Community News

Cedar Rapids News

Photo Courtesy of CR Rec Dept.

Old MacDonald's Farm is Now Open

     Old MacDonald’s Farm in Bever Park is now open!  The farm is free and open to the public at 10:00 am every day (donations are encouraged!) Animals include cows, sheep, chickens, pigs, donkeys, goats, rabbits, and ducks!

     Bever Park is located on Bever Avenue and Memorial Drive SE and includes two playgrounds, a tennis court, and several pavilions and walking trails. The aquatic center will open later this month.

     The park is over 100 years old, and the land was donated by Samuel Bever, a prominent citizen, whose family has lived in Cedar Rapids for several generations.

     The park once had a zoo, which included bears, lions, monkeys, and birds, including peacocks. People started wondering if the zoo was humane to animals, and little by little, the zoo animals disappeared.

     It was reported in the Cedar Rapids Gazette one day that a bear had gotten loose, somehow, and they found it in a nearby garage later that day, ending the panic that spread through the neighborhood.

     Leo the lion was donated by Howard Hall, who owned several animals at his estate, Brucemore. Those who lived around the park in the 1960’s could hear Leo roar, and the peacocks call every evening, signaling that it was time to go to sleep.

Photo Curtesy of Metro Economic Development.

Downtown Market Begins June 7

     Summer means farmer markets and you can find many popping up every weekend at one location or another. 

     The Cedar Rapids Downtown market begins June 7, 7:30 am to Noon, and is held every other Saturday until Sept. 20, the last market of the year. 

The market is held in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids, covering several city blocks. It centers on Green Square park, where more vendors, music, and other activities can be found. You can find a map and more information by clicking here. 

This year, the Marion Farmers Market is held in a new location  Willowood Park, 1855 35th Street, Marion. It is open every Saturday, 8 to 11 am.  In addition, Marion City Council members will hold their weekly office hours at the market. Every Saturday, one or more council members will be available for questions and conversation during market hours.

The Hiawatha Farmers Market is held every Sunday 10 am to 1 pm.  It is held in the 10th Ave. parking lot of Guthridge park. 

Marion News

Photo Courtesy of City of Marion

Article on City of Marion website

Be Well Marion Adding More Activities

     Be Well Marion and Marion Parks and Recreation are teaming up with area yoga and fitness instructors to offer expanded fitness programming in Marion through the summer.

     “For more than 10 years, we’ve offered free Sunrise Yoga amid the natural surroundings at Lowe Park through the summer,” said Sara Mentzer, program coordinator for Be Well Marion. “This year, thanks to our enthusiastic partners at YENKO and Vella Yoga Studio, we will come close to doubling the number of free, outdoor fitness programs offered in our beautiful public spaces.”

Zumba: Fit Fun at the Park will be held on select Tuesdays between May and August at the Klopfenstein Amphitheater for the Performing Arts at Lowe Park (4500 N. 10th Street). It will be hosted by YENKO on May 27, June 17, July 15 and Aug. 12, starting at 6 p.m.

In its 12th year, Sunrise Yoga will return to the Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park every Saturday in June, July and August at 7:30 a.m. Sunrise Yoga is hosted by a different fitness instructor each week.

Downdogs in Uptown will be hosted by Vella Yoga Studio in the new Central Plaza at City Square Park (1001 7th Avenue). Five classes will be offered on select Wednesdays throughout the summer on June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23 and Aug. 6, starting at 6 p.m.

All ages and abilities are welcome. Yoga participants should bring a mat and a water bottle. All participants will need to complete a waiver, which covers all three programs for the season. Additional copies will be available on-site.

Weather cancellations will be announced at www.facebook.com/BeWellMarion. 

Photo Courtesy of KCRG

   Marion City Hall and City offices, including the Marion Public Library, will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, May 27. Police, Fire and other critical City services will continue to be provided.

     Garbage, recycling and yard waste will not be collected on Memorial Day. Collection will be one day late all week; pick-up dates will be Tuesday-Saturday. The Recycling Drop-off Center and Yard Waste Facility, located at 195 35th Street, will maintain normal hours on Saturday, May 24, from 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. and Tuesday, May 27, from noon-5:45 p.m.

     Utility payments will be accepted online or via the drive-up drop box located outside the Marion Water Department office at 3050 5th Avenue.

