Read issue 286 »
As eastern Iowa reckons with the aftermath of the Aug. 10 derecho, a Cedar Rapids barbecue restaurant owner has made sure thousands of locals stay fed — and become a national story in the process. Meanwhile, “Save The Mill” efforts are well underway in Iowa City, as two grassroots groups rally to rescue a 58-year-old staple of the city’s dining and live music scene. But buying a business in the midst of a pandemic has proven to be one hell of an undertaking. Also in this issue: Drive-in theater productions are safe for audiences, but what about the performers? Mirrorbox Theatre found a solution: casting husband-wife actors Scot and Marcia Hughes as co-stars. For a UI student whose family lives in a secluded Mexican village in which home phones are a luxury, every grainy photo and bit of communication is precious. Plus: Why “2020 sucks” jokes are a little unfair to your calendar, a new Kiki question and local album and book reviews.
