 31, 2020

X-Large 16” 3-Topping Add a second

$1599

ONLY

x-large 3-Topping

$1399

Add Cheesestix to Any Order

Add a House Salad to Any Order

ONLY

ONLY

$700

Aug. 31, 2020

$689

Aug. 31, 2020

Aug. 31, 2020

NEW LOCATION! 521 Highway 1 West, Iowa City, 319-337-6677 Delivery or Carry Out

Planning an event? Submit event info to calendar@littlevillagemag.com. Include event name, date, time, venue, street address, admission price and a brief description (no all-caps, exclamation points or advertising verbiage, please). To find more events, visit littlevillagemag.com/ calendar. Please check venue listing in case details have changed.

NOTE! We are listing only ONLINE and OUTDOOR events in this calendar at the moment. “Locations” listed for online events reference the presenting institution.

Please visit our online calendar for links, or check the organizations’ websites and Facebook pages.

Wed., July 1 Virtual 1 Million Cups Iowa City: Glider Electric Scooter/InTransition, 1 Million Cups Iowa City (@1MillionCupsIC), 9 a.m., Free World Wednesday: Make Fresh Pasta with

C R E AT I V E S E R V I C E S

We are a full-service design agency working with clients to build effective media strategies.

Becky’s Mindful Kitchen, Iowa City Public Library (@icpubliclibrary), 1 p.m., Free ECO Film Discussion: Anthropocene—The Human Epoch (2019), Iowa City Public Library w/ Environment Iowa and Green Iowa AmeriCorps (icpl.

• DIGITAL MARKETING

org), 7 p.m., Free

• CONTENT MARKETING

Boundaries 10.0, Legion Arts CSPS Hall w/ Dead

•• VIDEO VIDEO

Coast Presents (@cspshall), 7 p.m., Free

• PHOTOGRAPHY

Thu., July 2

• GRAPHIC DESIGN

Radness (rescheduled from 06/25), Threshold

• WEB DESIGN

3 19.855.1474 littlevillagecreative.com

No Touching Sessions 07 // In the Mouth of Apprehension Sound (@Threshold.Apprehension.

Sound, thresholdappsound.com), 8 p.m., Free

Fri., July 3 Garden Guru, Backyard Abundance (@ BackyardAbundance), 10:30 a.m., Free

CALENDAR.LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM Rock the Block: Poor Poor Rich, NewBo City

World Wednesday: Batik Art with the African

Market, 6 p.m., $20/square (max. 6 people)

American Museum of Iowa, Iowa City Public Library (@icpubliclibrary), 1 p.m., Free

Out the Box Weekly Reading Series: ‘His Shadow’ by Loy A. Webb, Mirrorbox Theatre (@

UI Special Collections Summer Seminar

MirrorboxTheatre), 8 p.m., Free (registration required)

Series: Who is Tigrina? Exloring Identity in Early SF Fandom, University of Iowa Libraries (@

Jazz Fest Online: Sammy Miller and

UofIowaLibraries), 2 p.m., Free

the Congregation, Summer of the Arts (@ summeroftheARTS), 8 p.m., Free

Garden Guru, Backyard Abundance (@

Sat., July 4

BackyardAbundance), 4:30 p.m., Free

Stars and Stripes Week: Saturday Afternoon

‘Taming of the Shrew,’ Northeast Iowa

Live with Soul Sacrifice!, NewBo City Market, 2

Shakespeare Society (@Northeast-Iowa-Shakespeare-

p.m., $20/square (max. 6 people)

Society-113542537043884/), 7 p.m., Free

Jazz Fest: Wave Cage, Summer of the Arts (@

Thu., July 9

summeroftheARTS), 4 p.m., Free

Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway, Old Creamery Theatre, Amana, 6:30 p.m., $15

Jazz Fest: Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra, Summer of the Arts (@summeroftheARTS), 6 p.m.,

No Touching Sessions 08 // TBD, Threshold

Free

Apprehension Sound (@Threshold.Apprehension.

Sound, thresholdappsound.com), 8 p.m., Free

#StayHome Live Virtual Poetry Reading Series, Indigenous Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe (@

Fri., July 10

indigenouspeoplesartgalleryandcafe), 7 p.m., Free

UI Special Collections Summer Seminar Series: Into the Vault—Iowa’s Privately Printed

Jazz Fest: Jennifer Wharton, Summer of the Arts

Peter Rabbit, University of Iowa Libraries (@

(@summeroftheARTS), 7 p.m., Free

UofIowaLibraries), 2 p.m., Free

Summer of the Arts Free Movie Series:

Rock the Block: Compass Rose, NewBo City

‘Independence Day,’ Iowa City Municipal Airport,

Market, 6 p.m., $20/square (max. 6 people)

9:15 p.m., Free (Drive-in only)

Sun., July 5

CREATING

Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway, Old Creamery Theatre, Amana, 6:30 p.m., $15

Stars and Stripes Week: Family Puzzle Party!, NewBo City Market, 10 a.m., Free (registration

Online! Friday Night Concert Series: The

required)

Recliners, Summer of the Arts (@summeroftheARTS), 7 p.m., Free

Garden Guru, Backyard Abundance (@ BackyardAbundance), 3 p.m., Free

Out the Box Weekly Reading Series: ‘Listen for the Light’ by Kara Lee Corthron, Mirrorbox

Jazz Fest: Saul Lubraoff Quartet, Summer of the

Theatre (@MirrorboxTheatre), 8 p.m., Free (registration

Arts (@summeroftheARTS), 7 p.m., Free

required)

Crumbs, Crumbs w/ RyJo & BriJo (@crumbstheshow),

Sat., July 11

4 p.m.

Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway, Old Creamery

Join Little Village today with your business or nonprofit and reach over 400,000 monthly readers across eastern Iowa.

Theatre, Amana, 3, 5 & 7 p.m., $15 Jazz Fest: Steve Grismore Trio, Summer of the Arts (@summeroftheARTS), 7 p.m., Free

#StayHome Live Virtual Poetry Reading

Wed., July 8

Series, Indigenous Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe (@ indigenouspeoplesartgalleryandcafe), 7 p.m., Free

Virtual 1 Million Cups Iowa City: Viral Clense/Dorian Frame, 1 Million Cups Iowa City

Summer of the Arts Free Movie Series: ‘Knives

(@1MillionCupsIC), 9 a.m., Free

Out,’ Iowa City Municipal Airport, 9:15 p.m., Free (Drive-in only)

319-855-1474

ads@littlevillagemag.com LittleVillageMag .com/Advertise

Sun., July 12 Crumbs, Crumbs w/ RyJo & BriJo (@ crumbstheshow), 4 p.m.

