Atop a Mississippi River bluff in Burlington sit the childhood homes of Aldo Leopold, arguably the most significant conservationist of the 20th century and perhaps even to this day. Author of the seminal A Sand County Almanac (1949), Leopold changed mainstream thinking about human relationships with the natural world through his idea of “the land […]
UR Here
Posted inArts & Entertainment
In a tight-knit community, art is ritual
A few years ago, the Englert Theatre and FilmScene initiated a campaign to make Iowa City “the Greatest Small City for the Arts.” And that title is justified. Not only do our local arts organizations bring us incredible performances, but we also boast a highly talented home-grown community of artists and performers. As the fall […]
Posted inCommunity/News
There is no bad weather
Brother Snow. Sister Rain. Auntie Sunshine. Uncle Cloudy. Grandfather Cold. Grandmother Warmth. Cousin Storm. Mother Earth. Welcome to the family of weather — our kin. Ecological understanding is about wholeness, knowing that the earth — as a whole system, organism or being (what many call Gaia) — comprises diverse, interdependent beings (or organisms, if you […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The Friends of Hickory Hill Park help guide the beloved IC nature area’s future
“Solitude,” “contemplation,” “sanctuary” — the Friends of Hickory Hill Park nonprofit uses these words to describe the park it supports. Unlike many of Iowa City’s parks, at Hickory Hill you won’t find the traditional swing sets, baseball diamonds or large shelters shading rows of picnic tables. Sure, Hickory Hill is a destination for winter sledders […]
Posted inCommunity/News
When Iowa City searched for Pearl
Since mid-January, much of the east side of Iowa City has actively worked to save the life of Pearl, a black lab mix who has been on the loose amidst one of the snowiest, coldest winters in recent memory. Pearl was a feral dog who was captured (with her litter of pups) and eventually adopted […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Find your church in one of these three local nature preserves designed for ecospiritualists
In our pandemic lives, many of us have deepened, discovered or rediscovered our relationship with nature as a way to cope with the new restrictions on our lives. The benefits likely have been multiple: enhancing our own health, learning more about the land we live on, perhaps even sparking a stronger environmental ethic. Many of […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Yeah, 2020 sucks — but is that idea part of the problem?
Here’s a wacky idea: Our concept of a “year” is blocking our effectiveness in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. OK, bear with me. One of the most common expressions I’ve seen and heard — on social media and in real-live conversations — is that 2020 sucks. In a lot of ways that of course is true, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Coping with uncertainty
We are in a coracle with no oars or rudder, heading to an unknown fate. We are in peregrination. So that’s my topic for the return of UR Here. Rarely have I just not known what to write about for this column. Even though I was ecstatic that Little Village was coming back to print, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
In a community, silence may be more productive than brainstorming
Imagine a city council meeting where a citizen walks up to the microphone during the public comment period and says, “I would like to devote my time to being silent in order for all of us gathered here to consider our individual parts in this public issue we are discussing.” Imagine a community forum where, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The Pentacrest larch, embracing grief and taking action
I saw the fallen larch early on the morning of Sept. 10 as I walked from the bus to my office in Jessup Hall. My eyes widened and my spirits dropped as, from a distance, I saw the tree lying flat on the ground. I audibly said, “Oh no.” Before I went to work, and before the remains of the tree would be gathered and taken away by university personnel
Posted inCommunity/News
When creating a comfortable space, sounds are as important as decor
What does your place sound like? We spend enormous chunks of our lives in our homes and workplaces. More and more, we’re coming to understand the effect these frequent haunts have on our physical and mental health, our emotional states, our creativity and productivity — in short, our very well-being.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The joy of anticipation and aftermath
As someone easily overwhelmed by crowds and sensory overload (and more so as I age), I can find Iowa City’s wonderful summer festivals a challenge. I have many times enjoyed the tunes, charts and riffs flowing from the stages of the Iowa City Jazz Festival. I have often parked my camp chair on the Pedestrian Mall on Friday night