    The Marion splash pads will open for the season on Friday, May 23. Daily hours of operation are from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Marion Pool will open on Monday, May 26. It will be open for lap swim only from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and open swim will be from 1-7 p.m.

The pool will be open for lap swim only (no open swim) on May 27, 28 and 29. Regular pool hours will begin on Friday, May 30. They are Monday-Friday, 1-7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Lap swim is offered daily from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and a lap lane is open from 1 p.m.-close daily.

Find the complete schedule and other exceptions due to evening swimming lessons at www.cityofmarion.org/aquatics.

Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
Has a New Home

     The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy has a new home. The nonprofit purchased Arthur Elementary school, 2630 B Ave. NE, and repurposed it to fit their growing organization.  

     Arthur school closed last year. The older building was built in 1914 and served kids who attended kindergarten through 6th grade, until 6th graders started going to Franklin Middle School in 1987.

     The new school, Trailside Elementary, located across the street from the old Arthur school, , merged Arthur and Garfield Elementary students, and opened in Aug. 2024. 

     The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy will hold an open house on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 5:30–7:30 PM. to introduce their new space. The public is invited to attend. For more info, visit their Facebook page. 

 The new building will include:

  • Larger TalkBack Studios Recording 
  • Stained Glass Studio
  • Two Rock Academy Band Rooms
  • Hallway Gallery
  • Two Adult Art Studios
  • Large Open Studio Spaces with Inclusive
  • Handicapped Accessible Art Spaces
  • Community Room for our Carry Out Corner Food
  • Pantry, Clothing Closet, Mental Health Information
    and LGBTQIA+ support
  • Instrument Rental and Equipment Room
  • Community Maker's Space
  • Sensory Room for our Autism and students with
    Special Needs
  • Outdoor Learning Area and Koi Pond
  • Rehearsal Spaces for Local Bands
  • Artist/Musician Loft Rental Space
  • Kitchen Rental Space
  • Community Gym Rental

The Deadline for a Real ID
is Approaching

      A "gold star ID" refers to a state-issued driver's license or ID card that meets the federal REAL ID Act guidelines. These cards have a gold star in the upper right corner and are required for boarding domestic flights and entering certain federal facilities. 
     Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another TSA-approved form of identification (like a passport) will be required to fly or enter certain federal facilities.     
     You'll need documents to prove your identity, Social Security number, and Iowa residence, but also your birth certificate - an official one. You will also need your marriage certificate if your name is not the same as on your birth certificate. 
     To get these documents, go to the Vital Records dept. at the Dept. of Transportation (DOT) (on the 2nd Floor) on 2nd Street SW. Each document is $15 and you only have to wait 5-10 minutes if they have it on file.  
     You will have to make an appointment at the DOT to get your Real ID, which takes a few weeks, so I suggest making it now if you need to get yours. 
     Be sure to take your social security card and a piece of mail with your current address on it. For more information, visit the DOT website.

Stock Photo

Jan. 12, 2025

Local Couple Helps Feed the Hungry

Grant Bontrager, along with his girlfriend and kids, are handing meals out to the homeless population every Sunday while it's cold out, according to an article on KCRG.com.  He said that last year he had Thanksgiving leftovers and decided to box them up and hand them out to people who were hungry. This got him thinking about how he could help the community and has been been them away on Sundays when it's cold out. He got his girlfriend and their kids involved to teach them about helping others, too. If you would like to donate items to help the group give meals, blankets, coats, gloves, and backpack to people experiencing homelessness, you can contact Grant Bontrager or Jenni Markt via their Facebook profiles. 

Stock Photo

Holiday Stress : There's An App For That

Dec. 6, 2024

     If you're like me, I promise myself every holiday season that I am going to get through it without pulling my hair out. Fortunately, we don't have to do that anymore: There's an app for that.

     I'm sure you've heard of Headspace. It's one of the most popular mediation apps out there. You can start for free, but you don't get a lot unless you subscribe.  There are apps you can use for free, including:

  • Smiling Mind is a not-for-profit organization that offers meditations for kids and family for free. 
  • Insight Timer is also free to use. It offers the biggest FREE meditation library on the market. 
  • Mindfulness offers a 14-day free trial, without a credit card. You can try it and see if you like it, or try it and end the trial. This app teaches the user how to be more present and mindful. This helps ease worry and anxiety, which helps us get a better night sleep. It could be all you need is 14 days to feel better. 

      The most important thing to remember is to relax and have fun this holiday season. Don't spend too much time taking photos or drinking spiked eggnog. Be present and create lasting memories. 

