Today's weather forecast and a four day outlook.  Check this page for the latest weather reports in the corridor area.  Up-to-date weather conditions for the Iowa City area are observed at the Iowa City, Iowa City Municipal Airport, IA.  For weather conditions specific to other cities outside the corridor area, just type in your zip code below.

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Costumed guests from the University of Iowa Tuba-Euphonium studio will perform at the Library.… Read on

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The City of Cedar Rapids is lifting the precautionary water advisory for all customers in the NW quadrant previously affected. Final testing confirmed water is safe for personal consumption. 

Results of bacteria sampling and chlorine monitoring revealed all testing parameters are within normal limits and confirmed that the water is safe for consumption. 

Affected Residents are Reminded to Flush Internal Plumbing

Any time water service is impacted by a brief outage, it is always a good idea to flush internal plumbing in a home or business. There may be air in the line, or a cloudiness in the water associated with increased turbidity. These symptoms are expected, and the water has been confirmed safe to drink.

Steps to clear the water:

• Run cold water after an outage through a faucet that does not have an aerator screen. Bathtubs and hose bibs are good candidates.
• Open faucets slowly to allow the air to escape. Air will make a spurting or hissing sound as it escapes through the faucet.
• Once the water is flowing, allow the faucet to run for up to five minutes to ensure the service line is thoroughly flushed. The first water may be cloudy due to air in the water or particles that dislodge as the pipes fill with water. The cloudiness should clear fairly quickly.
• It may take up to 48 hours for the turbidity to settle down once the system is restored to normal configuration. Continue to run cold water through a faucet daily until these symptoms go away.
  

If kitchen or bathroom faucets do not perform normally following a water outage, it may be necessary to remove the aerator screen. Typically, the aerator can simply be unscrewed from the faucet. Inspect the screen for small particles and rinse away any you find. Reinstall the aerator and test performance of the faucet again. If you experience difficulties, such as low pressure throughout the house following a water outage, call Utilities Water Division at 319-286-5900 for assistance during regular business hours. 

The precautionary drinking water advisory has been lifted for all affected addresses, including:   

• On Johnson Avenue NW, between 28th Street NW and 23rd Street NW
• On D Avenue NW, between 26th Street and 28th Street
• On 24th Street NW, between Johnson Avenue and Burch Avenue
• On 23rd Street NW, between Johnson Avenue and Burch Avenue
• On 26th Street NW, between D Avenue and Maple Drive NW
• On 27th Street NW, south of Johnson Avenue, but not in the area between Sue Lane NW and 1st Avenue
• On 28th Street NW, between D Avenue and Johnson Avenue

The City of Cedar Rapids is no longer advising residents within this area boil their water before using it for cooking or consumption. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank our customers for their patience.

Additional information is available online at www.CityofCR.com or by contacting Customer Service at 319-286-5900 during normal business hours (7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).

WATER IN ALL AREAS IS SAFE TO CONSUME

The City of Cedar Rapids is asking water customers at the addresses listed below to consider boiling water used for personal consumption as a precautionary measure.

If you are pregnant, nursing, or have infants under 6 months of age USE BOTTLED WATER ONLY.

Affected Addresses are located in the regions bounded by:

• On Johnson Avenue NW, between 28th Street NW and 23rd Street NW
• On D Avenue NW, between 26th Street and 28th Street
• On 24th Street NW, between Johnson Avenue and Burch Avenue
• On 23rd Street NW, between Johnson Avenue and Burch Avenue
• On 26th Street NW, between D Avenue and Maple Drive NW
• On 27th Street NW, south of Johnson Avenue, but not in the area between Sue Lane NW and 1st Avenue
• On 28th Street NW, between D Avenue and Johnson Avenue

View a map of the affected addresses below, or search for an address on the City’s website. 

A nearby water main break caused disruption to normal distribution operations, which created a potential for bacteria contamination to occur.

After the broken water main has been repaired, water pressure will be restored, and flushing of the affected area will take place. Water division staff will be monitoring chlorine levels and providing bacteria sample analysis.

Although there is no current indication of contamination, we are advising residents in the affected area to follow these steps for added protection:

• Open one or two cold water taps, such as the kitchen faucet and a bathtub faucet, and let water run for 5 to 10 minutes to flush internal plumbing,

Additionally,

• Bring water to a boil,
• Let it rapidly boil for at least 1 minute,
• Allow to cool completely before consuming.
• DO NOT CONSUME BOILED WATER IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, NURSING OR PREPARING FORMULA FOR INFANTS — USE ONLY BOTTLED WATER.

We anticipate completed results of bacteria analysis around 5 p.m. on Friday, October 22, at which time this advisory will be either lifted or extended. Please check the City website at www.cedar-rapids.org for up-to-date notifications, or call the water department at 319-286-5900 during business hours.

The water department stresses that this advisory is PRECAUTIONARY and limited to the addresses listed above. Residents in nearby areas may have experienced low water pressure, but do not need to take any additional precautions at this time.

WATER IN ALL OTHER AREAS IS SAFE TO CONSUME.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The playground at Redmond Park will be removed and replaced between October 25 and November 19. This high-use playground is over 20 years old and replacement is necessary to maintain compliance with current safety standards and to include inclusive/accessible activities. The new play structure will have two bay swings with a parent/child seat, child seat, and strap seats, and will also have a net climber, seesaw, and a spring rider.

