ISSUE 301 December 2021
A L W A Y S
A reader-selected locals’ guide to the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area
F R E E
BEST MOVIE THEATER BEST FREE FUN FilmScene in the Park
BEST SWITCH TO STREAMING
FilmScene Virtual Screenings
BEST SUMMER CAMP
Filmscene Animation Camp (tied)
BEST PLACE FOR A CHEAP DATE FilmScene in the Park
BEST PANDEMIC ADAPTATION Arts & Entertainment
THANK YOU! GIVE THE GIFT OF MOVIES Introduce a friend to the best movie theater in the CRANDIC! Treat your loved ones to a FilmScene gift card, or gift them a FilmScene membership so they can save all year long!
ICFILMSCENE.ORG 2 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 3
Give the perfect gift Gift cards available in-shop + oasisfalafel.com Voted Best of the CRANDIC 2021 Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean Cuisine, Best Takeout/Delivery, Best Locally Made Product, Best Fries!
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JO CO
SHOP LOCAL
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NEWS & CULTURE FROM IOWA CITY Since 2001 LittleVillageMag.com
12 - Top Stories 14 - Ad Index 16 - Letters & Interactions 18 - Brock About Town 28 - Photo Review 31 - Best of the CRANDIC 32 - Food & Drink 39 - Arts & Entertainment 46 - COVID-19 50 - Community 56 - Goods & Services 66 - Health & Recreation 74 - Events Calendar 87 - Dear Kiki 89 - Astrology 91 - Album Reviews 93 - Book Reviews 95 - Crossword
Long before our neck of the woods was dubbed the ICR or the Corridor, it was known as the CRANDIC—taken from the CR-and-IC train line that has served the area since 1904, “the CRANDIC Route.” Whatever you call this area, we love it and we love you. Thank you for voting for the Best of the CRANDIC!
HOW DOES THE CONTEST WORK? We asked. You answered. We tallied. You waited. Now it’s finally time to reveal the winners!
POWERED BY CAFE DEL SOL ROASTING SAVE, SHARE OR RECYCLE
From Aug. 1-Sept. 30, Little Village readers cast their votes in more than 200 categories, from Best Library to Best Local Band, Best Bartender to Best Defender of Science, Most Unique Shop to Hardest Fightin’ Union. Voters had the option to explain their choices; the funniest, truest and most touching comments are included throughout this magazine. You can also find interviews with winners, photos, bonus prizes picked by Little Village staff and other fun stuff to celebrate the folks who got us through 2021.
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Little Village (ISSN 2328-3351) is an independent, community-supported news and culture publication based in Iowa City, published month-
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delivered to your door each
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THE
ARE
Our screens, stages and spaces are vibrant once again — Downtown Iowa City’s nonprofit arts organizations are ready to welcome you! When attending in person events please review and adhere to each organization's health and safety requirements.
Support provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Arts Midwest and the National Endowment for the Arts.
10 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
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NEWS & CULTURE FROM IOWA CITY Since 2001 LittleVillageMag.com
EDITORIAL
Digital Director
Publisher
Drew Bulman
Issue 301, Volume 31
Arts Editor
drewb@littlevillagemag.com
December 2021 Cover illustration by John Martinek
Genevieve Trainor genevieve@littlevillagemag.com
Videographer
Cover design by Jordan Sellergren
Jason Smith Managing Editor
jason@littlevillagemag.com
Little Village is the name, local
Emma McClatchey
news is the game. But this Marketing Analytics
mag is all about the people,
Coordinator
performances, parks, businesses,
News Director
Malcolm MacDougall
museums, meals, events and social
Paul Brennan
malcolm@littlevillagemag.com
justice movements that make
emma@littlevillagemag.com
this village newsworthy. Happy
paul@littlevillagemag.com SALES & ADMINISTRATION
holidays, and stay local, CRANDIC.
Art Director
President, Little Village, LLC
Jordan Sellergren
Matthew Steele
jordan@littlevillagemag.com
matt@littlevillagemag.com
Meet this month’s guest contributors:
Multimedia Journalist
Marketing Director &
Sarah Elgatian is a writer, activist
John Martinek is a visual artist,
Adria Carpenter
Copywriter
and educator living in Iowa. She
cabinetmaker and currently a part-
adria@littlevillagemag.com
Celine Robins
likes dark coffee, bright colors
time home-school kindergarten
celine@littlevillagemag.com
and long sentences. She dislikes
teacher. More art at johnmartinek.
meanness.
com and Instagram @jnmartinek.
Copy Editor Celine Robins
Advertising
celine@littlevillagemag.com
Nolan Petersen, Matthew Steele
Tiffani Green is an Iowa City-based
Kent Williams lives, works, writes
ads@littlevillagemag.com
writer and Little Village columnist.
and complains in Iowa City.
Events Editor, Design Assistant
Her food column, The Takeaway,
Sid Peterson
Creative Services
features reviews of local take-out
sid@littlevillagemag.com
Website design, Email marketing,
restaurants.
E-commerce, Videography Calendar/Event Listings
creative@littlevillagemag.com
calendar@littlevillagemag.com
Melanie Hanson’s just trying to get her shite right and let it all go
CIRCULATION Corrections
Distribution Manager
editor@littlevillagemag.com
Joseph Servey
meow.
joseph@littlevillagemag.com December Contributors Audrey Brock, Sarah Elgatian,
Distribution
Tiffany Green, Melanie Hanson, John
Terrance Banks,
Martinek, Tom Tomorrow, Sam Locke
Charlie Cacciatore
Ward, Kent Williams
distro@littlevillagemag.com
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OFFICES
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Little Village
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PRODUCTION
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Web Developer
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Adith Rai
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adith@littlevillagemag.com
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LittleVillageMag.com
Top Stories Daily news updates, events, restaurant reviews and videos at LittleVillageMag.com.
‘Cowboy Justice’: A first-hand account of the deadly 1991 UI campus
So, ‘some jackass’ stole your bike? Welcome to Iowa City.
shooting, 30 years later
By Adria Carpenter, Nov. 2
By Mary Allen, Nov. 1
At the Iowa City Bike Library, reports of stolen bikes are a near-daily
It’s Nov. 1, 1991, an ordinary Friday afternoon, the day after Halloween. I’m
occurrence, “and it has been that way for a long time,” said executive
sitting alone in a big office on the fifth floor of Van Allen Hall, where the
director Audrey Wiedemeier. “Once I had told someone to go get the
Physics Department at the University of Iowa is housed, when I hear a
most expensive lock that they could … It got sniped three weeks later.”
loud noise on a floor below: Pop pop pop.
Gov. Reynolds says Iowa will sue to stop federal vaccine requirements;
Iowa City’s Sudanese community joined worldwide
more than 7,000 Iowans have died of COVID, IDPH says
protests against the coup in Sudan
By Paul Brennan, Nov. 4
Video by Jason Smith, story by Paul Brennan, Nov. 1
Iowa “will take immediate legal action to challenge” new OSHA standards
Members of Iowa City’s Sudanese community rallied
regarding workplace COVID-19 vaccinations, Gov. Kim Reynolds said. She
at the Pentacrest on Saturday, Oct. 30, as part of
called the effort to increase vaccination rates and protect workers from
an international day of protests against the military
exposure to the virus “dangerous and unprecedented.”
takeover of the government in Sudan and the harsh repression of civilian protesters opposing the military.
WATCH Iowa City protest against the military coup in Sudan
Subscribe to our newsletter for the very latest news, events, dining recommendations and LV Perks: LittleVillageMag.com/Subscribe 12 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 13
THANK YOU TO THIS ISSUE’S ADVERTISING PARTNERS This issue of Little Village is supported by: 100 Grannies (49) Adamantine Spine Moving (83) Andrew’s Bar Exam (43) Artifacts (8) Beadology (63) Bekah Ash (43) Black & Gold Chiropractic & Wellness (69) The Body Lab at Nolte (71) Brides by Jessa (63) Burger Haul (22) Carrie Houchins-Witt Tax & Financial Services, LLC (57) Cedar Rapids Czech Village / New Bohemia Co-op (44-45) - Black Earth Gallery - Goldfinch Cyclery - The Daisy - NewBoCo - Parlor City Pub & Eatery Cedar Rapids Museum of Art (38) The Club Car (82) Chorale Midwest (20) City of Iowa City (15, 77) CIVIC (19) Corridor Entertainment Group (41) Coralville Public Library (92) CSPS (26) David Zollo & the Body Electric (45)
The Dandy Lion (85) Dodge Street Coffeehouse (37) Dodge St. Tire (57) Earl May Garden Centers (53) The Englert Theatre (90) Echollective Farm (33) Family Folk Machine (41) FilmScene (2) Firmstone Real Estate (27) Goodfellow Printing, Inc. (82) The Haunted Bookshop (47) Hills Bank (53) Honeybee Hair Parlor (64) ICCA (27) ImOn (77) Iowa City Downtown Co-op (23) - Yotopia - Beadoloy - Release Body Modification - Critical Hit Games - Record Collector - The Konnexion Iowa City Downtown District (83) Iowa City Northside Marketplace (88-89) - Russ’ Northside Service - John’s Grocery - R.S.V.P. - Pagliai’s Pizza - Home Ec. Workshop - Hamburg Inn No. 2 - Dodge St. Tire
- The Haunted Bookshop - Marco’s Grilled Cheese - High Ground - George’s The Iowa Children’s Museum (51) Iowa City Public Library (13) Iowa Department of Public Health (76) Iowa Running Company (15) IPR (27) Jaime Nevins, LMT (71) Johnson County Public Health (84) Johnson County Health Path Clinic (3) KCCK Jazz 88.3 FM (25) Kim Schillig, Realtor (79) KRUI 89.7 FM (79) Martin Construction (59) MYEP (19) Lambda Softball Association of Eastern Iowa (73) Leash on Life (79) Mailboxes of Iowa City (27) Micky’s Irish Pub (25) Multicultural Development Center of Iowa (19) Muscatine Art Center (81) Musician’s Pro Shop (82) Merge (27) National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (67) New Pioneer Food Co-op (6)
Nodo (74) Oasis Falafel (4) Oranges & Elbows (65) Perez Family Tacos (22) Phoebe Martin, REALTOR (61) Prairie Lights Bookstore & Cafe (65) Press Coffee (35) PromptPress (10) Public Space One (16) RAYGUN (87) Red Vespa (19) Revival (19) Ricardo Rangel Jr., REALTOR Riverside Theatre (42) Russ’ Northside Service (62) Scratch Cupcakery (17) Shakespeare’s Pub & Grill (37, 82) Summer of the Arts (48) Team Iowa Physical Therapy (72) Ten Thousand VIllages (27) ThinkIowaCity (7) University of Iowa Health Care (73) University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums (55, 66) The Webster (36) Whitedog Auto (86) Wig & Pen (5) Willow & Stock (81) World of Bikes (74)
Little Village magazine print readership 25,000—40,000 per issue LittleVillageMag.com readership 200,000 monthly article views 74,000 unique monthly visitors
RECENT READER SURVEY DATA MEDIAN AGE: 37 25—34: 26% 35—44: 22% 45—54: 17% 55—64: 14% 65+: 10% 18—24: 9%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN 1.85
MEDIAN PERSONAL INCOME: $55k 26%: $40k—60k 18%: $60k—80k 17%: $100k+ 17%: $20k—40k 12%: <$20k 11%: $80k—$100k
GENDER
EDUCATION Masters: 34% Bachelors: 31% Ph.D: 18% Some college: 9% Associates: 7%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF YEARS LIVING IN EASTERN IOWA
Female: 63% Male: 34% Nonbinary/other: 3%
28
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PUBLIC SPACE ONE
C L A S S I F I E D S NEWS: WE NOW OCCUPY 538 S GILBERT ST AKA THE CLOSE HOUSE ALONG WITH THE HOUSES AT
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Letters & Interactions 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. I’M JOINING THE chorus,
CALL: WE ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR ARTISTS, ART COLLECTIVES, AND OTHER RADICAL PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS TO JOIN US IN OUR NEW
CLOSE HOUSE S P A C E
WE HAVE STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE FOR RENT
& P R O G R A M M I N G / C O L L A B O R A T I O N .
KINDRED PROJECTS WRITE: INFO@PUBLICSPACEONE.COM
VISION: DO YOU HAVE ONE? DO YOU WANT TO PUT IT IN ACTION? UNSURE WHAT THE ART WORLD CAN DO FOR
Y O U ?
PUBLIC SPACE ONE
CAN HELP. BE IT OUR GALLERY TEAM, MEDIA ARTS OR PRESS CO-OP, WE ARE ART IN ACTION & OUR DOOR IS OPEN. SEE@PUBLICSPACEONE.COM
WEATHER: BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, WE’RE ALL DEALING WITH IT. TUNE INTO THE PS1 WEATHER REPORT ANYWHERE FINE PODCASTS ARE FOUND. publicspaceone.com 16 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
voicing my support for South District SSMID to create a self-imposed taxing district on Iowa City’s south side, brought forward through the excellent leadership of the South District Neighborhood Association. The final step in approving the SSMID comes down to a vote by the Iowa City City Council on Dec. 14, 2021, and I urge our city council to approve this measure which will help to revitalize local businesses in the Pepperwood Plaza. The South District Neighborhood Association envisions the Pepperwood Plaza as a vibrant community center, bustling with local businesses, enhanced store fronts, active community organizations and better advocacy for this area by hiring an executive director
who can manage the revitalization project. Investing the funds generated by the SSMID will help to make this area an anchor both for those living south of Highway 6 and those living nearby. As a longtime advocate of downtown Iowa City and the SSMID that helped to transform our downtown center, I know the positive impact that these funds will have on this part of our community. I invite community members to research this initiative and join me in publicly voicing your support for our neighbors in the South District Neighborhood. —Katie Roche THE ARTICLE ON Jay Knight [“Forty years of dreamers: J. Knight celebrates his
F U T I L E W R A T H
S A M LO C K E WA R D
HAVE AN OPINION? Better write about it! Send letters to: Editor@LittleVillageMag.com
long-running open mic”] was well earned by him—as an employee and a patron, I was in attendance for many of the open mics he put on at The Mill and played at one of Jay’s Open Mike sessions back in 1991 (still have the personalized tape he gave me afterward). Jay has provided a really enjoyable and important environment to countless people of the music community here for 40(!) years and running, and he deserves any and all accolades that come his way. Glad to hear he has kept this going—really amazing. —Brice Maren ‘Cowboy Justice’: A first-hand account of the deadly 1991 UI campus shooting, 30 years later (Nov. 1) I know exactly where I was; I was 10 years old when that happened. My parents took us to Ohio to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes play at Ohio. My mom and my dad both worked in Iowa City at
Life’s Celebrations...
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STRESS FRACTURES
I N T E R AC T I O N S
JOHN MARTINEK
the time. Mom at the hospital and dad [at] youth homes. —Jenny J.A. I remember how panicked I felt that day. Our older son had a class in that physics building and our younger son was a student employee in the biology building, and I couldn’t remember their schedules that day. —Connie P. I was on campus and [had] just gotten back to good ol’ Burge. The phone lines were jammed from parents trying to call their kids. Couldn’t call home for hours. —Monica S. I’d delivered a pizza to Van Allen Hall before the shooting. It might have been about 30 minutes before it happened. I didn’t know about the shooting until I got off work that evening. —William B. I had been in the offices in Jessup Hall no more than an hour before the shootings dropping off a U-Bill payment. I was at work when our
B R O C K
A B O U T
T O W N
The holiday season is upon us once more, and for the very first time in my life, I spent it at my boyfriend’s parents’ house. I won’t lie, I was a little nervous at first. These are people who make a ham for Christmas dinner and spend the day sharing carefully chosen gifts and precious childhood memories, whereas my family usually eats chicken chow mein and watches Wheel of Fortune on my grandma’s Scotchgarded sofa. However, since I got through the weekend and nobody chased me with torches and pitchforks, I feel qualified to declare myself an expert on diplomatic relations. Without further ado, I present my official guide to making nice with the in-laws (or whatever you call the parents of the person with whom you live in sin):
• Demonstrate your best qualities. Helping to make a holiday dinner is good, but you’ll need to do better than that, especially if your lady’s ’rents are a little chilly towards you. Give her mom some pointers on improving her traditional family recipes. Rotate the tires on her dad’s car. If all else fails, show them one of your special talents, like doing body shots off their daughter.
• Bring a gift. A mid-range bottle of wine or some roses for the mom are always safe bets, but you want to demonstrate
• Keep the PDA to a minimum. You wouldn’t want your future in-laws to think you’re a lech, so no smooching in
18 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
that you’re an interesting, creative person who’ll add to the holiday atmosphere. Personally, I always go for one of those four-foot-long Furbys. Even if you break up with their kid a week later, they’ll be talking about you for years.
AUDREY BROCK
the common areas. If your relationship is halfway decent, it’s going to be hard to keep your hands off each other, so some “emotional distancing measures” may be required. Maybe ask their mom if you can see some of their old school pictures and then mock their spelling. • Know your audience before you try to tell any jokes. Is the love of your life the product of a traditional Catholic household? Do his parents keep a crucifix and a framed picture of grandma above the guest bed? Then maybe don’t loudly announce at the breakfast table that you’re too nauseous to eat, or complain about your puffy ankles. Nobody’s going to think it’s funny (although it totally was).
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Celebrate the return of live music for the holiday season Featuring the world premiere of a new carol setting by Matthew Culloton, Founding Artistic Director of The Singers—Minnesota Choral Artists
Saturday Dec.11 7:30 pm Sunday Dec. 12 3:00 pm First Lutheran Church 1000 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA Tickets and pandemic safety measures available at www.ChoraleMidwest.org or from any Chorale member. Masks required No food or beverage in the church sanctuary Support provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
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I N T E R AC T I O N S district manager came in with the news of what had happened. —Dean A. I remember this day. I knew Miya from some activism we had participated in and common friends, but we weren’t close. I never imagined, at that time, school shootings would become so commonplace. —Gale K. So, ‘some jackass’ stole your bike? Welcome to Iowa City. (Nov. 2) I had four stolen over a 28-year period, and managed to get two of them back. DEATH TO BIKE THIEVES!!! —Adam H. I’ve owned two bikes since I moved to IC back [in] ’04, both stolen and both found and returned. I’m very lucky. —Jake W. Had one stolen about a year ago in Coralville, found it in the shrubs along the River Landing about 100m from where it was stolen. They caught the guy, and he said he had a “change of heart” after stealing it and went for a different one instead. —Brooke Z. ‘It’s time to rotate the crops’: Sen. Joe Bolkcom says he won’t seek reelection (Nov. 4) Thank you, Joe, for being a dependable soul. —Marge W. I don’t know if we can manage without him! He’s amazing. —Genie M.
