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Hello Cedar Rapids! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Iowa film rebate backlash, puzzles and poltergeists, and St. Patrick’s Day parade + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Cedar Rapids protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Eligibility limits draw fire: Iowa has revived a film rebate, offering up to 30% back in a two-year pilot, but independent filmmakers say it falls short. Cedar Rapids creatives can apply through March 16 — see who’s eligible and when.
Transportation priorities taking shape: Corridor MPO will allocate $19 million in federal gas-tax funds to road, bus, and trail projects across Cedar Rapids and Linn County. Final selections go to the state in July — see what’s planned across communities.
Internal candidate steps up: Linn-Mar Community School District named Dr. Nathan Wear its next superintendent, succeeding Amy Kortemeyer, who announced plans to retire in June. His contract was pending approval at a special meeting — read the full story.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Craving a proper slice? Flaky butter crusts, seasonal fruit, and cream pies that mysteriously vanish from your fridge make Kathy’s Pies a low-key Cedar Rapids favorite when dessert needs to save the day. Whole pies and shareable slices, both win.
Local blooms, big smiles: When you need an easy mood lift or a quick “you’re awesome” gesture, Pierson’s Flower Shop & Greenhouses crafts hand-designed arrangements and greenhouse-grown plants that feel personal, not cookie-cutter. From bold to breezy, their crew delivers fresh cheer right to your door.
Quick climb fix: Need a midweek reset? SOKO Outfitters has an indoor wall with auto belays, friendly for first-timers and still spicy for climbers with forearms of steel. Grab a few sends, clear your head, and remember why climbing makes the week feel lighter.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🍁 Preschool Trail Trekkers: Maple Syruping @ Penningroth Barn at Indian Creek Nature Center | Wednesday (3/11) at 10:00 AM – Got a kid who thinks syrup comes from a squeeze bottle? Tap a tree, hear Native American legends, tour the sugarhouse, and taste the real stuff; meet at Penningroth Barn, dress for mud, $5 per adult and preschooler, under 2 free.
⛸ Community Ice Skating @ ImOn Ice – Cedar Rapids | Friday (3/13) at 1:00 PM – If the kids are bouncing off the walls on a no school day, take them to ImOn Ice Arena and let the ice do the parenting. Seven bucks covers admission and skates, snacks are on hand, and two dollars slides back to the CPU PTO.
🥞 31st Annual Metro Pancake Breakfast @ Metro Harley-Davidson Suzuki | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Think you can stack ’em higher than last year? The 31st Annual Metro Pancake Breakfast brings all-you-can-eat flapjacks, sizzling griddles, and Metro H.O.G. hospitality. Roll in hungry, linger for the chatter, leave fueled for chores, nostalgia, and maybe a Sunday cruise.
☘ Kid’s Club St. Patrick’s Day @ Cedar Rapids #7 Hy-Vee (Edgewood) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Kid’s Club St. Patrick’s Day is serving $3 build-your-own pancake stacks, shamrock crafts, and coloring sheets, so the kids go wild with sprinkles while you sip coffee and nod approvingly. Expect sticky fingers, take-home art, and just enough Irish cheer to last till bedtime.
🥧 Pi Day Story Time @ Cedar Rapids Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Bring the kids to the library on Pi Day for a pie-themed story time, complete with a hands-on pie activity. Then flex that dusty math brain, and challenge the librarian to a pi digits showdown, because nothing says community pride like out-nerding the staff.
🃏 1st Annual Spring Break Card & Collectibles Expo @ DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Complex | Sunday (3/15) at 9:00 AM – Forget the beach, our Spring Break is cardboard, comics, and nostalgia. Hit the second-floor Grand Ballroom for a sprawling card and collectibles expo, 80-plus tables of treasure. Skip the skywalk maze, use the hotel lobby, then ride up and hunt.
☘ 51st Annual SaPaDaPaSo St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Greene Square Park | Tuesday (3/17) at 1:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Cedar Rapids means the 51st SaPaDaPaSo parade rolling through, yes, it’s on a Tuesday, so call it an extended lunch. Stake out a curb, wear your questionable green, or register a float, nonprofit, commercial, or political, and join the shenanigans.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Cedar Rapids report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 43°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 56%
Rain likely before 10am, then a slight chance of rain and snow between noon and 1pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 43, with temperatures falling to around 41 in the afternoon. North wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: A chance of rain between 7pm and 4am, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
This house is wild
Set in the SW corner of town, this hidden 27-acre retreat blends privacy and convenience. A tree-lined concrete drive leads to an updated home with newer HVAC, a generator, and septic. The open main level features an eat-in kitchen and bedroom, upstairs adds a family room. A pondside deck, two parcels, and space for a future shop complete it.
Take a peek inside →
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