ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture

Artists paint scenery outdoors during the Iowa Plein Air event Sept. 1-3. Photo: Amana Colonies

Painting in the fresh air of Amana

Get an up-close look at the creative process during the Iowa Plein Air event Sept. 1-3 in the Amana Colonies. Chat with painters as they capture the beautiful colors of Iowa’s scenery — or try yourself during a session for all ages 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Stick around for the Golden Brush Awards dinner party at 5 p.m. Sunday, when the judge will reveal this year’s winning artist. You can purchase one-of-a-kind art that was made during the weekend, meet the artists and vote for the people’s choice award.

Shop for arts and crafts, or turn your face into its own canvas during the ARTaplooza event in downtown Cedar Falls. Photo: Cedar Falls Downtown District

Even more art in Cedar Falls

Want some more art? Visit Cedar Falls for the annual ARTapalooza fine art show from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. Sept. 10. Check out ceramics, glasswork, metal sculptures, jewelry, photography and so much more. The event also features art demonstrations, live entertainment and children’s activities.

If you’re interested in volunteering, contact the Community Main Street office, where organizers would love to enlist your help for children’s activities, artist hospitality, working at the information booth, setting up and cleaning up.

The historic home of Rev. George B. Hitchcock in Lewis, Iowa, was a pit stop for freedom seekers and abolitionists. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006. Photo: Iowa Underground Railroad Ride

Uncover Iowa’s Underground Railroad Bike Ride

Ride about 135 miles round trip from Tabor and Lewis Sept. 15-17 to learn about the Underground Railroad’s route through southwest Iowa. The ride will showcase two historic buildings, the Todd House in Tabor and the Hitchcock House in Lewis, which once belonged to Iowans who participated in antislavery activities and housed freedom seekers on their journey north.

Registration for the ride is now open and includes tours of the historic sites, meals, a campsite at Cold Springs Park and gear transportation. The cost is $125 in August and $135 in September. You can also buy an $80 cycling jersey designed by Bike Rags in Cedar Rapids.

The national tour of "RuPaul's Drag Race: The Night of the Living Drag" haunts Stephens Auditorium on Oct. 13.

Celebrate spooky season on Friday the 13th

Travel to the fifth dimension during RuPaul’s Drag Race: The Night of the Living Drag on Oct. 13 at Stephens Auditorium in Ames. The show is inspired by the spooky '60s series “The Twilight Zone” and features drag queens Angeria, Denali, Icesis Couture, Jaida Essence Hall, Jorgeous, Plastique, Rosé, Tayce and host Yvie Oddly. Tickets start at $39, and doors open at 7 p.m.

Rodina in Cedar Rapids serves Midwest comfort food made with locally sourced and sustainably raised ingredients. Photo: Rodina.

Rodina in Cedar Rapids to close this October

Rodina quickly became a Cedar Rapids favorite dining spot upon opening five years ago. Sadly, James Beard Award-nominated chef and owner Samuel Charles has announced the restaurant will only remain open through October. But if you’re quick, there’s still time to enjoy this spot known for Midwest comfort food at its finest. Whether you go with the duck, the housemade pasta or a gorgeous ribeye, it’s a meal to be savored. With a fantastic happy hour and a go-to brunch menu, Rodina is worth a quick visit before it serves its final meal.

Rolling: Meet filmmakers and fans at the Iowa Independent Film Festival in September. Photo: IIFF

Independent films and fun in northern Iowa

Head to Mason City and Clear Lake for the Iowa Independent Film Festival Sept. 7-9, when you can see new films from across the country. Screenings include shorts, animation, documentary and feature films of all genres across two theaters in each town, the Mason City Community Theatre and Lake Theater.

At the end of each day, join the after-parties at Mason City Brewing and 173 Craft Distillery in Clear Lake for drinks, food trucks and celebrations. The awards ceremony starts at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at the Mason City Community Theatre.

If you go, be sure check out the dark comedy “Sucks To Be Vegan” directed by Iowa native Derek James Smith about a vegan woman who is turned into a vampire. It shows Friday morning. See the complete list of films and showtimes online.

After nearly losing their only grocery story, Jewell residents rallied to keep it open and operating. Photo: Emily Kestel

IOWA STOPS HUNGER
Restocking the shelves in Jewell

Writer: Emily Kestel

Jewell, a town of 1,200 in Hamilton County, has a dozen retail stores, two banks, a few salons and chiropractors, a library, dentist office, medical clinic, hardware store, co-op and a public school district. But a few years ago, the town almost lost one of its most essential businesses: its grocery store.

The owner of what was then called Heartland Market, who also had a handful of other grocery stores across the state, locked the doors and closed up shop in January 2020.

In the first half-year after Heartland Market’s closure, Jewell qualified as a “food desert,” which the USDA defines according to two criteria: low access, where the closest supermarket or grocery store is at least 10 miles away, and low income, where the median family income is at or below 80% of the statewide median family income.

Jewell residents had to drive 30 minutes to get their groceries in Webster City or Ames, a hindrance for everyone, especially for residents who are elderly or can’t drive.

Following the closure, the Jewell Area Development Enterprise board created an LLC and hosted several public meetings at the local country club to discuss how to get the grocery store back up and running.

The result: In May, the city of Jewell purchased the building for $75,000, according to public records. On July 8, the store reopened as Jewell Market.

It’s a popular spot to grab lunch. Daily specials of ham balls, stuffed peppers, chili, burgers, pork tenderloins, orange chicken or twice-baked potatoes can be found on any given menu, which the South Hamilton Record-News publishes in a weekly advertisement. Farmers, teachers and business owners alike often stop by for a bite to eat.

Read the full story on Iowa food desserts and how communities are combating grocery store closures on our Iowa Stops Hunger website.

Iowa Stops Hunger is an ongoing Business Publications Corp. initiative to raise awareness about food insecurity in Iowa and inspire action to combat it.