An exceptionally warm and humid September delayed the arrival of fall colors in Iowa, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources notes that leaves will soon be turning. The week of Oct. 20 appears to be peak time for viewing fall colors in many locations, according to the DNR. More: Popular route for viewing fall […]
Woolly Bear caterpillars and weather pre...
In case you haven’t heard, colder weather is forecast for Iowa this weekend. Not only could much of the state experience the first frost of fall, but a freeze is predicted that could kill all sensitive vegetation from Friday night, Oct. 11, into Saturday morning, Oct. 12. Bring indoors any houseplants that have been outside […]
Otter Creek Marsh near Chelsea, Iowa, ab...
This item about Otter Creek Marsh from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources hits close to home. Our family’s Heritage Farm is located nearby in rural Chelsea. Recently, we had some of the farm’s bottomland enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program, to add to the habitat available on this “migration superhighway.” There is nothing like […]
Climate activists greet Grassley and Ern...
CEDAR RAPIDS — As Iowa’s senators touted federal taxpayer contributions of $117 million to the flood protection system in Cedar Rapids, a peaceful protest drew attention to the underlying cause of increased flooding. Holding signs stating “Floodgates alone won’t protect us from climate change” among other messages, about 20 members of groups such as Indivisible […]
Photos: Teen climate activist Greta Thun...
IOWA CITY — Several thousand people turned out Friday, Oct. 4, in downtown Iowa City to see Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish activist who has inspired millions of people worldwide to strike for climate change. “We are the change, and change is coming whether they like it or not,” Thunberg told the crowd gathered at […]
Legion Arts co-founder announces resigna...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — F. John Herbert, co-founder of Legion Arts, has announced his resignation. Herbert brought performance artists from across the globe to CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids for nearly three decades. The hall for the Česko-Slovenský Podporující Spolek, or Czech-Slovak Protective Society, was built in 1891 at Third Street and 11th Avenue SE, […]
Practical Farmers of Iowa field day: gri...
CHELSEA, Iowa — They might not be “true” unicorns, but some of the goats raised by Adam Ledvina could pass for the mythical creatures, with a single horn jutting out of their head. Ledvina raises Kiko goats, a variety domesticated from feral goats in New Zealand, on the family farm in rural Chelsea. He shared […]
Veggie Prescription Program to fight die...
A new program will launch Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, in Johnson County, Iowa, to fight diet-related diseases with fresh fruits and vegetables. The initiative involves a partnership with the Coralville Community Food Pantry, North Liberty Community Pantry, University of Iowa Health Care and local farmers, supported by a $50,000 grant from MidWestOne Bank to help […]
Photos: 2019 Goulash Day and CzechFest
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mother Nature can put a damper on a festival, no matter how carefully planned the event might be. Such was the case with CzechFest in Czech Village, where Jennifer Stewart, owner of The Create Exchange, 98 16th Ave. SW, volunteered countless hours to organize the annual festival, only to see rain […]
CzechFest and Goulash Day offer double d...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Two festivals have joined forces to provide a day of Czech family fun, with the St. Wenceslaus Church Goulash Day and CzechFest in Czech Village, both on Sunday. Sept. 22, 2019. While the two still operate independently, free hayrack rides across the Bridge of Lions will allow visitors to easily participate […]