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@ChuckGrassley, take a lesson. This is how it’s done. —@KarinW_al on Twitter Gov. Reynolds says Iowa will sue to stop federal vaccine requirements; more than 7,000 Iowans have died of COVID, IDPH says (Nov. 4)
Brian Johannesen HOLSTER YOUR SILVER LittleVillageMag.com/BriJo 20 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
“Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Iowa Department of Public Health has not had a full-time director in over 15 months.” It appears that this
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W O R T H
R E P E AT I N G
“We shouldn’t have to switch out of AP classes or Honors classes because we feel uncomfortable. This isn’t OK, and that’s what’s wrong within the school district. They don’t act on these types of things. That’s why we’re here now. We’re tired. Everyone’s tired. We’re speaking up.” —Deasia Lewis, a 15-year-old West High student repeatedly called the N-word by white classmates, in a speech during the Nov. 19 ICCSD student walk-out “Clarissa Chun has charisma. She has credentials. She has championships. She commands respect and the wrestlers that come to school here are going to love her. This is a big deal for the University of Iowa.” —Tom Brands, UI men’s wrestling head coach, on Iowa’s new women’s wrestling coach
enough money to pay them all, so instead of addressing either the budget that she had or the number of staff she had, she decided to use CARES Act money instead.” —Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, summarizing an audit finding Gov. Kim Reynolds misappropriated almost $450,000, for the Gazette There is a point of the night at any party in Cedar Rapids where we all start yelling about NewBo Evolve. —@notrealMolly on Twitter
video still via Mariannette Miller-Meeks
University of Iowa
“Thank you @ KimReynoldsIA for your humble endorsement! I look forward to working with you to Keep Iowa Moving! #IA01” —Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (@millermeeks on Twitter), choosing an odd adjective to thank the governor for endorsing her bid for reelection
I heard a song today from a band called Lake Street Dive. I am going to now find everything they’ve ever done. —Roxane Gay (@ rgay on Twitter), discovering the group co-founded by Iowa City-born-and-raised musician Bridget Kearney “The governor had a budget shortfall, she had too many people on her personal staff and didn’t have a big 22 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
Slowking4w
I N T E R AC T I O N S
IOWA CITY DOWNTOWN
administration does not find it a high priority to fill this position, even in times of high transmission. —Sherry D. No one wants to be the state epidemiologist in a state where the legislature doesn’t believe in the basic tenets of disease transmission. millions of live & active cultures
—Paul H. Waiting for @KimReynoldsIA to replace Pedati with one of the Ankeny Q-Amoms. —@Meidas_Sammi on Twitter
that’s a lot of culture, even by iowa city standards
Get 10% off when you mention Little Village
Always buying & selling quality vinyl records, CDs & turntables.
@IAGovernor wants Iowans to believe the “tight labor market” is making it difficult to replace Dr. Caitlin Pedati. I’m thinking the truth is no credible and reputable epidemiologist wants to work in a state with a dismal vaccination rate while being micromanaged by #CovidKim. —@RayBake on Twitter 116 S Linn St (319) 337-5029
Rep. Mary Mascher will not run for reelection in 2022 (Nov. 8) Incredibly thoughtful and generous leader who tirelessly worked to improve our schools and educational opportunities. —Helen B. ICCSD to present new restorative justice program, designed to close racial gaps in school disciplining (Nov. 8) They’ve been talking about this for years with no real action. Back when my kid was in elementary school, the privileged white boys committing the physical assaults got the restorative justice. The Black kids calling names were deemed bullies and safety plans put in place. The equity in this district has been a longtime failure. I will be surprised if any real change comes from this. ICCSD creates the illusion of caring about diversity, inclusion, equity, restorative justice while continuing to marginalize students of color, neurodivergent and disabled students as well as LGBTQ students
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
CLOSED Tuesdays www.recordcollector.co
I N T E R A C T I O N S
/LittleVillage READER POLL: What’s your go-to home remedy for seasonal affective disorder? SAD lamp(s) Exercise
16.7% 22.2%
Vitamin D supplements 22.2% Ranting about DST
38.9%
while continuing to protect the most privileged kids in the district no matter what crimes they commit. —Jennifer A.
Miller-Meeks will move into the new 1st Congressional District to run for reelection (Nov. 10)
/LittleVillage READER POLL:
She won by six votes. The students are back, let’s organize that vote and get her out. —Ian M.
Was 2021 better than 2020 for you?
Iowa Poll shows strong support for striking John Deere workers, as union members prepare to vote on new contract proposal (Nov. 15)
Yes 54.8%
The question is whether public opinion will move the GOP, or vice versa. This is probably the best shot we’ll see. —Jon Green, Johnson County Supervisor
No 16.1% 2020 Ended? 29%
Racist slurs, threats and disparities: Why Iowa City high school students walked out of class Friday (Nov. 22) It’s infuriating to have heard “we really need to encourage students of color to take AP or honors classes” and then find
out that students dropped those very classes because they felt unsafe. —Sharon F.
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I N T E R AC T I O N S
Sounds like the district is as tone deaf and useless to address racial issues as they were when I was in high school. —Randy P.
UPCOMING december SHOWS IMPROV FIRST THURSDAYS Thurs, Dec 2nd
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My son, as an elementary student, was given an inappropriate nickname from high schoolers. It’s one example of many racist microaggressions that my boys and I experienced there. Ultimately I left the community because I got tired of the ignorance. —Shelley R.B. Why aren’t the students dropping the N-bomb being reprimanded? That should be an automatic suspension. —Adam H. My thoughts exactly! My son goes to elementary school in the Iowa City Community School District, and they had problems with this last year. My son was the one in class who stood up for his friends and “made a scene” for weeks, and he was the one who got in trouble. Not the student saying this word. I talked with the school almost every day, and they finally had an assembly about it, but no one got reprimanded still. Makes me sick. —Abie L.
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LVREVIEW Clockwise from top: Iowa City celebrates 50 years of Pride; Cedar Rapids unveils mural featuring local health care workers, Adria Carpenter; Iowa City’s Sudanese community joined worldwide protests against the coup in Sudan, Jason Smith; Students protest University of Iowa’s Phi Gamma
Delta fraternity, Adria Carpenter; The derecho-damaged home of Katrina Benning and Jeremiah Hopkins, Chad Rhym 28 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
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Little Village Reader-Selected Best of the CRANDIC
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY & CHOMP
Food & Drink Best African Cuisine or Market
Tee’s Liberian Dish 1271 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids 609-516-4427 teesliberiandish.com Best Appetizers/Small Plates
The Webster 202 N Linn St, Iowa City 319-800-0720, thewebsteric.com “Sorry, literally every other restaurant in Iowa. Three months in, they are already IC LEGENDS.” —Kelly S. “All the appetizers and sides are rich and delicious. Special call out to the biscuits.” —David Z.
The Webster
Adria Carpenter / Little Village
Winner of Best Appetizers/Small Plates, Best “Simply the best food in Iowa.” —Don T.
Atmosphere, Best Chef (Sam Gelman), Best Food Scene Game Changer, Best Restaurant, Best Restaurant for a First Date, Best Restaurant Staff, Best Restaurant
Best Atmosphere
to Take Your Parents To (tie), Best Use of Local
The Webster
Ingredients, Most Innovative Menu
“Open kitchen and lively
am and Riene Gelman opened the Webster in summer 2021 with a promise to step things up around here. They didn’t let us down—not with their menu or their incorporation of local food, and not with their interior design. We asked the winners of the Best Atmosphere in the CRANDIC (among nine—yes, nine—other Food & Drink awards) to describe their vision for building a perfect dinner setting.
atmosphere bring joy to the dining experience.” —Brent C. Best Bakery
Deluxe Bakery
S
812 S Summit St, Iowa City 319-338-5000, deluxeiowa.com Best Barbecue
Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack 1940 Lower Muscatine Rd, Iowa City, 319-354-7427
What emotions were you hoping the interior space and lighting would evoke? When we were
designing the space and working on the lighting, we wanted to evoke many things, but overall subtlety. We didn’t want the feeling to be overtly fancy or too harsh in the lighting (whether it be too dark or too light). That subtlety carries over with the color scheme as well. Muted tones of blues and greens dominate the room with simple yet comfortably designed seating. The lighting provides a warmth that gives the room a special glow when looking in from the street.
jimmyjacksribshack.com Best Bartender
Emma Rogers, Pullman Bar & Diner
Did you have other restaurant interiors on your mood boards during the design visualization process? We had several restaurants on our mood boards. There were restaurants that we were inspired by our
time in NYC, like Misi, Fausto and Loring Place. Additionally, our amazing design team provided several other establishments for inspiration, including several international bars and restaurants.
17 S Dubuque St, Iowa City 319-338-1808, pullmandiner.com “Emma is the best bartender around! She truly has a passion for serving others and makes everyone the best drinks around town!” —Mackenzie B.
What draws you to an open kitchen? We have found that whenever we throw dinner parties, whether it be in our home or others, a multicourse meal or takeout, people naturally gravitate toward the kitchen. It is fun to be a part of the action, and with an open kitchen, the dining room becomes an extension of the room that everyone wants to be a part of, contributing to the lively energy one will find at the Webster. From another perspective, there are so many restaurants that have dark, windowless kitchens that have no energy in them. The open kitchen allows our kitchen team to be part of the energy at the Webster. Additionally, they get to see and receive the praises of guests directly for their hard work. —Jordan Sellergren
32 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
“If you’ve had a drink made by
Best Chicken Wings
Emma… you’ve seen God!”
Vine Tavern & Eatery
—Stephanie L.
330 E Prentiss St, Iowa City 319-354-8767
Best Beer Selection (On Tap)
iowa-city.vinetavern.com
Big Grove Brewery 101 W Main St, Solon (Brewpub)
39 2nd Ave, Coralville
1225 S Gilbert St, Iowa City
319-338-7770
(Brewery and Taproom)
coralville.vinetavern.com
Best Beer Selection (On the Shelf)
Best Cocktail
John’s Grocery
Menu
401 E Market St, Iowa City
Rodina
319-337-2183, johngrocery.com
1507 C St SW, Cedar Rapids
“A little liquid power from John’s
319-200-2515
Grocery helped me through the
rodinaiowa.com
year.” —Alea W. a balance of
Pullman Bar & Diner
classics and
Zak Neumann / Little Village
“Rodina offers Best Breakfast/Brunch
originals, all “The staff is always overwhelming-
executed with
ly positive and encouraging to be
care. I could
around.” —Karson B.
drink any of their cocktails
Best Burger
and immensely
George’s Buffet
enjoy what I’m imbibing.” —Phoebe A.
17 S Dubuque St, Iowa City 319-351-9614
Best Coffeehouse TIE! Best Catering TIE!
Dodge Street Coffeehouse
Amos Dean’s Catering
2790 N Dodge St, Iowa City
1829 Mehaffey Bridge Rd NE,
319-569-1722
! u o y k n a h T VOTED BEST CSA IN THE CRANDIC
Solon, 319-321-7779
Press Coffee
amosdeans.com
1120 N Dodge St, Iowa City
Feedwell Kitchen & Bakery
319-887-1500, presscoffeeco.com
560 Boyson Rd NE Suite A, Cedar Rapids, 319-409-6905
Best Cold Treats
feedwellkitchenandbakery.com
Heyn’s Ice Cream 25 E Cherry St, North Liberty
Best Chef
319-665-2249, heynsicecream.com
Sam Gelman, co-owner/chef of the Webster
811 S 1st Ave, Iowa City
Sign up for the 2022 CSA at echollectivefarm.com
319-354-1981, heynsicecream.com “One of the true chefs to make Iowa City farmers’ produce shine
Best Craft Brewery
through in innovative ways while
Big Grove Brewery
adhering to the seasonality and progression of time. Knowing full
Best CSA (Community-Supported
well certain ingredients won’t last
Agriculture)
forever, he immediately changes
Echocollective
his offerings to promote what
879 Echo Ave, Mechanicsville
the next season brings, which
319-325-3910
conversely piques the interests of
echollectivefarm.com
his patrons on a weekly basis.” —Gerardo R. LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 33
FOOD & DRINK
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY & CHOMP
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
Best Dive Bar
George’s Buffet Best Donuts
Daylight Donuts 1681 S 1st Ave, Iowa City 319-338-1429 daylightdonutsic.com Best East/Southeast Asian Cuisine or Market
Thai Spice 1210 S Gilbert St #200, Iowa City 319-351-2581 725 Mormon Trek Blvd 319-339-1999
Thai Spice Express 101 Windflower Ln, Solon 319-644-8095 Best European Cuisine or Market
Baroncini Ristorante Italiano 104 S Linn St, Iowa City 319-337-2048 baroncinirestaurant.com “Delicious selection of authentic antipasti as well as fresh salads.” —Claudia M. Best Farmers Market Vendor TIE!
Buffalo Ridge Orchard 1337 Rollins Rd, Central City 319-521-1353 buffaloridgeorchard.com “BRO staff are exceptional, their vegetables and apples are exceptional. Their motto says it all: ‘Growing quality local produce responsibly.’” —Mary P.
Maestro Empanadas 423 10th Ave, Coralville 319-621-7481 maestroempanadas.com “These pastries are like pieces of art.” —Hanna S. Best Food-Scene Game-Changer
The Webster
Malcolm MacDougall / Little Village
Tee’s Liberian Dish Winner of Best African Cuisine or Market
T
he first time I tried to order from Tee’s Liberian Dish, I couldn’t. The restaurant had had such a busy day that they’d sold out of everything and had to close up shop early. That alone hints at what you can expect from Tee’s. The first and thus far only African restaurant in Cedar Rapids has been very enthusiastically received. Undeterred, I returned the next day to see what the buzz was all about. Like many people, my exposure to African food has been very limited. I combed through the extensive menu looking for keywords and settled on two things I vaguely recognized: fried tilapia and fufu and soup. Tee’s is a family-owned and -operated business, and I could hear family members chatting in the kitchen and see them coming and going from the building. Teepeu Pewu, Tee herself, had lived in Iowa for only six months when she launched her restaurant in August—an impressive feat for anyone, let alone someone who has moved halfway around the world. A test of a good takeout meal is whether it is as appealing when you get home as it was when it was first packaged, and whether everything stays neatly inside the containers. These dishes passed on both counts; the food was even still warm after a 40-minute drive from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City.
34 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
For all my eagerness to try fufu, which is a starchy, soft food made from powdered cassava and plantain, I quickly realized I didn’t actually know how to eat it. So I consulted the internet and learned that fufu is considered a “swallow food,” a food that is not meant to be chewed. The fufu was mild in flavor and sort of spongy in texture and served as a counterpoint to the richness and meatiness of the stew, which contained fish and chicken and was spicy and warming. Neither item would have quite worked on its own, but together they made a balanced, composed dish. The tilapia was a real showstopper. Fried whole, peeling back the skin revealed flesh that was flaky, firm and moist and free of any of the greasiness one usually associates with fried food. It came with a medley of thinly sliced peppers, onions, cucumbers and fried plantains. The fish and veggies had such intense savoriness that it was almost its own separate texture. The flavor profile bears a passing resemblance to that of Cajun and Creole cuisine but is also utterly its own thing. The plantains had a texture reminiscent of fried potatoes and a mild sweetness. The food at Tee’s Liberian Dish engages all the senses with its rich textures, savory smells, vibrant colors and dishes that invite you to use your hands to pinch a bit of fufu from a loaf or scoop flaky fish from skin and bone. Visit Tee and her family and brighten this grey autumn with a plate full of color and warmth. —Tiffani Green
Digital is real. With over 2.3 million article views in 2020, LittleVillageMag.com’s growing audience is more than just a number—115,000 unique monthly visitors are ready to shop, dine and support local. For advertising, web design, e-commerce and digital marketing support, contact Little Village today: Ads@LittleVillageMag.com (319) 855-1474
SINCE 2001—ALWAYS FREE
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 35
FOOD & DRINK
Best Fries
Best Latin/South American
Oasis Falafel
Cuisine or Market
206 N Linn St, Iowa City
La Regia Taqueria
319-358-7342, oasisfalafel.com
436 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City 319-341-8226, laregiaia.com
“Generous portions and impeccable seasoning.” —Megan W.
Best Local Farm
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm 4823 Dingleberry Rd NE #1
Best Gluten-Free-Friendly
Iowa City, 319-354-5651
Options
wilsonsorchard.com
Trumpet Blossom Cafe 310 E Prentiss St, Iowa City
Best Middle Eastern/
319-248-0077
Mediterranean Cuisine or Market
trumpetblossom.com
Oasis Falafel
Best Grocery Store
“Kudos to handling the pandemic
New Pioneer Co-op
so well, for giving the entire staff
1101 2nd St, Coralville
time off to get vaccinated, and
319-358-5513, newpi.coop
for the always-tasty food, and for the commitment to NOT ship their
22 S Van Buren St, Iowa City
addictive hummus everywhere, in
319-338-9441
order to not use preservatives. A smiley face to Naftaly, Ofer and
3338 Center Point Rd NE, Cedar
staff, made of falafel and hummus!
Rapids, 319-365-2632
RAWR!” —Andrea T.
“Absolutely no other grocery store
Best Pizza
returns more toward the varied
Wig & Pen Pizza
needs of its community than New
1220 US-6 West, Iowa City
Pi.” —Joseph W.
319-354-2767 wigandpenpizza.com
Best Late-Night Food
George’s Buffet
363 N 1st Ave, Iowa City 319-351-2327
Best Liquor Store
John’s Grocery
201 Hwy 965 NE, North Liberty 319-665-2255
Best Patio/Outdoor Dining
Big Grove Brewery
STAFF PICK!
Best Place to Realize You’re Wasted
TCB’s bathroom There’s a special elation in sitting in a
quiet bathroom and realizing, suddenly, fatefully, sweetly surprised by your miraculous body’s true fallibility, that you are drunk off your ass. If you know what I’m talking about, then you know exactly how make-or-break a good bathroom experience can be for the vibe of the rest of your evening. May I suggest to you: the restroom at TCB. TCB’s WC always exceeds my expectations of bar bathroom cleanliness, even on a busy weekend night. Its fixtures are pleasing enough to make me feel relaxed, but not so fussy as to make me self-conscious about my state of inebriation. In fact, a certain local musician friend who shall remain nameless told me that a bracing poop at TCB is step one in his pre-show ritual. There’s no place I’d rather look at myself in the mirror and lol. —Celine Robins 36 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
k n k a n h a T h T ! u o u y o y !
FOR VOTING DODGE STREET THE BEST COFFEEHOUSE!
Thank you for voting
Shakespeare’s Pub & Grill
Best Pub Food as
Everyone’s Favorite Neighborhood Bar and Grill!