The Iowa Motion Picture Awards Showcase: ‘Zombie Day Camp,’ 6 p.m., Free (registration required)

Tue., July 14 Try It Out Tuesdays: Virtual Escape Room, Iowa City Public Library (@icpubliclibrary), 1 p.m., Free

Wed., July 15

IOWA CITY DOWNTOWN

EDITORS’ PICKS

Virtual 1 Million Cups Iowa City: Capture Pro/Fruit of the Earth, 1 Million Cups Iowa City (@1MillionCupsIC), 9 a.m., Free Lunch & Learn: COVID-19 and Its Impact on Higher Education, National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library (@czechslovakmuseum), 12 p.m., Free (registration required) World Wednesday: French Stories and Songs with the Biger Family, Iowa City Public Library (@icpubliclibrary), 1 p.m., Free UI Special Collections Summer Seminar Series: Processing Collections—A Look Inside the Archivist’s Process, University of Iowa Libraries (@UofIowaLibraries), 2 p.m., Free ECO Film Discussion: Riverblue—Can Fashion Save the Planet (2017), Iowa City Public Library w/ Environment Iowa and Green Iowa AmeriCorps (icpl.org), 7 p.m., Free Boundaries 11.0, Legion Arts CSPS Hall w/ Dead Coast Presents (@cspshall), 7 p.m., Free

Thu., July 16 Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway, Old Creamery Theatre, Amana, 6:30 p.m., $15 No Touching Sessions 09 // Soultru, Threshold Apprehension Sound (@Threshold.

Apprehension.Sound, thresholdappsound.com), 8 p.m., Free

Fri., July 17

MOVIE NIGHT JUST GOT BETTER!

Garden Guru, Backyard Abundance (@ BackyardAbundance), 10:30 a.m., Free UI Special Collections Summer Seminar Series: Cheap Copies—The Rise of the

    �

Â?Â? Â? Â? Â?

Amateur Printing, Fanzines and the “Mimeograph Revolution,� University of Iowa Libraries (@UofIowaLibraries), 2 p.m., Free

Magic the Gathering. Video Games.

Warhammer. Warmachine. RPGs. Board Games. X-Wing. Dice. LotR. HeroClix. Miniatures. GoT. Blood Bowl.

L5R. Pokemon. Yu-Gi-Oh. Kidrobot Vinyl. Retro toys. Pop vinyl & plushies.

Gaming & collectible supplies.

Huge Magic singles inventory plus we buy/trade MtG cards. Weekly drafts, FNM, league play, and frequent tourneys.

Now buying/selling/trading video games & toys! Bring in your Nintendo Gameboy, NES, SNES, N64, Gamecube, Sega, WiiU, Xbox 360, PS1-2-3, & other used games, consoles, action figures, and toys for cash or trade credit!

Fun atmosphere and great customer service!

115 S. Linn Street (by the Public Library), Iowa City Tel: 319-333-1260; Email: chg@criticalhitgames.net www.criticalhitgames.net @criticalhitgamesiowacity

Open 7 days a week

millions of live & active cultures

that’s a lot of culture, even by iowa city standards

Get 10% off when you mention Little Village

105 S Dubuque St, Iowa City | (319) 519-2104 | tenthousandvillages.com

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 39

EDITORS’ PICKS Rock the Block: Laid Back Band,

#StayHome Live Virtual Poetry

The Iowa Motion Picture Awards

Thu., July 23

NewBo City Market, 6 p.m., $20/square

Reading Series, Indigenous

Showcase: ‘Wild Edible Plants

Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway, Old

(max. 6 people)

Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe (@

Class by Kathy Dice,’ 6 p.m., Free

Creamery Theatre, Amana, 6:30 p.m., $15

indigenouspeoplesartgalleryandcafe), 7

(registration required)

p.m., Free

Wed., July 22

No Touching Sessions 10 // TBD,

‘Twelfth Night,’ Northeast

Virtual 1 Million Cups Iowa

Threshold.Apprehension.Sound,

Iowa Shakespeare Society (@

City: Benedict’s Basket/Kimik

thresholdappsound.com), 8 p.m., Free

Online! Friday Night Concert

Northeast-Iowa-Shakespeare-

SustainableSolutions, 1 Million

Series: The Bryce Janey

Society-113542537043884/), 7 p.m.,

Cups Iowa City (@1MillionCupsIC), 9

Fri., July 24

Band, Summer of the Arts (@

Free

a.m., Free

UI Special Collections Summer

Summer of the Arts Free Movie

World Wednesday: Egyptian

from the Stacks, University of Iowa

Out the Box Weekly Reading

Series: ‘The Neverending Story,’

Dancing with Kahraman Dance

Libraries (@UofIowaLibraries), 2 p.m., Free

Series, Mirrorbox Theatre (@

Iowa City Municipal Airport, 9:15 p.m.,

Studio, Iowa City Public Library (@

MirrorboxTheatre), 8 p.m., Free

Free (Drive-in only)

icpubliclibrary), 1 p.m., Free

(registration required)

Sun., July 19

UI Special Collections Summer

Garden Guru, Backyard Abundance

Seminar Series: The International

(@BackyardAbundance), 3 p.m., Free

Dada Archive at Iowa, University of

Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway, Old

Iowa Libraries (@UofIowaLibraries), 2

Creamery Theatre, Amana, 6:30 p.m., $15

Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway, Old Creamery Theatre, Amana, 6:30 p.m., $15

Seminar Series: No! Really?—Stories

summeroftheARTS), 7 p.m., Free

Sat., July 18 Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway,

Rock the Block: Sensations, NewBo City Market, 6 p.m., $20/square (max. 6

Old Creamery Theatre, Amana, 3, 5 & 7 p.m., $15

Threshold Apprehension Sound (@

Crumbs, Crumbs w/ RyJo & BriJo (@

people)

p.m., Free Online! Friday Night Concert Series:

crumbstheshow), 4 p.m.

Garden Guru, Backyard Abundance

Cedar County Cobras, Summer of the

(@BackyardAbundance), 4:30 p.m.,

Arts (@summeroftheARTS), 7 p.m., Free

Free

HOUSE-MADE SOFT SERVE HOUSE-MADE CONES THE BIG GIRL THE SHORTY AFFOGATTO

C U R B S I D E AT DELUXE CAKES • PASTRIES • SOFT SERVE • ESPRESSO • VIENNOISERIE • SUNDAY BRUNCH 812 SOUTH SUMMIT ST | IOWA CITY | DELUXEIOWA.COM | 319.338.5000 40 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

OPEN 11-2AM DAILY

TRY OUR BREADED TENDERLOIN! SERVING FOOD UNTIL 1AM DAILY

CALENDAR.LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM Out the Box Weekly Reading

The Iowa Motion Picture Awards

ECO Film Discussion : Oceans—

Rock the Block: Full Circle, NewBo

Series, Mirrorbox Theatre (@

Showcase: ‘The Myth of Creative

The Mystery of the Missing Plastic

City Market, 6 p.m., $20/square (max.

