via the Press Citizen

It’s no secret among local foodies that Iowa City is home to a top-notch farmers market, but the twice-weekly events at the Chauncey Swan parking ramp are starting to garner some national recognition.

The Iowa City Farmers Market, now in its 38th season, currently sits among the top vote-getting communities in a poll of America’s favorite farmers’ markets.

With the first week of August serving as National Farmers’ Market Week, the American Farmland Trust is hosting an online poll at www.farmland.org/vote to gauge the premier markets in the nation.

As of Thursday, Iowa City was in eighth place in the large market voting. The poll runs through Aug. 31.

Although the recognition is welcome, it didn’t take a poll to tell Iowa City Farmers’ Market coordinator Tammy Neumann how popular the events are with local shoppers and sellers.

“The community has a passion for buying local foods,” Neumann said.

The Iowa City market has dramatically grown in recent years. In 2005, the market was composed of 55 stalls. This year, it has 143.

The market also has expanded from under the ramp and onto Washington Street on Saturday mornings this year to accommodate more tables. Neumann said adding the open-air area has created an even livelier atmosphere.

“It makes it feel more festive,” Neumann said.

As summer heads into the home stretch, Neumann said the market is brimming with fresh-from-the-fields produce.

“The melons are just incredible right now,” she said. “I bought a watermelon on Saturday and two cantaloupes yesterday, and they were just amazing. And the corn is so sweet, the tomatoes — everything is at their peak right now.”

The markets run from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 30.

the Press-Citizen

CNN and Money magazine have published their list of the top 100 small towns in which to live, work and raise a family, and three Iowa towns have made the list.

Cracking the top 10 all the way up at No. 9 is…wait for it…Ames — home of Iowa State University.

Ames, Iowa

CNNMoney.com touted all of the wonderful things to do to keep busy in the bustling college town, about a half-hour drive from Des Moines.

“If the people who live here get bored, they have only themselves to blame,” the website wrote of Ames. “Besides Iowa State’s cultural and athletic offerings, Ames boasts 36 parks, a bustling shopping district, and a new aquatic center.”

Of the town’s athletic offerings, CNNMoney.com offered this: “The high school boys basketball team, girls tennis team, and girls golf team are state champions.”

Iowa City also made the top 100, clocking in a No. 68, just ahead of West Des Moines at No. 75.

Iowa City, Iowa

“When residents aren’t in the presence of university students and great writing, they can be found enjoying the annual Iowa City Jazz Festival and the nationally known acts it brings at the campus’ Old Capital building,” according to the site, the misspelling of “Old Capitol” notwithstanding.

On No. 75, West Des Moines:

“The community has an impressive roster of activities, including free weekly yoga classes in front of the city’s town hall and various events in ‘Valley Junction,’ the city’s historic downtown.”
The full entries for the Iowa towns on the list (all 100 can be found athttp://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top100/):

9. Ames, IA
Population: 60,000
Unemployment: 4.3%
Pluses: Jobs galore, welcoming vibe
Minus: Cold winters

Unemployment at 4.3%? That’s not a misprint: Ames is the home of Iowa State University, which employs 9,000, and there are lots of biotech and agriculture jobs nearby. Like many states, Iowa has trimmed university funding, but the school has not had to make drastic cuts.

If the people who live here get bored, they have only themselves to blame. Besides Iowa State’s cultural and athletic offerings, Ames boasts 36 parks, a bustling shopping district, and a new aquatic center.

Sports are big in this town: The high school boys basketball team, girls tennis team, and girls golf team are state champions. But the friendliness of the community is what newcomers tend to remark upon most.

Says Craig McFarland, 55, a financial adviser who moved here with his family in 2006: “Our first day, a neighbor came over with cookies.”

Iowa City, IA
Top 100 rank: 68
Population: 73,000

The city is home to the University of Iowa, but it’s not just any old college town.

Thank the rich literary history and in particular the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, whose graduates include John Irving, Flannery O’Connor, and T.C. Boyle. In fact, UNESCO designated Iowa City as the world’s third “City of Literature.”

When residents aren’t in the presence of university students and great writing, they can be found enjoying the annual Iowa City Jazz Festival and the nationally known acts it brings at the campus’ Old Capital building. –J.S.