Monday - Friday: 7AM-2AM Saturday: 8AM-2AM | Sunday: 9AM-2AM
2790 N. Dodge Street, Iowa City Just North of I-80
819 S. 1st ave, Iowa City (319) 337-7275 www.shakespearespubandgrill.com
Jordan Sellergren / Little Village
FOOD & DRINK
Best Place for a Business Lunch
Best Soul Food
Goosetown Cafe
Vivian’s Soul Food
203 N Linn St, Iowa City
2925 Williams Pkwy SW,
319-351-1924, goosetowncafe.com
Cedar Rapids, 319-396-2229 vivianssoulfoodcr.com
Best Produce
New Pioneer Co-op
“The food here is absolutely delicious, like it came down
Best Pub Food
from the heavens. The staff and
Shakespeare’s Pub & Grill
atmosphere really round out the
819 S 1st Ave, Iowa City
experience! I love coming here!” —Anna S.
319-337-7275 shakespearespubandgrill.com
Best South Asian Cuisine or “The most welcoming place in
Market
town.” —Wendy D.
Masala Indian Cuisine 9 S Dubuque St, Iowa City
Best Restaurant
319-338-6199
The Webster
masalaindiancuisine.site
Best Restaurant for a First Date
Best Sushi
The Webster
Oyama Sushi & Steakhouse 5350 Council St NE F,
Best Restaurant for Delivery/
Cedar Rapids, 319-832-1800
Takeout
oyamasushi.com
Oasis Falafel Best Tacos Best Restaurant Staff
La Regia Taqueria
The Webster Best Use of Local Ingredients Best Restaurant to Cure Your
The Webster
Hangover
Pullman Bar & Diner
Best Vegan Options
Trumpet Blossom Best Restaurant to Take Your Parents To TIE!
Best Wine Selection
The Webster Rodina
Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar 209 N Linn St, Iowa City 319-359-1999, brixcheeseshop.com
Best Seafood
St. Burch Tavern
Most Innovative Menu
127 Iowa Ave, Iowa City
The Webster
319-341-7700 saintburchtavern.com 38 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
Little Village Reader-Selected Best of the CRANDIC
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Arts & Entertainment Best 2021 Album by a Local Artist
The Great Unraveling by The Awful Purdies awfulpurdies.com Best 2021 Song by a Local Artist
Iowa City Area Juneteenth Celebration Winner of Best Cultural Event
“Something in The Water” by The Awful Purdies The genius of the Purdies, expressed throughout their career, is their unflinching commitment to beauty through collaboration. They achieve greatness by inviting others to share in it. … The album is resolutely uplifting. There are songs of
J
uneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers sailed into Galveston, Texas, and read aloud the order freeing the state’s quarter-million slaves. The occasion has long been commemorated by Black Southerners, and the first Keshia Fields, Royceann Porter and Laurie Nash. Jason Smith / Little Village local Juneteenth festival was organized by LaTasha DeLoach in 2011. Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague declared Juneteenth an official city holiday this year on June 15; two days later, President Joe Biden made it a federal holiday. Little Village caught up with Keshia Fields, Johnson County’s inclusion and equity specialist and co-chair for the county’s 2021 Juneteenth festival, which included talks, performances, food, a film screening and a history walk.
empowered celebration, and the joy of being alive erupts and sparkles consistently throughout the whole. To hear this album and to really listen gives a lesson in how to be a
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the first Iowa City Juneteenth celebration and the first year it was recognized as an official city holiday. Was there a lot of pressure when planning this year’s events? The planning committee was like, how can we make this an effective event for everyone, espe-
cially due to the pandemic? How are we going to work with restrictions and keep everybody safe? So that was the most pressure—that, and I had to follow in LaTasha DeLoach’s footsteps.
better human in each facet of life. (From “Album Review: Awful Purdies —‘The Great Unraveling’” by Daniel Boscaljon, published Jan. 22)
What were some of the highlights? The History Walk-In, that was my baby. It was telling the history of
Juneteenth, the history of Juneteenth in Iowa City, and focusing on influential people in the area. Being able to showcase Black-owned businesses, and also getting people to walk into those Black-owned businesses, a lot of people were saying, “Oh, I didn’t know this was here.” I’m glad that Juneteenth was able to highlight those businesses and history in the community.
Best Arts Presenter
The Englert Theatre 221 E Washington St, Iowa City, 319-688-2653 englert.org “As a longtime volunteer ush-
Juneteenth is a reason for the community to come together and celebrate. How do you balance that with reflecting on a history that is at times very dark? It definitely is a balance. You know, you
want to have this positive outlook on Juneteenth and how far we’ve come. But you also don’t want to forget our history and why we are celebrating Juneteenth, because we overcame so much. So it varies with each planning committee and also the current climate. Now it’s a time for us to educate more on the history of Juneteenth and not more so about the celebration of Juneteenth.
er, I regularly witness the thrill of anticipation on the face of ticket holders as they enter the theater.” —John B. “Have you seen that
Hopefully we’ll be in a better situation with the pandemic on Juneteenth 2022. Do you have any big plans? Next year is gonna be bigger and better. In my mind, I just see it growing more and more each
year, and different communities [starting] their own Juneteenths: North Liberty, or the smaller communities like Swisher and Shueyville. We can celebrate in so many different areas. I’m crossing my fingers that that’s gonna happen. No—I’m manifesting that that’s gonna happen.
marquee?” —Mac C. Best Community Music or Theater Group
Family Folk Machine familyfolkmachine.org
If there were one thing you think somebody who’s never heard of Juneteenth or has misconceptions about it should understand about the holiday, what would it be? It would be helping people to
feel like they belong. And reaching out to people in your community that may not look like you and forming relationships with them in understanding, getting to know their culture, getting to know them. With Juneteenth, we’re inviting people in to get to know us, to get to know our culture, to get to know our history, and everybody’s family. Everyone is invited. It’s about belonging, and to help people know that and experience that and want to help neighbors feel more welcomed in their communities. That’s just an amazing thing. —Emma McClatchey
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 39
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Concert of 2021
William Elliot Whitmore with Dave Zollo & The Body Electric June 27 at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City “He is always an amazing performer, but to see his first performance since the pandemic (and the first of a monster country-wide tour) was truly inspirational.” —Paula M. Best Cultural Event
Iowa City Juneteenth Celebration Best Drag Performer
Frisbee Jenkins (a.k.a. Sasha Belle) Best Festival of 2021
Iowa City Jazz Festival Best Free Fun
FilmScene in the Park
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
Randall Davis
S
Winner of Best Overall Musician
o you like to enjoy a night out of live music in the CRANDIC, but you’ve never seen Best Overall Musician Randall Davis perform? Hmmm. I call bullshit. Davis is a fixture, a necessary component of how the musical ecosystem in this region thrives. When I asked for a rundown of bands he’d performed with, past and present, he listed nearly 30, with a humble apology to those he might have missed. (We’ll have them all in the online version of this story.) We’re talking everyone from Matthew Grimm & the Red Smear to Best Local Band (and opener at the Best Concert of 2021) David Zollo & the Body Electric. Davis is a musician’s musician, exactly who you’d expect to earn this honor after almost two years of not being able to see live music on the regular.
How long have you been playing? When did you know that you needed to make a life out this? I
started playing saxophone in fifth grade. My band teacher Gary Jones wouldn’t teach me guitar, instead showing me the bass guitar, telling me I’d eventually get more gigs as a Jordan Sellergren / Little Village bass player. I picked up what I could and translated as much as possible to guitar. Watching TV as a kid and seeing Roy Clark on Hee Haw, being completely mesmerized by the guitar sound; listening to Mom and Dad’s, sister and brother’s records: Big Bopper, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, the Everly Bros., the Statler Bros., Buck Owens, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, AC/DC—just the tip of the iceberg really. That’s when I realized what I wanted and needed to do to be happy.
Minari sets the stage for the first arc of FilmScene’s summer programming: critical darlings with cultural weight,
How many guitars do you own? Which one has the best stories to tell? What other instruments do you play? I own several guitars, basses and lap steels, a dobro, a mandolin, a S10 pedal steel and a ukulele. ... I
play them all, some better than others. I am especially loving learning to play pedal steel. My ’81 G&L ASAT has seen a lot in her time with me, and she holds her cards pretty close to the vest. She’s retired now. My Frankentele Deluxe took over in ’09/’10. My two favorites, although I have a ’80 Greco SV-600 that is quickly becoming a favorite.
somewhat headier than the usual late-night outdoor summer fare. ... It’s the FilmScene “art house” experience, with only the location shifted—a testament to the way the pandemic has
What’s the central joy for you in making music: the physical act of playing? The intricacies of collaboration? The thrill of creation? The exhilaration of performing? Something else entirely?
I have always loved the connection that music brings to the world, whether it be between bandmates or any audience. You can see that at any show you go to, so I hope you go to shows. It has the possibility to encapsulate any range of emotion and allows for a healthy outlet of those. I feel hard pressed to name something else in this world that does that. Live in the pocket, die in the pocket.
caused us to rethink our cultural institutions and how we engage with both art and entertainment. (From the
Do you have a favorite onstage moment—something ridiculous or transcendent or horrifying (yet hilarious in retrospect)? My favorite moments on stage are when everybody finds the pocket and can live there
as long as possible. That to me is transcendent.
article “FilmScene kicks off new outdoor movie series on April 24 with ‘Minari’” by Genevieve Trainor, published April 7) Best Karaoke Night
Studio 13 13 S Linn St, Iowa City 319-337-6464, sthirteen.com
What’s exciting you right now about the future? The future’s so bright, we outta wear shades. Watching my son grow, watching him whack at the strings on a guitar and the joy it brings him makes me hopeful. My fiance, Emily, and I are getting married in June, and we are hoping that the world can come to its senses and get this pandemic under control so we can get on with our lives, before it all de-evolves into a more dystopian hellscape (ooops). Several groups I’m in are preparing to write and record new music, and I feel very lucky to have all those irons in the fire. Working at the Musician’s Pro Shop; teaching guitar and helping people find their voices in music. I feel very honored for having been selected in the Best of the CRANDIC. Thank you to everyone who voted, and especially thank you to everyone I’ve had the pleasure and honor of playing with. It means the world to me. ––Genevieve Trainor
40 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 41
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Read Little Village’s review on pg. 93 stories are relatable.” —Elsa D. “Have you read his stuff? It’s great! He tells a tale like a true storyteller, but it’s based on real experiences. Chuy’s sentences are filled with
BEST PRODUCTION
the most beguiling adjectives and adverbs to create a setting that
Sonnets For an Old Century
just opens a door to an entirely different perspective of small-
BEST LOCAL THEATRE COMPANY
THANK YOU!
town Iowa!” —Deborah W. Best Local Author
Chuy Renteria
“No one is more homegrown than Chuy. Not only is he a fantastic up-
“I heard a book reading of We
and-coming author, he is deeply
Heard it When We Were Young
invested in our community and the
and I was struck by the authen-
community he grew up in, West
ticity of Chuy’s voice. An Iowan
Liberty.” —Steph C.
giving a voice to so many other ‘invisible’ Iowans.” —Sonatina F.
Best Local Artist
Bekah Ash “For a Latina woman who grew
319-541-9010, bekahash.com
up in a town being a minority, his
STAFF PICK!
Best Arts Collective
Femme Decks
via Angelia Mahaney
Formed by Angelia Mahaney and Nina Kintsurashvili in June of 2019, Femme Decks didn’t even get a year under its belt before the pandemic hit. But the DJ collective formed to uplift women in the profession (which has since expanded to highlight underrepresented races and gender nonconforming folks as well) is still going strong. Former University of Iowa grad student Kintsurashvili has since returned home to Tbilisi, Georgia—but Mahaney has made a name for herself locally fighting for representation and safety for both DJs and dancers in all spaces Femme Decks utilizes and throughout the community. —Genevieve Trainor 42 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 43
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Best Local Band
Best Local Stand-Up Comedian
Best Poet/Spoken Word Artist
Dave Zollo & the Body Electric
Carson Tuttle
Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey
davidzollo.com
thenegroartist.com Best Local Theater Company
Best Local Podcast
Riverside Theatre
“Not only is his work amazing, he is always
Rock Hard Caucus
121 E College St, Iowa City
helping young artists find their way into the
rockhardcauc.us
319-887-1360, riversidetheatre.org
world of poetry.” —Travis J.
“They have swag.” —John G.
“Wonderful array of programs including the
Best Public Art
classic and the new. Free Shakespeare is won-
Downtown Iowa City murals
Best Local Record Label
derful.” —Weijing W.
Flat Black Studios (Long Play Records)
Best Radio Station
5012 540th St SE, Lone Tree
Best Movie Theater
KRUI 89.7 FM
flatblackstudios.com
FilmScene at the Chauncey
Based in Iowa City, krui.fm
404 E College St #100, Iowa City Best Local Recording Studio
319-358-2555, icfilmscene.org
Flat Black Studios
“Default station on the car radio. A perfect soundtrack to whatever Iowa City has to offer
FilmScene on the Ped Mall
on those mean streets.” —Paula M.
118 E College St, Iowa City
STAFF PICK!
“Their new location is really nice, but their Best Reading Series
508 Press Poem Zine Reading Series
Mackie Garrett has been creating small press zines out of the Iowa City Press Co-op, and with his reading series, he’s got a great distro model: Get a gorgeous, lovingly created, single-poem zine and hear the poet read that work and others with phenomenal noodling by Garrett and others as Antifahorn in the background. Sitting in the Public Space One art garden experiencing this is like steeping in the water of life. It feels like the essence of what Iowa City has always claimed to be. I’m deeply uninterested in a future for this city that doesn’t include these delightful inter-art happenings. —Genevieve Trainor
commitment to safety during the pandemic by moving certain showings to Zoom was really important to making things feel a little more normal.” —Noah S. Best Overall Musician
Randall Davis Best Place for a Cheap Date
FilmScene in the Park Best Place to Dance
Studio 13 Best Place to See Local Music
Gabe’s Iowa City 330 E Washington St, Iowa City 319-351-9175, icgabes.com
Claire Thoele / Little Village
CEDAR RAPIDS CZECH VILLAGE NEW BOHEMIA
Black Earth Gallery Art Consulting
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?
44 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
Best Songwriter
via ICDD
Jordan Sellergren jordansellergren.com Best Theatrical Production of 2021
Sonnets for an Old Century, Riverside Theatre Written by José Rivera, directed by Adam Knight, April 16-May 2 Production designer S. Benjamin Farrar created an astounding virtual waste for the characters to inhabit. It is not an attempt at verisimilitude; it is instead a masterful use of video to recreate the tension and imperfection of stage design. … [Director Adam] Knight has pulled off a coup in reframing the way we all will conceive of theater in our community going forward. There is hope for the future in Sonnets for an Old Century, and there is hope for our future in Riverside’s production of it. This is the work of a company on the cusp of something new. (From the article “Riverside dives deep and resurfaces with ‘Sonnets for an Old Century’” by Genevieve Trainor, published April 20) Best Trivia Night
Andrew’s Bar Exam @AndrewsBarExam on Facebook and Twitter
Come work with us
JOHN@NEWBO.CO • (319) 382-5128 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 45
Little Village Reader-Selected Best of the CRANDIC
COVID-19 Best Defender of Science
patron to still
Dr. Eli Perencevich
be able to
Twitter: @eliowa
get my goods
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Eli Perencevich Winner of Best Defender of Science
in-person experience. And I have
steady voice of reason and science
to imagine a great opportunity
during the pandemic, in the face
that farmers were still able to get
of... *gestures to everything.*”
their goods to their fans. In the
—Kelcey P.
online format, I found that I ended up trying [more] new vendors
Best Pandemic Adaptation: Artist
than I had in my previous farmers
Summer of the Arts’ Music on the Move, featuring Kevin Burt and David Zollo
market routine and really enjoying it. It was also neat that I got some of the stories of the vendors that I just never asked about in the in-
Best Pandemic Adaptation: Arts
person format when I would hand
and Entertainment
my money and take my tomatoes.”
FilmScene at The Chauncey
—Becca D.
404 E College St #100, Iowa City 319-358-2555, icfilmscene.org
Best Pandemic Adaptation:
FilmScene on the Ped Mall 118 E College St, Iowa City
Mercer Park Aquatic Center Pool: Swim appointment scheduling
“Art house cinema, but at home.
2701 Bradford Drive, Iowa City
Bags of popcorn, but to go.
icparks.org/pools
Recreation
Movies, but outside.” —Nick B. Best Pandemic Adaptation: Retail Community
Prairie Lights Books: Book delivery service
Iowa City Public Library
15 S Dubuque St, Iowa City
123 S Linn St
319-337-2681, prairielights.com
Best Pandemic Adaptation:
319-356-5200, icpl.org Best Pandemic Beacon of “Safety first resonates. They
Rationality
haven’t caved to peer pressure
Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague
and have gone a million miles
M
ost people who don’t work in public health first heard of Dr. Eli Perencevich seven months into the pandemic, when the “metrics” (a word Gov. Reynolds repeated endlessly in 2020) underlying the Iowa Department of Public Health’s plan to manage the spread of COVID-19 finally became public. “Not one of the criteria has anything to do with how the virus spreads,” Perencevich told Zachary Oren Smith, the journalist who got a hold of IDPH’s decision-making matrix, which the Reynolds administration was refusing to make public. Perencevich is a professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, as well as a member of the Iowa Infection Prevention Research Group and an expert on mathematical modeling in epidemiology. And just as importantly, he has been willing to speak about COVID and all its complications in language everyone can understand. “In a lot of ways, Iowa is serving as the control group of what not to do,” Perencevich told The Atlantic’s Elaine Godfrey for a December 2020 story on how Iowa’s government decided not to take many basic mitigation steps. While Perencevich has been a useful expert source for journalists, his tweets have reached thousands of Iowans directly. His feed (@eliowa) features not just his own commentary on public health, along with the occasional tweet about daily life in Iowa City, but also retweets of information and articles that help illuminate the state of the pandemic and possible ways to deal with it. And, of course, his tweets, like his quotes in news stories, are written in clear, easy-to-understand language. —Paul Brennan
above and beyond to provide everyone with things from the
“Mayor Teague was one of the
library for all ages.” —Paul M.
first to defiantly stand up for us against our dangerously irrational
”A T-rex and a
“[Sara] said, ‘You know, tomorrow
“They never stopped teaching
governor, Kim Reynolds. He has
unicorn roller
we should just put these costumes
and engaging throughout the
continued to do so throughout
skate down the
on and skate around and just
pandemic.” —Jamie H.
the pandemic, and I have no
street” sounds like
wave,’” Claps explained. “Really
doubt that his actions have helped
the set-up for a
our target audience was kids who
Best Pandemic Adaptation: Goods
to save lives. Thank you, Mayor
silly joke. In Iowa City, it’s a
are at home, sitting in the window
& Services
Teague, for your unwavering
delightful reality at a time when
just kind of looking out … It’s just
Iowa City Farmers Market/ Field to Family online market
support and care for your
fun distractions are as good as
gotten an incredible reaction from
citizens!” —Greg W.
gold. The minds and skating
the community, kids and adults
talents behind the costumes are
included.” (From the article “Iowa
“Truly miracle workers! How did
Best Pandemic Mood-Booster
Laura Claps (the T-rex) and Sara
City’s inflatable roller-skating
they pull it together? And so
Skating inflatables
Montgomery (the unicorn), Iowa
animal brigade lifts spirits during
smoothly, when the world was
theskatinginflatables@gmail.com
City residents, partners and
COVID-19 crisis” by Emma Mc-
10-year roller derby players.
