Happy weekend, Cedar Rapids! In today’s happening-today edition: Data center traffic worries, bird banding, and Pokémon show + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
The 15-minute retirement plan: A comfortable retirement requires a plan that accounts for all your cash flow needs, as well as inflation's quiet erosion of your savings. Our guide offers insights to help you prepare. If you have $1 million or more, get your guide to help build a portfolio that lasts.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Summer swim season begins: Noelridge Aquatic Center and local splash pads open today, kicking off summer. Expect hours through Memorial Day weekend, with all outdoor city pools slated to open June 6 -- see the full opening schedule.
Agency earns top honors: Cedar Rapids agency de Novo Marketing won five Communicator and two NOVA awards for work with Can Shed, Iowa Women’s Foundation, Cedar Ridge Distillery, Frontier Co-op, and its website redesign -- see the award-winning work.
Local concerns grow: Fairfax neighbors say Cedar Rapids data center traffic is clogging roads and fueling unsafe driving. The city is weighing costly improvements near 80th and 151, as residents seek answers -- read how officials may respond.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill:If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's 50% off right now.*
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Quick local glow-up: Esthetics By Camille is the cozy, no-drama spot for Cedar Rapidians who want custom facials, lash lifts or extensions, brow lamination that behaves, and waxing that’s efficient not traumatic, all from a meticulous solo pro who actually listens and makes booking painless.
Cozy sips, zero fuss: Connected to Vino's Ristorante, R G Books Lounge is that low-key spot where Cedar Rapids folks can sink into a chair, pick from an actually-interesting wine, beer, and cocktail list, and decompress in a grown-up setting. Perfect for catching up, date nights, or treating yourself to a quiet hour.
Fresh kicks fix: If your rotation needs a refresh, The Shoe Plug LLC keeps it interesting with curated sneaker drops, legit exclusives, and streetwear that actually hits. Worth a scroll or a quick stop this week, then try not to crease them on the walk to your next coffee.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
A doctor’s been fixing snoring for 30 years: No clunky mouthpiece or loud machines, just two quick throat sprays before bed every night. It might sound too simple, but more than 3 million people use it, and a double-blind study shows 79% of patients reported positive results. *See how it works →
Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works. *Grab your copy here →
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 →
Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →
Memorial Day weekend: 35% off Canna River's pain gummies: Each one packs 50mg of CBD and 50mg of CBG — the cannabinoid pair Canna River builds for everyday aches — in flavors like strawberry mango and fuji apple, with a THC-free option if you'd rather skip it. They're vegan, made from USA-grown hemp, and third-party lab tested. Code MEMORIAL35 takes 35% off through Tuesday, May 27. *Shop the sale before it ends → |
05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎨 Making Gourd Birdhouses @ Make/Believe | Saturday (5/23) at 12:00 AM – Spring means the birds are house-hunting, so let’s build them a gourd bungalow. Pick your gourd, then paint, add holes, seal, and hang with tools, paints, clear coat, and cord. Gourds go fast, so grab a Zeffy ticket, and kids under 12 require an adult.
🐦 Bird Banding @ Penningroth Barn at Indian Creek Nature Center | Saturday (5/23) at 8:00 AM – Drop by Penningroth Barn for front-row seats to tiny jewelry fittings, courtesy of ornithologist Dr. Neil Bernstein. Watch him net, band, and release feathered neighbors, get an up-close look, learn why it matters, and feel smug about science before coffee. Free, family friendly, weather permitting.
🔍 Pokemon TCG & Collectibles Show @ DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Complex | Saturday (5/23) at 9:00 AM – The inaugural JC Shows Pokémon, TCG, and Collectibles Show is landing at the DoubleTree Convention Complex in downtown Cedar Rapids. Dust off the binders, trade for that elusive holo, and pretend it is for the kids, while you haggle by the hotel coffee bar.
🧁 ARF Charity Bake Sale @ Theisen's | Saturday (5/23) at 9:00 AM – Swap your grocery-store muffins for the good stuff at ARF’s charity bake sale, where every sweet or savory bite funds spay and neuter care. Requests are up, so our critters need us. Buy a brownie, save a future couch from puppies, and feel virtuous.
✂ Kiwi Lane Stay and Play @ Scrapmania | Saturday (5/23) at 10:00 AM – Swing by Scrapmania while Linda and Lee roll through for a free Kiwi Lane crop, no need to haul your whole craft room. Borrow templates, bring the basics, buy a few sheets, and stick around for a discount. No signups, just show up.
🖼 Sacred & Profane Art Exhibit & Artist Talk @ Upper Room Gallery at St. Paul's United Methodist Church | Sunday (5/24) at 8:30 AM – Sacred and Profane is landing at St. Paul’s Upper Room Gallery with Robert Appel’s meticulous icons and Timothy Hein’s richly textured fiber art. Drop in to see the work, then stick around for the artist talk, ask something clever, and collect some bragging rights.
🎬 Movie Marathon @ The Yard | Sunday (5/24) at 4:00 PM – Grab your lawn chair for a free double feature, Homeward Bound then Avengers. Warm fuzzies first, city-smashing second, so your inner child and your Marvel fan can finally share snacks. Buy the fuel from Aroma Pizza, Big Grove Brewery, and Pickle Palace. Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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06 — The Cedar Rapids report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 30%
A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 21%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. This house is wildRare new build in an established neighborhood, this walkout ranch offers 3 beds, 3 baths, and a 3-car garage across 2,540 square feet. A cathedral great room anchors the main level with 9-foot ceilings, while the basement hits 10 feet with a bonus lounge, bedroom, and bath. A 12x20 deck sits off the dining room. Optional fourth bedroom available.
Take a peek inside → |
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