MirrorboxTheatre), 8 p.m., Free

People,’ ‘The Rocket,’ ‘The Ghost

(2016), Iowa City Public Library w/

6 people)

(registration required)

in Her,’ 6 p.m., Free (registration

Environment Iowa and Green Iowa

Sat., July 25

required)

AmeriCorps (icpl.org), 7 p.m., Free

Drive-In Live! Best of Broadway,

Tue., July 28

Boundaries 12.0, Legion Arts

MirrorboxTheatre), 8 p.m., Free

Old Creamery Theatre, Amana, 3, 5 &

Try It Out Tuesdays: Yoga, Iowa

CSPS Hall w/ Dead Coast Presents (@

(registration required)

7 p.m., $15

City Public Library (@icpubliclibrary), 1

cspshall), 7 p.m., Free

p.m., Free

Thu., July 30

Sat., Aug. 1

#StayHome Live Virtual Poetry Reading Series, Indigenous

Wed., July 29

Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe (@

Out the Box Weekly Reading Series, Mirrorbox Theatre (@

#StayHome Live Virtual Poetry

No Touching Sessions 11 // TBD,

Reading Series, Indigenous

Virtual 1 Million Cups Iowa City:

Threshold Apprehension Sound (@

Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe (@

indigenouspeoplesartgalleryandcafe), 7

Get to Know Me, 1 Million Cups Iowa

Threshold.Apprehension.Sound,

indigenouspeoplesartgalleryandcafe), 7

p.m., Free

City (@1MillionCupsIC), 9 a.m., Free

thresholdappsound.com), 8 p.m., Free

p.m., Free

Summer of the Arts Free Movie

World Wednesday: African Art

Fri., July 31

Sun., Aug. 2

Series: ‘Captain Marvel,’ Iowa City

Lesson with UI MA art historian

UI Special Collections Summer

Garden Guru, Backyard Abundance

Municipal Airport, 9:15 p.m., Free

Erin Moran, Iowa City Public Library

Seminar Series: When Iowans

(@BackyardAbundance), 3 p.m., Free

(Drive-in only)

(@icpubliclibrary), 1 p.m., Free

Voted No—The 1916 Referendum

Sun., July 26

UI Special Collections Summer

Iowa Libraries (@UofIowaLibraries), 2

Crumbs, Crumbs w/ RyJo & BriJo (@

Seminar Series: One More

p.m., Free

crumbstheshow), 4 p.m.

Round, University of Iowa Libraries (@

on Women’s Suffrage, University of

UofIowaLibraries), 2 p.m., Free

NEED A MOVER? CALL THE SPINE! ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Local and interstate 5-star reviews on Yelp, Google, and Facebook Full-service packing Custom crating Licensed and insured Small business with big employee benefits

For an honest quote, visit www.spinemoving.com/moving-quotes

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 41

COMMUNITY

BREAD & BUTTER

CULTURE

>> UR Here cont. from pg. 12

>> B&B cont. from pg. 31

>> Sex & Love cont. from pg. 33

boats, to find unknown magical islands, if not the Otherworld. The later Celtic perigrini set off to sea in curraghs or coracles without oars or rudders to let the winds and waters take them where they would, their ultimate goal to found new monastic settlements or spread the word of God in unknown destinations. The peregrination dispenses with personal agendas and puts the unknown length and destination of the journey into the hands of fate or God—a power beyond the self.

Today, we are unwilling passengers in the COVID-19 coracle—being taken to an unknown destination in a vessel that is difficult, sometimes impossible, to navigate. Even where public health measures have seemed to quell COVID-19 for the time being (such as New Zealand), the future remains highly uncertain.

My emphasis in the UR Here column has been on rootedness, identities of place and in place, and definitions of home and community. In the crucible of the pandemic, we can certainly examine those concepts deeply, especially when so many of us are literally bound to home more than we have ever been and restricted from movement. When so much of our social and economic life has been stripped away, we can newly examine our definition of place and home, and reevaluate our relationships to community and what is “enough” for us in today’s world.

But even so, the times and circumstances are so unprecedented, the endpoint of those reconsiderations, and even what structures will remain for us in a post-COVID-19 (or a permanently COVID-19) world, are entirely unknown.

Perhaps the pandemic will completely upend our concepts of home, place and community. Perhaps they will affirm our current ideas more strongly than ever.

Right now, I don’t know, and I don’t believe anyone knows. For now, we peregrinate until our destiny—what we can wrest from the unknown and what the unknown gives to us—is clearer.

as a nod to their former (and now future) neighbors, Maid-Rite. The Gold Standard burger, with two patties, garlic aioli, American cheese and red onions, is absolutely decadent and is to be ordered with nothing but raw vegetables, which may help reduce any guilty feelings that might arise from indulging.

The vegetarian dishes could use a little work. The Harvest Salad with beets is fun, but so light you might need to order something fried with it to feel full. The corn sauce on the cavatelli—the only vegetarian entrée—gives it an odd, toothick consistency. That said, the staff are incredibly friendly, and when I visited, they were actively asking for feedback and discussing future menu tweaks based on what customers were telling them.

They particularly wanted to know what we thought of the Asian-style Brussels sprouts they were considering adding to the menu. We happily reported that they were amazing—perfectly cooked, a little bit sweet, a little bit tangy and complemented by plenty of fresh green onions.

I’m a bit of a French fry connoisseur, and although I can’t always put my finger on exactly what makes a fry great, Goldfinch’s Finch Fries have it. Pretty enough to be considered art, they’re golden, crispy and neither too thick nor too skinny.

“Do you want those with all the goodies?” our server asked when we ordered the Finch Fries. Want the goodies we did—cheddar cheese sauce, bacon, green onions and pre-applied ranch come on the appetizer or side dish. Any internal struggle customers might have about whether it’s alright to dip fries in ranch is removed, which I think is another example of the staff’s friendliness.

Their willingness to listen to customers and adapt, plus their propensity to balance upscale food with casual fare such as loose-meat sandwiches and fries, seems like a good combination for our changing and growing town. I think they’re going to fit in here.

—Jessica Carney

just have a little ceremony and then eventually we’ll have the reception.”

But was it really the right time? Just four days before their wedding, state troopers had ordered the use of teargas and flash-bang grenades against protesters in Iowa City marching against police violence and racism. But Gogerty said a good friend who had family in the hospital reassured her, saying, “Look, I need a candle in the dark. I need some good news. Please, please give me something to celebrate.”

The couple obliged, and “our quiet little ceremony quickly spiraled out.”

Inspired by Gogerty’s The Tether: A Pandemic Play—written during quarantine, designed by Rich, and performed for one household at a time at a safe distance, with Gogerty holding the end of a long, thick rope and the audience holding the other, symbolizing connection—the couple traded traditional wedding vows for a series of ceremonies at the homes of their friends. Each stop would focus on a virtue—hope, trust, generosity, etc.—that Gogerty and Rich believe is exemplified by that person.

“They gave their story, they gave their blessing and they were able to participate in a way that you wouldn’t normally see in a standard ceremony,” Rich said.

The dozen mini-ceremonies were livestreamed for their loved ones scattered all over the world. The all-day affair ended with the couple driving to Des Moines, where Gogerty’s sister, a judge, officiated the marriage.

“It was gorgeous,” Gogerty said. “Without minimizing the horrors of the world around us, it became this opportunity not just for Chris and I but for our whole community to say ‘these are the things that we love and value, and number one is each other.’”

So, how has married life been?

“Bliss. Absolute bliss,” Gogerty said. “We let go of all convention, all obligation, and are just doing what brings us joy and what allows us to serve our community, and that’s been just so liberating.”

She said they haven’t bothered to plan a honeymoon trip yet, “but what’s a better place to honeymoon than glamorous, exotic Iowa City?”

Thomas Dean is spending the pandemic working remotely from home. And he doesn’t know anything.

42 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

Emma McClatchey is Little Village’s managing editor, and feels very single right now.