Clatchey, published April 10, 2020)
chaos. It was so amazing as a 46 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
video still from Prevention & Infection Control
without the “Dr. Perencevich has been a
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
Best Pandemic Remodel
(From the article “Ghost Creek
North Linn Street, Iowa City
shimmers in the fog of our pandemic-fatigued minds” by Gene-
Best Streamed Performance
vieve Trainor, published Feb. 18)
Mission Creek Festival, Ghost Creek Last year, when
Best Switch to Streaming
Thank you, local press fans, for your votes!
FilmScene: Virtual screening room
COVID-19 was just beginning to
Best Vaccine Advocate
establish its kudzu
Brian Finley
control over us,
Creator of Iowa Vaccine Alerts (@
the cancellation of Mission Creek
IAVaccineAlerts on Twitter)
2020 was what shook many of us in eastern Iowa out of our illusions
In the absence of a
of isolation and personal safety.
scheduling
Now, almost a year later, Ghost
resource for all
Creek is telling us gently that
Iowans who
illusion is OK again—that it might
qualify for
not yet be safe to gather, but it’s
COVID-19 vaccination, one Iowa
safe to dream of gathering. It’s
City web developer got creative.
safe to hope. … Benjamin Handler,
The @IAVaccineAlerts Twitter
who adapted and directed the
account, created by University of
piece, has a distinct knack for this
Iowa Information Technology
kind of storytelling: the kind that
Services employee Brian Finley, is
invites, if not outright forces, the
perhaps the most efficient vaccine
viewer to overlay their own
scheduling aid in Iowa. Finley
experiences, that exists more as a
automated the account to tweet
conversation than a declamation.
whenever a retail vaccine site
STAFF PICK!
The Plague Can’t Keep ’Em Down Award
Sam Locke Ward
OK, it’s long been well-known in this town that Association of Alternative Newsmedia Award-winning Little Village cartoonist SLW is a prolific musician. But gotdayum, son! In 2021 alone he’s released two recordings with Mike Watt as SLW cc Watt, one with Joe Jack Talcum and the Bassturd as Boundless Relaxation and three under his own moniker. And that doesn’t count the visual work we’ve freelanced from him and the comics he’s self-published. And the year’s not over! Oof. If you were ever made to feel inferior by those assholes who taught themselves to bake bread during the height of the pandemic, just introduce them to the wonder that is SLW, so they can feel inferior, too. He’s been out there straight making magic happen. —Genevieve Trainor
SLWccWatt
Sam Locke Ward
Boundless Relaxation
Real Manic Time
Forever Rages
Tranquility of the Infinite
May 2021
August 2021
November 2021
Schedule an appointment to browse & use the code LITVILLAGE25 to bypass the deposit! Reserve the bookstore for an hour, for you and up to 5 friends! thehauntedbookshop.com
MASKS REQUIRED Code expires 12/24/21 We are not buying books LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 47
COVID-19
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
The Haunted Bookshop Winner of Most Commendable COVID-19 Mitigation Game, Best Toy Store
T
he Haunted Bookshop has found clever ways to safely recreate the atmosphere of their beloved store, from the popular “Surprise Me!” option, which allows customers to describe their tastes and let booksellers decide the rest, to online browsing via Instagram (@HauntedBookshopIowaCity), to contact-free sidewalk sales that benefit the Free Medical Clinic. Little Village asked owner Nialle Sylvan to share the inside scoop on bookselling in the end times.
What happens after a customer orders a Surprise Me! bag? The first thing that happens when we get a Surprise Me! order involves a lot of incoherent happy noises, because filling these orders has been our favorite activity over these months. So Josh says, “New order. This person likes...” and it’s usually a combination of things, like strong female characters + contemporary urban setting, or dinosaurs + ponies, and maybe an age range or preferred genre, maybe a not-necessarily-related detail like favorite color or food, and then the budget. I then run around the store picking books (and if requested, toys) while Josh totals up the purchase and suggests other sections or ways of interpreting the order, and when we hit the limit, I might switch a few items to Celine Robins
48 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
get the order down to budget or to round out the range of selections, then Josh sends a confirmation email to the requester with a link to our payment processing site. Have you noticed any trends in readers’ interests during the pandemic? Unsurprisingly, we have been asked to avoid heavy, depress-
ing, triggering or dark themes—and that’s sometimes as true of patrons who like history as those who like fiction. Also unsurprisingly, we have had a lot of requests specifically for dystopian or epidemic/plague stories, the game Pandemic, etc. A surprising number of patrons have decided to give genre fiction—especially fantasy or mystery—a try. How have you maintained bookseller-customer relationships during the pandemic? We’ve made a point of being available, by
phone, email, social media and (when possible) for in-person browsing, and not just because we miss our regulars. We recognize that everyone has been impacted by the pandemic, that many people have lost or suspended important social and familial connections. We know that play and reading are essential as people spend more time with less companionship, or when loss of interaction or (we hope not) loss of friends or loved ones has made time itself harder to bear. So, we’re doing our best to provide the fun escapes we’ve always offered while also offering our ears and our time, and whatever insight we can bring to bear, to help people along as we all reassess who we are and what matters most to us. —Celine Robins
(specifically, Hy-Vee, Walgreens
Most Commendable COVID-19
and CVS pharmacies across the
Mitigation Game
state) has available appoint-
The Haunted Bookshop
ments. The openings can be
219 N Gilbert St, Iowa City
fleeting, but each tweet is
319-337-2996
another opportunity for an
thehauntedbookshop.com
Iowan to nab a spot—a scrappy sort of process familiar to those
“Steadfast in protecting us
who have tried to score tickets
and keeping us up to date on
online to a popular concert or
inventory, with cool new options
musical. (From the article
for Surprise Bags.” —Kelcey P.
“Vaccine appointments can feel elusive. This Iowa Twitter account helps” by Emma McClatchey, published
Worst Governor of Iowa During the Pandemic
Gov. Kim Reynolds
March 19)
video still
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 49
Little Village Reader-Selected Best of the CRANDIC
Community Best Art Gallery or Museum
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art 410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
Little Village
319-366-7503, crma.org
Best Arts Nonprofit
Public Space One
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Andre Perry Winner of Best Nonprofit Director (The Englert Theatre)
W
hen Best Nonprofit Director Andre Perry announced his departure from the Englert Theatre this August, the general consensus in the community was that, although his shoes would be hard to fill, his greatest strength as a leader was in raising up everyone around him to fill them. His leadership style inspires confidence and competence in all he encounters. Now he brings those skills to his new role as University of Iowa Director of Arts, Engagement and Inclusion and Senior Advisor. And he’s not leaving behind the top-tier programming he was known for at the Englert, either, as he continues to prepare for Mission Creek 2022 and brings Iowa City opportunities to BIPOC and international artists under the banner of Black Clapton Presents.
229 N Gilbert St, Iowa City 319-855-1985, publicspaceone.com “I love a good, solid art museum experience, but PS1 has been kicking ass over the past 24 months with buying their space(s), expanding programming, adapting beautifully to pandemic life (virtual classes! VR exhibit!) and then thoughtfully reopening.” —Andrea T. “It serves the community by offering classes for the non-artist. They bring joy and art into this
What lessons from your time at Englert will you bring over to the UI? I think so much
of the work we did at the theater, so much Jason Smith / Little Village of the work I’m already doing at the university. It’s all about trust. In order to build strong communities we have to trust each other. It [requires] being dedicated to long-term and ongoing empathetic conversations with everyone involved.
community!” —Rebekah D. It’s hard to walk by the Close House and not feel the urge to peek inside its huge, dometopped windows. The idea of
What are you proudest of in your time at the Englert? I’m really happy that the Englert, along with other partners, that we’re able to collectively build a bigger creative community here. There are more jobs in the creative sector than there were before; to me that’s important. And I don’t take credit for that … but to be part of that means something to me, and I remain committed to that in all of my future roles.
throwing open the doors to the community is certainly attractive to Public Space One’s board. “You don’t have to pretend like you’re buying a fancy sofa,” [Executive Director John] Engelbrecht said of a PS1owned Close House. “If you want to come and
In what ways do you feel you “grew up” as an artist and an arts activist in your time at the Englert? I feel I grew a lot. I didn’t know much—I had a lot of assumptions when I showed
up. I grew in my capacity for empathy; I grew in what it means to build projects in a way that results in more equity across the community. I feel like I went for school for 10 years! And that was just opening it up. I feel like that was undergrad, and now I’m in grad school.
walk around our gallery, it will be open and free to visit.” (From the article “Public Space One purchases historic Iowa City mansion” by Emma McClatchey, published Oct. 4)
What are you most excited about in your new role? I love having a deeper commitment to
students at this level … I’m super stoked about how we can continue to lead an interconnected artistic community, and I think we all know the university can be part of that. To really focus that work through the lens of equity and building more inclusive communities—that’s where it’s at for me.
Best Community Advocate TIE!
Iowa Freedom Riders Facebook: @iowafreedomrider Twitter: @IAFreedomRiders Instagram: @iowafreedomriders 50 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
What can we expect from Black Clapton Presents? Some cool shit. We’re going to be
another layer of the programmatic fabric of this community. I’m probably going to be more focused [than at the Englert] … getting out of some lanes to make room for new people. I want to express my gratitude for being considered for this honor. Receiving any type of honor from Little Village is special to me. ––Genevieve Trainor
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
United Action for Youth
Best Local Facebook Page
1700 S 1st Ave #14, Iowa City 319-338-7518
Corridor Community Action Network
unitedactionforyouth.org
Facebook: @CorridorCAN corridorcan.com
Best Elected Official
Mayor Bruce Teague
“For derecho relief, housing assistance, public actions and
Best Environmental Advocate
more, nothing beats it.” —Jane S.
100 Grannies 100grannies.org
Best Local Hero
Best Historic Building
Willie Ray Fairley, Willie Ray’s Q Shack
Old Capitol Building
288 Blairs Ferry Rd NE,
University of Iowa Pentacrest,
Cedar Rapids, 319-206-3806
Iowa City
willieraysqshack.com
Best LGBTQ+ Hangout
“I’m not
Studio 13
necessarily sure if I
13 S Linn St, Iowa City
can consider
319-337-6464, sthirteen.com
myself a master, but I like to think I
Best Library
am,” Fairley said. His barbecue
Iowa City Public Library
restaurant, located at 288 Blairs
123 S Linn St, 319-356-5200, icpl.org
Ferry Rd NE, serves food through
Izabela Zaluska / Little Village
Willie Ray Fairley, Willie Ray’s Q Shack Winner of Best Local Hero
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 51
COMMUNITY
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
Union of Iowa’s Caregivers (SEIU Local 199)
its drive-up and walk-up windows. Various
Winner of Hardest Fightin’ Union
along with daily specials. Fairley said he plans
S
ervice Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 199 is a union that fights for health care workers and other caregivers in Iowa. They conduct collective bargaining for wages and salaries, handle labor management issues and provide member benefits like providing insurance and navigating student loan debt. Currently, the union has 4,500 members across six chapters: Aase Haugen Senior Services, Bettendorf Health Care Center, Finley Hospital, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Strawberry Point Lutheran Home and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). Local 199 was founded in 1999, following the unionization of around 3,000 health care workers from the UIHC. Since then, it’s grown to encompass nursing homes and educational organizations. At UI they represent around 4,000 workers, primarily nurses and other specialty areas like physical therapists. “SEIU has always been an advocate of creating change within our communities,” said Cathy Glasson, former Local 199 president. “... This country cannot function without workers being treated with dignity and respect on the job.” In 2017, Iowa’s Republican-led state legislature and Gov. Terry Branstad passed a union busting law that placed restrictions on collective bargaining, going on strike and collecting union dues, which threatened to dissolve the UIHC union. “We have shrunk a lot as a union since 2017. The legal constraints made it very difficult for us to keep up financially,” said Hannah Bott, an organizer and union representative. “We’re going to continue to do whatever it takes to build that power.” The 2017 law gutted much of their progress at UI. Their current contract with the Board of Regents contains sections only for base pay and a 1.3 percent annual pay increase. There are no provisions for paid time off, holidays, overtime or retirement. “I’M HOPING TO SEE MORE “One of the main things that we’ve been working on is staffing issues, WORKER RESPECT, WORKER which is a large problem facing hospiPOWER AND THE BUILDING OF A tals across the country right now,” Bott STRONGER LABOR MOVEMENT.” said. “We’ve kind of reached a breakthrough point where they have started to agree with us that this is a really serious problem. And so we’re really working on doing what we can to build power within the university.” At UI, Local 199 is fighting for all their members to receive raises and bonuses. A few weeks ago, a large portion of their bargaining unit, including in-patient care units, received raises, but many other workers were left out. Recently, Local 199 has entered a servicing agreement with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota (HCMN) to help conduct their work. HCMN will help administer collective bargaining, provide union representation and build member strength. Local 199 is currently working to overturn the 2017 law. Local 199 has also partnered with other organizations in Iowa to fight for workers. They joined the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition, and for months they have petitioned the city and county municipalities to provide COVID relief for excluded and essential workers, including immigrants and formerly incarcerated people. “We’re really proud of that hard work and proud of being part of that coalition,” said Katie Biechler, a political coordinator and executive assistant. “We won $2 million at the county level. That’ll be going to those excluded workers who didn’t get stimulus checks, so we’re excited about that win.” For now, SEIU Local 199 is going to continue fightin’ hard for the workers in Iowa. “I’m hoping to see more worker respect, worker power and the building of a stronger labor movement,” Glasson said. “SEIU is really on the forefront of leading this work, and our local is all in. And I’m proud to be a retired Member of this organization. It’s the best union, and I love it dearly.” ––Adria Carpenter 52 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
smoked meats and sides are on the menu, to give out the free meals for three to four more weeks “until everyone’s back on their feet.” If people are still in need after that, he said he’ll make sure they get food. (From the article “Willie Fairley plans to feed derecho victims ‘until everyone’s back on their feet’” published Sept. 3, 2020 by Izabela Zaluska)
Best New Queer Space
STAFF PICK!
Iowa LGBTQ Archives & Library
Despite the perception of cultural openness in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, LGBTQ+ (i.e. Queer) spaces have a fraught history here. Just as some find community in sports bars, coffee shops, reading groups and artistic venues, there is value in spaces which primarily serve the Queer community in intentional and inclusive ways. And while there is something to be said for building community, there is just as much power in recording the community as it was and how it is today. The Iowa LGBTQ Archives & Library built a community space to research, gather, house and give voice to the stories of the Queer experience across Iowa––a critical gap in Queer community services, and one which I hope to see thrive in the months and years ahead. Whether you or someone you know has items to contribute to the archive, time to volunteer to support their work, or is interested in perusing their (relatively extensive) library collection, the archive’s work and the support they’ve seen give me hope for the future of the Queer community in the CRANDIC. —Nolan Petersen
Best Local Twitter Account
Iowa City Police Log @IC_ActivityLog Best Nonprofit Director
Andre Perry, The Englert Theatre “More than a decade of leadership helping build the greatest small city for the arts.” —Nick B.
Best Bank in the CRANDIC
Proud to support and serve the local community
Thank You! Iowa City for voting us
Garden Centers family owned • family grown
BEST
Garden Center
1901 Lower Muscatine Rd. • Iowa City • 354-5028
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 53
COMMUNITY
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Corridor Community Action Network Winner of Best Local Facebook Page
E
arly in the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself with an overabundance of diapers that my daughter had grown out of. Disoriented and feeling cut off from friends, family and usual donation options, I threw out a plea on Facebook asking where I might safely gift them. A friend directed me to the Corridor Community Action Network, the CRANDIC’s Best Local Facebook Page. It was then a comparatively small community on the site. Mandi Nichols, who founded CCAN in August of 2019, connected me with an organization in need just blocks from my home. CCAN is now a Facebook page boasting Jason Smith / Little Village over 1,500 likes. The org posts daily calls to action that offer direct ways that individuals can make a difference in their communities, along with sharing posts and information from other like-minded groups. It’s like your own personal mutual aid 101. Nichols, whose family moved to North Liberty from Okinawa when she was 14, moved to Iowa City at 17 and has been raising children here for over 18 years. She’s worked at UIHC for over 15 years. In addition to her work with CCAN, she is chair of the Iowa City Community Police Review Board, co-chair of the University of Iowa Safety and Security Committee and a member of the UI Council for the Status of Women.
What is CCAN’s mission statement? Corridor Community Action Network serves to facilitate resident participation and empowerment, raising awareness about opportunities to improve the quality of life for all individuals in the Iowa Corridor. We take action to promote individual and community equity and quality of life through policy and advocacy work, service projects, volunteer efforts and the formation of alliances, partnerships and coalitions with other organizations.
Best Nonprofit for Community Access
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank 1121 S Gilbert Ct, Iowa City 319-351-2726 builtbycommunity.org Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party
Iowa Children’s Museum Coral Ridge Mall, Coralville 319-625-6255, theicm.org Best Place to Volunteer
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank “CommUnity really cares about its volunteers. Even in the height of the pandemic, staff were finding ways to deliver vital services while still keeping volunteers safe. They really stepped up to the plate during an impossible situation.” —Aiden R. Best Public Restroom
Iowa City Public Library restrooms “Downtown’s public restroom. Convenient and clean with a
Why did CCAN choose Facebook as a launchpad? CCAN originally began as a Facebook group where
residents could share and find ways in which they could actively help our community. Over time it grew and changed in response to local needs, eventually starting some of our own initiatives and becoming the nonprofit that we are today. We created the public Facebook page prior to our first CCAN-Con, a tabling convention of nonprofit and grassroots organizations that allowed members of the public to speak with representatives and find opportunities that were good fits for them. In the future, we hope to host conventions two to three times per year. Shortly before the pandemic reached Iowa, we also began hosting monthly networking meetings, which allow organizational representatives to come together, share their needs and plans for the upcoming month and collaborate on shared goals. After a long break, we began holding these meetings on Zoom and inviting the public to view them through Facebook Live. We have found that holding meetings virtually actually works better, as it removes barriers and allows more representatives to attend. While I believe that interacting with people in person can go a long way towards building relationships, I would say that most of our deepest community connections continue to begin through Facebook interactions.
