Stone City’s General Store will be your new favorite hangout

I found a new favorite place to have a bite.  A place with good food, a cozy atmosphere and live music.  A place where even my five-year-old has fun and isn’t out of place dancing. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the drive.

Nestled on the bank of the Wapsi River in Stone City, IA the General Store is a little piece of history.  It’s had many names and provided different services to the community, but the iconic building is as much a landmark in the town as the famous quarry down the street.

Advertisement

Bike riding and Bluegrass

Central City showcases two festivals this weekend – CC Rider and the 33rd annual Bluegrass Festival.

The decorated bikes have adorned lawns and businesses for weeks. Some were spray painted purple from rim to rim, some held flower baskets, and others sparkled in the summer sun. Regardless of the artist’s intention, each drew attention and encouraged passersby to participate in Central City’s 8^th annual CC Rider festival.  Finally, on Saturday, August 23^rd, the bid day arrived.

The Central City Main Street organization puts on the CC Rider Community Festival and Bike Ride every year, which began in 2001. The heart of the festival revolves around a number of bike rides. Participants could choose from either a 14, 34, 62 or the new 100 mile route through scenic Grant Wood Country. The Festival also features a 5k Run/Walk for adults as well as kids. There is also a bike safety “rodeo” and scavenger hunt for the kids.

The Mill and Catfish Keith

For our date night this month my husband and I ventured back to an old stomping ground and saw one of our favorite performers.

The Mill in downtown Iowa City has forever been one of my favorite spots.  When I was young, my mom would drive to Iowa City to go shopping and we’d always stop at The Mill for all-you-can-eat spaghetti.   So, when I attended the University of Iowa , I found myself naturally inclined to frequent the familiarly of The Mill (although most of my girlfriends preferred the dance clubs.)

The Mill has all the things I love in a bar – it’s dark, it’s unpretentious, and they have live music. 

The Iowa State Fair is Here!

Iowa is famous for a few things. Corn. The Field of Dreams. And the Iowa State Fair. Ok, we’re famous for more things than that, but I’ve traveled enough to know these are three near the top of the list.

Yesterday marked the opening day of the Iowa State Fair.

It’s one of the only places in the world you’ll see such pillars of Americana as

• Cow sculpted out of butter
• Fried pickle on a stick (and anything else you can imagine on a stick)
• New records galore – such as last night’s record-breaking corndog chomp

 

August Means Downtown Getdown in Marion

When the calendar changes to August it means one thing in Marion – time for the Downtown Getdown.  Held annually in City Square Park, Downtown Getdown in an event that showcases great local music and food.

The event is sponsored by the Marion Business Committee (of the Marion Chamber of Commerce).

And best of all… admission is FREE!  Food vendors open between 5:30- 6:00 p.m. and live music will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Here’s the schedule for the 2008 Downtown Getdown:

• Aug 7^th – Dogs on Skis (classic rock)
• Aug 14^th – The Trux (60’s, 70’s, 80’s rock)
• Aug 21^st – The Cedar Island Band (Jimmy Buffett-style rock)
• Aug 28^th – Swing Crew