ADVERTISER INDEX ADAMANTINE SPINE MOVING (41) ARNOTT & KIRK (30) BARONCINI (17) BASTA (44) BLUEBIRD DINER (17) BREWHEMIA (34) CEDAR FALLS TOURISM (55) CEDAR RAPIDS NEW BOHEMIA/ CZECH VILLAGE (27) - MAD MODERN - PARLOR CITY - GOLDFINCH - THE DAISY - RAYGUN - BLACK EARTH GALLERY - NEWBO CO CHOMP DELIVERY (49) CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS (2) CITY OF IOWA CITY (7) THE CLUB CAR (40) CSPS (37) THE DANDY LION (48) DELUXE CAKES & PASTRIES (40) THE ENGLERT THEATRE (13) FILMSCENE (33) FIX! (41) FONG’S PIZZA (20) GIANNA’S ITALIAN BEEF (47) GIFTED TOUCH HOLISTIC MASSAFE (47) HEALY (6) HONEYBEE HAIR PARLOR (23) IOWA CITY DOWNTOWN (38) - RECORD COLLECTOR - REVIVAL - THE KONNEXION - IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - CRITICAL HIT GAMES - RAYGUN - RELEASE BODY MODIFICATION - BEADOLOGY - THE CONVENIENCE STORE - YOTOPIA - DEADWOOD TAVERN - TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES - DONNELY’S PUB - BREAD GARDEN MARKET IOWA CITY NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE (10) - ARTIFACTS - HIGH GROUND

LittleVillageMag.com/Advertising

- DODGE ST. TIRE - HAMBURG INN NO. 2 - OASIS FALAFEL - HOME EC. WORKSHOP - MARCO’S GRILLED CHEESE - BLUEBIRD DINER - WILLOW & STOCK - JOHN’S GROCERY - RUSS’ NORTHSIDE SERVICE - DESIGN RANCH - PAGLIAI’S PIZZA IOWA CITY SOUTH OF BOWERY (1) - GOODFELLOW PRINTING, INC. - WHITEDOG IMPORT AUTO SERVICE - MUSICIAN’S PRO SHOP - WORLD OF BIKES - THE BROKEN SPOKE - OLD CAPITOL SCREEN PRINTERS IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (35) IMON (48) IOWA PUBLIC RADIO (32) JIANGHU ASIAN STREET FOOD (29) JIMMY JACK’S (45) JOHNSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH (52) KCCK JAZZ 88.3 (9) KIM SCHILLIG, REALTOR (56) KRUI 89.7 FM (9) MAILBOXES OF IOWA CITY (49) MAIN STREET WATERLOO (31) MARTIN CONSTRUCTION (52) MATTHEW 25 (49) MICKY’S IRISH PUB (23) NEW PIONEER FOOD CO-OP (26) NODO (43) OASIS FALAFEL (54) POP’S BBQ (26) PRAIRIE LIGHTS (29) PUBLIC SPACE ONE (6) RANDY’S FLOORING (20) RED VESPA (43) SHAKESPEARE’S PUB & GRILL (40) SOSEKI (50) TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES (19) TOYOTA OF IOWA CITY (50) TRUMPET BLOSSOM CAFE (38) THE WEDGE (36) WIG & PEN (50) WILLOW & STOCK (25) WORLD OF BIKES (15)

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS! l ittlevillag e m ag .co m /adve r tisin g READ • SHARE • SUPPORT LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 43

YOUR VILLAGE

BY PAUL BRENNAN

So Quaker Oats is finally dropping the Aunt Jemima brand. What’s the origin story there? I’ve read a lot of debate about it. And did they make it in Cedar Rapids? —RB, Iowa City, via the Your Village feature on LV’s homepage

O

n June 17, Quaker Oats announced it was finally giving up on trying to package its Aunt Jemima products—including the syrup made in Cedar Rapids—in a way that would obscure the racism inherent in the brand. The company had been trying to do that since 1967, when it stopped hiring women to portray the character of Aunt Jemima.

There had been a series of efforts to rework the appearance of the character who was now only an illustration, and even a brief attempt in 1994 to make singer Gladys Knight the spokesperson for the product, but with renewed national discussion about racism following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, Quaker Oats decided it was better to keep the pancake mix and syrup and give up the character inspired by a minstrel show song.

“We recognize Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype,” Kristin Kroepfl, Quaker Oats’ vice president and chief marketing officer, said in a statement. “As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers’ expectations.”

Of course, the Quaker Oats executives who bought the Aunt Jemima brand in 1926 also would have recognized the racial stereotype Aunt Jemima represented. But they would have seen it as a selling point.

By then, Aunt Jemima was the most famous “mammy” character in America. She seemed to embody two things white consumers of the era, and ones that followed, found appealing. First, she was a smiling face who implicitly reassured them that slavery, Jim Crow and other brutal manifestations of racism weren’t that bad for someone who had the right attitude. And second, she represented a great cook.

The pancake mix was invented in 1888.

That year, Chris Rutt, a newspaper editor by trade, and his friend Charles Underwood

bought a flour mill in Missouri. They came up with the idea of selling some of their flour in paper bags labeled “Self-Rising Pancake Flour.” But the following year, Rutt had an idea.

Henry Parson Crowell had already demonstrated how powerful a brand character can be with the Quaker of his Quaker Oats’ brand.

Starting in 1882, the non-Quaker Crowell had been immensely successful using the image of a Quaker to sell packaged oats. Quakers had a reputation for honesty and decency—two qualities seldom associated with food manufacturers of the period—and Crowell exploited it.

When Rutt chose Aunt Jemima as his brand’s character, he was looking for different qualities to exploit.

Since the 1830s, there was a whole genre of American literature and popular songs that portrayed Southern plantations as the epitome of easy, gracious living, instead of big houses in forced labor camps, where the people who enslaved the workers lived.

The mammy figure was a “happy slave” stereotype well known in America by 1889. A mammy was cheerful with a big personality.

LUNCH

WITH US PIZZERIA | RISTORANTE

half-portions of handmade pasta, soups, salads, sandwiches and Italian specialties 1 1 - 5 DA I LY 121 Io wa Av enue, Io wa City

319.337.2010 | bastaio wacity.com 44 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284

LittleVillageMag.com/Support

She had boundless love for the white family she served, and—critically for Rutt—was always a great cook. Aunt Jemima was supposed to charm consumers, and make them associate the product with easy living and good cooking.

THE COMPANY GOT RICH, BUT NANCY GREEN DIDN’T. The name Aunt Jemima came from minstrel shows. A song about a mammy called “Old Aunt Jemima” was a staple in these racist performances in the late 19th century, and the character was often performed in shows by white men in blackface wearing dresses with aprons and kerchiefs on their heads. Rutt chose the ready-made character as the brand image of his ready-made pancake mix.

But Aunt Jemima couldn’t save Rutt and Underwood. In 1890, they sold the business to the Davis Milling Company.

R.T. Davis improved the mix, heavily marketed the character and achieved great success.

In 1914, he changed the name of his business to

Aunt Jemima Mills Company. But Davis never would have had that success without Nancy Green, the first woman to portray the corporate symbol.

Green was hired to play Aunt Jemima at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Davis saw the fair as a huge marketing opportunity, and was determined to have a real-life Aunt Jemima promoting his pancake mix there. One of his executives knew Green, who worked as cook and housekeeper for a judge in Chicago.

