“Why is George’s called ‘George’s Buffet’ when there’s no buffet?” – Elizabeth, Iowa City. At this point, the most accurate answer is probably “tradition.” Apparently, when George Kanak opened the bar in February 1939, he meant to make it stand out from other bars that served food by offering a full buffet. But if George’s ever had […]
According to the maps I find online, the lake in Lake Macbride State Park is Lake McBride. Are they named after the same person? Or did Macbride get the park and Macbride Hall at UI named after him, and McBride basically didn’t get anything other than me, years later, doubting his existence? —Matt, Iowa City […]
The story behind the Ten Commandments monument in Cedar Rapids’ Plaza Park on May’s Island probably isn’t what you imagine. Unless you think it involves a teenage car thief and a legendary movie director — then it’s exactly what you imagine. […]
“I cannot understand what the voice is saying at the downtown crosswalks after it announces the street name. It bugs me every time I hear it. It says something like ‘Clinton, Clinton, walk standing on the blocks.'” (Anonymous, Iowa City, via email) Well, the “Clinton” part is right. The rest is… close. Sort of. […]
“What kind of name is Chauncey for a building?” In most cities, The Chauncey would be a wonderful or terrible name, depending on personal preference, but in Iowa City it is historic. Like the park and the parking ramp next to it, the new 15-story mixed-use building borrows its name from Chauncey Swan, who’s been called “the father of Iowa City.” […]
It’s surprising how many people don’t notice a 25-foot-long, 8-foot-tall bike rack in the shape of the letters P-L-A-Y is missing until you point out it’s gone. Technically, it’s not a rack, it’s a “parklet,” which is a structure that not only offers large-scale bike parking (in this case, 40 bikes), but is also supposed to help beautify its surroundings. […]
Is there a plan to address the safety issues with the arches on the Park Road Bridge beyond the current fencing set-up? —Joe, Iowa City […]
I heard that Daylight Donuts in Iowa City is closing. Please tell me this is just a rumor. Because I don’t think I can go on if it’s really closing for good. – Lydia, Iowa City
Unfortunately, it’s more than just a rumor, but no one should give into donut-related despair, because there’s good news to go along with this bad news. But first, the bad news. […]
“I really want to know why no one ever canoes on the Iowa River. Is it because it’s too dirty?” If you’ve never seen people canoeing on the Iowa River, it’s possible you’ve been looking in the wrong places […]
“What happened to the steam whistle at the power plant? Will they bring it back? I heard it may have been down for repairs a while back, and then I heard nothing about it ever again.” —Becca, Iowa City, via Facebook […]
“I was sad to see the mature trees in front of Iowa Chop House (Washington Street) cut down. How come???” — Mary, Iowa City, via email. Those trees were ash trees, and ash trees in Iowa City have been under assault by an insect, the emerald ash borer (EAB), since 2014. […]
“Where does the recycling go?” asks Roger. The short answer for Iowa City curbside recyclers is Davenport, and then into the wider world. […]
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