|
Rise and shine, Cedar Rapids!
Before we get into today’s email… I’m excited to share that we quietly launched BaseLocal Business last week, and 400+ businesses have already signed up 🥹 If you own or manage a local business and want to see what the platform’s all about, you can sign up for free in less than five minutes (if you haven’t already).
We launched the platform to make it easier for the community to connect with local businesses in a meaningful way that benefits everyone… and so far it’s going great.
So I just wanted to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you for being here and helping us make this newsletter better every day.
— Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
Fastest residential internet option: ImOn Communications’ fiber conversion is nearing completion, bringing 2 and 5 gigabit speeds to neighborhoods across Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha as work continues through 2026 — get all the details.
Latest public safety findings: Cedar Rapids police released a report showing cameras, now numbering 80 citywide, helped identify vandalism and credit card skimming suspects and locate a man with dementia who wandered to Chicago — see what the report shows.
Legacy of a forest giant: At the University of Iowa’s Oakdale campus near Iowa City, a 125-year-old American chestnut survives blight as arborist Andy Dahl leads tours and explains why this rare tree still matters — discover its history and survival.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
|
🫶 We got your back
New chapter for coffee lovers: Uptown Coffee Company, a Marion favorite, will replace Roasters at NewBo City Market after health inspections wrap up. The new cafe is slated for a slightly different spot inside the market and will start with coffee, espresso, matcha, and tea, expanding the menu later. Read the full story.
Low‑maintenance glam, fast: Tired of smudges? Sapphire Beauty Spa offers classic, hybrid, volume, and LED lashes from owner Colby’s seasoned team. Clean, precise application and easy refills mean quicker mornings and lashes that look naturally put together.
Upgrade your brim game: Whether you’re chasing a crisp flat brim or something ranch‑ready, LoKey Hat Co lets you dial in every detail and even browse boots to match. A low‑stress refresh for your winter look, so you’ll actually wear it out this week.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
|
📆 Around town this week
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.
🌙 Zeppelins – Tropical Moon @ Zeppelins Bar & Grill | Monday (1/19) at 6:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for a brush and a cocktail at Zeppelins with Cork N Canvas Iowa. For $35, you get a 16×20 canvas, all the gear, and zero pressure, just adult-only laughs, food and drinks for purchase, and the satisfaction of supporting two local small businesses.
📚 Family Art Night @ Cedar Rapids Public Library | Wednesday (1/21) at 5:30 PM – Family Art Night is taking over the Downtown Library with a collage session where you’ll experiment with supplies, pick up a few tricks, and make a colorful mess you actually want to keep. Think glue sticks, paper bits, and quality time. Register at CRLibrary.org/events.
📚 Meet the Author: Jaida Schupp @ The History Center | Wednesday (1/21) at 6:00 PM – Jaida Schupp is bringing her multigenerational tale of survival, healing, and choosing love to The History Center, and it hits where the good whiskey lives. Expect raw truth, resilience, and a few well-earned sniffles, plus local vibes, a modest ticket, and zero fluff.
🧵 Embroiderers’ Guild Demonstrations @ National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library | Thursday (1/22) at 1:00 PM – Fourth Thursdays at the museum mean needlework in Rozek Grand Hall, courtesy of the Embroiderers’ Guild’s Cedar Valley chapter. Watch pros stitch with ridiculous precision, ask questions, maybe pick up a few tricks. It’s quiet, satisfying, and far more colorful than your inbox.
🎸 Richrath Project REO: The Music of REO Speedwagon @ The Olympic South Side Theater | Friday (1/23) at 6:00 PM – Think you still know every word to Time for Me to Fly, and some REO Speedwagon deep cuts too? Richrath Project REO keeps Gary’s spark alive, with Michael Jahnz out front, big guitars, bigger choruses, and zero irony. Nostalgia with horsepower, not a museum piece.
🎻 Chamber III: Dance Music @ Orchestra Iowa | Friday (1/23) at 7:30 PM – Dance Music is waltzing into town with a chamber program that lets composers from Beethoven to Irving Berlin do the two-step for you. A dance party for your ears, no sore knees. Saturday is sold out, so grab the last Friday seats.
🎤 Another Improv Show @ CSPS Hall | Friday (1/23) at 8:00 PM – Whether you’re fluent in yes-and or just need a laugh after inbox triage, CSPS is hosting a night of on-the-spot shenanigans. Smart, unscripted, and surprisingly cathartic. Grab a seat, a friend, and your best poker face for audience prompts.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Cedar Rapids report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 10°F – Low: 1°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny. High near 10, with temperatures falling to around 8 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -22. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 1, with temperatures rising to around 3 overnight. Wind chill values as low as -6. West wind around 5 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 22°F – Low: 16°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 22. Wind chill values as low as -4. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Later: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
This house is wild
Built in 2014 on a 0.719-acre wooded lot in Keystone on Lakeside, this 6-bed, 3 full, 2 half-bath ranch spans over 4,800 square feet. A 5-year-old roof and a 3-stall garage set the tone. Vaulted ceilings with wood beams, walnut floors, and an open kitchen with granite and a two-tier island headline the main level.
Two gas fireplaces and a polished primary suite add warmth. The walk-out level brings three more bedrooms, a theater, and a heated bar with radiant floors. Outdoor living delivers a 3-season porch, deck, hot tub, and fire pit under mature trees. Sound, irrigation, and security round out this SE Cedar Rapids spot.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