What CCAN accomplishment are you most proud of? The CCAN accomplishment that I am most proud
drinking fountain that has a bottle filler right outside.” —Susan C. Best Science or History Museum
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History Macbride Hall, UI Pentacrest, Iowa City, 319-335-0480 mnh.uiowa.edu Best Shopping District
Downtown Iowa City
of is providing nearly 100 students with new backpacks and all needed supplies for the 2020-2021 school year. We worked directly with student family advocates at Elizabeth Tate High and Grant Wood Elementary in order to assure the supplies went to students who needed them the most.
Best Tourist Attraction TIE!
Why do you value community action? I value community action because such action is necessary in order
Devonian Fossil Gorge
to create an equitable community in which everyone is valued, safe and has their needs met. Since that is the type of community that I want myself and my children to live in, I have a responsibility to do my part to make it a reality. —Genevieve Trainor
54 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
The Amana Colonies amanacolonies.com
2850 Prairie du Chien Rd NE, Iowa City (off Coralville Lake)
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
RDE ED ION A T NT RE INA M E ME NO BL
A
OR
N HO
Adria Carpenter / Little Village
Supervisor Jon Green’s Hat One reader’s pick for
Best Elected Official in the CRANDIC via Jon Green
Best View
Hardest Fightin’ Union
Mount Trashmore
SEIU Local 199, the union of Iowa’s caregivers
2250 A Street SW, Cedar Rapids
332 S Linn #12, Iowa City Best Yard/Garden
319-341-0112, seiu199.org
Johnson County Historic Poor Farm
Most Trusted Funeral Home
319-356-6000
Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service
jchistoricpoorfarm.com
605 Kirkwood Ave, Iowa City
4811 Melrose Ave, Iowa City
319-338-8171, lensingfuneral.com Best Youth Nonprofit
United Action for Youth
Lensing’s Oak Hill 210 Holiday Rd, Coralville 319-351-9362
Jordan Sellergren / Little Village
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 55
Little Village Reader-Selected Best of the CRANDIC
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Goods & Services Best Antique Store
Best Bridal
Artifacts
Boutique TIE!
331 E Market St, Iowa City
Brides by Jessa
319-358-9617
920 E 2nd Ave Ste
artifacts-iowacity.com
120, Coralville 319-400-4200
“So much space! I love having
bridesbyjessa.com
a consignment furniture place available so close to home and in
Hope’s Bridal & Prom
downtown.” —Alea W.
3015 73rd St, Atkins 319-446-7887, hopesbridal.com
“Always find treasure here.” —Greg R. Best Comic Book/Gaming Store Best Appliance Store
Daydreams Comics
The Appliance Barn
229 E Washington St, Iowa City
1275 IA-1 Suite 4, Iowa City
319-354-6632
319-834-9032, appliancebarn.com
daydreamscomics.com
101 B Ave, Kalona
Best Convenience Store
319-656-2573
John’s Grocery 401 E Market St, Iowa City
Best Bank or Credit Union
319-337-2183, johnsgrocery.com
Hills Bank & Trust Company Locations across eastern Iowa
Best Daycare
Kirkwood School for Children Best Auto Detailing/Car Wash
1107 Kirkwood Ct, Iowa City
Club Car Wash
319-337-2644, ks4c.com
Malcolm MacDougall / Little Village
Iowa Running Company Winner of Best Shoe Store
I
owa Running Company, tucked between a pizza restaurant and donut shop in Cedar Rapids’ New Bohemia neighborhood, stocks a solid variety of running shoes and practical activewear and even features a couple of treadmills for checking your gait to find the best possible pair of sneakers. They also have a kegerator! I asked Clifton Trebil-Smith, co-owner of Iowa Running Company, a few questions about the shop and his sport of choice.
1059 IA-1, Iowa City clubcarwash.com
“Free-range kids! Elementary principal says he always knows kids
2015 2nd Street, Coralville
from Tim’s because they are the best prepared for kindergarten.
Best Barber
They prove that kids as young as 2
Men’s Room
can be aware of others’ emotions,
1052 Mt Vernon Rd SE, Cedar
their body’s limits and how to be
Rapids, 319-200-7777
part of a community.” —Leah F.
Best Body Piercer
Best Financial Planner/Tax Service
Release Body Modification 110 S Linn St, Iowa City
Carrie Houchins-Witt Tax & Financial Services
319-594-1965
1303 5th St #207, Coralville
releasebodypiercing.com
319-358-2854, houchinswitt.com Best Flooring/Carpet Store
“Bunny does great work.” —Katie J.
When Iowa Running Company was coming to life in 2017 and seeking a location, we didn’t want to be anywhere other than this neighborhood. We feel fortunate to have moved into what was already a refreshingly sophisticated space.
Running is unique in that it requires no gear but a surface to run on. That said, since most of us aren’t doing it naked, what gear do you recommend most, especially as we enter the dark winter season? Every runner is different and has their
preferences when it comes to running in the winter. While some layer up like an onion, others will run in a T-shirt and shorts all year long. Regardless of what you wear, being visible is the one thing everyone should take seriously. A simple strobe light attached to your front and back can be the difference between being noticed or being road dust.
Randy’s Flooring 401 2nd St, Coralville
Best Bookstore
Your storefront is gorgeous and refreshingly sophisticated. How long have you been there? Oh gosh, now we’re blushing.
319-354-4344, randysflooring.com
Prairie Lights Books 15 S Dubuque St, Iowa City
280 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar
319-337-2681, prairielights.com
Rapids, 319-393-1400
What are three tips you’d offer anyone interested in becoming a runner? A: It’s your journey and no one else’s. You are a runner
regardless of your speed. It’s all relative, so don’t compare yourself to others. B: Find a running community. For an individualized activity, you’ll find more supportive teammates than any other sport. C: Just do it. Some shoe company out there said that once, I think.
Warehouse 1930 James St, Coralville
Do you have a running/racing mantra?
319-354-4344
Remember why you started.
56 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
—Jordan Sellergren
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 57
GOODS & SERVICES
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Carrie Houchins-Witt Tax & Financial Services
Best Florist
Winner of Best Financial Planner/Tax Service
207 N Linn St, Iowa City
B
Willow & Stock 319-338-1332
est Financial Planner/Tax Service winner Carrie Houchins-Witt is a CRANDIC staple both behind and away from the calculator. Over a decade ago, she began putting her passion and skill for numbers into use preparing tax returns for the actors she performed with, learning quickly just how invaluable that service was. She became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional in 2009 and an Enrolled Agent in 2013; in 2016, she became a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional. But she never strays far from the stage—and of course, in the busy, arts-infused CRANDIC, she doesn’t have to! Her office even shares a building with the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, a match made in theater heaven.
willowandstock.com Best Hair Salon
Honeybee Hair Parlor 755 S Gilbert St, Iowa City 319-338-5589 honeybeehairparlor.com “Love the vibe and focus on
What do you love most about your job? I definitely have right-
brain and left-brain tendencies, but when I started doing taxes, I realized that I love the problem-solving aspect of it. Every tax return is like a puzzle that needs to be put together in just the right way. I love puzzles, and it’s fun for me to figure out the details of each return. It also makes me happy to help people, and so many of my clients are extremely appreciative of what I do for them. Ours is a great community full of people with different skills, and I like being a part of the community. I can’t program your computer or cure your strep throat, but I can do your taxes!
Can you share (without specifics, obviously!) the zaniest tax circumstances you’ve had to navigate for a client? Well,
the cause of the most difficult and interesting tax circumstances has thankfully gone away. Back in the day, it was challenging to file taxes for same-sex couples who were legally married in Iowa but not in the eyes of the federal government. For a while, I was a de facto national expert on taxes for same-sex couples. Because Iowa was one of the first states to establish marriage equality in 2009 (yay Iowa!!), I had to learn how to help couples file joint returns in Iowa and separate federal returns.
What’s your favorite theater role you’ve played? What’s your dream role? To date, I’d
say my favorite role was The Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods.
Dear Carrie: Tips from a CFP®
inclusion! Liz never disappoints, and I appreciate that she gives my kids the cuts they want also.
When should you consider hiring a tax professional?
I’m a Honeybee lifer!” —Lacie S. “UNPARALLELED cuts. They
• You work as an independent contractor or have your own business • You have rental income (from a rental property or just some AirBnB weekends) • You have investment accounts that pay dividends or you sold stocks or virtual currency • You have a residence in one state and income from another • You’re retired and taking distributions from IRA or 401(k) accounts
are so on top of trends and really take their time, paying attention to detail and always asking for feedback. They have such a positive space and I really appreciate the precautions they have taken in the pandemic, especially considering there has been so little official guidance for small businesses.” —Hailey B. Best Home Decor Store via Carrie Houchins-Witt
If you want to prepare your own taxes:
Artifacts Best Home Improvement Company
• Read up on the latest changes to tax laws, both from the federal and state levels
Martin Construction 1824 G St, Iowa City 319-248-0561 andrewmartinconstruction.com
That was a dream role, and it was thrilling to be able to bring her to life, especially with that cast, crew and production team [at City Circle Theatre Company, directed by Chris Okiishi]. The dream role I haven’t had the opportunity to play (yet!) is Desdemona in Othello. Some may say I’ve aged out of the role, but hey—Meryl Streep played Juliet when she was older than I am now, so why not? I’ve always loved that play and that character. If any CRANDIC companies are planning to produce Othello, I hope they’ll let me audition! Is performing an escape
58 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
for you, or do you find that you utilize similar skills in those two parts of your life?
Performing is absolutely an escape! Acting, singing and dancing allow me to flex different muscles and engage my right-brain energy which can be very therapeutic. ... Having said that, collaborating with a team on a play or a musical can be like a puzzle, and my problem-solving skills often get a workout, too. In addition to acting, I’ve been a certified actor combatant and love to choreograph stage combat and violence. So when I’m working on a show in that capacity, it’s an entirely different kind of puzzle to solve. ––Genevieve Trainor
They have kept my 150-year-old house standing and looking very pertty. —Louise R. Best Hotel
The Highlander Hotel 2525 Highlander Pl, Iowa City 319-354-2000 highlanderhotel.us “Cool vibe. The entire hotel was recycled into something cool again: woman-owned, independent, locally owned, living wages to all.” —Angela H. “To be completely candid, I absolutely adore The Highlander
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 59
GOODS & SERVICES
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Hotel. It’s a historical landmark and more importantly it’s a place where family, friends and all others alike can come together and share wonderful memories.” —Alexander P. Some longtime residents might find it odd that a place that peaked during their lifetimes has become “historic.” Some newer residents might be discovering the gem in Iowa City’s northeast corner for the first time. … When I was young, I remember asking my grandma if she got a parking spot right up front—she owned the place, after all. She told me in a way that a grandma does, “No, I park in the back, so our customers can have the best spots.”
Adamantine Spine Moving
Jordan Sellergren / Little Village
Winner of Best Movers
(From the article “The Highlander, Iowa City’s strange, star-studded supper club, is now a historic hotel”
“They are detailed and thorough
Best Landscaper
“West sponsors all music. I’m 66
by Kevin Boyd, published Aug. 4)
in their cleaning, along with being
Fiddlehead Gardens
years and play with people my
responsive and really lovely to
1947 Waterfront Dr, Iowa City
age in a band that West provides
Best Garden Store
work with—Megan is the best!
319-321-6549
for us. CEO [Robin] Walenta is
Earl May
They use organic cleaning supplies
fiddleheadgardens-landscaping.com
supportive of all ages learning and
5155 Northland Ave NE, Cedar
whenever possible. They’ve
Rapids, 319-377-7582, earlmay.com
been really amazing during the
Best Locally Made Product
playing music.” —Karen K.
pandemic, working to keep their
Oasis Falafel hummus
Best Nail Salon
1200 Edgewood Rd SW, Cedar
employees and customers safe
206 N Linn St, Iowa City
Elite Nails
Rapids, 319-396-7684
while supporting their workers’
Also sold at dozens of local
205 E Burlington St, Iowa City
employment and financial needs. I
grocery stores
319-354-4517
Best Movers
Best Pest Control
Adamantine Spine Moving
D & R Pest Control
1901 Lower Muscatine Rd, Iowa
can’t say enough good things! —Aaron S.
City, 319-354-5028 Best House Cleaning Service
Best Insurance Agency
656 S Governor St, Iowa City
3591 Perch Dr SE A, Iowa City
Oranges & Elbows
Willie Caldwell, State Farm
319-519-4564, spinemoving.com
319-354-1606
319-855-1503
2000 1st Ave NE #200, Cedar
orangesandelbows.com
Rapids, 319-363-9200
“I love coming home to a clean
Best Jewelry Store
and wonderful smelling space. It is
dandrpestcontrol.com 3227 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids 319-774-7386
Best Pet Boarding/Grooming
Beadology Iowa
Best Musical Instrument Store
Suds ‘N Hugs Mobile Pet Grooming
not an overstatement to say that
220 E Washington St, Iowa City
West Music
730 3rd Ave, Iowa City
the service they provide has been
319-338-1566, beadologyiowa.com
1212 5th St, Coralville
319-383-6641, Facebook:
319-351-2000, westmusic.com
@iowacitymobilegroomers
life-changing for me.” —Julie G. “As one who makes her own “Their quality of work is always
jewelry, having Beadology means
1398 Twixt Town Rd, Marion
Best Photographer/Videographer
excellent—the best I’ve found.
unique supplies are nearby.
319-377-9100
Dan Rolling Photography
But as importantly they are also
Professional-looking pieces are
excellent in their communication
readily available there, too, for that
with customers. I can’t
ultimate dress-up at home and
“They are very friendly,
Best Record Store
recommend them enough.”
dream-of-going-out experience.”
knowledgeable, informative and
Record Collector
patient when helping you decide
116 S Linn St, Iowa City
on a purchase.” —Kevin T.
319-337-5029, recordcollector.co
—Kevin B. 60 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
—J.A.
danrollingphotography.com
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 61
GOODS & SERVICES
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
STAFF PICK!
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
Best Retail Staff
Best Store to Splurge on Yourself At
Found + Formed
Revival
65 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
117 E College St, Iowa City
319-438-2727
319-337-4511, revivaliowacity.com
foundandformedshop.com Best Tattoo Artist Best Roofing Company
Anne Marsh, Iowa City Tattoo
Andino Construction
393 E College St, Iowa City
3546 Dolphin Dr SE A, Iowa City
319-499-5892, iowacitytattoo.com
319-471-7527
Best Tool Library
Malcolm MacDougall / Little Village
Matthew 25
There’s nothing worse than finally getting a weekend to do a home project and realizing, to your horror, that you don’t have the circular saw/pneumatic stapler/niche screwdriver to actually complete it. Worry not! Where once you might have had to resort to hacking through those baseboards with your old Boy Scout Swiss Army knife or trying to caulk your tub with a pastry bag, Matthew 25’s tool library has an online inventory filled with every tool you’d need for a weekend project. ––Malcolm MacDougall
62 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
andinoconstructionia.com
Best Tobacco/Vape Shop
Best Shoe Store
Almost Paradise Tobacco and Vapor
Iowa Running Company
355 S Linn St, Iowa City
1000 3rd St SE #2, Cedar Rapids
319-359-1694
319-364-0641, iowarun.com 2301 2nd St #5, Coralville Best Store for Gift Shopping
319-569-2341
White Rabbit 112 S Linn St, Iowa City, 319-358-9557
1551 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
white-rabbit-shop.myshopify.com
319-449-4445
Best Store for Kids’ Books
Prairie Lights Books
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 63
GOODS & SERVICES
Best Toy Store
Most Trusted in Auto Sales
The Haunted Bookshop
Toyota of Iowa City
219 N Gilbert St, Iowa City
1445 IA-1, Iowa City
319-337-2996
319-351-1501, toyotaiowacity.com
thehauntedbookshop.com Most Trusted Mechanic TIE! Best Vet Clinic
Dodge Street Tire
Cat Clinic of Iowa City
605 N Dodge St, Iowa City
1705 S 1st Ave, Iowa City
319-337-3031, dst-ic.com
319-351-2252 catclinicofiowacity.com
Russ’ Northside Service 305 N Gilbert St
Best Vintage or Consignment Store
319-351-1909
Artifacts
russnorthsideserviceinc.com
Best Wedding Venue
Most Trusted Plumber
Wilson’s Orchard/Rapid Creek Cidery
Bea Day Plumbers
4823 Dingleberry Rd NE, Iowa City
319-354-2814, beaday.com
537B Hwy 1 W, Iowa City
wilsonsorchard.com Most Trusted Realtor Most Trusted Electrician
Phoebe Martin, Realtor
Shay Electric
319-541-8695
1311 Highland Ct, Iowa City
phoebemartinrealtor.com
319-354-3793 Most Unique Shop
Artifacts
STAFF PICK!
Illest Arcade Game
Vice Iowa City
Sid Peterson / Little Village
There are plenty of places to play Pac Man, pinball and plush-filled crane machines in eastern Iowa, but only one (to my knowledge) that pays out Supreme sneakers and wads of cash. Vice—which moved into a new, larger space at 312 E Prentiss St in November— is the town’s first buy/sell/trade shop for vintage shoes and streetwear. Amid racks of rare Nikes, old band T-shirts and even the occasional pair of JNCO jeans is a Sega Key Master machine, stocked with merchandise and, sometimes, $500 cash bundles. Is it rigged? Could be, but that hasn’t stopped 50 customers from taking home the high-value prizes since Vice debuted the machine in May 2019. At $1 per play, it’s a chance worth taking. —Emma McClatchey 64 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
Thank you for voting us “Best House Cleaning Service” in the CRANDIC!
orangesandelbows.com
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 65
Little Village Reader-Selected Best of the CRANDIC
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
Health & Recreation Best Assisted Living Community/
Best Eye Clinic TIE!
Retirement Home
Discerning Eye
Oaknoll
218 E Washington St, Iowa City
1 Oaknoll Ct, Iowa City
319-338-6800
319-351-1720, oaknoll.com
discerningeyeoptical.com
Oaknoll East
Jensen Eyecare
2640 N Scott Blvd, Iowa City
640 Hwy 1 W # 2, Iowa City 319-338-6700, jenseneyecare.com
Best Bike Shop
Best Gym
with them that are brought to the surface. Truly listens. Authentic.”
TIE!
