“I look forward to autumn every year, one of the many reasons being it’s pumpkin season and pumpkins are a favorite food of mine,” the Best Chef in the CRANDIC, Trumpet Blossom’s Katy Meyer, said in an email. “Not only are pumpkins beautiful, interesting, and technically considered a fruit, they provide a delicious base for […]
Best of the CRANDIC 2020
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Flat Black Studio
Flat Black Studio (Long Play Records) was voted Best Local Record Label or Recording Studio in Little Village’s 2020 Best of the CRANDIC awards. Flat Black founder Luke Tweedy and second-in-command Dana T have been cranking out phenomenal records from their Lone Tree oasis for years now. They lure in the best local and regional […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Bart Carithers, Next Page Books
Bart Carithers was voted Best Entrepreneur in Little Village’s 2020 Best of the CRANDIC awards. The Best Local Entrepreneur of the CRANDIC, Bart Carithers, celebrated five years of ownership at Next Page Books (which first opened as NewBo Books in 2012) this December. That also marked his five-year anniversary as a businessman. “I had no […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Watch: Best of the CRANDIC 2020 winners say ‘thank you!’
Normally, we’d be celebrating Best of the CRANDIC by bringing together the small business owners, artists, musicians and local personalities who won with the community who voted for them for one big, huggy, droplet-spready party. Since that can’t happen, we asked our winners to record a few words of thanks. We wish we could be […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Maestro Empanadas
A Q&A with Cristian Bejarano, whose restaurant, Maestro Empanadas, was chosen as the Most Commendable COVID-19 Precaution Game in Little Village’s 2020 Best of the CRANDIC awards. When did you open Maestro Empanadas? Had you always hoped to own a restaurant? We opened our store in December 2015, however we started selling empanadas at the […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: John’s Grocery
John’s Grocery isn’t just Iowa City’s oldest grocery store, but, according to the 2020 Best of the CRANDIC survey, locals’ favorite place to shop for beer, wine and liquor. With dozens (if not hundreds) of options to choose from in each section, John’s manager Doug Alberhasky took the time to make a few recommendations. Beer […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Her Soup Kitchen
Her Soup Kitchen was voted Best Gluten-Free-Friendly Options in Little Village’s 2020 Best of the CRANDIC awards. Barb Farnsworth, 60, owns and operates Her Soup Kitchen alongside her two kids and husband, Dick Farnsworth. Prior to opening the South Dubuque Street restaurant, Barb worked in the printing business and Dick owned and operated a mechanic […]
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Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Jennifer Evans, No Limits Personal Fitness
Little Village asked the Best Fitness Instructor winner to share some advice for working out at home. Now is the time to make exercising a priority for our mental and physical health. A new study in the Journal of Affective Disorders shows that strength training, like aerobic exercise, may be an effective way to alleviate […]
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Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Oaknoll Retirement Residence
Oaknoll Retirement Residence was voted Best Assisted Living Facility in Little Village’s 2020 Best of the CRANDIC awards. “My whole heart is at Oaknoll and in assisted living,” said Jaclyn Craig, a registered nurse manager at the Iowa City retirement residence. “We work really hard, and we are all like a family and a team […]
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Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Camp Wapsie
Camp Wapsie was voted Best Summer Camp in Little Village’s 2020 Best of the CRANDIC awards. If you’ve ever felt that gentle pull of nostalgia while watching Wet Hot American Summer (or its brilliant serial reboot), the Babysitters’ Club “Hello, Camp Moosehead” finale, either version of The Parent Trap or, say, anything in the Friday […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best of the CRANDIC Spotlight: Andrew’s Bar Exam
In 2014, Andrew Juhl attended a bar trivia event at Old Capitol Brew Works. The organizer was planning to step down after the next event, so Juhl offered to take over, and Andrew’s Bar Exam was born. Over the next six years, it grew to weekly shows at 21 venues and monthly shows at another […]
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Best of the CRANDIC 2020: Health & Recreation
Best Place to Experience Nature: Lake Macbride State Park 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon Kayaking around Lake Macbride is so peaceful! —Alicia B. Hiking all year long lets you really feel the change of seasons. — Lauren L. Runner-up: F.W. Kent Park Best Bike Trail: Cedar Valley Nature Trail Hiawatha cedarvalleynaturetrail.com Runner-up: Iowa River Trail […]
