“All the world’s a stage… and one man in his time plays many parts.” excerpt from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” By Cindy Hadish/for the Corridor Business Journal CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Tom Barnes has played many parts in his 62 years in business, having taught himself welding at age 12, but it’s rare that […]
Closure of longtime restaurant adds to F...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — An Italian restaurant that has been a cornerstone on First Avenue for decades abruptly closed this week. Via Sofia’s, originally known as Zio Johno’s, 1125 First Ave. SE, shut its doors Monday, June 10, 2024. Zio Johno’s opened at the site, across from Coe College, in 1984 and would have celebrated […]
Cedar Rapids farmers market mooves to Ol...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Under sunny skies Wednesday, the longtime farmers market at Noelridge Park relocated to the entrance of Old MacDonald’s Farm in Bever Park. About a dozen vendors set up under the tree-lined street, including Bever Ave Bakery; Pasta of the Prairie; Three Acre Farms; Corridor Mushrooms and more. The “moove” was made […]
Free viewing of documentary “Common Grou
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Nonprofit organizations in Johnson County have joined together to offer a free documentary film showing of “Common Ground” at the Iowa City Public Library. The viewing is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the library, at 123 S. Linn St. “Common Ground” provides information about people working in […]
Kolache comeback: popular Czech festival...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The St. Ludmila Kolach Festival plans a return next weekend after a one-year hiatus. Set for June 7-9, 2024, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church, 211 21st Ave. SW, the longtime festival features kolaches, a fruit-filled Czech pastry. Last year, the parish temporarily suspended the festival as it demolished its 1958-built elementary […]
Brood awakenings: periodical cicadas eme...
MARENGO, Iowa — Iowans accustomed to the songs of annual cicadas every summer may notice differences with the periodical cicadas making an appearance this year. Brood XIII began emerging in east-central Iowa in late May after 17 years underground. Read more: Nature Watch: cicada emergence Entomologists note that in 2024, two broods — a 13-year […]
Metro High School marks 50 years with op...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Hundreds of current and former students, teachers, families and community members celebrated the 50th anniversary of Metro High School, complete with a tree planting from NASA. The gathering, at 1212 Seventh St. SE, took place on the grounds of the former Tyler Elementary School, where Metro High School has been located […]
City of Cedar Rapids removes early-1900s...
Visitors to Bever Park in southeast Cedar Rapids this season may notice a void where a stone bridge stood as a landmark for more than a century. The beloved bridge, one of the few remaining historical pieces from the early days of the park, was removed by city crews in March, with stones in good […]
Downtown Farmers Market kicks off season...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The first Downtown Farmers Market of the season kicked off under sunny skies, with mild temperatures and a break from storms that have wreaked havoc across Iowa. Thousands of customers filled the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids on Saturday, May 25, 2024, for one of the largest outdoor farmers markets in […]
Demonstrators call for boycott of Hy-Vee...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Just hours after city leaders and Hy-Vee officials released statements regarding short-term remedies for the closure of the First Avenue grocery store and pharmacy in Cedar Rapids, dozens of protesters gathered to demand more. “We don’t want smooth words just for public relations purposes,” said Sophia Joseph, of We Are CR, […]