Note: Justin Beahm will have a book signing at Half Price Books, 1400 Twixt Town Rd NE, Marion, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Filmmaker and writer Justin Beahm remembers racing to the spaceball cages as soon as his parents paid admission at Chapman Fun World during his youth. “It […]
Photos: Winter Gardening Fair 2025
HIAWATHA, Iowa — Hundreds of gardeners dreamed of spring as the Linn County Master Gardeners hosted the 2025 Winter Gardening Fair. The annual event, on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center in Hiawatha, featured more than 80 sessions and hands-on workshops, led by Master Gardeners, local professionals and ISU Extension […]
Cedar Rapids Schools survey omits cost b...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District’s survey, hitting mailboxes this week to garner feedback on the district’s proposed bond referendum, includes one glaring omission. While nearly half of the bond costs would go toward a new school outside of Cedar Rapids city limits, the survey’s list of projects disregards those details. […]
Former Safari Lounge in Cedar Rapids und...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Two experienced restaurateurs are planning their latest venture in the former Chappy’s Safari Lounge building in southwest Cedar Rapids. Jimmy and Ally Ramirez hope to open Buchonas sports bar, 229 16th Ave. SW, sometime in March 2025. Built in 1966, the spot was the longtime home of Safari Lounge and later […]
Cedar Rapids casino opening date, other ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Casino supporters plan a New Year’s Eve celebration to mark the opening of the forthcoming Cedar Crossing Casino on Dec. 31, 2026. The date was announced during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new casino on Feb. 7, 2025, attended by nearly 100 guests and onlookers. “This has been a vision for […]
Cedar Rapids casino backers hit the jack...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission has voted to grant a gaming license for a new casino in Cedar Rapids. Commission members voted 4-1 at their Feb. 6, 2025, meeting at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Altoona, Iowa, to award the license to joint applicants Cedar Rapids Development Group and […]
Cedar Rapids School District Chief of St...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Directors has appointed a new board secretary to replace Ryan Rydstrom, who had served in that role, as well as chief of staff, for less than two years. Rydstrom, who was employed by the school district in both positions since April 2023, is […]
Mansion with storied past listed for sal...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One of the last-standing mansions in a neighborhood once lined with grand homes has been listed for sale. Most recently known as the Moniker 86 Social Club, the mansion, at 821 Third Ave. SE, is listed for sale for $385,000. See interior photos on Zillow According to the Cedar Rapids Assessor’s […]
Winter Gardening Fair to feature more th...
Registration is filling fast for the 2025 Winter Gardening Fair, hosted by the Linn County Master Gardeners. The annual event is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center, 1770 Boyson Road, Hiawatha. See photos from the 2024 Winter Gardening Fair Registrants can choose six […]
Garden forum highlights how to create a ...
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Project GREEN’s Garden Forums are underway this winter, with the February forum highlighting micro-prairie landscapes. The free presentation will be 2-4 p.m. Feb. 9, 2025, at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St. The presentation will also stream live on Iowa City Public Library’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thelibrarychannel. Read more […]