West Des Moines, IA
Top 100 rank: 75
Population: 55,000

Feel like you’re always looking for something new to do? Look no further than this affluent suburb 15 minutes from downtown Des Moines.

The community has an impressive roster of activities, including free weekly yoga classes in front of the city’s town hall and various events in “Valley Junction,” the city’s historic downtown.

Whether you’re into shopping at farmer’s markets, checking out car shows, or combing through antiques, there’s something here for almost everyone. –J.S.

via Hoopla blog

You deserve a vacation. You’ve worked hard, waited out the long winter and now it’s time to relax. But how can you unwind with the price tag of your summer getaway looming overhead?

The answer? Stay local.

Iowa offers a heap of alternatives to big summer vacations, right in our backyard. Save money and skip frustrating air travel, without losing any of the fun.

Traveling Iowa wine trails
If your dream vacation is spending afternoons sampling wine and taking in scenic Napa Valley with your closest girlfriends, tour a handful of Iowa wineries instead.

For less than the cost of a plane ticket to California you can spend the week navigating one of Iowa’s five wine trails. Several wineries offer complimentary – that’s right, free — tastings, and you can take home a bottle of your favorite blend for anywhere from $8 to $20 depending on the variety.

Of course, one can’t live on wine alone, so pack a picnic lunch to enjoy with your vino as you take in the view at your winery of choice. And when you’ve tasted all you can, treat yourself to a room at an on-site bed-and-breakfast like the one at Eagles Landing Winery in Marquette.

Not sure where to start in planning your trip?
Check out the Iowa Wine and Beer website,
www.iowawineandbeer.com, for an A to Z list of wineries, maps for each of Iowa’s wine trails and links to the wineries’ and vineyards’ individual sites.

A Las Vegas alternative
Looking for a long weekend of gambling, partying, and taking in a few shows? Few places encompass the party atmosphere better than Las Vegas. If you’re flexible with your dates, you can get to Sin City for less than $200. But add in the cost of shows, club entry, overpriced drinks and food and the bill for a weekend away can easily get out of hand. Instead, try an Iowa casino and resort and use the cash you’ll save to try and win big at the slots, blackjack tables or track.

You have your pick of destinations. Head to Riverside Casino and Golf Resort if you want to enjoy a round of golf or spa treatment between poker hands, or Prairie Meadows in Altoona if you can’t decide between betting on the ponies and plugging your money into slots. Dubuque’s Diamond Jo Casino recently underwent a serious upgrade, moving the former riverboat casino to land and adding Cherry Lanes bowling, a live entertainment venue in the Mississippi Moon Bar and four quality dining options – including every casino’s must-have, a buffet. Or check out the Isle of Capri in Waterloo for live entertainment, fine dining and oh, yes, some gambling action.

With so many options, choosing a casino will be more difficult than shouting out black or red at the roulette table, so visit the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s website, www.iowa.gov/irgc, for a complete list of licensed Iowa casinos and links to their sites.

All about the family
Staying local can reduce the stress of family vacationing to a dull roar. By keeping car time to a minimum, you can curb the back seat fighting and “Are we there yet’s?” and avoid the hassle of navigating airports with a stroller and toddlers.

If swimsuits and waterslides are your family’s style, check out Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark in Dubuque. Their Huck Finn II Tree house will keep the kids entertained with water cannons, slides and squirt guns, while you feed your adventurous side on the 200-foot water tube slide. Slip into dry clothes and visit the National Mississippi River Museum, enjoy a walk along the river and take a ride up the historic Fourth Street Elevator. The resort offers family packages that include water park tickets, breakfast and a pizza dinner along with accommodations; and since the water park is indoors, your vacation is weather proof.

If water-sliding in the sun is more up your alley, head to Lost Island in Waterloo. In addition to many waterslides, there’s a lazy river, plenty of shallow spots for the kiddos to play and the park has go-karts and a golf course.

