Annie Clark wanted to be among her own — the freaks. “I’m, in some ways, really glad I grew up in the suburbs, because if I hadn’t, I don’t think I would’ve wanted to move to New York City,”...

The late 1940s saw plenty of social change, including the beginning of the end of segregation and discrimination. It was the concept of this cultural upheaval that put the wheels in motion for author...

Tie-dye is usually associated with peace signs, long hair, and the psychedelic. However, the practice dates as far back as 500-800 A.D. pre-Columbian fashions, a little before the Grateful Dead took the...

** out of ***** With its all-star cast and enticing previews, Valentine’s Day was bound to give moviegoers high hopes. It resembles the 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually and at first even appeared...

Working at a homeless shelter, fixing a leaky roof, organizing benefits for those in need — these things were all part of a typical day for Russell Karkowski until he fell from his roof in November 2009. The...

What originally began as a commemoration of a Roman-Christian festival during Roman times has gradually become a unique American holiday. Since the commercialization of Valentine’s Day in the United...

As many women are being spoiled with Ghirardelli chocolates and a dozen perfect red roses on Valentine’s Day, Angie Toomsen will light up the stage with songs about shredded love letters and slashed...

Winard Harper doesn’t let his status as a master percussionist in the jazz world get to his head. He realizes it is as important to stay on the road, playing shows and hosting workshops. “In this...

Wells Tower loves everything about language. Since childhood, he has had an unwavering passion for all things involving the written and spoken word and the realm of linguistics. He recalls storytelling...

Sid Mali wanted to give back. After seeing the devastation in Haiti, Mali knew the right cause. He reached out to his friends in the music industry, and the result is the J. Holiday Pre-Valentine’s...

This is Amy Haeussler’s favorite part of the year. Not because Valentine’s Day is soon approaching and not because she will graduate in a few months. What Haeussler loves most about February is the...

Lucy Silag’s novels have given her plenty of reasons to celebrate. The Iowa Writers’ Workshop student sold the movie rights to make her first novel, Beautiful Americans. The third novel in the series...