I tried to get by with stringing lights on corkscrew willow branches to substitute for our Christmas tree last year. It did not go over well in our household. Even when the season seems overwhelmingly busy, it’s worth the effort to buy a real tree, if nothing else, for that inimitable scent of fresh pine, […]
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Tag: Iowa
Iowa man who chased and killed bald eagl...
Sometimes you just have to wonder what motivates people. If anyone has an answer behind this Iowan’s motivations in chasing down and killing a bald eagle, please share your thoughts. Fortunately, this guy will be paying a price for his actions, though some might wonder if the sentence is severe enough. The U.S. Fish and […]
Cedar Rapids man forced to remove garden...
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS —Even when Iowa’s harsh wintry weather ended the growing season for most gardens, the plot tended by Ed Thornton in southwest Cedar Rapids was thriving. Tender green lettuce, stocky carrots and deep magenta beets were among the vegetables Thornton was able to grow, even into November, giving away much […]
Speaking for the trees in New Bohemia
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan As trees are removed at a fast pace to make way for development along Edgewood Road in northeast Cedar Rapids, a different approach is being taken in one of the city’s core neighborhoods. A majestic pin oak, estimated to be at least a century old, has an added source of protection […]
A reward for Iowa’s generous farmers
I know several farmers market vendors who donate vegetables left over after markets to food pantries. Now, these charitable farmers can be rewarded for their good deeds through a new program. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, announced the following this week: FARMERS DONATING FOOD ELIGIBLE FOR TAX CREDIT
Cool coop; City Council to look at chick...
NORTH LIBERTY – The North Liberty City Council will consider readopting the town’s urban chicken ordinance at its meeting this Tuesday, Nov. 11. Just over a year ago, the council approved the ordinance, which allows residents to keep up to four hens in city limits. Roosters are not allowed. At the same time, a clause […]
Digital divide? New options battle tradi...
Just this week, Overstock introduced a nationwide, online means of ordering fresh farmers market produce that can be delivered to your door. While the Salt Lake City-based business touts its national scope, it hasn’t yet made its way to Iowa. Still, just last night, ProduceRun officially launched in Cedar Rapids and the web-based Iowa Valley […]
Digging deeper into Greene Square in dow...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Park-goers will experience new lighting, a water feature and improved outdoor seating in downtown Cedar Rapids, after the City Council approved the Greene Square revitalization design plan at its meeting today. Work will likely begin next spring on the $1.95 million project, to be paid for through a private and public partnership […]
Online vs. old-fashioned: farmers market...
By Cindy Hadish High-tech means of selling fresh produce and other farm products aren’t necessarily at odds with the “old school” method of face-to-face sales at farmers markets, according to local foods advocates. That perception will undergo a test as the winter farmers market season gets underway, at the same time two online sales platforms […]
Spooky Halloween forecast: hard freeze p...
No more procrastinating. If you’ve been lucky enough to escape the frost so far, you might have delayed those last-minute harvests of tomatoes, peppers and other veggies, but the clock is ticking. According to the National Weather Service, frost is likely in the Cedar Rapids area Thursday night and a hard freeze – with temperatures […]