Dressed like the mammy people expected to see and pretending to be the real Aunt Jemima, Green cooked and served pancakes. She also sang and told stories about her happy days on a plantation near New Orleans. Green, who was born into slavery in Kentucky in 1843, worked from a script based on a fictional biography the company created for Aunt Jemima.

Green was a huge hit. Davis got the publicity he wanted, and for many years used Green as Aunt Jemima at other events. The company got rich, but Green didn’t. According to the 1910 census, she was still working as a housekeeper.

When she died in 1923, newspapers around the country ran stories about the death of Aunt

Jemima. Only newspapers serving black communities explained Green helped found a large church in Chicago, was active in missionary work and was a leader in many community betterment projects.

“Aunt Jemima” didn’t die. Seven more women portrayed the character after Green.

Since the ’60s, Quaker Oats has tried to keep what it sees as benefits of the Aunt Jemima character while burying the racist tropes underlying her. But every change just brought renewed attention to the character’s origin.

A new name for the brand will be announced next year, and Quaker Oats says the product won’t change. The syrup made in Cedar Rapids will continue to be the same mixture of high-fructose corn syrup, cellulose gum, sodium hexametaphosphate and other ingredients it currently is.

Have a question about what’s going on in your community? Ask Little Village. Submit your question through the Your Village feature on our homepage, or email us at editor@littlevillagemag.com.

honest local BBQ

Great for Catering – lunch for a few or dinner for a crowd 1940 Lower Muscatine Rd, Iowa City - 319.354.7427 | 745 Community Dr, North Liberty - 319.665.2486 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 45

Reader Perks: Half-price gift cards to great local businesses Local businesses trade gift cards for advertising in our magazine then we sell them to our loyal readers.

When you purchase a Reader Perk, you double your money at locally owned shops and restaurants, they get an affordable way to get the word out and Little Village gets a little support along the way!

SHOP FOR DEALS: littlevillagemag.com/perks

Broken Spoke $50 for $25

Jimmy Jack’s $25 for $12.50

Fong’s Pizza $20 for $10

Gianna’s Italian Beef $20 for $10

Soseki $20 for $10

FilmScene $20 for $10

Oasis Falafel $20 for $10

Cafe Dodici $20 for $10

Almost Famous Popcorn Company $20 for $10

Design Ranch $50 for $25

Dandy Lion $20 for $10

Raygun $20 for $10

Bluebird $20 for $10

Haunted Bookshop $20 for $10

Micky’s Irish Pub $20 for $10

Home Ec Workshop $20 for $10

Ten Thousand Villages $20 for $10

DEAR KIKI

D

375 3RD ST. SE, CEDAR RAPIDS (319) 200-2994 ORDER ONLINE AT:

WWW.GIANNASBEEF.COM @GIANNASBEEF

Gifted Touch HOLISTIC MASSAGE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

LORY VAN ALLEN L.M.T. 1570 S 1st Ave, Iowa City 319-310-9312

ear Kiki, About 18 months ago, my sister (who is 33) stopped speaking to me (38, F), claiming that my invitations to meet up two or three times a year were overbearing, manipulative and bullying.

This may sound bizarre to an outsider, but given the context of the dysfunctional, abusive family we were raised in, it makes complete sense to me why she felt that way. Our parents were atrociously intrusive and did indeed bully both of us into staying with them, sometimes by threatening suicide if we wanted to move away. Now that she told me, I totally get how she’s hypersensitive to any hint of a demand for closeness from me. I only wish I’d known she perceived my overtures in that way. I thought we were rebuilding a different relationship in adulthood, but in the sole email she wrote to me weeks after she did her vanishing act on me, she listed a litany of grudges she had been holding for the past 12 years: feeling bullied every time I said I missed her or feeling manipulated every time I said, “Aw, it’s disappointing that you’re busy these holidays, but let’s make a date for next time!”

Now my problem is that my children (who are tweens) are also being cut off by her.

They are heartbroken and I’m not sure how to handle it with them … After having two or three of their emails ignored, my kids are now asking me why? Is she mad at them too? What did they do? They used to have such a close and pure-fun relationship with their aunt. …

Is the right thing to do to write her off entirely, and help my kids come to terms with the loss of their aunt for good? I have no hope that she will ever reconnect with me again on her own.

She is estranged from our whole family: parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, everyone.

Thanks, A.

D

ear A., Five years can be a pretty large age gap. You don’t say when your parents’ bullying started, but there’s a very good chance that it affected her in a profoundly different way than it did you. I want to stress that I don’t mean it was more or less difficult—but fundamentally different. You mentioned that they treated you badly if you wanted to move away. So, imagining you at 18, perhaps, she would’ve been 13, watching you treated like that even if not experiencing it yet herself.

You have tweens. Can you imagine the effect that experience would have on them?

When you’re exposed to behavior like that as a tween or early teen, often greater than

LittleVillageMag.com/DearKiki

the feeling of anger, even, is the fear that you will turn out the same way—that your parents were just how adults are. It’s no wonder, then, that she might jump to the conclusion that you have turned out that way.

But practicing empathy for her doesn’t make parenting your own kids through this any easier, does it? My best advice there is to be honest. Tweens know more than we think they do, and can handle more than we think they can. Try this: “Auntie is struggling with being part of our lives right now. We love her, so we want to give her space. You did nothing to cause this, but likewise you can do nothing to fix it. I know that’s hard, and I’m happy to talk with you about it any time.”

You may also want to explore why it is that you’re included in the “everyone” that she’s estranged from, though. You say that you came from a dysfunctional, abusive family: Why are you still in contact with them?

Although she didn’t express it this way, is it possible that she feels you’ve chosen them over her?

Encourage your kids to contact her via snail mail rather than digitally, where her lack of response won’t hit so hard, and where it might feel to her less like a response is demanded.

They can send little trinkets or “thinking of you” cards that express warmth without increasing pressure. Keep your social media open and visible to her, if possible, so she can check in on your life at her own pace.

I understand that your kids are at a critical point in their development, so waiting a year or two seems like a lifetime. But after a dozen years of her holding grudges, it’s a drop in the bucket. Just keep her alive in your family conversations in a positive way, so that if she does find her way back to you, the kids are open to welcoming her. xoxo, Kiki

KIKI WANTS QUESTIONS! Questions about love and sex in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area can be submitted to dearkiki@littlevillagemag.com, or anonymously at littlevillagemag.com/ dearkiki. Questions may be edited for clarity and length, and may appear either in print or online at littlevillagemag.com.

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 47

I’m Mike and I’m really proud to be connecting

Iowa City customers to our advanced fiber

optic internet

IʼM A FIBER OPTIC

INSTALLER. IʼM A HAWKEYE FAN. IʼM ON FOR IOWA CITY.

network. See more of my story at ImOn.net/IC.

Call 319-519-6484

or visit ImOn.net/IC

ASTROLOGY

LOCAL RESTAURANTS +

LOCAL DELIVERY =

1. ENTER AN ADDRESS 2. SELECT SOME EATS 3. ENJOY VIGOROUSLY

WWW.CHOMP.DELIVERY

fresh • local • organic

Come to Groundswell Cafe for healthy, fresh, and locally-sourced food. Your tips and donations provide meals for those who cannot afford to pay.