Smiling Minds Website Image

Stock Photo

Stress Can Be a 'Silent Killer'

Nov. 1, 2024

     Parents aren't the only ones who need to de-stress from time to time. Kids can easily become overwhelmed, and if they don't know how to manage their emotions, they can become frustrated and out of control. Sometimes all they need is some space to breathe and de-stress. Taking some of the pressure off a volatile situation can be the difference between a battle and a learning opportunity. 

Here are a few ways parents can help kids can destress at home:

  • Take time out from each other - If you notice things are getting heated, walk away, take a few minutes to cool off. 
  • Go for a walk - Go outside and walk, even if it is just up and down the block. The exercise and fresh air clears our heads and helps us calm down.
  • Remember you are the parent - Sometimes in the heat of the moment, we forget that we are supposed to be the adult and start engaging in unhealthy behavior. You don't have to solve every problem as it comes up. Give yourself space, maybe even a time-out. 
  • Gauge where your child is emotionally - Your child might be tired, overwhelmed or worn out from school. Maybe something bad happened and they don't want to tell you. There could several reasons why they don't want to clean their room at that particularly time. Pick your battles and teach your kids how to compromise (take the trash out later, but do it now and you can stay up 10 more minutes, etc...)
  • Ask for help - No one tells us how to be parents. Most often we are just winging it. We get tired and overwhelmed, too. Instead of yelling at your kids to do the dishes and getting stressed, talk to a friend first. Hopefully, you can gain a better perspective by the time you are done. Besides, the dishes can wait. 

     Stress is known as the silent killer because it can easily become a chronic problem. It can cause problems such as heart disease, anxiety, even suicide. The sooner kids (and parents) can learn how to manage their stress in healthy ways, the sooner it will become a habit that can last a lifetime. For more ideas about how to de-stress, visit healthline.com.

Weatherizing Your Home Can Save on Utility Bills

     The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. This is the time of year when your electric and gas bills skyrocket because of below zero temps. However, there are several things you can do to cut down on costs, including: 

  • Keep your heat at 68 or 69 degrees. If you don't have carpeting, invest in rugs, sweaters , and blankets. 
  • Insulate your home: Add insulation to your attic and roof to reduce energy loss. You can also insulate exposed pipes outside. 
  • Seal air leaks: Use caulk and weather stripping to seal leaks around doors and windows, as well as where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, and ceilings. Use rugs to plug up any cracks between your door and floor. 
  • Install storm windows: If your home has single-pane windows, you can install energy-efficient external storm windows. 
  • Use ceiling fans: Set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise to move warm air down and circulate it throughout the room. 
  • Check and clean gutters: Clean your gutters to prevent ice dams from building up. 
  • Check and maintain heating systems: Check, clean, or replace central heating filters. 
  • Flush your water heater: Flush your water heater. 
  • Prepare for emergencies: If severe winter weather is expected, prepare an emergency kit with a three-day supply of essentials for each member of your household. 
  • Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Make sure your smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and replace the batteries. 
  • Trim trees and branches: Trim trees and remove dead branches to prevent them from damaging your home or injuring someone. 
  • Repair steps and handrails: Make sure steps and handrails are safe in ice and snow. 

      With any luck, it will be a mild winter for us Iowans. And remember, Spring is only four months away. 

211 Helps Find Solutions

You may have heard about 211, but you might know that they can help you find solutions to almost any situation. 211 is a free information and referral system linking Iowa residents to health and human service programs, community services, disaster services and governmental programs. It is your a one-stop source of information for those who are looking for a specific service.

211 can offer referrals for the following services:

  • Basic Human Needs Resources: food pantries, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance
  • Physical and Mental Health Resources: health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health care, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, substance abuse and intervention rehabilitation
  • Employment Supports: financial assistance, job training, educational programs
  • Support For Older Americans And Persons With Disabilities: adult day care, aging and disability resource centers, congregate meals, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services
  • Support for Children, Youth and Families: child care, Head Start, family resource centers, holiday assistance, parenting, summer camps and recreation programs, summer meal programs, mentoring, protective services
  • Volunteer Opportunities and Donation Services

According to the website, these are just a few of the services available in the 211 database. Specialists can refer callers to a variety of service that best meets their needs. 211 is the number to call when you aren’t sure who to call.

To learn more about this service, visit their website.