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Hi Waterloo, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: FIRST Robotics Competition, comic-con with the Red Power Ranger, and Holi festival + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Premier high school robotics event: UNI will host the FIRST Robotics Competition Iowa Regional March 26 to 28, bringing 54 teams and 2,000 people to Cedar Falls. Free matches in the McLeod Center and UNI-Dome — check out the full schedule.
New integrated therapy approach: Lighthouse Autism Center will open a Cedar Falls location in June, serving 21 families. It will be Black Hawk County’s second site after Waterloo, with ABA therapy and speech services — get all the details.
Major street upgrades move forward: Waterloo City Council is set to approve preliminary designs today for rebuilding Broadway Street and Katoski Drive, and set the construction bid date. Public hearings are scheduled for March 16 — see what’s planned and when.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
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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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Craving-level burger fix: Big Head Burger dishes Cedar Valley comfort with smash-style burgers, loaded fries, and legit milkshakes, all in a friendly, low-key spot made for easy weeknights. When indecision hits, the grill speaks, and you roll out happy.
Swap wheels for blades: Young Arena keeps Waterloo gliding with crisp ice and zero fuss. Bring your crew or go solo. Public skating fills the calendar, and rentals are ready. It’s an easy way to ditch cabin fever and stay close to home.
History-to-space reset: From local history and the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum to hands-on science and a cozy planetarium, Grout Museum District delivers week-brightening curiosity. Ideal for a brain reset, a kid-pleasing detour, or a guilt-free excuse to nerd out.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Waterloo 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.
🏡 Eastern Iowa Home & Landscaping Show @ Waterloo Convention Center | Friday (3/6) at 3:00 PM – Thinking about upgrading those floors that survived Hawkeye seasons and kid carpools? Visit the Eastern Iowa Home & Landscaping Show, find Floor Coverings International, and run your hands over hardwood, carpet, vinyl, and tile, with low-key guidance, no guilt, and no hard sell.
🌈 4th Annual Holi @ Hearst Center for the Arts | Friday (3/6) at 5:00 PM – Celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, love, and spring, with a splash at Hearst. We’re teaming up with the Office of International Engagement at McElroy Classroom and Corning Patio, free and open to the public. Wear something you won’t cry over, and call it cardio.
🥕 Indoor Farmer’s Market @ The Cob Mercantile | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re dodging slush or just craving better eggs, The Crib turns into a cozy indoor market every Saturday. Shop a rotating mix of local vendors for fresh, perishable goods, neighborly chatter, and the rare errand that actually feels like one you chose.
🦸 Cedar Falls Comic-Con @ Holiday Inn & Suites Cedar Falls-Waterloo Event Ctr | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Feeling nostalgic for Saturday morning TV? Cedar Falls’ pop culture bash brings the original Red Power Ranger, the voice of Squidward, and a WWE Hall of Famer to town, plus panels, comics, gaming, and a vendor hall big enough to lose your teenagers in.
📚 Rosie the Riveters of Iowa: Book Presentation and Signing @ Grout Museum District | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Head to the Grout Museum District for Iowa author Linda McCann’s Rosie the Riveters of Iowa talk, packed with firsthand stories from women who kept factories running while men were overseas. Buy the book, get it signed, and remind everyone Iowa built more than casseroles.
🎰 Vegas, Baby! @ Waterloo Elks Lodge Weddings and Events | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Waterloo’s Elks Club is going full Vegas, no red-eye required. House of Hope is serving a proper plated dinner, live and silent auctions, music, and a few sly surprises, so bring your lucky streak, your generous streak, and your appetite.
🎷 UNI Jazz @ The Black Hawk Hotel | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 PM – Take a break from the usual weekend shuffle and slide into The Black Hawk for a free, open-to-all jazz series with UNI Jazz Studies and friends. It’s low-key, high-talent, and pairs beautifully with a Bar Winslow cocktail. Your shoulders will thank you.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Waterloo report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 56°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 7%
Areas of fog before 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 56, with temperatures falling to around 53 in the afternoon. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Rain between midnight and 3am, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 44, with temperatures rising to around 50 overnight. Southeast wind 6 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 66°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 95%
Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
Set on Rainbow Drive in Waterloo, this 5-bed, 2-bath home blends fresh paint throughout with cozy character. Two fireplaces anchor multiple living spaces, and the backyard faces serene forest and a pond with a trail just steps away. Convenient off Greenhill Road, it offers quick access to shopping, schools, major routes, and the new Waterloo school under development minutes away.
Take a peek inside →
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