Located just off I-380!

201 3rd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

319-200-2791 • groundswell.hub25.org/cafe Vegan and vegetarian options available!

BY ROB BREZSNEY

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Some readers wish I would write more like Cormac McCarthy or Albert Camus or Raymond Chandler: with spare simplicity. They accuse me of being too lush and exuberant in my prose. They want me to use shorter sentences and fewer adjectives. To them I say: It ain’t going to happen. I have feelings similar to those of best-selling Cancerian author Oliver Sacks, who the New York Times called, “one of the great clinical writers of the 20th century.” Sacks once said, “I never use one adjective if six seem to me better and, in their cumulative effect, more incisive. I am haunted by the density of reality and try to capture this with ‘thick description.’” I bring these thoughts to your attention, my fellow Cancerian, because I think it’s important for you to be your lavish, sumptuous, complex self in the coming weeks. Don’t oversimplify yourself or dumb yourself down, either intellectually or emotionally.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pioneer Capricorn scientist Isaac Newton is often hailed as one of history’s greatest geniuses. I agree that his intellectual capacities were sublime.

But his emotional intelligence was sparse and feeble. During the time he taught at Cambridge University, his talks were so affectless and boring that many of his students skipped most of his classes. I’ll encourage you to make Newton your anti-role model for the next eight weeks. This time will be favorable for you to increase your mastery of three kinds of intelligence beyond the intellectual kind: feeling, intuition, and collaboration.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Travel writer Paul Theroux has journeyed long distances by train: once from Britain to Japan and back again, and then from Massachusetts to Argentina. He also rode trains during part of his expedition from Cairo to Cape Town.

Here’s one of his conclusions: “It is almost axiomatic that the worst trains take you through magical places.” I’d like to offer a milder version of that counsel as your metaphor for the coming weeks: The funky, bumpy, rickety influences will bring you the best magic.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): When future writer (and Aquarius) Charles Dickens was 12 years old, his parents and siblings got incarcerated in a debtors’ prison. To stay alive and help his family, he took a job working 12 hours a day, six days a week, pasting labels on pots of boot polish in a rotting, rat-infested warehouse. Hard times! Yet the experiences he had there later provided him with rich material for the novels that ultimately made him wealthy and beloved.

In predicting that you, too, will have future success at capitalizing on difficulty, I don’t mean to imply you’ve endured or will endure anything as harsh as Dickens’ ordeal. I’m just hoping to help you appreciate the motivating power of your challenging experiences.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Philosopher Miguel de Unamuno declared, “Everything that exalts and expands consciousness is good, while that which depresses and diminishes it is evil.” This idea will be intensely true for and applicable to you in the coming weeks, Virgo. It will be your sacred duty—both to yourself and to those you care about—to enlarge your understandings of how the world works and to push your awareness to become more inclusive and empathetic. What’s your vision of paradise-on-earth? Now is a good time to have fun imagining it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Maybe you feel that the ongoing pandemic has inhibited your ability to explore and deepen intimacy to the degree that would like to. But even if that’s the case, the coming weeks will provide openings that could soften and remedy your predicament. So be extra receptive and alert to the clues that life reveals to you. And call on your imagination to look for previously unguessed and unexpected ways to reinvent togetherness and tenderness. Let’s call the next three weeks your Season of Renewing Rapport.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): What do you want to be when you grow up, Libra? What’s that you say? You firmly believe you are already all grown up? I hope not! In my vision of your destiny, you will always keep evolving and transforming; you will ceaselessly transcend your existing successes and push on to accomplish further breakthroughs and victories. Now would be an excellent time to rededicate yourself to this noble aspiration. I invite you to dream and scheme about three specific wonders and marvels you would like to experience during the next five years.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries author Marge Piercy writes, “The people I love the best, jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows.” The Aries people I love best will do just that in the coming days. Now is not the right time to wait around passively, lazily hoping that something better will come along. Nor is it prudent to procrastinate or postpone decisions while shopping around for more options or collecting more research. Dive, Aries, dive!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has advice that would serve you well in the coming weeks. She says, “Keep a little space in your heart for the improbable. You won’t regret it.” In accordance with your astrological potentials, I’m inclined to amend her statement as follows: “Keep a sizable space in your heart for the improbable. You’ll be rewarded with catalytic revelations and intriguing opportunities.” To attract blessings in abundance, Scorpio, be willing to set aside some of your usual skepticism and urge for control.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Author Malidoma Somé lives in the U.S. now, but was born in the West African country of Burkina Faso. He writes, “In the culture of my people, the Dagara, we have no word for the supernatural. The closest we come to this concept is Yielbongura, ‘the thing that knowledge can’t eat.’

This word suggests that the life and power of certain things depend upon their resistance to the categorizing knowledge that human beings apply to everything.” I bring Somé’s thoughts to your attention, Sagittarius, because I suspect that in the coming weeks, you will encounter more than the usual number of experiences that knowledge can’t eat. They might at times be a bit spooky or confounding, but will mostly be interesting and fun. I’m guessing that if you embrace them, they will liberate you from overly literal and materialistic ideas about how the world works. And that will be good for your soul.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Calvin and Hobbes is a comic strip by Bill Watterson. It features a boy named Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes. In the first panel of one story, Calvin is seated at a school desk looking perplexed as he studies a question on a test, which reads “Explain [Isaac] Newton’s First Law of Motion in your own words.” In the second panel, Calvin has a broad smile, suddenly imbued with inspiration. In the third panel, he writes his response to the test question: “Yakka foob mog. Grug pubbawup zink wattoom gazork. Chumble spuzz.” The fourth panel shows him triumphant and relaxed, proclaiming, “I love loopholes.”

I propose that you use this scenario as your victorious metaphor in the coming weeks, Taurus. Look for loopholes! And use them to overcome obstacles and solve riddles.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “It is a fault to wish to be understood before we have made ourselves clear to ourselves,” wrote philosopher and activist Simone Weil. I’m hoping that this horoscope of mine can help you avoid that mistake.

In the coming weeks and months, you will have a stronger-than-usual need to be seen for who you really are—to have your essential nature be appreciated and understood by people you care about. And the best way to make sure that happens is to work hard right now on seeing, appreciating, and understanding yourself.

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 49

Locally owned since 1993

Voted BEST PIZZA in the CRANDIC

SUSHI?

LET’S ROLL!

WIG & PEN PIZZA PUB 1220 US-6, Iowa City • (319) 354-2767

WIG & PEN EAST 363 N 1st Ave, Iowa City • (319) 351-2327

WIG & PEN NORTH LIBERTY 201 Hwy 965 NE, North Liberty • (319) 665-2255

wigandpenpizza.com

Your one-stop for sushi, rice bowls, and ramen...

...plus bubble tea, smoothies, and sake!

227 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City • (319)-351-1800 www.sosekicafe.com

LOCAL ALBUMS

Giallows Enochian Power Ballads and Placer GIALLOWS.BANDCAMP.COM

A

dam Wesconsin and Devin Alexander of Giallows have been making music together for much of their lives. In fact, in the first 10 seconds of Enochian Power Ballads, the groggy riffs and tentative tapping will instantly transport longtime fans back in time to Peabody’s, the bygone Quad City coffeehouse and live music hub where the duo played some of their first shows together.

