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Hi Iowa City, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: A new roller rink, towering bronze bison statues, and Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways tour + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Iowa drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

How a rink took shape: Glide & Go Skate City’s new roller rink at Iowa City Marketplace will open in the coming weeks, as Alicia Crews transforms the former JOANN space with community help — see who pitched in.

Smithsonian experts on hand: Three towering bronze bison statues will visit Iowa City on March 15 at UI Museum of Natural History, before heading to a National Mall exhibit marking the Declaration’s 250th anniversary — see why this museum was chosen.

Milestone moment for organizers: Day Party, a new spring arts festival from Mission Creek founders and Brink, will debut in Iowa City on April 25 with music, readings, film, installations, and standout food — see what’s planned for launch.

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.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Experience Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways
• Young wizards mix colorful, kid-safe potions
• Learn gardening basics with Scott Koepke

💎 This week’s top finds

Where fabric meets cozy: Home Ec. Workshop keeps sewists stocked with colorful modern and vintage-inspired fabrics, thoughtful notions, and patterns. The classes and friendly vibe help you finally cut into that stash. If your project needs a nudge or a fresh print, their workshop energy is contagious.

Handmade finds, zero fuss: At Iowa Artisans Gallery, handcrafted-in-America pieces feel contemporary, playful, and one-of-a-kind. They refresh a corner, elevate a shelf, or solve the tricky-gift dilemma without feeling phoned in. Expect surprising materials and smart design, curated with an eye for everyday delight.

Soup therapy, unlocked: When Iowa winds bite, Saigon’s Corner warms you with 24-hour pho broth, broken rice plates, bun bo hue, and crisp spring rolls. It’s an easy downtown slip-in between errands or after class, no fuss, just steady flavor that hits the spot.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 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 →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next 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.

🎈 Spring Break Community Play Day @ GreenState Family Fieldhouse (Coralville) | Tuesday (3/17) at 1:00 PM – Spring break cabin fever calling? Swing by for unstructured play, come and go, and let the kids burn off energy while you catch up with neighbors. Pay two bucks per person, or bring health and hygiene donations for the Coralville Food Pantry.

🍓 Florida Strawberry Truckload Sale @ Arona Home Essentials (Iowa City IA) | Wednesday (3/18) at 10:00 AM – Craving real flavor after a winter of cardboard berries? A Florida strawberry truck is rolling into Arona Home Essentials lot on Sycamore, handing over sun-ripened cases straight from the field, plus pecans and honey. First come, cash or card, bring a friend and a trunk.

🧓 Advice on Aging @ Coralville Public Library | Thursday (3/19) at 10:00 AM – Got aging questions, or caring for someone who does? Heritage AAA is on-site with free, no-appointment guidance on care services, Medicaid, elder abuse concerns, and whatever else is keeping you up at night. Real people, local answers, and zero sales pitch.

🌸 Vernal Equinox Dinner @ Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Venue | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Celebrate the spring equinox with an intimate, plated dinner upstairs at Wilson’s Ciderhouse, where winter coziness meets bright, fresh flavors. Think herb garden spritz, curried leg of lamb with kumquats, and Meyer lemon bread pudding, then pretend you planned it all along. Tickets required.

🔭 Public Observing Night @ Van Allen Hall, 30 North Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, United States, Iowa 52242 | Friday (3/20) at 8:00 PM – Grab a sweater and aim for Van Allen Hall for a spring sky tour with the University of Iowa Physics & Astronomy crew, weather permitting. Follow the signs to the east elevator, ride to the roof, and let telescopes, not your phone, do the stargazing.

🕯 Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons @ Old Brick | Saturday (3/21) at 6:30 PM – Trade the Hawkeye chatter for a candlelit string quartet at Old Brick, where Coldplay and Imagine Dragons get the classy treatment. Expect nostalgia, new hits, and zero pyrotechnics, just warm glow, tight harmonies, and a night that actually starts on time.

🥕 Johnson Co Market @ Johnson County Fairgrounds | Sunday (3/22) at 11:00 AM – Over in Building C, the Johnson Co Market is where Iowa City’s grown-ups go for the good stuff, no gimmicks. Fine local products from makers you already nod to at the co-op, free to browse, easy to buy. Expect samples and a few neighbor run-ins.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Iowa City report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 55°F – Low: 10°F – Precip: 99%

Showers and thunderstorms before 4pm, then rain between 4pm and 5pm, then rain and snow. Cloudy. High near 55, with temperatures falling to around 34 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 15 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Snow before 7pm, then snow and blowing snow. Cloudy, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -5. Northwest wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 17°F – Low: 3°F – Precip: 62%

Snow likely and areas of blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Later: Patchy blowing snow before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 3.

Most popular house this week

This 5-bed, 3.5-bath two-story on a half-acre pairs privacy with an east-side Iowa City location near Regina, City High, and Hickory Hill Park. Lovingly maintained by original owners for 35 years, it offers a living-to-dining flow to an expansive eat-in kitchen with island and family room. A screened porch connects to the deck, and a walk-out lower level adds flexibility.

Take a peek inside →