|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hi Cedar Rapids, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Bert Kreischer, a Grateful Dead and Talking Heads tribute, and metal yoga + plenty of reasons to put on real pants 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.
|
📰 In the news
Principles for safer workplaces: Kirkwood will host 2026 Kirkwood Safety Conference March 26 at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, featuring breakout sessions and keynotes from David J. Sarkus and Celina Peerman — get all the details.
Native ecosystems get a boost: Linn County is using a state appropriation to remove invasive species at Bird Preserve, Morgan Creek Park, and northern Wickiup Hill, with Oriental bittersweet seen in nearby Iowa City — get all the details.
Lowering barriers to baseball: A new Hiawatha baseball facility opened, bringing training under one roof. Opened by Big Ten and Royals minor leaguer CJ Eldred, it aims to help families with youth sports costs — get all the details.
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:
|
💎 Local business spotlight
Swap screen time for stage: At Theatre Cedar Rapids, Guys and Dolls lights up the stage this midseason. Bring a friend for locally made, big-hearted performances that turn an ordinary weeknight into an occasion. Expect charm, talent, and plenty of fizz.
Chicago dog energy: The Flying Wienie serves Chicago-style dogs and hand-cut fries from that bright, plane-topped spot Cedar Rapids loves. When your week needs fast, friendly, gloriously unfussy comfort, this classic stand quietly delivers… no frills, just flavor.
Your NewBo book fix: Next Page Books blends cozy shelves with sharp curation: new fiction, nonfiction, and kids’ picks, plus staff recs that feel eerily spot-on. Browsing is unrushed, special orders are simple, and Frank, the famously photogenic shop cat, steals scenes.
\*These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
|
🫶 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 →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
|
📆 Cedar Rapids for grown ups
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.
🍻 Wild Ones Chapter Social @ Lion Bridge Brewing Company | Thursday (3/12) at 5:30 PM – Native plant folks are taking over Lion Bridge for pizza, pints, and a brainstorm. Bring questions on winter sowing, garden design, or plant picks, and swap wisdom with beginners and veterans, no membership required. Talking milkweed over beer beats arguing with seed catalogs at home.
🎤 The Ten Tenors @ Paramount Theatre | Friday (3/13) at 7:30 PM – Think tenors mean naps? These Aussies will wake you right up. The Ten Tenors swing through after sold-out runs abroad for their 30th with big harmonies, cheeky charm, and mashups of classical, Neapolitan, and classic rock, plus new medleys just for us.
♀ Made for Her @ Hawkeye Downs Expo Center | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – At Hawkeye Downs, this women’s lifestyle market turns a girls’ day out into a full-on excuse to shop, sip, and call it self-care. Think fashion shows, interactive goodies, and local brands that actually get you, not your algorithm. Rally your favorites, wallets included.
🌞 Stained Glass Mosaic Sun Catchers @ NewBo City Market | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – If you’ve been meaning to add something cheerful to that sun-starved window, come make a stained glass mosaic sun catcher. Pick a pattern, learn the satisfying rhythm of tiling, and leave with a kaleidoscope-worthy piece, no experience, glue trauma, or glitter necessary.
🎤 Bert Kreischer @ Alliant Energy PowerHouse – Cedar Rapids, IA | Sunday (3/15) at 7:00 PM – Ready to laugh so hard you forget where you parked at the PowerHouse? Bert Kreischer rolls into Cedar Rapids with stories, chaos, and that not-quite-family-friendly charm. Grab your crew, claim the good seats, and enjoy a night where shirts are optional, and filters nonexistent.
💃 Line Dancing & Lessons @ Big Grove Brewery & Taproom | Monday (3/16) at 6:30 PM – Been meaning to learn line dancing without starring in a blooper reel? Big Grove CR is serving dinner, drinks, and a dance floor, with Shut Up & Dance with Jamie teaching you one step at a time, then mostly beginner social dancing all evening.
👭 Ladies Only Social Mixer @ Ideal Theater & Bar | Thursday (3/19) at 7:00 AM – Give your thumb a night off from swiping, and meet real women at this women-only mixer for women who love women. Expect good drinks, solid music, and eye contact in a safe, welcoming room. No pressure, just conversation, laughs, and maybe a new favorite person.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Cedar Rapids report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 50°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 8%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Southwest wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Later: A chance of rain between 7pm and 4am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
—
Tomorrow – High: 45°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 29%
A chance of rain and snow before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
This house is wild
Newly built at 1,660 square feet, this in-city home blends country vibes. The main level offers 3 bedrooms, including a luxe primary suite with tiled walk-in shower, dual vanity, and closet-to-laundry access. A showpiece kitchen shines with dark cabinetry, white quartz, hidden pantry, and tray ceiling. Enjoy an electric fireplace, aluminum-railed deck, and a framed lower level with garden garage.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