Want a more rugged backdrop for family memories? Iowa has more than 70 state-run parks to choose from. Pack up your tent, fishing poles, hiking shoes, and s’mores fixin’s and pick the park closest – or farthest — from you, depending on how far you want to tote the tots.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday – July 2,3,4th

Success

Since its humble beginnings in 1991 as an intimate local gathering of jazz aficionados, the Iowa City Jazz Festival has transformed into a nationally recognized event with an average annual audience of more than 50,000. Over the years, the festival has featured some of the biggest names in jazz, including John Scofield, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, Kenny Garrett, Roy Haynes, Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, Joey de Francesco, Charlie Hunter, Greg Osby, Cubanismo, Pat Martino, Paul Motian, Don Byron, Andrew Hill, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Yellowjackets, Soulive, Patricia Barber, Sexmob, and Stefon Harris. A key ingredient in the ongoing success of the festival is its accessibility. Admission has always been free. The sponsors underwrite all costs of producing the event, allowing it to transcend socioeconomic barriers and provide free access to families and individuals regardless of income.

Impact

The Iowa City Jazz Festival makes a profound economic and cultural impact on Iowa City each year. Historically the summer season is a somewhat dormant time of year in Iowa City. Now, however, downtown is now one of the busiest hubs of economic and cultural activity in the state. Since the first Jazz Festival in 1991, the festivals have brought over a quarter million jazz fans to Iowa City with an estimated economic impact of more than seven million dollars.

Exposure

The National Public Radio program JazzSet has recognized the exemplary quality of the Iowa City Jazz Festival by recording the festival four times in the past eight years. Most recently, JazzSet featured Iowa City Jazz Festival broadcasts for three consecutive weekly shows nationwide. The festival has been named one of the “Top 10 Festivals in the Nation” by Downbeat magazine.

Innovation

From the beginning, the principal goal of the festival has been to present impressive level of musicianship. Each year the audience is treated to some of the very best jazz performers in the world. The festivals often feature cutting-edge musicians who have been cited top performers by their peers. From the Grammy-winning Neville Brothers, Poncho Sanchez, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, and Yellowjackets, to Grammy-nominees John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Kenny Werner, Greg Osby and Brad Mehldau, the festival has brought some of the world’s most influential talent to its stage.

Education

A vital component of the festival is the focus on jazz education. Each year, the festival creates educational opportunities for students and aficionados through its Keyhole program. Young musicians from schools around the area are invited to perform at the festival and learn from such noted educators like Ron Carter, T.S. Monk, Jr., Ed Wilkerson, Kenny Werner, Paul McKee, Curtis Fuller, Geri Allen, David Berkman, and Dick Oatts in a focused and effective workshop setting. The festival has gained recognition as a supporter of local youth jazz groups by collaborating with both the Iowa City and West High jazz bands, featured openers at past festivals.

History

The Iowa City Jazz Festival has a rich history that spans the years.  Visit our Jazz Fest History Page to learn more.
Sheraton Iowa City Hotel Offers Special Rate for JazzFest Attendees

The Sheraton Iowa City Hotel is pleased to offer a special discounted rate to individuals attending the 2010 Toyota-Scion of Iowa City Jazz Festival. Click HERE for more information and to make your reservation.

Some willing to purchase season tickets — in Ariz.

Hawkeye fans are ready to descend on Arizona Stadium this fall, and the Wildcats are ready.

“We’ve had a lot of inquiries for Iowa specifically,” said Darren Graessle, Arizona director of ticket operations.

So much so that many Hawkeye fans — or hopeful scalpers — have even bought Wildcat season tickets already just to make sure they get seats for the Iowa game Sept. 18.

“We have gotten some people who were interested in just the Iowa game but were willing to buy the whole season to get it because that’s all we’re selling right now,” Graessle said. “I only kind of took note of the bigger orders because some people bought 10 and one person bought 20.”

Single-game tickets for the game don’t go on sale until 12:01 a.m. Aug. 21.

The Iowa ticket office received a 4,000 ticket allotment from Arizona, and Iowa ticket manager Pam Finke said they had no problem selling them.

“We were able to help most folks with the amount their priority level gave them,” Finke said. “But some people requested more, and we weren’t able to help.”

Most Expensive Single-Game Ticket

The game is priced between $35 and $190, depending on seat location. It is the most expensive single-game ticket of the season at Arizona — more than even Pac-10 showdowns with Arizona State and USC.

“It’s a big draw,” Graessle said. “We know it’s very likely we’re going to sell out that game, so you price it accordingly.”

Iowa is in the rare position of not having enough season tickets for its seven home games to meet demand. Arizona is one of five road games some Hawkeye fans might travel to in 2010 to get their black-and-gold fix.