North Dodge Athletic Club
—Leah F. Best Mental Health Services
2400 N Dodge St, Iowa City
Provider (Individual)
319-351-5683, ndacgym.com
Zarah Roberts 319-318-2308, Zarah@
Performance Health & Fitness
BeWellHealingServices.com
3290 Ridgeway Dr Ste 1,
World of Bikes
Best Fitness Instructor
Coralville, 319-665-2548
Best Mental Health Services
723 S Gilbert St, Iowa City
Jennifer Evans, The BodyLab at Nolte
performanceforhealth.com
Provider (Clinic)
1619 2nd St, Coralville
Best Massage Therapist
Abbe Center for Community Mental Health
319-688-9289
Jaime Nevins, Back Together Massage
“Each workout is uniquely
1700 S 1st Ave STE 11A, Iowa City
Best Bowling Alley
designed to be fun and
319-481-2524
Best Pharmacy
Colonial Lanes
challenging.” —Carole B.
backtogethermassage.com
University of Iowa Health Care North Dodge Pharmacy
319-338-1573
“Magical blend of energy and
1360 N Dodge St, Iowa City
coloniallanesbowling.com
hands-on work. Safe to process
319-356-2294
319-351-8337, worldofbikes.com Best Bike Trail
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
2253 Old Hwy 218 S, Iowa City
Locations throughout eastern Iowa 319-398-3562, unitypoint.org
hard emotions and memories “Hasn’t changed in decades. and that’s comforting to me.” —Meagan W. Best Campground
F.W. Kent Park 2048 US-6, Oxford Best Chiropractor
Black & Gold Chiropractic & Wellness 401 S Gilbert St, Iowa City 319-337-6000 blackandgoldchiropractic.com Best Community Sports League
Lambda Softball Association of Eastern Iowa lsaiowa.org Best Dentist/Orthodontist
Ann L. Connors Family Dentistry 803 E Market St, Iowa City 319-337-7797 annconnorsdds.com Best Dog Park
Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park 1867 Foster Rd, Iowa City
Jordan Sellergren / Little Village
North Dodge Athletic Club Team Iowa Physical Therapy
66 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
Winner of Best Gym Winner of Best Physical Therapist
Star Charm Jewelry: The star, a symbol of new life, hope, and secret wishes, has adorned every form of folk art across Slovakia, Moravia, and the Czech lands. This series by KJK Jewelry of New York features star charms in a range of colors and styles.
Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts from the award-winning NCSML Museum Store NCSML’s fifth annual limited edition Christmas ornament for 2021 was custom designed exclusively for the Museum Store by Czech American Master Folk Artist, Marj Nejdl.
Star Pullover Hoodie and Zip Pullover: Perfect for her or him, this custom design created for NCSML by Lindsey Podzimek at Eduskate Board Shop was inspired by the folk art of Slovakia.
THREE WAYS TO SHOP
Visit us
1400 Inspiration Place SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Online store.ncsml.org Call 319-362-8500
Your purchase helps support our mission. 67 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021
HEALTH & RECREATION
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
Roger Luttski? Actually we have, and that’s
kind of in the works. The commercial end of [the business] has kind of gone on the backburner a little bit, but there’s hope in that direction again.
Something I love is that you guys still have the old classic TVs and graphics that pop up when you get a spare, strike or gutter ball. Yeah, we try to keep things
classic. I had somebody one time make a comment about our lunch counter, like, “Oh, this is a cute retro soda shop thing.” And I said, well, it’s not retro because we made it retro. It’s that way because it’s the way it always has been and we’ve just kept it up. I think some of the old nostalgic stuff is kind of cool, you know? Has the space undergone any major renovations over the years?
Colonial Lanes Winner of Best Bowling Alley
B
owling, putt-putt, arcade games, a lunch counter and sunken bar. That’s how Colonial Lanes rolls. The business opened in 1959, and current owner Brad Huff has overseen the lanes at the CRANDIC’s Best Bowling Alley since 1972. Little Village sat down with Huff to discuss CL’s long history, including its unique bar and ubiquitous “Roger Luttski” commercials in the ’90s.
Why did you become involved with Colonial Lanes back in the ’70s? Well,
that’s kind of an interesting story. I was friends with one of the owners’ sons, and we’d just come down here to play a little pool occasionally. We got to know the manager at the time. There was an opening, and they asked me if I wanted to come in and help. I said sure, so I started that weekend, more or less. I was going to go to junior college the following fall and I thought, “Well, golly, it’d be kind of nice to be able to just hang out and just do stuff with my friends.” I decided to do that, and I just never left.
What do you think it means that Colonial Lanes lasted longer than all the other Iowa City bowling alleys of the 20th century? I don’t know—partly luck, partly good 68 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
Sid Peterson / Little Village
planning. More than anything, just trying to keep everybody happy and be a good partner with the community. The Colonial Lanes commercials of the ’90s are kind of legendary. Can you tell me what was behind those? We started like
most people do with [local commercials]: This is when we’re open, we have open bowling, we have league bowling, this and that. Just for informational purposes. They weren’t really that much fun. We just got together with the right editors and the right representatives from media at the time, and the combination clicked and worked really well. We wrote the basic script and then the editing people put the videos together; there is a comic genius to that, you know. Granted we pushed the envelope on a few things for the day, but for every person that said they hated them I probably had eight or 10 of them that said they loved them. You go with the flow, and Roger was quite a popular character. Did you appear in those commercials?
Oh, yeah. I’m in most of them, kind of in the background. I’m like Alfred Hitchcock. [laughs] Alfred Hitchcock back in the day on his television show was always kind of the obscure guy back in the corner in every episode. Have you guys considered resurrecting
Oh yeah. Back in ’98 the roof blew off the place. We were closed for 120 days, and when we reopened, there was quite a bit of remodeling. We put the automatic scoring in and things of that nature. In 1965 or so, they took out half the miniature golf course, and they put in pool tables. In 1973, we expanded to 24 lanes, and we took the pool tables out because they weren’t as popular at that time. The reason it works is because it’s all under one roof and one part helps support the other. The bar is really unique and cool and cozy back there. It is. That’s the only sunken
bar still around anymore [where] the bartenders are at a lower level than the people sitting at the bar. I’ve always thought that was neat. I was always trying to make it comfortable and cozy. How were you guys able to survive COVID closures last year? People have no
idea what it costs to keep a place like this up and running, and you just have to decide. I realized that if we can keep it going until the sunshine comes again, then it will be worth it down the road, and that’s kind of what I did. I wasn’t ready to give up. We went to the Nth degree to make sure that things were sanitized. We closed every other lane. We just didn’t miss a beat. When we opened back up, we only had 40 percent of our leagues. So it was a rough go last year.
Now that you guys are back, do you have a message to the community? Just come
out. Enjoy yourselves. You never know what’s gonna happen down the road. —Emma McClatchey
Thank you,
Little Village readers!
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 69
Best Physical Therapist
Team Iowa Physical Therapy 2400 N Dodge St Ste B, Iowa City, 319-246-2006 teamiowaphysicaltherapy.com Best Picnic Spot
F.W. Kent Park Best Place to Experience Nature
Hickory Hill Park 1439 E Bloomington St, Iowa City, 319-356-5100 Sure, Hickory Hill is a destination
PRESENTED BY CITY OF IOWA CITY
LittleVillageMag.com/CRANDIC
LSA of Eastern Iowa Winner of Best Community Sports League
I
n three short years, the Lambda Softball Association (LSA) of Eastern Iowa was founded, became a 501(c) (3) nonprofit and grew to include three beginner rec league teams, three competitive D-division teams and the Dirty Divas, a traveling team that competes in cities across the country. After their Sunday games, the players gather at a local bar, restaurant or bowling alley to relive the best plays. LSA Board Chairperson Steven Holter played on LGBTQ softball leagues in Houston, Chicago and Des Moines before joining the LSA in 2018. He and league founder Jose Maldonado are working to make Iowa City the 47th member city of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA), which hosts the huge annual Gay Softball World Series.
for winter sledders and features a couple small shelters, but for the most part, the park is a place where people go to escape into
Why do you think LGBTQ adults enjoy gathering around softball?
It’s really about community as much as it is about the softball itself. A lot of [LGBTQ] kids are bullied or picked on in youth sports and even in high school sports, so for a lot of people, it’s an opportunity to play an organized sport, a team sport, when maybe they never have had that chance in their life before.
quality natural habitat and quiet sanctuary. It’s a place where you can walk, hike, birdwatch, jog, dog walk (leashed, please!) or
Do you see participation from players across the LGBTQ+ spectrum? Yes, and that’s something that
I’m really, really proud of. Our diversity this year was just amazing. … We’re more than 50 percent female, nonbinary and genderqueer. I’d like to continue to see the balance. It’s just easier to welcome new players when they see someone they can identify with—it just makes them that much more comfortable.
cross-country ski for literally hours with something new to see at every moment among several types of natural habitat native to our state: tallgrass prairie, oak and
Do you have to identify as LGBTQ to join LSA? No, and we make it really a point not to ask people. We have allies in the league. Here’s a cute story: We hold a dart tournament in February as a fundraiser, and it’s open to anybody. In 2019, a lady named Kate came with one of her friends that was part of the league, and a gentleman named Adam came with somebody that he knew that was part of the league. They ended up drawing each other as dart partners. They got married this year. So we even created a love story through softball!
hickory woodlands and oak savanna. (From the article “The Friends of Hickory Hill Park help guide the beloved IC nature area’s future” by Thomas Dean, published Nov. 3)
Have there been moments when a rookie player surprised themselves with a great play or hit? All
the time. In our rec league, there was one team that was certainly, you know, the most novice out of the three. The first four or five games, they didn’t win. When they finally got their first win, holy cow, you would think that they won the World Series. Everybody was just cheering them on. In the city leagues, the beer leagues, it’s really competitive. In this league, somebody strikes out, it’s “great swing”; somebody drops the ball, “great hustle, you were right there, next time you’ll catch it!” We’re all pulling for each other, which is really cool.
Best Place to People-Watch
Iowa City Pedestrian Mall “A community living room … See the world as you sit on a bench.” —Alice A. Best Place to Play Pool
Joe’s Place 115 Iowa Ave, Iowa City
What do you have planned for the year ahead? One of the things that we’ll be working on over the winter
is expanding our eastern Iowa footprint. We made some really good connections in the Quad Cities during Pride, and our goal is to start a chapter in the Quad Cities this year. We want to make opening day a true opening day: have a little ceremony, collaborate with the Quire in Iowa City to come and sing the national anthem, something like that. I think that’ll help draw in more spectators. In February, Jose and I have to go to Dallas for a weekend. We’re attending the winter meetings for NAGAAA, and that’s where we will make our official five-minute presentation and our bid to join. NAGAAA has been around for 45 years, and they just signed an exclusive partnership deal with MLB this year—the first major sport to sign with an amateur LGBTQ athletic association, which was amazing. So we’re excited.
319-338-6717 joesplace-ic.com
LSA holds two seasons a year, one starting in April and the other in September. Games are played on Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at either the Hawkeye Softball Complex or Mercer Park in Iowa City. Anyone 18 or older can register to play at lsaiowa.org. —Emma McClatchey
70 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
courtesy of LSA
HEALTH & RECREATION
CONGRATS! JENNIFER EVANS
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wait times are minimal. I would recommend all of my family and
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friends be seen at this clinic.”
Play It Again Sports
—Kelly T.
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Thank you for voting us Best Physical Therapy in the CRANDIC!
319-354-4777
Best Yoga Studio
playitagainsports.com
Hot House Yoga 224 S Clinton St, Iowa City
3649 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
319-351-9642, hothouseyoga.com
319-366-8664 250th 12th Ave, Coralville Best Summer Camp TIE!
319-338-9642
FilmScene’s Virtual Animation Camp icfilmscene.org
University of Iowa Wildlife Camps recserv.uiowa.edu/WildlifeCamps Best Sexual & Reproductive Health Clinic
University of Iowa Health Care North Dodge Clinic 1360 N Dodge St, Iowa City 319-356-2294 Most Trusted Physician “North Dodge Clinic is an excellent
Dr. Sarina Martini
clinic for patients. They are
UIHC Department of Obstetrics
focused on their patients and truly
and Gynecology
go the extra mile to ensure they
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STAFF PICK! Best Swimming Pool
City Park Pool, Iowa City
In my day, you didn’t need fountains and sculptures and slides to have a good time. You had a concrete rectangle filled with water, and that was plenty! The fact that City Park Pool has eluded updates most in our area have undergone seems like a miracle. Its timelessness feels almost ephemeral; you want to hold your breath so that you don’t disturb it, like a cloud animal dissipating in a summer sky, gone with the next Parks and Rec master plan. Best City for Pool Access
Cedar Rapids
2400 N DODGE STREET SUITE B, IOWA CITY teamiowaphysicaltherapy.com (319) 246-2006 @TEAMIOWAPT on Facebook and Instagram
72 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
All that said, when it comes to plain and simple pool access, Cedar Rapids as a municipality wins, where there are five outdoor public swimming pools (Bever, Cherry Hill, Ellis, Jones and Noelridge), an indoor (Bender) as well as one in every public high school. (And a nod to Ellis Park Pool, holding strong on the classy rectangle.) I ask you this, readers: what is a city worth if only its most affluent residents can wander dreamily for a cool dip on a summer’s day? Why, by the time you get to City Park from the south side of town, they’ll be closed due to understaffing. ––Jordan Sellergren
CONGRATULATIONS! 2021 “BEST OF THE CRANDIC” AWARD WINNERS Sarina Martini, MD
Most Trusted Physician
Eli Perencevich, MD
UI Health Care – North Dodge Clinic Best Sexual & Reproductive Health Clinic Best Pharmacy
Best Defender of Science uihc.org
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 73
EDITORS’ PICKS: December 2021
EVENTS: December December 2021
Courtesy of Bijou Film Forum
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.
FRIDAY, DEC. 3,
Bijou Film Forum Presents: Open Screen, FilmScene—Chauncey, Iowa City, FREE
The University of Iowa’s Bijou Film Board highlights both collegiate and local filmmakers in Open Screen, a festival of 10-minute films. Both completed shorts and clips from features are considered for the festival, including music videos, documentaries and experimental work. Open Screen will premiere these works at FilmScene in an evening culminating in an audience vote for the top three productions, which will take home individual prizes. Cinematic Significance Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 10 p.m. Late
Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 10 p.m.
Shift at the Grindhouse: Deadly
Late Shift at the Grindhouse:
Lessons, FilmScene—Chauncey,
Splatter Disco, FilmScene—
$5.31
Chauncey, $5.31
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. An
Bijou After Hours: Green Room,
American in Paris: A Parisian New
FilmScene—Chauncey, $7
Year, FilmScene—Chauncey, $22.12
Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Pride at FilmScene: Shiva Baby, FilmScene—Ped Mall, $7-11 74 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
AROUND THE CRANDIC
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM
Theatrical Thrills Continuing through Dec. 19.
Opening Dec. 10. City Circle
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
Theatre Company Presents:
Cinderella, Theatre Cedar Rapids,
Roald Dahl’s Matilda: the Musical,
$27-52
Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, $14-29
Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Improv First Thursdays, CSPS Hall, Cedar
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 10-11 at
Rapids, Free-$5
8 p.m. SPT Theatre Presents: Tales from the Writers’ Room—
Friday, Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. Carmen
Speakeasy, CSPS, Cedar Rapids,
Christopher, Joystick Comedy
$25-30
Arcade, Iowa City, $15 Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. National Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The
Theatre Live: Follies, FilmScene—
Price is Right Live, Paramount
Chauncey, Iowa City, $9-18
Courtesy of the Iowa City Community Theatre
Theatre, Cedar Rapids, $45-57 Friday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. Paula Poundstone, Englert Theatre, Iowa City, $38.50-58.50
DEC 10-12,
She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms Iowa City
Courtesy of the Englert Theatre
Community Theatre, Online, $5 It was just four years ago that ICCT staged an impressive production of Qui Nguyen’s comedic D&D grief study She Kills Monsters. But the world has changed a lot since then, and Nguyen has crafted a new version of his pop-culture paean that fits our new reality. Published in May of 2020, She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms is designed specifically to be performed online—an intriguing conceit, given the action-heavy plot, intentional character doubling and necessary reveals. But given the way that online gaming has stepped in to help keep people sane during the pandemic (yes, I was part of a distanced campaign on Roll20 for several months), it also seems a natural fit for the subject matter. At the helm of ICCT’s effort is Carrie Pozdol, a welcome face onstage in the region and making a name for herself locally as an intimacy coach as well, but less familiar in the director’s chair. It will be fascinating to see what she does with this piece. Kudos to ICCT for being one of the few theaters still producing shows online, as we roll into winter still struggling to assert success over COVID-19. LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 75
EDITORS’ PICKS: December 2021
AROUND THE CRANDIC
THURSDAY, DEC. 2,
Courtesy of Obermann Center for Advanced Studies
Economic Development as Social Justice— An Obermann Conversation, ONLINE, FREE Inspired by a recently created story map of Johnson County that features Black-owned businesses and nonprofits, as well as Black entrepreneurs, this virtual event is convened as a panel discussion about the connection between economic opportunities and social justice. Speakers include Daria Fisher Page, director of the Community Empowerment Law Project; Matthew R. Gilbert, founder and resident of Iowa C.O.R.E. Inc. and Economic Development Chair for the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP; Travis Kraus, director for the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities; and Tracy Jon Sargeant, executive director, Multicultural Development Center of Iowa. This conversation is free and open to all; however, pre-registration is required.
76 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM Community Connections Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. Fall Faculty Series: Reflections of a Muslim-American Immigrant, Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, Free Friday, Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. The Mirage, Iowa Memorial Union, Iowa City, Free Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. The Eye Opener 2021, FilmScene—Chauncey, Iowa City, $25 Sunday, Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m. Winter Solstice, Robert E. Lee Community Recreation Center, Iowa City, Free
Courtesy of Iowa City Parks and Recreation
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EDITORS’ PICKS: December 2021
AROUND THE CRANDIC
SATURDAY, DEC. 11,
Jarrett Purdy and Dan Padley via the artists
Jarrett Purdy and Dan Padley w/ Elly Hofmaier
Trumpet Blossom Cafe, Iowa City, at 9 p.m., $10 A delightful slice of some of the best Iowa City has to offer! Genresurfing chanteuse Hofmaier will be a joy to experience on the Trumpet Blossom stage, a venue that rewards solo performers with expansive musical presence. Headlining is a dream team (supergroup?) of epic proportions, as jazz composer Purdy joins forces with exquisite guitarist Padley (both University of Iowa School of Music grads) in a preview of their forthcoming project Ecotones. If you need some chill in the midst of your holiday frenzy, this show is the way to get it.
Musical Marvels Saturday, Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. The
Friday, Dec. 10, 9 p.m. Stephanie
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. The
Thursday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m.
Blake & Elly Snow Down w/
Catlett + Full Band w/ Dave
Hooten Hallers, Gabe’s, Iowa City,
Good Morning Midnight, TV Cop,
Charlotte Blu, Trumpet Blossom
Helmer Solo , Trumpet Blossom
$10
Abandoned, Nerver, Gabe’s, Free
Cafe, $10
Cafe, Iowa City Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 17 at 9 p.m. Anthony
Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. Cedar
Saturday, Dec. 11 at [time TBD]
Postmodern Jukebox: The Grand
Worden and the Illiterati, Specter
Rapids Community Orchestra,
Femme Decks DJ Workshop,
Reopening Tour, Paramount
Poetics, Wave Cage, Gabe’s, $10
Kennedy High School Performing
Public Space One—Close House,
Theatre, Cedar Rapids, $39.50-129
Arts Center, Freewill Donation
Iowa City
Friday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. NYE with William Elliott Whitmore, Gabe’s, $25
THURSDAY, DEC. 2,
Courtesy of the Iowa Youth Writing Project
Youth Memoir Workshop with Storm Large, Hancher,
Iowa City, at 5 p.m., FREE The Iowa Youth Writing Project is inviting teens to explore their own personal stories in this workshop with musician, author, actor and playwright Storm Large. She’ll be rolling into town a couple of days ahead of her Hancher show on the 4th and taking that time to engage students in the skill of writing about themselves, no matter the genre. Two writers from this workshop will be chosen to read their work on stage during her Saturday performance. In addition, all workshop registrants are invited to an optional dinner with her on Wednesday, Dec. 1, to get to know her and one another before the class. All of these events are in person, and Hancher will communicate up-to-date COVID-19 precautions via email.