The City of Bettendorf, IA is looking to hire officers!

Starting salary of $ 56,510 /Yr.

Hiring bonuses for certified law enforcement officers.

Apply through November 5^th, 2021 at 5 PM

More details and application at Bettendorf.org/jobs

Available at participating locations from Wednesday, October 13 – Sunday, November 21

FORT WORTH, TX.– Fuzzy’s Taco Shop announces the addition of the Chipotle Chicken Fajita Taco to its menu, available for a limited time. The new taco brings a delicious blend of savory flavors, packed with fajita chicken and grilled peppers and onions, topped off with a smoky honey chipotle sauce.

The Chipotle Chicken Fajita Taco features house-marinated fajita chicken with grilled peppers and onions, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, Fuzzy’s signature garlic sauce and a honey chipotle sauce on a warm flour tortilla.

Guests will be able to enjoy the new taco at all participating Fuzzy's Taco Shop locations from October 13 through November 21.

“With fall bringing cooler weather to our patios and restaurants, our fans will love the smoky flavor and warmth of our house-made honey chipotle sauce,” says Laura Purser, Vice President of Marketing. “Many Fuzzy’s fans don’t realize we marinate our fajita chicken in-house daily. The flavors in this taco may encourage them to try something new, and allow us to really show off our scratch kitchens.”

The taco is available for a limited time for dine-in, takeout, and delivery (where available). Skip the line with Fuzzy’s online ordering placed through the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop website and app. 

Follow Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on Instagram and Facebook for your daily share of good vibes and craving-inducing images. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 18 states. For a full list of locations please visit www.FuzzysTacoShop.com.

About Fuzzy’s Taco Shop:

Founded in 2003 near the Texas Christian University campus in Fort Worth, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® is a fast casual restaurant serving Mexican favorites with a splash of Baja. The laid-back atmosphere pairs perfectly with signature Baja-style tacos, famous chips and queso and icy-cold beverages always served at a chill price. With nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 18 states, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop was ranked a Top Food Franchise, Top Franchise for Culture, and Top Multi-Unit Franchise for 2021 by Franchise Business Review, recognized in Entrepreneur’s 2021 Franchise 500 Ranking and Nation’s Restaurant News’ #10 “Fastest Growing Chains” of 2018, and was included on Franchise Business Review’s “Top Franchises” list in 2017. For franchising information, please visit www.MyFuzzys.com.

By Mike Thayer

Watermelon and Whiskey is a good pairing

Blended and flavored whiskeys continue to be red hot in popularity, consumer demand for brown spirits remains on the rise with American Whiskey in particular seeing some phenomenal sales growth.

Regular readers know that I am a fan of flavored whiskey, I've always got a bottle of something in my freezer for a chilled shot or flavored specialty in the liquor cabinet to enjoy on the rocks.  My favorite in all this tasting fun so far, has been Ole Smoky Peanut Butter flavored whiskey.  It's BETTER than Skrewball!

Given how much I enjoyed the Ole Smoky Peanut Butter, I decided to give another one of their flavored whiskeys a try.

Today's tasting:  Ole Smoky Salted Watermelon

If a shot of whiskey can be refreshing, this is it!

You get the whiff of watermelon in the nose, the hint of salt kisses the tongue along with the fruity note and then there's the warm whiskey finish.  It's slightly sweet, not overpowering at all and it's balanced by that salt.  It's smooth and yes, refreshing! 

As always, I tried this whiskey neat, on the rocks and in a chilled shot. It's very good any way served. It would also lend itself well to mixology, adding a splash of ginger ale comes to mind.  A friend of mine recommended mixing it with lemonade which sounds real good. 

Costing me $19.99, Ole Smoky Salted Watermelon is definitely a repeat buy and gets 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. 

$pend Wisely My Friends...

IOWA CITY - The public is invited to attend Houseplants Propagation and Care 101, an open-air, in-person class presented by Johnson County Master Gardener (JCMG) volunteers. The class will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m., at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in the Heritage Barn breezeway, near the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden.

Participants should feel free to bring a lawn chair to this outdoor class and perhaps a jacket. Some bench seating will be available.

A team of Master Gardener volunteers will identify some easy ways to propagate and care for houseplants and will share new plants and starts with class attendees. There is no cost to attend the class, however, a goodwill donation for the plants is appreciated. All donations support JCMG programs and activities.

Johnson County Master Gardener program will celebrate its 40th year of service in 2022. JCMG was organized in 1982. An early launch to the anniversary year was held Oct. 2 with a cooperative effort to plant 40-plus trees in Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Dr., in Iowa City. The effort was coordinated by the Iowa City Parks Department to replace trees destroyed by the derecho. Master Gardeners will complete community service projects throughout the anniversary year.

The educational volunteer Master Gardener program is sponsored by Iowa State University Johnson County Extension and Outreach and uses research-based horticulture and gardening knowledge and practices to educate people and coordinate projects that promote healthy communities. Master Gardener volunteers receive horticulture training and volunteer to promote a mission of education and service. The program is open to anyone 18 or older with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community.