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MusicIC programs begin Thursday

MusicIC – Where Music and Literature Meet – is now in its third season of presenting music for small ensembles inspired by works of literature, both prose and poetry. Home of The University of Iowa’s Writers Workshop, International Writing Program and Summer Writing Festival, the UNESCO City of Literature, superb libraries and unique book shops, [...]

Girl Scout Troop 8962 installs two Little Free Libraries

Local Girl Scout Troop 8962 has installed two new Little Free Libraries at elementary schools in North Liberty. One is located at Buford Garner and the other is at Van Allen. The libraries were filled with books on the day of installation, some purchased from cookie sale profits and others collected during a gently-used book [...]

Winners named in City Of Literature student essay contest

The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization has completed judging for this year’s Paul Engle Day: Glory of the Senses Essay Contest, and will award scholarships to seven high school sophomores from across Iowa. The winning essay from among 78 submissions was “Swing Tree,” by Emma Holmes, a student at Iowa City High School. [...]

New Little Free Library is a model of Iowa City’s Old Capitol

Iowa City resident Dan Daly received a unique gift for his 60th birthday – a Little Free Library. This library is a scaled-down model of Iowa City’s Old Capitol, complete with a golden dome and miniature flags. Daly’s wife, Beth, arranged to have the library designed and built by Will Thompson of Armadillo Arts and [...]

Out Loud! to feature Patchett, Flynn and Lehane

Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series in Linn County will present three of the most famous names in fiction this June. The collaborative program of the Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion public libraries will present Ann Patchett, Gillian Flynn and Dennis Lehane in free events at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center. Patchett, an [...]

MusicIC programs begin Thursday

Posted by admin on June 12th, 2013

MusicIC – Where Music and Literature Meet – is now in its third season of presenting music for small ensembles inspired by works of literature, both prose and poetry.

Home of The University of Iowa’s Writers Workshop, International Writing Program and Summer Writing Festival, the UNESCO City of Literature, superb libraries and unique book shops, Iowa City’s rich literary tradition forms the backdrop for MusicIC and helps to shape its programming.

MusicIC features musicians born or brought up in Iowa City who have the potential for or are embarked upon major careers in music. 2013 will feature pianist Conor Hanick, double bassist Emmet Hanick, soprano Meagan Brus and conductor Scott Dunn. The festival also includes current and past University of Iowa faculty as well as brilliant young musicians from around the country.

The events are free and open to the public. This year’s schedule includes:

Music for Soprano and String Quartet with a World Premier, June 13, 7:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church

Songs of Love, Longing and Loss, June 14, 7:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church

Igor Stravinsky’s Histoire du Soldat (A Soldier’s Tale), June 15, 7:30 p.m., The Englert Theatre

Ferdinand the Bull and Other Favorites – with Music!, June 16, 2 p.m., Iowa City Public Library

For more details about the performances, visit www.uiowa.edu/musicic.

Girl Scout Troop 8962 installs two Little Free Libraries

Posted by admin on June 6th, 2013

Local Girl Scout Troop 8962 has installed two new Little Free Libraries at elementary schools in North Liberty. One is located at Buford Garner and the other is at Van Allen. The libraries were filled with books on the day of installation, some purchased from cookie sale profits and others collected during a gently-used book drive. If you are interested in building or owning your own library please visit our resource pages where you can download design plans, learn about funding opportunities, and connect with other LFL enthusiasts.

Accessing and Exploring Our River

Posted by admin on May 29th, 2013

Iowa City is moving forward with a proposal to repair and enhance the riverfront near the Burlington Street Dam. These efforts will include flood mitigation, habitat restoration, and new recreation opportunities.

Proposed modifications to the Burlington Street Dam will:

Address public safety concerns
Improve riverbank stability
Improve fish habitat
Incorporate the City’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature
Create recreation opportunities such as integration with the Iowa River Water Trail

City leaders have asked for your input on the proposed project. Please take a moment to learn more about the project and fill out a brief survey. Your answers will help determine the future uses and look of the Iowa River and riverbank.

Winners named in City Of Literature student essay contest

Posted by admin on May 21st, 2013

The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization has completed judging for this year’s Paul Engle Day: Glory of the Senses Essay Contest, and will award scholarships to seven high school sophomores from across Iowa.

The winning essay from among 78 submissions was “Swing Tree,” by Emma Holmes, a student at Iowa City High School. In it, she writes about a fire caused by lightning that destroyed a tree where she played as a child. Holmes’ prize is one year of free tuition to the University of Iowa, offered in partnership with the UI.

The contest asked Iowa high school sophomores to write a three-to-five-page essay about an “Iowa experience,” drawing on a specific memory to capture the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches of the day. Essays were scored by a panel including educators and writers led by Adam Witte, chair of the English Department at Cedar Rapids Washington High School.

The contest and an accompanying week-long curriculum distributed to all high schools in Iowa are based on the writings of Paul Engle – the long-time director of the University of Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop and co-founder of the UI’s International Writing Program – particularly his memoir, A Lucky American Childhood.

Six runners up from around the state will receive $500 cash scholarships from the City of Literature. The scholarship fund is composed of donations from individual donors to the program. The runners up are:

Jayda Baumhover, East Sac County High School
Rose Deighton, Glenwood Community High School
Laura Perez, Maple Valley Anthon-Oto School
Alyssa Raver, Ankeny High School
Sophie Steffensmeier, Beckman Catholic High School
Nicole Weissenfluh, Dike-New Hartford High School

All prize winners will be recognized on Oct. 12, which is Paul Engle Day in Iowa. The event will be held in conjunction with the Iowa City Book Festival, and the students will be invited to read their winning essays.

This is the second year for the contest, which was taken statewide for the first time in 2013.

New Little Free Library is a model of Iowa City’s Old Capitol

Posted by admin on May 21st, 2013

Iowa City resident Dan Daly received a unique gift for his 60th birthday – a Little Free Library. This library is a scaled-down model of Iowa City’s Old Capitol, complete with a golden dome and miniature flags. Daly’s wife, Beth, arranged to have the library designed and built by Will Thompson of Armadillo Arts and Dan Bohlke of the Paragon Cabinet Company. Thompson and Bohlke have partnered on other LFLs in Iowa City including the Longfellow library (1130 Seymour Ave.) and another at the corner of Court and Grant St. Daly’s library is a wonderful addition to the other Little Free Libraries that are popping up in Iowa City and across the state. If you are interested in building or owning your own please visit our Little Free Library resources pages where you can download design plans, learn about funding opportunities, and connect with other LFL enthusiasts.