Literary Luxuries Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Beth
Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. Writers
Lights, Online, Free (Registration
Elizabeth Weiss w/ Yaa Gyasi,
Hoffman w/ Chuck Offenburger,
Open Mic, Iowa City Poetry,
required)
Prairie Lights, Online, Free
Prairie Lights, Online, Free
Online, Free
(Registration required)
(Registration required)
Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Kia Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Asha
Corthron w/ Lisa Schlessinger,
Bhandary w/ Lina Murillo, Prairie
Prairie Lights, Online, Free (Registration required)
78 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
happy
HOLIDAYS! Hope you get to spend time with loved ones, share memories, and create new ones.
Kim will help you find your way HOME! typo! NotNot a a typo!
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LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 79
EDITORS’ PICKS: December 2021
AROUND THE CRANDIC
THURSDAY, DEC 16,
Skate & Donate, Xtream Arena, Coralville, at 6 p.m., $10 + Skates Ready to kick off your holiday giving? Strap on a pair of skates and show off your skills on the ice to support the Coralville Community Food Pantry! Xtream Arena is opening the Heartlanders’ rink for one night only as the opening event of their Holiday Health Drive. Entry is $10, and you can rent your skates for $5 or waive that fee by bringing a donation item. Items accepted for this drive, which focuses on the pantry’s personal care selection rather than food, are: toilet paper, paper towels, diapers/baby wipes, shampoo and conditioner, soap/body wash and feminine hygiene products. If you’re not into skating, donations can also be dropped off until Dec. 30 at the GreenState Family Fieldhouse, Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. or 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6:30
Thursday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.
p.m. Build Your Own Beer
Art Office Holiday Art Market,
Elf, Thew Brewing Company,
Big Grove Brewery, Iowa City,
Cedar Rapids, $45
Free
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 3-5.
Friday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
RHCR’s Christmas Cabaret,
Amy Friedl Stoner: Christmas
Cedar Rapids Public Library,
at the Paramount, Paramount
$20-25
Theatre, $38-48
Friday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 9 a.m.
Handel’s Messiah, with the
Market at the Mount, Mount
Muscatine Civic Chorale,
Mercy University, Cedar
Coralville Center for the Arts,
Rapids
Courtesy of Xtream Arena
Make Your Spirits Bright
$17 Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 11-12. Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. Irish
Brunch with Santa, Stanley
Christmas, CSPS Hall, Cedar
Café, Iowa City, $20-35
Rapids, $30-35
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 8:30 &
Sunday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
11 a.m. Breakfast with Santa,
Maddie Poppe’s Acoustic
Sunday, Dec. 12 at [time
Hyatt Regency, Coralville,
Christmas 2021, Paramount
Friday-Sunday, Dec.
TBD] Scrap Wrapping
Free-$29
Theatre, $29.50-39.50
3-5. Holiday Spectacular,
Extravaganza, Public Space
Paramount Theatre, Cedar
One—Close House, Iowa City
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 8 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. It’s
Iowa City Holiday Market,
a Wonderful Life, FilmScene—
Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.
Robert E. Lee Community
Chauncey, Iowa City, $7-11
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 3-5. The
Winter Wreath Workshop,
Recreation Center, Iowa City,
Nutcracker, Englert Theatre,
Willow & Stock, Iowa City, $75
Free
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 16-
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2:30 and
Christmas in the Key of A,
Sunday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.
18. A Carol Christmas, CSPS
7:30 p.m. The Nutcracker:
Paramount Theatre, $20
A Very Merry Nashville
Hall, Cedar Rapids, $27-34
Orchestra Iowa with Ballet
Rapids, $18-59
Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Alisabeth Von Presley:
Iowa City, $20-40
Quad Cities, Paramount
Christmas, Olympic South Side Theatre, Cedar Rapids,
Friday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. It’s a
$25-40
Wonderful Life, FilmScene— Chauncey, Iowa City, $7-11
80 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
Theatre, Cedar Rapids, $18-49
DES MOINES
Courtesy of the DSM Partnership
EDITORS’ PICKS: December 2021
Professional Printers for 65 Years 408 Highland Ct. • (319) 338-9471 bob@goodfellowprinting.com
FRIDAYS, DEC. 3, 10 & 17, The
Promenade,
Holiday
Historic East Village, Des Moines, at 6 p.m., FREE The annual Holiday Promenade returns to the Historic East Village for three
Fridays in December. Many shops and restaurants in the neighborhood will extend their hours until 9 p.m., offering special deals to celebrate the season. This family-friendly event encourages visitors to stroll through the neighborhood and, depending on the Friday, listen to carolers, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, make ornaments or meet the Grinch and Santa! On the final Friday, the Promenade will wrap up its season with a fireworks show.
Dynamic DSM Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 2-5. Christkindlmarket,
Tuesdays, Dec. 7, 14, 21 at 7 p.m. A Holiday
Principal Park, Des Moines, Free
Special: Festival Edition, xBk Live, Des Moines, $12-45
OPEN 11-2AM DAILY
TRY OUR BREADED TENDERLOIN! SERVING FOOD UNTIL 1AM DAILY
Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The Blake and Elly Snow Down, Noce Jazz Cabaret, Des Moines,
Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. Anderson East w/
$12-50
Savannah Conley, Wooly’s, Des Moines, $25-89
Fridays, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Holiday Zoo Brew,
Friday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Jason Walsmith, Joel
Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, $9-20
Sires, Andy Flemming, xBk Live, Des Moines, $15-20
Opening Dec. The Sound of Music, Des Moines Playhouse, $29-53
Friday, Dec. 10 at 10 p.m. Good Morning Midnight, Acid Legs, Haploid, Gaslamp, Des
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Ryan O’Rien & the
Moines, $10
Bowling Green Revival w/ Jordan Sellergren, xBk Live, Des Moines, $10-13
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Houndmouth, Wooly’s, Des Moines, $25
Sunday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. A Holiday Concert at Salisbury featuring Max Wellman, Salisbury
Friday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. Des Moines Symphony:
House and Gardens, Des Moines, $50
NYE Pops, The Music of Elton John, Des Moines Civic Center, $40-95
82 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
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EDITORS’ PICKS: December 2021
FRIDAY, DEC. 31, Northern
QUAD CITIES
Parallels New Years Eve & 5 Year Anniversary Party, Rozz-Tozz, Rock Island, at 8 p.m.,
Quality QC
Higgy will perform a final show to celebrate the start of 2022 before taking an indefinite hiatus. The Northern Parallels artists came together first to create a community surrounding underground dance music and to create a space for touring artists to play that music in the Quad Cities. The show will be a party in celebration of the underground dance music they make and uplift. The event will also be a final hurrah before a brief hiatus for the venue, Rozz-Tox.
Friday, Dec. 3 at 7p.m. Primitive
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m.
Man & Blood Incantation, Raccoon
Bookbinding Workshop: Coptic
Motel, Davenport, $18
Stitch, Midwest Writing Center,
Courtesy of Rozz-Tozz
$10 Celebrating five years of making music together, Mike Derer and
Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. NES
Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. History
@ Night: Super Mario Bros.,
and Folklore of Santa Claus,
Fairmount Branch, Davenport
Bettendorf Public Library, Virtual,
Public Library, Free
Free
Rock Island, $20-35 Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. Fresh Wax with Feed Me Weird Things,
Friday, Dec. 17 at 5p.m. Polar
Rozz-Tox, Rock Island, Free
Express Pajama Party, Putnam
Museum, Davenport or virtual, $11-
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. Jason
75
Isbell and the 400 Unit, Rust Belt,
East Moline, $45
Saturday, Dec. 18, any time Virtual Family Day, Figge Art Museum,
Sunday, Dec. 5 at 1:30p.m. Author Event: My Walk With Grief with Elaine Olson, Artsy Bookworm, Rock Island, Free
84 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
Davenport, Virtual, Free —Sarah Elgatian
EDITORS’ PICKS: December 2021
CEDAR FALLS / WATERLOO
MONDAY-FRIDAY, DEC. 27-31.,
Finders Keepers: A Tiny Art Quest, Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Are you ready for an adventure? Bundle up and hit the streets in a quest for tiny art! The Hearst Center for the Arts and the Waterloo Center for the Arts have joined forces, with the help of area artists Nancy Neessen, Ebony King, Angela Wasesuk, Jamie WIlson, Kate Brennan Hall, Saba Abbe and Candida Deree, to hide tiny original artworks the week prior to the new year, one each day in both Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Follow the clues posted on each org’s Facebook page and send a message via Facebook Messenger once you find it so they can call off the day’s search. The game’s afoot!
Courtesy of the Waterloo Center for the Arts
Whimsical W’loo + more! Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Au-
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. ’Tis the
thor’s Talk With Wilma Adel-
Season for Aural Pleasin!, Octopus
mund-Conrads, Hearst Center for
College Hill, Cedar Falls, $10
the Arts, Cedar Falls, Free Friday-Saturday, Dec. 10-11. Pearl Opening Friday, Dec. 3. Elf: The
Harbor 80th Anniversary Living
Musical, Waterloo Community
History Event, Sullivan Brothers
Playhouse/Black Hawk Children’s
Iowa Veterans Museum, Waterloo,
Theatre, $15-25
Free with Museum Admission
Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Bel Can-
Friday, Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. Rockin’
to Cedar Valley Holiday Concert,
For A Cause: House for Hope
Hearst Center for the Arts, Free
Benefit, Electric Park Ballroom, Waterloo, $15-20
Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 15-16 at 7 p.m. Mannheim Steamroller,
Friday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. New
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing
Year’s Eve Jamboree with Katie
Arts Center, Cedar Falls, $33.75-
& the Honky Tonks and Dry Run
90.75
Creek, Octopus College Hill, $15
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 85
Iowa City auto repair for Subaru, BMW, Mini, Porsche, Audi, VW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Saab, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Acura and more
86 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
DEAR KIKI
D
ear Kiki, My husband’s grandmother, who I have a great relationship with, is very susceptible to sharing fake news she finds on the internet. Fortunately it’s not usually anything too politically divisive—in her case it’s more often to be bunk science, misattributed historical quotes, etc. The problem I find myself in is that I want to honor her attempts to connect with me when she sends me messages with this content, but it’s difficult for me to figure out what to say because what she’s sharing with me is often so obviously fake. Should I try to educate her when she sends me content that’s BS? Is ignorance bliss so long as it’s (relatively) harmless? ––Abraham Lincoln
D
ear Abe, It’s wonderful that you and your husband’s grandmother have what you call “a great relationship.” Those can be hard to come by later in life, as friends start to become distant or pass away. You don’t say how old your husband’s grandmother is, but if not just her children but her grandchildren are old enough to have moved on to lives of their own, she may be lacking in connection. Ignorance is not bliss, but neither are loneliness or hostility. Connecting deeply with someone of another generation can sometimes be challenging, but you’re right to try. However, you may not be going about it the right way. You say she reaches out to you with this “bunk science,” etc. What did you last reach out to her about? The best way to honor her attempts to connect with you is to attempt to connect with her—not just by responding to her outreach, but by initiating your own. What movies and books can you discuss with her? Who are her favorite artists or sports teams? Can you take her shopping or visit her for tea? Evolving your conversation and connection past fake news benefits both of you, and your relationship with each other, in multiple ways. First, if you have other things to discuss, these things that make you uncomfortable will come up far less often. You can, if you want, simply ignore them and allow her that ignorance. But more importantly, if your communication involves more than just BS, you can call her out on the BS, without feeling like
LittleVillageMag.com/DearKiki
you’re disrespecting her. If that type of content is only a fraction of your interactions, you can correct her or otherwise educate her without that being all your conversation ever boils down to. Abe, you might find out that she’s only sending you these things because she thinks
IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS, BUT NEITHER ARE LONELINESS OR HOSTILITY. CONNECTING DEEPLY WITH SOMEONE OF ANOTHER GENERATION CAN SOMETIMES BE CHALLENGING, BUT YOU’RE RIGHT TO TRY.
you appreciate or believe them. Or you may end up saving her from falling further down the rabbit hole, past misattributed quotes into the more dangerous misinformation. And you might just find a truly valuable friendship that benefits both of you in ways you can’t even predict. Ultimately, her status as your husband’s grandmother only matters inasmuch as it’s why you value the relationship. Grandmother is a role, not an identity. This may be self-evident and I don’t mean to be glib, but she is a whole person who should be treated as such. Don’t let her age confuse your obligation to treat others with dignity. Don’t coddle her or be didactic; just treat her as you would anyone whose friendship you value. 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/LV301 December 2021 87
IOWA CITY NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE
88 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
AST R O LO GY
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “All my days I have longed equally to travel the right road and to take my own errant path,” wrote Norwegian-Danish novelist Sigrid Undset. I think she succeeded in doing both. She won a Nobel Prize for Literature. Her trilogy about a 14th-century Norwegian woman was translated into 80 languages. I conclude that for her—as well as for you in the coming weeks and months—traveling the right road and taking your own errant path will be the same thing.
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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn author Susan Sontag unleashed a bizarre boast, writing, “One of the healthiest things about me—my capacity to survive, to bounce back, to prosper—is intimately connected with my biggest neurotic liability: my facility in disconnecting from my feelings.” Everything about her statement makes me scream NO! I mean, I believe this coping mechanism worked for her; I don’t begrudge her that. But as a student of psychology and spirituality, I know that disconnecting from feelings is, for most of us, the worst possible strategy if we want to be healthy and sane. And I will advise you to do the opposite of Sontag in the coming weeks. December is Stay Intimately Connected with Your Feelings Month. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In some small towns in the Philippines, people can be punished and fined for gossiping. Some locals have become reluctant to exchange tales about the sneaky, sexy, highly entertaining things their neighbors are doing. They complain that their freedom of speech has been curtailed. If you lived in one of those towns, I’d advise you to break the law in the coming weeks. In my astrological opinion, dynamic gossip should be one of your assets. Staying well-informed about the human comedy will be key for your ability to thrive. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Originality consists in thinking for yourself, and not in thinking unlike other people,” wrote Piscean author James Fitzjames Stephen (1829–1894). Another way to say it: Being rebellious is not inherently creative. If you primarily define yourself by rejecting and reacting against someone’s ideas, you are being controlled by those ideas. Please keep this in mind, dear Pisces. I want you to take full advantage of your astrological potential during the next 12 months, which is to be absolutely original. Your perceptions and insights will be unusually lucid if you protect yourself from both groupthink and a compulsive repudiation of groupthink. ARIES (March 21-April 19): It’s a favorable time to get excited about your long-range future—and to entertain possibilities that have previously been on the edges of your awareness. I’d love to see you open your heart to the sweet dark feelings you’ve been sensing, and open your mind to the disruptive but nourishing ideas you need, and open your gut to the rumbling hunches that are available. Be brave, Aries! Strike up conversations with the unexpected, the unknown, and the undiscovered.
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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A Tumblr blogger named Evan (lotad. tumblr.com) addressed a potential love interest. “Do you like sleeping, because so do I,” he wrote. “We should do it together sometime.” You might want to extend a similar invitation, Taurus. Now is a ripe time for you to interweave your subconscious mind with the subconscious mind of an ally you trust. The two of you could generate extraordinary healing energy for each other as you lie together, dozing in the darkness. Other recommended activities: meditating together; fantasizing together; singing together; making spiritual love together. (PS: If you have no such human ally, sleep and meditate with a beloved animal or imaginary friend.) GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini author Chuck Klosterman writes, “It’s far easier to write why something is terrible than why it’s good.” That seems to be true for many writers. However, my life’s work is in part a rebellion against doing what’s easy.
By Rob Brezsny
I don’t want to chronically focus on what’s bad and sick and desolate. Instead, I aspire to devote more of my energy to doing what Klosterman implies is hard, which is to write sincerely (but not naively) about the many things that are good and redemptive and uplifting. In light of your current astrological omens, Gemini, I urge you to adopt my perspective for your own use in the next three weeks. Keep in mind what philosopher Robert Anton Wilson said: “An optimistic mindset finds dozens of possible solutions for every problem that the pessimist regards as incurable.” CANCER (June 21-July 22): An organization in Turkey decided to construct a new building to house its workers. The Saruhanbey Knowledge, Culture, and Education Foundation chose a plot in the city of Manisa. But there was a problem. A three-centuries-old pine tree stood on the land. Local authorities would not permit it to be cut down. So architects designed a building with spaces and holes that fully accommodated the tree. I recommend you regard this marvel as a source of personal inspiration in the coming weeks and months. How could you work gracefully with nature as you craft your future masterpiece or labor of love? How might you work around limitations to create useful, unusual beauty? LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Author Melissa Broder wrote a preposterous essay in which she ruminated, “Is fake love better than real love? Real love is responsibility, compromise, selflessness, being present, and all that shit. Fake love is magic, excitement, false hope, infatuation, and getting high off the potential that another person is going to save you from yourself.” I will propose, Leo, that you bypass such ridiculous thinking about love in the coming weeks and months. Here’s why: There’s a strong chance that the real love at play in your life will feature magic and excitement, even as it requires responsibility, compromise, selflessness, and being present. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo author Andre Dubus III describes times when “I feel stupid, insensitive, mediocre, talentless and vulnerable—like I’m about to cry any second—and wrong.” That sounds dreadful, right? But it’s not dreadful for him. Just the opposite. “I’ve found that when that happens,” he concludes, ”it usually means I’m writing pretty well, pretty deeply, pretty rawly.” I trust you will entertain a comparable state sometime soon, Virgo. Even if you’re not a writer, the bounty and fertility that emerge from this immersion in vulnerability will invigorate you beyond what you can imagine. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “The problem with putting two and two together is that sometimes you get four, and sometimes you get 22.” Author Dashiell Hammett said that, and now I’m passing it on to you—just in time for a phase of your cycle when putting two and two together will probably not bring four, but rather 22 or some other irregularity. I’m hoping that since I’ve given you a heads-up, it won’t be a problem. On the contrary. You will be prepared and will adjust faster than anyone else— thereby generating a dose of exotic good fortune. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In her poem “Is/Not,” Scorpio poet Margaret Atwood tells a lover, “You are not my doctor, you are not my cure, nobody has that power, you are merely a fellow traveler.” I applaud her for stating an axiom I’m fond of, which is that no one, not even the person who loves you best, can ever be totally responsible for fixing everything wrong in your life. However, I do think Atwood goes too far. On some occasions, certain people can indeed provide us with a measure of healing. And we must be receptive to that possibility. We shouldn’t be so pathologically self-sufficient that we close ourselves off from tender help. One more thing: Just because that help may be imperfect doesn’t mean it’s useless and should be rejected. LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 89
90 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LO C A L A L B U M S
Dead Ensign Q: What Else Is There To Do? DEADENSIGN.BANDCAMP.COM
T
he first five seconds of Dead Ensign’s Q: What Else Is There To Do? give me a powerful sense of foreboding I haven’t felt from a piece of music since Thom Yorke’s Suspiria (Music for the Luca Guadagnino Film). “Can you feel it?” the vocalist asks. “Running down your spine?” The album as a whole is not Susperia-like, however. It’s more like a synth-pop incarnation of Evil
MID-CENTURY FRENCH ANARCHISTS WOULD BE HUGE FANS.
