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This gallery contains 9 photos.
By Cindy Hadish CEDAR RAPIDS – Visitors can experience folk traditions and customs from the Czech Republic in a new exhibition shown exclusively at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. “Celebration! Rituals and Revelry of Life,” explores a … Continue reading
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IOWA CITY – Organizers initially intended to have Dr. Jane Goodall speak in a ballroom at the Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus. Wisely, they moved the venue to the 15,400-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Only half of the … Continue reading
African daisy (osteospermum) photo/Cindy Hadish
Temperatures – finally reaching highs the state hasn’t seen since November – are one indication that spring is on its way. Another is the number of gardening and eco-events cropping up in Eastern Iowa.
A look at the Homegrown calendar shows something happening every day this week, with some offering more than one option. If you don’t make a habit of looking at the calendar, check it out. Continue reading
Astronomical clock in Prague. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
This is déjà vu.
I was just thinking how it seemed a bit early to switch to Daylight Saving Time, which starts tomorrow – March 9, 2014 – when I looked to see what the date was last year.
Last year, apparently, I was thinking the same thing, as I wrote: The snow cover in Iowa might be what makes this seem an especially early switch this weekend to Daylight Saving Time.
So, snow back then, snow now. In either case, this is the weekend to “spring forward” and lose an hour of sleep. Continue reading
Iowa experienced its coldest winter in 35 years, according to state climatologist Harry Hillaker. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Lots of interesting data out today from State Climatologist Harry Hillaker, but perhaps it’s no surprise that Iowa experienced its coldest winter in 35 years.
The past three months – December through February – also ranked as the ninth coldest in 141 years of record-keeping, with March, too, off to a cold start, averaging 20.4 degrees colder than normal.
Here is more about this season’s Big Chill from Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and from Hillaker’s office: Continue reading
SeedBroadcast Iowa will be setting up their SWAP booth at the March 8 farmers market in Ely.
Ely always seems to be on the cutting edge of the local foods movement and now the town will have SeedBroadcast Iowa at its next indoor farmers market, March 8.
The market runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ely Public Library, 1595 Dows St. Continue reading
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CEDAR RAPIDS – The long-anticipated opening for Lion Bridge Brewing Company came Wednesday in Czech Village. The brewpub has been creating buzz since owner Quinton McClain first had hopes to move into the historic White Elephant building on the other … Continue reading
A special Trees Forever 25th anniversary event on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, will focus on the importance of pollinators. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Trees Forever is marking a milestone this year as the Marion-based nonprofit celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Throughout the year, Trees Forever is hosting 25 special events to highlight the accomplishments achieved together with the community in roadside plantings, improving water quality, providing more shade for communities, habitat and so much more.
The first anniversary event takes place March 11, as Trees Forever hosts a free night of learning and inspiration on the important role of trees and native plants for pollinators.
University of Delaware professor, Dr. Doug Tallamy, author of “Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants,” will discuss the important ecological roles of the plants in our landscapes and how you can garden with these roles in mind. Continue reading
Backyard Abundance photo, courtesy of Meier Photography.
If you’ve thought about growing fruit and nut trees, berries, mushrooms and more, a new series of classes can help you get started.
Iowa City-based Backyard Abundance is hosting the series of four classes, beginning March 8, 2014. Preregistration is required and class size is limited.
Backyard Abundance recently gathered input on features and design for an edible forest at Wetherby Park in Iowa City. Some of the results from those sessions are at the end and here is more from Backyard Abundance director, Fred Meyer, about the upcoming class series: Continue reading
Proposed amphitheater design
CEDAR RAPIDS – The Indian Creek Nature Center not only has one of its major events this weekend with the Maple Syrup Festival, but also made a major announcement: the naming of its forthcoming amphitheater.
United Fire Group, The McIntyre Foundation and Dee Ann McIntyre chose to honor Director Emeritus Rich Patterson’s retirement by naming the planned outdoor feature “The Patterson Family Amphitheater.”
The new amphitheater will be part of the campus the Nature Center will build a half-mile away from its current site in southeast Cedar Rapids. Continue reading
