No matter our family or personal tradition, we look at the holidays through the lens we choose. We celebrate, we mourn, we do a little of both. I asked four eastern Iowa residents what this holiday season means to them, how they celebrate, what home means. This is what they said.
Holidays
Posted inUR Here
UR Here: Finding the nativity in your own community
Whether one believes in the literal or religious truth of the Christmas story or not, it remains a powerful and influential tale, obviously for Christians, but even for many non-Christians. Over the years, as the Yuletide celebration commences, I have often discovered new ideas in this simple yet profound tale. This year, the story of the nativity has helped me understand something about what is important for community.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Nine local Etsy shops to browse this holiday season
Enjoy the convenience of online shopping while supporting local artists and entrepreneurs. These Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area Etsy shops offer everything from personalized art to vintage fashion to nerdy decoratives.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Holiday craft fairs are like real life Etsy — and benefit local artists
When we choose to shop small and local, we keep more of our money in the community, which encourages more business, more artists and more jobs. Small businesses and local artists depend on the holiday season, just like the big boxes do.
Posted inCommunity/News
Watch an Iowa man propose via New Year’s Eve flash mob
A West Des Moines resident proposed to his girlfriend amid a flash mob of more than 100 people this New Year’s Eve, and the footage is pretty adorable. Groom-to-be Sean Ratliff incorporated dancers from Becky Nalevanko’s Dance and Tumbling studio along with choreography by his friend Carlton Oglesby, KCCI reports. With the help of his […]
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‘National Report’ writes fake war-on-Christmas story, hilarious real threats phoned in to real school
Our satirical pals at the National Report, whose idea of satire is to write up fake news stories that contain few hints as to their fakeness — because satire does…
Posted inCommunity/News
N.S.F.W: Keeping the holidays hot
Let’s be honest: When we think of the holiday season, it’s not exactly the sexiest time of year. Family, too much rich food, “O Christmas Tree” on an endless loop, shopping crowds, snow and ice and early sunset, endless travel: It’s exhausting and stressful. Here are some tips to keep your holidays as sensual and […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
This Friday: Public Space One ‘marching band’ to kick off a night of festivities, fundraising
If you weren’t already aware, Public Space One (PS1) has moved from their old location in the Jefferson Building on Washington Street to the Wesley Center…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
A Pete Balestrieri Christmas: More than a dozen local musicians to perform
Christmas is just a week away! Can you believe it? It feels like Thanksgiving was just three weeks ago. If you’re like me and still not totally full of holiday cheer…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
It’s a Wonderful Death: Cedar Ridge Winery reimagines a holiday classic (with murder, etc.)
You know George Bailey, the (temporarily) suicidal protagonist from It’s a Wonderful Life, but did you hear about his suicidal-yet-potentially-homicidal side?
Posted inCommunity/News, UR Here
UR here: A traditional spice takes center stage
As autumn segues to winter, my seasonal spice shifts, too. Since September, it’s been all about nutmeg for me, the one essential ingredient to my apple crisp (aside from Wilson’s Orchard apples, of course). But as Thanksgiving passes to Yuletide, nutmeg yields to cardamon. Oh sure, I’ll still sprinkle a little nutmeg on the old […]