Dead II. Por ejemplo, “Kill Your Grandma” contains some lyrics that, facetious or not, are both horrifying and hilarious. I can’t tell if it’s “I hope you fuckin’ kill your grandma” or “I hope you fuck and kill your grandma.” Either way, yuk yuk yuck. Moody, minimalist and well-crafted beats keep such lyrics from drifting into the realm of the absurd—or worse, parody. Instead, any comedic elements retain the hallmark of a satirist. Mid-century French anarchists would be huge fans. If they’d had TikTok, their anthem would be “Jerk on the Company’s Dime.” They would play it over rush hour flash mobs to freak out the squares.
Submit albums for review: Little Village, 623 S Dubuque St., IC, IA 52240
Dead Ensign’s technique, background and artistic goals are mostly a mystery. I wish I could expand, but this dude is possibly the cagiest motherfucker I have ever interviewed. I’m not actually sure if Dead Ensign is a single person. Is it a group? Or an art project? Answer: “We are many, no further information is required.” This reminds me of language used by Anonymous—as in the quasi-political loose collective birthed on 4chan’s /b/ board—so let’s assume for now that Ensign is a solo male under the age of 40 and use he/him pronouns. Most of the album’s subject matter supports this theory. “We got the kids a PS4 (I love Minecraft)” may be my favorite track. It makes the best use of the midi-style bit-punk elements present throughout the album along with the most appreciable lyrics. “Homiesexual (Gotta Love Your Homies)” may be more meaningful, but no sentiment is as universal as “I just want to play my video game.” Most of the album is personally relevant. The subject matter is familiar. The vocalist almost sounds bored, even through surprise tonal gut punches like “Weekend At My Mom’s House,” when you can’t decide if it’s sweet or sad before you realize it’s both. Bookended by Benadryl (“…a great sleeping aid,” Dead Ensign says, “sometimes you need to create a break for yourself, but be careful.”) and nightmares, Q: What Else Is There To Do? is available on Bandcamp at your own price. In other words, it is possible to download it for free, but don’t be a dick. Support independent Midwestern artists, especially those experimental creators who ask only that you engage. Follow Dead Ensign on Bandcamp and keep an eye out for a follow-up project. —Melanie Hanson
Anthony Worden & the Illiterati How Could We Lose When We’re So Sincere? ANTHONYWORDEN.BANDCAMP.COM
I
n 1968, the Turtles released the album The Turtles Present the Battle Of The Bands, a cartoonish concept album that yielded the hit “Caroline.” Every song on the album was by a different invented group, each with its own style. Anthony Worden’s October release with the Illiterati, How Could We Lose When We’re So Sincere?, brings that Turtles record to mind,
sounds like Jackson Browne singing with the Beach Boys. “Execution”—again with Hofmaier’s tough-as-hell vocals— has a thrashy Sonic Youth feel. But Worden and bandmate Avery Moss are better pop songwriters than Thurston Moore. It’s fun to play MadLibs with band names to describe these songs, but it’s unfair. The songs stand on their own, worth repeated listening, full of pop craft, elegantly arranged. The lyrics are full of Easter eggs, pointing directly at the giants whose shoulders Anthony Worden is standing on—so it’s clear he’s consciously playing the game. The opening track lyric “How long was this going on?” nods to the 1973 Ace song “How Long.” The next line, “Remember when your aim was true?” tips the hat to Elvis Costello. “Jean” has the line “In your pale blue eyes,” hinting at the Who’s “Baba O’Riley,” and “Nothing More” almost quotes
“EXECUTION”—AGAIN WITH HOFMAIER’S TOUGH-AS-HELL VOCALS—HAS A THRASHY SONIC YOUTH FEEL. BUT WORDEN AND BANDMATE AVERY MOSS ARE BETTER POP SONGWRITERS THAN THURSTON MOORE. because each song on it constructs a specific sound recalling an array of particular musical moments from throughout the 20th century. Album opener “How Long?” starts out in Steely Dan territory, although Elly Hofmaier’s lead vocal is in the vicinity of Chrissy Hynde. “Jean” mashes up early Elvis Costello and the Clash, “Beetle Box” sounds like Pink Floyd with a side of Low. “So Many People” brings a bit of Gilbert O’Sullivan’s sad mopey balladeer. “My Exploding Plastic Heart is Sweeter Than Reason” combines the Beach Boys with the Monkees’ “Steppin’ Stone” and “Sad Stories”
Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”: “Tonic then the perfect fifth …” Herman Hesse’s last novel, The Glass Bead Game, never explicitly describes that titular game—but its goal is artistic synthesis and finding hidden connections between seemingly unrelated topics. Worden & the Illiterati are at play on How Could We Lose When We’re So Sincere?, but unlike the Turtles before them, they never stoop to mere parody. This is the pop music of the last century shattered, mixed up and assembled into a new mosaic. —Kent Williams
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 91
Current Hours: Mon-Th: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sat: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sun: 12:00 - 4:00 pm
CORALVILLE 1401 Fifth Street, Coralville 319-248-1850 www.CoralvillePublicLibrary.org
Crafts to Go
dates first available:
Teens: Dec 1 Kids: Dec 8 Adults: Dec 15 Pick up at the Library while supplies last
Adult Movie Night Dec 22, 6:00 pm
Schwab Auditorium
It’s a Mystery Book Club Dec 8, 10:00 am, Room A Mystery in White by J. Jefferson Farjeon
Novel Conversations Dec 17, 7:00 am, Online Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Winter Break Reading Programs December 17 - January 17
Chilly Challenge: grades K-12 Busy Bears: ages 0-5 92 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
LO C A L B O O KS
Chuy Renteria We Heard It When We Were Young UNIVERSITY OF IOWA PRESS
W
e Heard It When We Were Young is a love letter to all of us who, like author Chuy Renteria, don’t know whether or not they had a happy childhood or whether or not they are good people. It is a love letter to those of us who feel guilty whichever way we answer. This book was written in a language native to those of us who didn’t quite fit. Told like he’s sitting among friends, Renteria, a first generation American, uses Spanish and Spanglish throughout his narrative without othering the languages by using italics or translations. He makes clear that they are as much a part of his narrative as the English. This is one story, one identity, one language. This autobiography is relentlessly honest, vulnerable and surprising. The prologue is among the best writing I’ve ever read. Without mincing words, without whitewashing or censoring, Renteria sets the stage for his difficult journey: “Even in this town. There are evil people.” I have seen Renteria’s work before, both performed live and in writing, and this was levels beyond—a bald-faced vulnerability rarely seen in private spaces, in ink for anyone to read. Thankfully, the intensity turns down a bit in the bulk of the book (although the epilogue has that same penetrating openness). Beginning with Renteria as a young boy, the age of the narrator seems to change with the age he’s telling, on through
Submit books for review: Little Village, 623 S Dubuque St., IC, IA 52240
teen years and into adulthood. Anyone who has heard about this book before now knows it’s “tales of growing up Mexican American in small-town Iowa,” knows there’s discussion of lowrider culture, b-boying and otherness. But I hadn’t seen anything out there to warn me that it wouldn’t feel so much like reading a book as reading the words of the prophets written on the bathroom stalls of my middle school. As Renteria writes, “We were the scrappy kids fighting against boredom and racists … But that’s not the whole truth, right? We were also fighting against innocence. We were fighting against ourselves.” Through cultural and familial conflict, the traumas born of teenage boredom and the search for identity, Renteria folds his life into a narrative arc that feels at once fresh and unrelentingly real. Each moment begs to be read, forcing readers to recognize the cycles of violence and power dynamics that framed our own childhoods.
THIS BOOK NEEDS TO BE READ. While themes of violence and shame are prevalent throughout We Heard It When We Were Young, they are not told so intensely as to make me squeamish. It was seeing parallels between Renteria’s regrets and my own that made me uncomfortable. This book needs to be read. It needs to be read by people with no idea what it means to be other, who don’t know small-town life, for whom school or coping came easily. And it needs to be read by those who know what it is to be other. Those who have struggled to make a space for themselves. Something painful but safe is happening here. If you see yourself in these pages, you also see that you’re not alone. (Content warnings: violence, racism, disordered eating, death) ––Sarah Elgatian
Caldwell Murchfield; ill. Bruce Lanning It Can’t Be Easy to Hang a Giraffe in a Cheap Hotel Room … [SELF-PUBLISHED]
W
hen I first received this slim volume in the mail, I panicked. How can one get a ~500-word review out of a book of less than 40 pages? I had assigned it to a freelancer, but held back, not wanting someone else to have to grapple with that dilemma. A 40-page poetry book? Sure, golden! But noir comedy micro-fiction? Wait. Noir comedy micro-fiction? Yes, you read that right. Each page is a series of sentence-long stories, pairing an arch, detective fiction tone usually reserved for the underbelly of humanity with the underbelly of the animal kingdom, instead. If that sounds surreal, or nonsensical, or insane, rest assured: It’s all of those things. It’s also laugh-out-loud funny and a glorious testament to the virtues of word economy. Murchfield captures an entire world in each sentence, making clear choices that nod to the tone he’s, well, aping while also creaking open the door of a universe of possibilities. Like the best micro-fiction, these aren’t snippets, but full stories unto themselves, with bold characters in ludicrously fun situations. This writing style is an illustrator’s dream, and Bruce Lanning is clearly enjoying his part in the farce, pulling a story from each page and giving it depth and whimsy in his casual, engaging black-and-white art. He, too, is a master of storytelling in miniature, evoking mood and
meaning with a single expression. Lanning captures fear in a bird’s eye, smarm in a snake’s smile. Irony and multiple meanings form the core of many of these, with wordplay galore guaranteed to make you groan. But some of the best are more simple than that, funny due to the juxtaposition but also sad—noir to the core: “The sound of Shorty’s claws frantically scrabbling for purchase on the slick floor was abruptly silenced by a volley of gunshots.” These stories are at their best when they are fully original, or when the pop culture references are swift and subtle. A fantastic example is Lanning’s illustration of the sentence, “Like most walruses, Duke was a mean drunk.” The story is among my favorites, for its silliness and simplicity (and also its darkness, to be honest). But the addition of a hammer to Duke’s victim in his illustration, a nod to “The Walrus and the Carpenter,” is goofy and fantastic. But things fall flat a bit in the direct homages to familiar, rather than arbitrary, animals. References to Snoopy and Lassie and Curious George feel a bit forced. They’re not as funny as the other stories, and they run contrary to the original characters’ personalities in a way that a sentence-long story just doesn’t have time to earn. Taken as a whole, though, this collection is a joy to peruse. It can be taken all at once or read piecemeal, making it a perfect coffee table or bathroom book. It has the feel of a 20th century joke book updated for the internet age. We’ve all read or written micro-fiction on Twitter; it’s become as ubiquitous as those joke books were 40 years ago. Collecting it this way, with illustrations added, is a lovely nod to both traditions—and it’s a perfect holiday gift for that one person on your list with a goofy sense of humor who you can never find something for. Perhaps I’ll pick one up for that freelancer who I stole the pleasure of this review from! —Genevieve Trainor
LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301 December 2021 93
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What are your primary (top 1-3) news sources?
Did you vote in these elections?
Please select the content that you read regularly: Arts Features Astrology Columns (Cortado, Prairie Pop, UR Here) Comics Community News Crossword Puzzle Dear Kiki En Español Events Calendar Food & Drink Interactions Letters to the Editor Local Album Reviews Local Book Reviews Local Business Ads Sex & Love UR Here Your Village
In 2021, how many times a month on average did you... __Eat at a full-service restaurant? __Order take-out or food delivery? __Visit a bar or nightclub? __Consume locally made beer or cider? __Attend a live concert or theater production? __Go to the movies? __Visit a fitness establishment (gym, yoga, etc.)?
Do you read Bread & Butter magazine?
How often do you visit downtown Cedar Rapids for pleasure (not work)? Less than once/week 1-3x/week 3-5x/week 5+ x/week
2020: Yes / No Yes / No 2018: Yes / No How often do you vote in local (city, county, school board) elections? Always
Sometimes
Never
How often do you participate in primary elections? Always
Sometimes
Never
What issues are you most passionate about? Affordability and access Economic and labor justice Environmental sustainability Racial justice Gender equity Quality health care Quality education
How often do you check the events calendar on LittleVillageMag.com? All the time Occasionally Never Which events do you regularly enjoy: Live music Art/exhibition Theater/performance Literature Cinema Food & drink Educational/lecture Community/political Fashion Family Sports & recreation
94 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
How often do you visit downtown Iowa City for pleasure (not work)? Less than once/week 1-3x/week 3-5x/week 5+ x/week
Given the choice, would you prefer to do business with a Little Village advertiser? Yes / No What is your zip code?
How many years have you lived in Eastern Iowa?
Do you own or rent your home? What is your current employment status? Unemployed Employed part-time Employed full-time Self-employed How many children do you have?
How do you usually access LV online? I go directly to LittleVillageMag.com Via Facebook Via Twitter Via LV’s email newsletters I only read it in print
What year were you born?
What is your highest level of education? Some high school High school diploma Some college Associate’s degree Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Ph.D.
What is one thing LV should do more of in 2022?
What is your first language? What is your gender identity?
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
SAD TROMBONE 1
2
3
4
5
13
6 14
19
8
9
10
15
32
33
37
27
38
50
40 45
59
60
64
65
74
80
81
84
85
ACROSS 1. Source of the word “freckles” 6. Water color? 10. Kinda 13. Self image, online 15. Mooncake bean 16. Vibes 19. Single dad wielding his kids to get a date? 21. Swipe playfully, as a cat toy 22. Annie Lennox or Tracy Chapman, vocally 23. It’s hardly light reading 24. Totally different thing 25. Chicken ___ (sub option)
66
67
70
73
87
52 56
69
72
48
71
75
76
82
88
27. When doubled, tattles 30. CBD product 31. ___ the Drag Queen, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 8 34. Woe that might bring BoJack Horseman to the podiatrist? 36. Country that interrupts Oman: Abbr. 37. Tablets probably named by people who don’t have periods 39. Big name in small jets 40. Class for some new citizens, briefly 42. “Therefore,” to Descartes
41
46
51
58 63
47
74. Pop star Lovato 76. Sound of an ass whooping? 80. A fungus among us 81. “What’s the point?!” or what you might exclaim upon solving this puzzle’s theme entries 84. 2020 role for Millie 85. Producer of a Sonic boom? 86. Immune system organ 87. Celery, in a kid’s snack 88. They can be Cornelius- or pony-sized 89. Lead or iron, e.g.
30
55
57
18
36
44
54
68
29
39
49
62
28
35
43
17
21
26
42
12
24
34
53
11
16
23 25
61
7
20
22
31
The American Values Club Crossword is edited by Ben Tausig. LittleVillageMag.com
by Rebecca Goldstein
77
78
79
83 86 89
(when he was being pretentious and using Latin) 43. Pronoun for 74-Across 45. They’re highly rated on travel sites 49. Spaghetti sauce 50. With 51-Across, task on a very devoted child’s to-do list before a Bournemouth beach holiday? 51. See 50-Across 52. Moreno who was the third person to achieve an EGOT 53. Olfactory bulb? 55. Trees with upright cones 56. A bit highfalutin
57. Prank 58. Merit 60. “Awww, nice!” 61. Zamboni’s surface 63. Equivalent of “strong gale” on the Gen-Z Beaufort scale? 67. Subject of Trevor Noah’s increasing coverage since 2020? 68. Sea’s counterpart, in an airport nickname 69. Stressed out 70. Heaps 72. Laughs while drinking milk, maybe
trauma of overpacking for holiday travel? 35. “Weird ___, but OK” 38. Delivery person? 41. Salt & ___ (ice cream company with a Goosebumps: Monster Blood flavor) 43. Tango requirement 44. Criticize 46. Verbal hesitations 47. He’s slimmer than a bear 48. “What did you ___ me?!” 51. Sen. Klobuchar’s state 54. One hanging around queer spaces? 55. Breakfast pizza topping 59. Reactions to cuteness 60. Airport with an emotional support pig: Abbr. 61. Phrase that relies on voice recognition 62. What fanfic is not 64. Nice article 65. Taboo or Trouble, e.g. 66. Top-tier, invitation-wise 71. Hit perpendicularly 73. Part of a corp. job offer, sometimes 75. Timeline sections 77. Tint of a blood moon 78. Sri Lanka setting 79. Holler 81. Disapproving tongue click 82. Half a laugh? 83. Honor, casually (and a synonym of itself when its last letter is changed to D)
DOWN 1. The cabs are here! 2. Elliptical 3. Lazy river conveyance 4. Sesame Street set piece 5. Bud holder? 6. Car radio toggle 7. Winningest female Grammy awardee, familiarly 8. Kizzmekia Corbett’s Ph.D. alma mater 9. M.I.A. gatekeeper?: Abbr. 10. They have no way out 11. Fly high 12. “Isn’t my partiality a problem for proclaiming penalties?” 14. Cool again 17. Series spun off from Beavis and Butt-Head 18. Vibe 20. Social anxiety acronym 24. Cost LV300 ANSWERS 26. FX show with P E T A L S GA T E POS T Sarah Paulson, S T E V I E A T A L A N T A Lady Gaga, Jessica P A N AMA Z ON K SOU T Lange, etc., for L B S E ND S UN I short MAGOO G L E E A T T N E L ON H A L MP H 28. ___ carte L A S POS E B A I L S 29. Say softly B R E A K U P B I G T E CH 31. Oktoberfest M E OWS WO K E T U E round N Y E HOE A B B A H E R E S L A P P L E A D 32. Interviewer A P E A N A L AOC of Elliot Page via BON I F A C E BOOK E R greenscreen techI C EMA K E R I R V I N E nology T H E P R E S S T I E DON 33. Song about the
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96 December 2021 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LV301
