Alison Gowans, The Gazette

Alison Gowans

The Gazette

Iowa, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • The Gazette
  • Globe Gazette

Past articles by Alison:

Dive into summer reading

New book releases for July that you should check out at the library. → Read More

Vivian's Soul Food expands with new Express Grill in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Jerome and Briana Smallwood had to cancel a Philly sandwich research trip to Philadelphia due to the pandemic, but that didn't stop them from going ahead with plans to open their latest venture, Vivian's Express Grill, and making Phillys front and center on the menu. → Read More

'Taco God' hopes to open a restaurant featuring his signature dish

CEDAR RAPIDS - When he got a call from the health department, Ali Mason took it as a compliment. That meant people were noticing what he was doing. → Read More

A ride to school and peace of mind for Cedar Rapids parents

CEDAR RAPIDS - It was about 15 degrees Wednesday morning, and Wachawaseme Ale was watching younger brother Abraham Irakoze climb into a red van that had just pulled up outside their southwest side apartment to give the fourth-grader a ride to Hoover Elementary. → Read More

Chew on this: Willie Ray's Q Shack and Thai Spice planning new locations

Willie Ray's Q Shack Willie Ray Fairley is opening Willie Ray's Q Shack 2.0, with a new location coming soon not far from the current drive through Q Shack. He said on Facebook there is no opening date set yet. → Read More

Chew on This: Tiki bar and taco restaurant coming to Iowa City

Here's Chew on This, this week's restaurant news in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas: → Read More

Ramsey's Wine Bistro closing in Marion

After nine and a half years, Ramsey's Wine Bistro is closing in Marion. → Read More

Hot cocoa bomb craze keeps these Marion Moms Droppin' Bombs

Friends Ashley Riehl and Ashley Blegen didn't mean to start a small business. → Read More

Apple Creek Coffee Co. in Center Point is more than a coffee shop

CENTER POINT - Apple Creek Coffee Co. in Center Point is a coffee shop. And a lunch spot. And an ice cream parlor. And a gift shop featuring all Iowa-made products. → Read More

Chew on This: Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week makes plans, and new Taco John's opens in Coralville

Here’s what’s new in this week’s restaurant news: Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is making plans for Restaurant Week 2021. The weeklong celebration of local restaurants is set to take place Feb. 20 to 27, and restaurants are invited to apply to participate. Details and a link to apply are at cedarrapids.org/events/cedar-rapids-restaurant-week. All… → Read More

Family mourns Midway couple, who died two hours apart from COVID-19

Anna Rosko moved around a lot growing up. Her mom, Jan Rosko, was in the Air Force and so every few years when her mother was stationed somewhere new, Anna had to start over - new school, new friends. → Read More

This Cedar Rapids couple got COVID then died days after celebrating their 50th anniversary in the hospital

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Christmas wreath and an evergreen arrangement adorn the gravesite of Judith and Gary Stevens at St. Joseph's Cemetery just southwest of Cedar Rapids. Judith, who went by Judy, had ordered the holiday decorations but never got to put them up. → Read More

30hop owners open Tribute Eatery & Bar in Coralville's Iowa River Landing

CORALVILLE - The team that opened 30hop in Coralville and Cedar Rapids has a new restaurant, just across the street from the Coralville 30hop in Iowa River Landing. → Read More

Central Furniture Rescue expands mission to help families displaced by derecho

When Starr Wheeler, 21, walks into her new apartment on Cedar Rapids' southwest side, she smiles. → Read More

As COVID-19 cases rise, local restaurants try to extend patio season with fire pits, heaters, 'igloos'

For months, the Map Room restaurant in downtown Cedar Rapids has relied on outdoor seating to carry it through the pandemic. 'We expanded our patio quite a bit, added more seating to it at the beginning of the summer,' co-owner Christina Springman said. 'That pretty much is what got us through the summer.' → Read More

Chew on This: Pita'z and Lincoln Wine Bar add Cedar Rapids spots, and One More Bite opens downtown

In this edition of Chew on This, two popular restaurants are opening new locations, and a food truck opens a brick-and-mortar restaurant. → Read More

For local restaurants, issues with delivery services like Grubhub, DoorDash are common

Ana McClain was confused when a customer came into her restaurant, Lion Bridge Brewing Company in Cedar Rapids, in March asking why her food was never delivered. The brewery McClain co-owns never got the order - and it didn't partner with any delivery services. → Read More

Chew on This: Eastern Iowa restaurant wins Best Breaded Tenderloin title

In this week's Chew on This: Find Iowa's best pork tenderloin in a little town about 40 minutes northeast of Cedar Rapids. Plus, some award-winning beers from nearby. → Read More

Iowa City Farmers Market season will be extended into December

IOWA CITY - The Iowa City Farmers Market season is extending into December. → Read More

Cedar Rapids Hi Tea cafe offers bubble tea and rolled ice cream

CEDAR RAPIDS - At Hi Tea in Cedar Rapids, owner Jennifer Dougherty and her daughter Lola Liu want to share two things - delicious tea and desserts and a bit of Chinese culture. → Read More