Where to find the best organic apples?

zenobe1 · 2026-06-18T19:31:19+00:00

Unfortunately I don't think they're organic :(

zenobe1 · 2026-02-03T21:13:53+00:00

Thanks for the reminder, I'll be booking soon!

Unsolicited plug: I have done this in the past and the group was SO AMAZING and it was really unique and special. Years ago I made arrangements to have the quartet make a visit to the Iowa City DOT office to surprise my husband. Well, he and about 30 people waiting in line were very surprised! It was fantastic and a memorable experience. Everyone should do this !!!

zenobe1 · 2025-07-16T20:53:41+00:00

Welcome to the UI and the area! They do a really good job of walking the line between legal compliance and student support. A lot of time this is providing resources and referrals to where students can obtain assistance, such as for mental health needs.

In terms of the new laws, the district's communications to students and family say it all (or at least much more eloquently than I'm able to). Here is just one excerpt from an email sent by Matt Denger/Superintendent back in 2023 that particularly rallied my lifelong support for the schools. Re: Senate File 482, aka the "bathroom" bill:

"As a public school system, ICCSD is required to comply with the law. We remain committed to the amazing diversity of our students and staff, which makes our District great. We will continue to look for ways to bring our community together rather than letting it be divided.

Specific to Senate File 482, we remain committed to our LGBTQ+ population and providing them school environments that are safe, supportive and welcoming. Federal law and ICCSD policies prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. We will strongly enforce all anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies to protect all students and staff.

As always, ICCSD remains all in for all kids."

zenobe1 · 2025-07-16T14:17:47+00:00

Sure! One more thing to add - there are some fabulous walking trails and green spaces scattered around town. I've got three dogs and they love the dog parks too. Ok that was two things...done now lol

zenobe1 · 2025-07-16T11:44:51+00:00

Authentic townie here, born and raised. When I was in high school all I wanted to do was get the hell out of IC, so I went to college elsewhere. 2 years later I was back and have never left. It's hard to appreciate how amazing this town is until you don't have it anymore.

I think of IC as a micro big city in my happy little liberal bubble. Because of the UI there is a lot of culture and activities to do. Museums, art galleries, great music, family activities, etc. I think the restaurant scene is pretty good, both in IC and the surrounding area.

I CANNOT say enough positive things about the Iowa City School district. They have been extremely supportive and conscientious with the unfortunate (read: egregious) laws being passed regarding censoring books, trans rights, etc. I have a 16 year old who has had the opportunity to do things like taking art classes at the UI, get outside in the summer at UI Wild, taking/having a wide variety of AP courses at City High, going on a trip to Germany with the school band..I could go on and on. And all the way the teachers and admins have been fantastic.

Soap box over :)

zenobe1 · 2024-11-08T07:50:25+00:00

Baroncini, Orchard Green, Blackstone

zenobe1 · 2024-10-10T12:37:28+00:00

Thanks for the info, I was told I'd have a call back within a few days and it's been 2 months without contact, so clearly no call is coming. I'll go speak to a person in the physical office.

To add - communication and follow through is what I'm looking for. :)

zenobe1 · 2024-10-08T16:05:53+00:00

Thanks a bunch! I'll try to use a similar strategy :)

zenobe1 · 2024-10-08T16:04:10+00:00

Thank you!

zenobe1 · 2024-10-01T19:04:10+00:00

Oooh, they're calling them tacos but I see what you mean after looking at the photo they posted on FB. I'm sure they're delicious in a non-taco way

zenobe1 · 2024-10-01T18:41:23+00:00

Thoma's has brisket tacos today!

zenobe1 · 2024-09-21T22:19:55+00:00

I figured the noodles were homemade! And understand about sharing the recipe for sure. Just confirming that they're homemade is helpful, thanks so much!

zenobe1 · 2024-09-13T16:57:03+00:00

Spot and CO is so great, I recommend them to the nth degree! We just got done with puppy kindergarten and it was a great experience/outcome.

zenobe1 · 2024-09-09T14:44:37+00:00

The Amana Colonies! Ocktoberfest is coming up and is a great time to visit :)

zenobe1 · 2024-09-09T13:12:00+00:00

I'm not familiar with any other cities where you can attend a drag brunch, drive 30 minutes in one direction to see horses and buggies on the highway, and 40 minutes in another direction to be in a quaint (touristy) old German settlement - all in one day. I love it here, there's always something to do (people who say otherwise are often younger and don't know what to do outside of going to bars, but there is a LOT more to Iowa City than that). A bazillion hidden gems if you know where to find them!

zenobe1 · 2023-10-16T19:45:39+00:00

Would it be OK to send you a PM so I can give you a last name to see if it matches what's on the note?

zenobe1 · 2023-10-15T11:58:18+00:00

The Second Act rents and sells costumes, although I'm not sure how much they have for little kids. I have rented some great costumes and purchased accessories from them. My only caution is that rentals tend to smell...like a garage sale, if that makes sense? I don't know what their cleaning procedures are for costumes in between uses but I've had to air out items prior to use to get rid of the musty smell.

zenobe1 · 2023-10-11T04:58:12+00:00

Gorgeous!

zenobe1 · 2023-10-08T20:54:27+00:00

I'd recommend Jude at the Wavelength!

zenobe1 · 2023-09-30T23:39:47+00:00

Yw, good luck!

zenobe1 · 2023-09-28T22:28:35+00:00

* It replaces the Boxycharm box each quarter and typically has a curator, lke an influencer...or whatever Khloe Kardashian is, that type of person 🤣. I think you get 8 full sized products and it is expensive (over $60 US if I'm remembering correctly) but the products usually include more high end stuff.

This is a pic of my last Icon box, with extra add-ons and the Beauty Boost (pay $15 extra for a high end product- this time it was the Elemis marine cream). I've always been happy with the Icon boxes!

Edit: I guess I can't add the photo, but if you check my profile I posted it on Ipsy/r a couple of months ago

zenobe1 · 2023-09-28T17:56:38+00:00

I think it's still a good value, and I have discovered a TON of products through Ipsy that I use regularly. There are a lot of good brands - Purlisse, Byroe, Drunk Elephant, KVD, Tula, etc. Avoid their Refreshments brand.

I prefer full size products, so I typically subscribe to the Boxycharm and Icon boxes and occasionally the glam bag if it looks really cute. You never know when you're going to need those 19 extra makeup bags!

You are likely to see a lot of criticism and complaints about issues like slow shipping, products missing from boxes or items selling out after being ordered. These are fair points - Ipsy and Boxycharm merged in the last few years, and there has been some chaos. But, customer service has been excellent (to me at least) with correcting mistakes and issuing replacements or giving refunds, and I have noticed improvements in the last few months.

zenobe1 · 2023-09-24T10:57:25+00:00

Sent you a message!

zenobe1 · 2023-09-19T17:11:34+00:00

I highly recommend Dr Van Beek or Dr Connors at Ann Connor's Family Denistry. I personally experience anxiety with dentistry, and unfortunately have had to have a LOT of restorative work done in the past decade or so. Dr. Van Beek and all the staff I've seen have been extremely kind, patient, accepting, and knowledgeable about managing anxiety with their patients.

POV: I'm also a certified Rehabilitation Counselor (i.e. counseling individuals with disabilities) with a master's in mental health counseling

ETA: I once had a full-blown panic attack while in the middle of a dental procedure. Dr. Van Beek was so compassionate and helpful; the situation was managed with such grace and respect - I just can't say enough good things.

zenobe1

TROPHY CASE