Dear Friends,
We hope all is well in your household. We, like you, are missing many of the traditional treats of an Iowa summer. But in this other-worldly moment much remains to be thankful for. And the zucchini is flourishing, the beans are coming on, and we continue to find ways to safely gather to enjoy each other's company.
Join us on Zoom Wednesday evening
We're holding a Zoom gathering on Wednesday, July 15. Details are posted below. We would love to see you there!
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Drive by and see our new addition! Samantha Keehn has spent much of her summer constructing this AMAZING playground on our hillside. And, guess what...it's solid enough for grownups to play too!
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Join us for Happy Hour
Wednesday, July 15
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Pour yourself a tall glass of something cold and sit back while we take you on a virtual guided tour of Prairie Hill. Talk to folks who live here and find out why we love it.
Get the Zoom link
Text Val Bowman for the Zoom link: 916-751-9188. Don't have the Zoom app? Never fear, we'll give you a quick how-to.
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There are two 800-square-foot homes available in this building. You too could be enjoying hammock life! Let us know if you'd like us to take you on a virtual tour of the units!
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Prairie Hill homes for sale
Two 800-square-foot homes are available in the newest stacked flat building shown above. One unit is on the upper level and the other one is on the ground floor. There is still time for new members to select finishes, including flooring, cabinets and lighting in the unsold flats. Link to flyer.
In addition, one 670-square-foot home is available in the stacked flat building pictured below. The remaining three flats in that building have been sold. Folks have moved in and are planting gardens and enjoying summer on the porch. You could join them! Link to flyer.
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Let us know if you'd like to take a virtual peek at the 670-square-foot home available on the ground level of this building next door to Benton Hill Park.
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Prairie flowers are thriving in our bioswale!
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Anti-racism resources
Many Prairie Hill residents have expressed support for the Black Lives Matter and anti-racism movements. We plan to continue to look for ways to further educate ourselves and to come up with possible action steps for interested members of our community.
We've started a list of things we are reading, watching and listening to about race, anti-racism, Black Lives Matter, systemic inequity, how to have hard conversations, and more.
From the Washington Post: Anti-Racist Literature
A comprehensive article that names the anti-racist books in greatest demand in libraries, e-book services, and bookstores. (From Carolyn Dyer)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/business/black-owned-bookstores-anti-racist-literature/
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
This book not only reviews much of what American history textbooks got/get wrong, but also explains how textbooks are vetted and by whom. (From Becky Kessler)
Anti-Racism Daily: Your Daily Reminder to Dismantle White Supremacy
Acknowledge the Harm of Microaggressions is a recent topic. I’m finding this daily newsletter helpful. (from Pat Ryan)
https://www.antiracismdaily.com/
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
This book reveals how the laws, policies, and regulations at all levels of government resulted in racial segregation in cities across the U.S. Since reading this a few years back, I've often felt that I could better appreciate/understand news reports that touch on housing, neighborhoods, interstate highways, etc. (from Becky Kessler)
Additional resources
We have a lot more resource ideas on our website. See the full list here.
Write to us at iowacitycohousing@gmail.com and let us know what's on your list.
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Nora Roy and her kitty Sammy take a minute to enjoy porch life at Prairie Hill. (Sammy's pretty sure that bird's within reach...)
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How Nora Roy chose Prairie Hill
I first heard about Prairie Hill years ago when it was just starting. I thought it sounded so cool! But at that time my husband Chris and I were living in our big old house over near City Park. I knew Chris wouldn’t be interested in scaling down at that point. But then he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 2018 and he died in February, 2019. So, in just a few short months, my world was turned upside down. And there I was, alone in a big house—the house where we’d been for the last 30 years.
Chris and I were married in Burkina Faso in 1970 when we were Peace Corps volunteers. We have two kids who are grown now. We’ve done a lot of traveling, both abroad and in this country. So, over the years, we’ve accumulated a LOT of stuff! Chris was a long-time faculty member in the University of Iowa School of Art and Art History. He loved to take photographs and video footage documenting the arts of African peoples. He had amassed an extensive library of academic materials and mountains of photographs that he’d printed. Some of those will probably go to the University Special Collections Archive and the School of Art and Art History. I’m still in that process of letting go of all of that.
After Chris died, our daughter Megan and her husband John and their baby Sylvia, were staying with me. One Sunday, we noticed that there was an open house here at Prairie Hill. So the four of us came over to take a look. The social part of it was extraordinary. The people we met were so friendly and clearly engaged in making this a good place. They weren’t phony at all. These were obviously people committed to making the world better. So, that was a big hook for me.
The day we visited, we toured Val and John Bowman’s 515-foot studio apartment. I was impressed that two people could live in such a small space. I just couldn’t imagine paring down that much! Then we walked up to the two-story duplexes on the hill. I loved the view. Del Holland and Barb Bailey showed us around their place. I thought “Wow! For a fairly small footprint this has a lot of living space!” Megan and John are both architects, so they know a lot about energy efficiency and smart design. They were very enthusiastic. Read the rest of the story!
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Anti-racism film series
Annie Tucker is coordinating the screening of three films at the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center focused on systemic racism and privilege. Dates and descriptions of these Zoom opportunities are below. Following each film, people will have a chance to stay and be part of a small group discussion in a breakout room. The films are free, but you need to register to get the Zoom link.
White Privilege 101: Joining the Conversation
Tuesday, July 28, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
What does white privilege mean and how does it impact all of us personally, professionally, and systemically? This program consists of a film that compiles personal interviews and presentations by experts. To register and get the Zoom link, call 319-356-5220.
Cracking the Codes
Tuesday, July 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Explore the institutional and structural inequities that create racial disparities. This program reveals the messages we have all been taught, explicitly or implicitly, and how they have affected our beliefs and attitudes about ourselves, others, and life itself. To register and get the Zoom link, call 319-356-5220.
Healing Justice
Tuesday, August 4, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Healing Justice explores the causes and consequences of the current North American justice system and its effects on marginalized communities. This powerful documentary addresses the school-to-prison pipeline, the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform, and the importance of healing and restorative practices. To register and get the Zoom link, call 319-356-5220.
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