But the title track, a 20-minute, fully improvised occult jam, quickly evolves to catch up with the sound they’ve developed over the years. Accompanied by drummer Ryan Collins, the three recorded three tracks in March of 2020. Released now in the wake of the initial COVID-19 lockdown, it’s no wonder the hour-long EP is the soundtrack to a late-night smoky basement hang.

Wesconsin describes the work on Enochian Power Ballads and June’s Placer, the band’s more recent single-session jam album, as a “purely musical conversation between the three of us …

The big idea behind this experiment is to manifest the unique primal spirit of this band.”

Though called their “ongoing jam experiment,” these sessions don’t involve any sort of method, scientific or otherwise.

There is no plan, no discussion regarding genre, theme or even time signature.

Submit albums for review: Little Village, 623 S Dubuque St., IC, IA 52240

“I try to treat it like a séance,” says Wesconsin.

“That’s when the good stuff comes. Nobody overthinking shit is gonna see a ghost, know what I mean?”

In the case of Enochian Power Ballads, the result is a trance-inducing marriage of Gothic shoe-gaze and stoner metal. Part of its charm are the little bits of discord just before the three all find each other again.

Placer—which sounds like Robert Smith if he’d been born in the early 1980s and grew up with that nice oil-based grunge influence—is organized more like a traditional album.

Though generated using the same method and recorded under similar circumstances, it sounds more polished, more mature.

This is likely due to Giallows’ continued practice in improvisation; they can’t help but find patterns in each other’s musical “language,” so to speak. Listening to the two albums, one right after the other, is sort of like watching an old married couple reconnect and fall in love all over again.

Come to think of it, that may actually be happening.

Well, there’s three of them.

And two are already married.

But ever since they played a well-received improvised set at Moline Noise Kitchen a few months ago, the band has been playing together and recording consistently, releasing four albums in 2020 alone. They also stream every Thursday on their Facebook page.

“There are moments in some of the sessions in which we get quiet, the air shifts and something comes in from another place,” Wisconsin said.

“It’s interesting, because the more we jam together the more we’re able to recognize when this is happening.”

—Melanie Hanson

Greenlake Best Years EP GREENLAKEIA.BANDCAMP.COM

O

n the inaugural World Art Day on April 15 this year, UNESCO tweeted, “In times of crisis, we need culture to make us resilient, give us hope, remind us that we are not alone.” Through the bad series of events in 2020, artists and art have been there to shine a light to help us collectively move through.

Cedar Rapids musician Haley Miller, who performs under the name Greenlake, was moved to release her debut EP Best Years in an effort to give back by supporting the protests surrounding the death of George Floyd.

“I waited a long while to release this EP,” Miller said in an email, “due to fear of people hating it/constantly just waiting for the perfect time. Once the protests in Minneapolis started and the Minnesota Freedom Fund started going around I knew I wanted to do something to be able to donate.”

Miller is donating everything she makes from sales of the EP to the Minnesota Freedom Fund.

The five songs that make up Best Years were not written with the intent of making an album, but found their genesis in coping with the struggles of depression.

Recorded and mastered by Gabe Reasoner, the songs exist in a stark contrast between personal, often hidden pain and a clawing desire to burst out for people to hear.

If Miller was conflicted in

releasing this, what was captured to tape is bold and anthemic. “One day I’m going to wake up, and be glad that I did.

But until that day comes, you’ll find me hidden in my sheets,” she sings in “Depression Memes.”

Most of the songs are structured primarily with voice and acoustic guitar—the way she performs live. The guitar is pulsing and rhythmic with little ornamentation, existing merely to frame her voice. Beautiful and naturally expressive with distinctively round vowels, her voice—when pushed for emphasis—breaks, and the listener hangs for every aching moment.

She breaks the mold a bit at the halfway point of the record in “Season,” which is a recitation over echoey, chiming electric guitar from the perspective of a tree dreading winter—a clever analog to her own seasonal affective disorder. “The hardest part about being a tree is not being able to see my worth when I’ve been stripped of my favorite parts of myself / When the bird leaves her nest for the winter, and the chipmunks start to hibernate, I begin to feel isolated / left with nothing but the snow and my thoughts.”

If there is an optimistic ray of light that shines here, it’s the actual joy Miller seems to have wrapped up in the desire to perform the songs. At the end of “Season,” she offers, “But, just when I feel like giving up, the sun comes out, the snow melts, the grass grows and I begin to sprout.”

Art helps in healing not just the audience but also the artist.

Greenlake transformed a very personal suffering into a very public healing through Best Years. The hope and resiliency remind us that we are not alone.

—Michael Roeder

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 51

DEDICATED TO YOUR dream HOME

CREATIVITY CRAFTSMANSHIP CUSTOMER SERVICE

andrewmartinconstruction.com | 319.248.0561 | 1824 G Street

LOCAL BOOKS

Heather Gudenkauf This Is How I Lied PARK ROW

A

fter Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl became a runaway bestseller in 2012, there was a lengthy period of time during which it seemed as though every thriller written by a woman who was hailed—by the publishers, by those who wrote blurbs, by reviewers—as the next thing to read if you loved Flynn’s novel.

On the one hand, it was an understandable marketing move; on the other, it was almost always an example of failing to manage the reader’s expectations.

Truthfully, I seldom, if ever, thought any of those so-called heirs to Gone Girl were as good as the book to which they were compared. Indeed, the only novels I read during that period that I felt held up to any sort of comparison were Flynn’s earlier novels Sharp Objects and Dark Places.

But I found myself thinking of Flynn’s work quite a bit as I read Heather Gudenkauf’s new novel, This Is How I Lied, released in May. The novel is centered on a cold case in an Iowa community. Maggie, who, as a teenager, found the body of her best friend in some nearby caves, is now a police officer.

She is also seven months pregnant, and she and her husband have sacrificed much to bring this child into the world.

When new evidence is found in the case of the murdered girl, Maggie takes charge of the case—bringing the past and the present into collision as the

Submit books for review: Little Village, 623 S Dubuque St., IC, IA 52240

reader is taken back and forth between the day of the crime and the present investigation (quite by accident, that present investigation takes place in what must now be understood as an alternate reality version of June, 2020 in which many things might go wrong, but there is no pandemic).

Gudenkauf—a University of Iowa graduate, Iowa resident and bestselling author whose novels are set in various fictional Iowa locales—has penned a thriller that is reminiscent of Flynn’s novels in a number of ways. There is the sense of small-town claustrophobia, the long hidden secrets, the animosity between children and parents, the partners who are suspicious of one another and more—including a well-executed twist that lands on about the same beat as the famous Gone Girl shocker.

GUDENKAUF’S THRILLER IS TIGHTLY WRITTEN AND FILLED WITH MEMORABLE AND FLESHED OUT CHARACTERS

Seen a certain way, it may seem as though I’m damning This Is How I Lied, if not with faint praise, then with the notion that it is somehow derivative of Flynn’s fiction. That is not my intention at all. Gudenkauf’s thriller is tightly written and filled with memorable and fleshed out characters—and it steadily raises the stakes for all of those characters as the story progresses. It is a dark and twisty tale that, yes, will satisfy fans of Flynn’s work. But it is excellent work in its own right, as well.

