By Paul Deaton, Solon Single-issue politics are bad for the community. In Iowa there is more to living in society than any single issue or election. Unlike members of the Congress, we aren’t in a constant state of campaigning. We view those with whom we interact as people first, which makes life more tolerable. There […]
Statewide
Posted inStatewide
Letter to the editor: Bohannan is the clear choice following the Iowa Press debate
By Trish Nelson, Iowa City In case you missed the debate between first district congressional candidates Democrat Christina Bohannan and Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks voters should know what their stated priorities are. When specifically asked by the moderator, Kay Henderson, what should be the first bill voted upon in January if their respective party wins control […]
Posted inStatewide
Judge says Iowa’s third ag-gag law is unconstitutional, like previous versions
For the third time in five years, a judge has struck down the Iowa Legislature’s efforts to criminalize the use of cameras in agriculture facilities and other businesses. “The United States Constitution does not allow such a singling out of the exercise of a constitutional right,” U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose ruled on Monday. She […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Statewide
Track and video premiere: Mr. Softheart, ‘Surface Tension’
It’s all part of the act for Mr. Softheart. That’s because this local three-piece has no regard for the basic building blocks of rock bands. At one of their shows, you’re sure to spy the image of Bambi on a deltoid muscle or the late ’80s linebacker-inspired cut of a Jockey crop top. But what […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Big Grove Vinyl Market returns to Iowa City, launches next month in Des Moines
“It’s a fun atmosphere to sell records in,” Brian Brandsgard told Little Village of the aesthetics and energy Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City. “It’s just a perfect place to have it.” Brandsgard is the organizer of the Big Grove Vinyl Market, which he has held periodically at the brewery since it opened five years […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Meet Alicia Vasto, the Iowa Environmental Council’s new water czar
Growing up in the small town of Adel kept a young Alicia Vasto in the outdoors, exploring nature along rivers and streams. She developed a deep love for what naturally existed around her. Understanding the grim realities of climate change, Vasto realized she could only make a big impact using a top-down approach. “To see […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Dana James: We were never in the same pandemic
I’ll admit it. I’m ambivalent about this stage of the coronavirus pandemic. Twenty-nine months since it began, Americans have long tired of all things pandemic-related, but I find it difficult to move forward and let go of the habits that have kept my family safe. I still wear N-95 face masks religiously. I don’t dine […]
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: Does having sex on the first date prevent future romance?
Questions about love, sex or relationship can be submitted to dearkiki@littlevillagemag.com, or anonymously using this form. Questions may be edited for clarity and length, and may appear either in print or online. Dear Kiki, Do you think having sex with a man on the first date/encounter with him ruins the chances of a future relationship […]
Posted inLetters
Op-ed: As Banned Books Week turns 40, it’s time to unequivocally condemn censorship
By Mickey Huff, Project Censored In her best-selling novel Speak, young adult author Laurie Halse Anderson wrote, “Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.” Since the American Library Association (ALA) and Association of American Publishers helped launch Banned Books Week 40 years ago, that dysfunctional family of censorship has unfortunately grown […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Book Review and Q&A: Sarah Thankam Mathews — ‘All This Could Be Different’
When I started reading All This Could Be Different (Viking, 2022) by Sarah Thankam Mathews, I was nervous about the passive voice, tonally similar to other books I’ve recently read which I felt lacked substance. But this is intentional. Our narrator, Sneha, is apathetic, barely teasing interest, she merely exists for the first part of […]
