Office of Equity and Human Rights to host virtual presentation, "Emancipation and Juneteenth"

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The City's Office of Equity and Human Rights has partnered with the African American Museum of Iowa to host a free virtual presentation, "Juneteenth and Emancipation " from noon - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, more than 150 years ago. Due to the slow spread of information through the South, enslaved African Americans in Texas did not learn they had been freed until June 19, 1865 - more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In order to...

Video Update: Iowa Arts Festival, Party in the Park, and more

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 7:30am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs, and events. Topics this week include the Iowa Arts Festival, the weekly Party in the Park series, and some convenient ways to keep involved with the Iowa City Public Library over the summer. Select the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: Iowa Arts Festival Iowa Arts Festival

Summer of the Arts is...

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Iowa City soliciting applications for HOME-ARP projects

Friday, May 27, 2022 - 1:00pm
Neighborhood Services

The City of Iowa City is now accepting applications from organizations for the use of federal HOME-ARP funds to address the needs of households experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.

Applications will be accepted online beginning May 27, 2022, with a due date of noon, June 14, 2022. Organizations can apply for HOME-ARP Funding at icgov.org/actionplan .

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP”) appropriated $5 billion to communities across the U.S. to provide housing, services, and shelter to individuals...

A basket of tomatoes is shown next to text: Speaking Of...Local Food.

“Speaking of” series features Local Foods discussion June 21; join the online conversation!

Thursday, May 26, 2022 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Jane Wilch
Resource Management

It’s summertime in Iowa. Local growers are hard at work, the stalls at the Farmers Market are hopping, and the question on many minds is "what will ripen next?" It’s a near embarrassment of riches: bunches of garlic scapes, baskets of tomatoes, ears of sweet corn by the dozen!

There are many reasons to be excited about local food, including those from a climate action and resource management perspective. Join Recycling Coordinator Jane Wilch and Climate Action Coordinator Sarah Gardner for a lively discussion of local food resources, opportunities, and challenges.

As with...

Iowa City Parks and Recreation kicks off Summer Events with Party in the Park on Thursday, June 2

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 4:15pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to celebrate summer and kickoff a season of fun with community activities at the first Party in the Park of the year. This event will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022, at James Alan McPherson Park, 1858 7th Ave Court.

The annual Party in the Park series runs each Thursday evening from June 2 through August 18. Party in the Park events are held at a different Iowa City park each week. In addition to a rotating musical act, Party in the Park features lawn games, craft activities, and a visit from the...

Area youth honored at 19th Annual Human Rights Youth Awards Ceremony

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 3:45pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The Human Rights Commission recognized 24 area youth at its 19th Annual Human Rights Youth Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Students were selected for recognition based on their promotion of - or contributions to - human rights causes locally or abroad. Mayor Bruce Teague delivered brief remarks to the recipients in recognition of them being honored.

The complete list of recipients is: Neema Mali Ash, Kai Babcock, Mae Barron, Karla Bernal, Gary Chen, Jonathan Chen, Henry Dai, Liam Edberg, Florence He-Yu, Lydia Karr, Krisha Kapoor, Reem Kirja, Anish Lodh, Anjali Lodh,...

Human Rights Commission seeking applicants for open seat

Monday, May 23, 2022 - 12:45pm
Contact: 
Lee Hermiston
Equity and Human Rights

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is seeking applicants to fill an unexpired term. The vacancy starts upon appointment and ends on December 31, 2023. Service is on a volunteer basis. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Duties of the Commission involve educating the public on civil and human rights, including planning programs and activities to eliminate unlawful discrimination. The Commission also makes recommendations to the City Council for Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant funding, as well as for additional local legislation relating to...

Video Update: Pride Signs, Diversity Market, and more

Monday, May 23, 2022 - 7:45am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs, and events. Topics this week include Pride yard signs, the Diversity Market, updates to the Recreation Master Plan, and much more. Select the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: Pride Signs Iowa City Pride Signs

Show your support during Pride Month by picking up a free yard sign, which are available...

An electric bus from Iowa City Transit parked at the downtown interchange.

Update: 8 – Oakcrest route temporary transit service reduction continues through June 4

Friday, May 20, 2022 - 1:00pm
Contact: 
Darian Nagle-Gamm
Transportation

Due to staffing issues, service on the 8 – Oakcrest transit route reduction will continue through Friday, June 4, 2022. The route was originally reduced on May 6, 2022.

The 8 – Oakcrest route will reduce service on weekdays from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The Transit app may not reflect accurate arrival times for the 8 – Oakcrest route during the temporary service reduction. Please access the temporary bus schedule for scheduled arrival times.

We apologize for any inconvenience that the temporary service...

Iowa City Pride signs available at City Hall and Library

Thursday, May 19, 2022 - 4:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Pride month is coming up soon and the Office of Equity and Human Rights has free Pride yard signs available again this year on a first-come basis. Iowa City residents can pick up a sign at City Hall’s front lobby information desk, 410 E. Washington St., during regular business hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; or at the Iowa City Public Library's First Floor Service Desk during regular business hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.

Because of the limited number of signs...

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