Monday, October 14, 2024, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Park Lodge at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, 579 McCollister Blvd Join us in recognizing and celebrating the Indigenous peoples of our community and beyond. Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the journey they have been through and continue each day. The event will feature the ICPL Bookmobile, and we’re grateful to the Office of Equity and Human Rights, The House of Dotl'izhi, and the Great Plains Action Society for making this celebration possible.
Friday, Oct. 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Robert A. Lee Recreation Center Families are invited to dress up and party with us during the Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department's annual Halloween Carnival! The event will feature Halloween-themed carnival games, a spooky garden party, craft and STEAM activities, outdoor activity stations, the Bookmobile, and visits from partner organizations including the Iowa Children's Museum, Backyard Abundance, Iowa City Fire Department, Iowa City Police Department, Johnson County Conservation, and more. Carnival prizes and other giveaways will be available throughout the event hosted by Iowa City Parks and Recreation.
Saturday, Oct. 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. 200 E 9th St Suite 100, Coralville
Join the Bookmobile at a free tailgate prior to the hockey game between the Iowa Heartlanders and the Fort Wayne Komets. The tailgate runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Xtream Arena plaza outside the main entrance and will feature the ICPL Bookmobile, games, food, and drinks for sale. More information can be found online:
Don't miss the ICPL staff, including the Bookmobile, Book Bike, and Book Cart Drill Team in the 2024 UIowa Homecoming parade!Homecoming week brings together students, faculty, staff, future Hawkeyes, and alumni from across the world in celebration. From the construction of the Corn Monument and the naming of Royalty, to the echoing cheers and the Iowa Fight Song at Kinnick Stadium, Homecoming week creates experiences that last a lifetime. Parade route can be found online at homecoming.uiowa.edu
Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 to 11 a.m. Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp,405 E Washington Street
Don't miss the Bookmobile at the final Iowa City Farmers Market of the year. Various fun activities will be offered. The Bookmobile will be open for browsing and holds pick up with your ICPL library card. Don’t have a card? You can sign up for a Library card on the Bookmobile with a photo ID showing your current address. The ICPL Bookmobile is wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, 405 E Washington Street
Don’t toss your Jack-O-Lanterns in the garbage—see them tossed from up high instead! This free outdoor event gives your carved creations one last hurrah for the Halloween season. ICM staff will be throwing pumpkins off the northwest corner of the parking ramp next to Chauncey Swan Park. Drop off your ghoulish gourd and set up your blanket or lawn chairs nearby to get the best view. Come for the SPLATS, but stay for outdoor activities, jokes from Pete the Turtle, and treats from New Pioneer Co-op and the FilmScene. Iowa City Public Library will be there with a fun pumpkin art project.
How It Works: Pumpkin drop-off starts at 9:15 a.m. Activities begin around 9:30 a.m. Pumpkin SPLATS start at 10 a.m. All pumpkins will be dropped by ICM staff. Look for the first name of each pumpkin’s owner as you watch all the SPLATS!
Paul’s Bookmobile Picks: Sci-Fi and Action Thrills
In my capacity as both a patron and a team member of the Bookmobile, I gravitate towards Sci-Fi and Action DVDs. My last two checkouts definitely fall into these categories, and I highly recommend these two exciting titles:
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (PG-13, Sci-Fi) I thought the first Aquaman was pretty much one of the better DC Universe cinematic offerings, so I was quite willing to give the sequel a try. It didn’t disappoint and definitely filled my desire for fare with engaging visuals, epic fight scenes, middle brow humor and a plot that moves along at pretty good clip. Very much a satisfying, heavily enhanced, live action comic book experience. If you’re a fan of the DC Universe, this one’s a must-watch.
The Beekeeper (R, Action) My second recommendation is The Beekeeper, starring Jason Statham. Being a fan of Jason Stratham, I definitely had to give this one a viewing, definitely worth my time. Filled with familiar Stratham tropes (lone hero/anti-hero getting some mostly unofficial help on the side, while avenging/protecting the innocent and battling an evil organization run and staffed by some very nasty individuals), and as expected, it is filled with well-choreographed and over-the-top fight scenes. The plot also moves quickly along, not wasting any time.
Strictly by coincidence, both films emphasize family (by blood or by choice) and accepting one’s responsibilities (no matter how difficult they might be). Happy watching!