Finke said the ticket office has stopped taking orders on their allotment of 4,000 tickets for Michigan on Oct. 16 and 3,000 tickets for Minnesota on Nov. 27.

Both will become hard tickets for Hawkeye fans to find. If people don’t mind a November road trip, tickets are almost sure to be available for Indiana (Nov. 6) and Northwestern (Nov. 13), two Big Ten locations where season tickets typically are not in high demand.

The Wildcats have not traditionally sold out a lot of games, but there aren’t a lot of empty seats either. Arizona Stadium seats 56,000-plus fans. The Wildcats averaged 52,555 fans for six home games last season.

The stadium record is 59,920, set in 1996 for the Arizona State game.

Expecting A Sell-Out Game

“There’s just a natural interest,” Graessle said. “A lot of people, as soon as we put that game on the schedule, were calling about it.”

“A lot of our folks have contacts down there,” Finke said. “And if you think about it, we don’t get down to that part of the country very often.”

Reach Ryan Suchomel at 339-7368 or rsuchomel@press-citizen.com.

Volunteers . . .

…. Summer of the Arts needs YOU to help to make it all happen! We have an exciting summer of FREE, family-friendly fun planned, but in order for our festivals to be a success, we need hundreds of volunteers to help in short and long-term positions throughout this summer.

Toyota-Scion Of Iowa City Jazz Festival – July 2-4

This year’s Toyota-Scion of Iowa City Jazz Festival (July 2-4), is quickly approaching. We need the support of community volunteers like you to help make this event a success! We are looking for people to help artists, assist in the FUN Zone,  assist in the merchandise booths and many other positions, including our “Green Team” who will help with the biodegradable and recycling program.

All volunteers should visit the Summer of the Arts website and fill out the online 2010 Volunteer Application. Click here to find the volunteer application.  Once you’ve registered as a volunteer, SotA will send you a link to view available volunteer positions and time shifts and instructions on how to secure a time slot.

Receive Free Tee-Shirt And Have Loads Of Fun!

All volunteers will receive a free Summer of the Arts Volunteer T-shirt (with a new design & color this year) to wear at the events.

Other festival events that you can get involved in volunteering with this summer include: The Friday Night Concert Series, the Free Movie Series, Sand in the City, and Downtown Saturday Nights.

Whether you can give an hour or more, we truly appreciate your support for arts in the Iowa City community, and we look forward to another great year of Summer of the Arts programming!

If you have any questions about volunteering please contact Shane Schemmel at shane@summerofthearts.org or Katie McDonnell at volunteers.sota@gmail.com. You may also call our office at 319.337.7944.

The Midwest One Bank Saturday Night Free Movie Series

Weatherdance Fountain Stage In Ped Mall

The Friday Night Concert Series continues this Friday night at 6:30 at the Weatherdance Fountain Stage in the Ped Mall, right outside of the Iowa City Sheraton Hotel.

Currently in their 58th year, the Iowa Summer Music Camp Jazz combos will take the stage this Friday night with excellent performances from this year’s campers. This annual program provides an invaluable experience for young people as they interact with professional jazz musicians in an environment that encourages performance in small group settings.

Make sure to follow Summer of the Arts on both Twitter  Click Here and Facebook Click Here for any important updates leading up to this week’s concert.

“Downtown Saturday Night presented by the Downtown Association of Iowa City kicks off this Saturday night at 6:30 on the Weatherdance Stage, right outside the Iowa City Sheraton Hotel, with Rae & the Honeybees, and Mutiny in The Parlor

Lead singer/songwriter and guitarist Rae formed the Honeybees in October of 2007 and released the band’s first EP that next April. A Coralville native, Rae takes her eclectic influences that range from Prince to Tom Petty to Billie Holiday to form an Alternative Folk/Rock sound that will have you relaxed one minute and on your feet the next!

Mutiny in The Parlor keeps times a swingin’ with as their quintet, made up of a Tuba, Washboard, Saxophone, Guitar and Piano. Formed in 2007, this quintet of Iowa City natives proudly plays Swing Jazz from the 1920s and 30’s, and urges its audience to get up and dance!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook (Click Here) and Twitter (Click Here) for updates on this weeks concerts.”

Again, we’d like these to go up either all on Friday or on the days of each event.