—Rob Cline

Deneishia Jacobpito Delicate Rain (SELF-PUBLISHED)

D

eneishia Jacobpito’s story Delicate Rain, released in April of this year, follows the short journey to healing of the main character, Francesca DeLouise (Frank).

Frank has spent her life in New York City, but finally, much to the dismay of her best friend, Lynn, she decides to head west.

The opening of the story is a nod to the tough life that New York can demand of its residents. Frank has lived through failed relationships and a high-stress career as a lawyer. Although she loves Lynn and has built a life in the city, she has inherited property in Colorado. Frank is determined to start fresh.

As Frank takes the road trip to a small Colorado town, the past seems to melt away from her. Her Aunt Trixie has left her some land and a remote broken down cabin. As she approaches the area of her inheritance, Frank sees Charlie, who is dancing in the field, and is immediately smitten.

As Frank begins to settle in, she gets to know Charlie as she renovates the cabin. They share a metaphysical connection that seems to relax and embrace them both. Without revealing the end of the story, know that readers will see a remarkable transformation in just a few pages.

Frank, who was overwrought by the racism, homophobia and body shaming

of the world, becomes a new woman in her new environment. The only moment that challenges suspension of disbelief is that a lifelong New York City lawyer has all of the know-how and skills to rebuild the cabin, including solar panels—all on her own.

The close third-person narration brings Frank’s feelings and thoughts into sharp focus while allowing a distance from Charlie and the legacy Aunt Trixie has left Frank. Still, Charlie and Trixie both play important roles as Frank finally becomes the woman she truly wants to be. Although the plot is predictable, the writing itself is well-crafted and lovely.

WITHOUT REVEALING THE END OF THE STORY, KNOW THAT READERS WILL SEE A REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION IN JUST A FEW PAGES.

Jacobpito—a Cornell College graduate and an editor at Pollinate Magazine—presents this short story as a book unto itself. It left me wondering how it would interact with other stories as part of a collection.

Overall, Delicate Rain is a nod to the stresses of modern life and an homage to the need all humans have to connect to their history and to find true love, whatever form it may take.

—Laura Johnson

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 53

L E F LA

A F E TH

ity C a w et, Io

re

St n n i L .

N 6 0 2

T N I JO

ROLL FILM! 1

2

3

BY FRANCIS HEANEY 4

13

5

6

14

17

18

24

25 30 33 39

34

46

54

55

37

52 58

65

53 59

62 66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

ACROSS 1. Abbr. for a highway 4. Attachments that deliver saline drips 7. Young gent 10. Sweetheart, slangily 13. Long stretch of time in geology, or at the DMV 14. Fist bump 15. Org. that might meet in the gym 16. “Gasp!!1!”

17. Tenor Andrea 19. Item used (unsuccessfully) in an attempt to safely remove the 56-Across without setting off a trap 21. Campaign slogan up

28

43

51

61

64

27

47

57 60

63

36 42

50

56

63. One threat encountered in the 25-Across 66. Pepper that’s often powdered 67. Feel unwell 68. ___ Victor (old record label) 69. Shade of color 70. Org. that objected to a 2013 crossword clue that cited Shylock 71. One of the companies that became Verizon 72. Digits styled like 12345-6789: Abbr.

73. Kind of plane Phil Collins took so he could perform at both the U.S. and U.K. Live Aid concerts in 1985 74. “Gangnam Style” singer

23

35

against “All the Way With Adlai” 23. Country between Thailand and Vietnam 24. One of very few options for hiding, when playing hide-and-seek in the desert 25. Location in the opening sequence of a famous film 29. Parody, as Weird Al did to the subject of this puzzle in the opening sequence of UHF 31. “You can see the show, but you can’t sit down” letters 32. Dessert made with 12-Down noodles

33. German city for which I propose the romantic slogan “You can’t spell ‘soulmates’ without ‘___’!”

35. Hum with pleasure 37. Sushi bar offering never served raw (because it’s poisonous until cooked!

So that’s fun.)

38. What some pairs of socks have 42. “At least you made an effort ...”

44. Genetic messenger molecule 45. Item used to brush off 63-Across, and to get across the 64-Down 47. “___, Felicia!”

LittleVillageMag.com

12

32

41

49

11

20

26

45

48

10 16

31

40

44

9

19 22

29

8

15

21

38

7

The American Values Club Crossword is edited by Ben Tausig.

48. The phrase “raining cats and dogs,” e.g.

50. Button with a red dot, often: Abbr.

52. One threat encountered in the 25-Across 56. Item grabbed in the 25-Across, setting off a trap whose effect is depicted along one of the long diagonals in this puzzle 59. McEntire in a Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun 60. Cheese atop a Greek salad 61. How a Greek chorus speaks

27. Drift to one side, on the road 28. Character that cartoonist Lynn Johnston based on herself in For Better or for Worse 30. Measuring devices used in water pipes 34. “I mean, I guess it’s fine” 36. Burgle 38. Math class with sines and cosines, briefly 39. Opposite of ecto-, in terms of plasm 40. Grinding device in a salon 41. Assistant activated by saying “Hey” 43. Sweetheart, quaintly 46. Mani-___ 49. Needed Naloxone, perhaps 51. Shells often held up to ears 53. Fasten again, in a way 54. Government securities, casually 55. With a reasonable perspective 57. They’ll rat you out 58. Polynesian parties 62. “Just say ___ to Russian election interference” 63. Stop being taut 64. One threat encountered in the 25-Across 65. First word of many California cities

DOWN 1. Is persistent, on eBay 2. Equip with machinery 3. L.A. neighborhood in a Pauly Shore movie title 4. Busy doing nothing 5. Legitimate 6. One threat encountered in the 25-Across 7. Vinyl full-lengths 8. The tiniest bit 9. SNL actor with a cameo in (mumble mumble) and the Temple of Doom 10. Voice of the narrator in How I Met Your Mother 11. “I ___ Man of Constant Sorrow” 12. Embarrassing LV283 ANSWERS thing to have on B A T ON I T S PO T T Y one’s face, metaI RW I N GRO C A R V E phorically SM I L E OUR S T AGS 18. Manage to H E R GR E T A I UD ON L I N E WE E N I E scrape together P I E HO L E A L AME D A 20. Prefix with S A R A H MT V RUD E R drama I WO 22. Wynonna VO T E R L OW WA T E R ___ (SyFy show S P UMON E S T A T UR E about Wyatt’s H E R E S Y B L A R E S great-grandA RN C E N T R A L B C E daughter) P AO L O C I A E V I T A E T U D E O M G T E N E T 26. Alabama S E T S S E A T E D S senator Jones

EVERY DAY FEELS LIKE A WEEKEND

WHERE

CEDARFALLSTOURISM .ORG 800.845.1955

#WeKnowHowToWeekend LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV284 July 1–Aug. 4, 2020 55

Free Family Fun Follow us on Facebook for weekly programming info and updates!

All kinds of

ARTS

JAZZ MOVIES MUSIC

& FUN for all kinds of people

Kim Schillig, Lepic-Kroeger Realtor, is proud to support Summer of the Arts LICENSED TO SELL IN IOWA

www.summeroftheARTS.org