I've truly enjoyed putting this site together over the years and helping the Coralville, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and area communities share information.  This is a resource that has benefited the corridor and I will miss posting the news, restaurant and product reviews, tips, shopping deals and all the recipes.

But, since I no longer reside in the area, my focus is now elsewhere.  Thanks for reading!

The domain name is available through Afternic.

Thank you,

Mike T.

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.

Advertisement

Help lead the charge against climate change by being a member of the Green Iowa AmeriCorps here in Iowa City!

Green Iowa AmeriCorps is a state-wide organization with a mission of empowering Iowa's communities to make more environmental, conservation-minded decisions and improvements through direct service work, environmental education, professional development opportunities, and volunteer engagement.

The program is looking to recruit passionate and motivated individuals for an eleven-month service experience in Iowa City that starts in September 2022. Working with and supervised by the City's Climate Action Office, Green Iowa employees have the opportunity to create plans in conjunction with city officials, and nonprofit leaders, and execute projects that will greatly impact the communities they serve. 

AmeriCorps members receive a living stipend, public service loan forgiveness qualification, student loan interest accrual repayment, and much more!.

Qualifications include: 

• Be 17 years or older by the start date, preferably college-aged.
• Pass a national service criminal history check.
• Hold one of the following U.S. citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Have a valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification.

Visit the Green Iowa AmeriCorps website for more information about the positions.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival will be holding the Freedom Festival Parade on Saturday, June 25, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

The following streets will be closed for the event from 7:00 a.m. (set up time) until 1:00 p.m. (tear down completion):

• 2^nd Avenue SE from 2^nd Street to 7^th Street
• 3^rd Avenue SE from 2^nd Street to 7^th Street
• 4^th Avenue SE from the railroad tracks to 8^th Street
• 3^rd Street SE from 1^st Avenue to 4^th Avenue
• 5^th Street SE from 1^st Avenue to 5^th Avenue
• 6^th Street SE from 1^st Avenue to 5^th Avenue
• 7^th Street SE from 3^rd Avenue to 5^th Avenue

Additionally, a “No Parking/Tow Away” zone will be enforced on these streets from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. per Municipal Code Sections 61.094 and 61.094A. Guests of the Market are encouraged to use the 4^th Avenue, GTC, 5 Seasons or Convention Complex parking ramps located within a few blocks of the Market. For additional parking information, please visit www.parkcedarrapids.com. Parking ramps are handicapped-accessible and market patrons with special needs are encouraged to use those areas. For additional parking information, please visit www.parkcedarrapids.com.

… Read on

Johnson County Master Gardeners will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Taste of the Heritage Garden on Wednesday, July 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  

Following a two-year hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic, the annual celebration is back – in-person. The Taste is a tribute to Iowa’s history and food. The event is held at historic Plum Grove, 1030 Carroll Street in Iowa City, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Cost is $5 donation.

Donations fund the gardens and Kirkwood Community College horticulture scholarships and 4-H Awards.

Built in 1844, Plum Grove was the home of Robert and Friendly Lucas. Robert served as the first governor of the Territory of Iowa from 1838 until 1841. Iowa was admitted to the Union as a state Dec.  3, 1846.

This year, Master Gardeners will honor Betty Kelly, who died March 30. Betty organized efforts for the gardens at Plum Grove and “The Taste.” The Taste cookbook will serve as a program and will feature recipes for the food served as well as a tribute to Betty Kelly. Her family is commemorating Betty with a tribute bench recognizing her service.

For years, Betty negotiated with the State Historical Society of Iowa, owner of Plum Grove, for permission to plant a heritage garden as the state planned its sesquicentennial celebration in 1995. Betty, along with Joanne Leach, diligently researched the Lucas family, including Friendly’s diaries and letters, and newspapers to identify what people ate during that era and made every effort to be accurate in the garden and each undertaking. “The garden was another opportunity to inform the public about the state’s history, agriculture and its citizens.”

Today, Plum Grove boasts four gardens: vegetable (1995), Grandma’s Heirloom Flower Garden (1998), a wildflower garden (2000), and the Quester’s Rose Garden (2010). The historic vegetable and flower gardens are part of the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens. Plum Grove gardens have received local, state and national recognition including the first Iowa State Service Award, National Smithsonian Garden Award and an Irving Weber Award. Plum Grove has been a featured garden on the Project GREEN Garden Tour.

The gardens provide a glimpse into history. They are laid out in typical 1850s fashion with four sections and rows of vegetables planted in a north-south direction. The gardens are raised beds gardens – following the archeologist’s request that the ground would be minimally disturbed.  The flower garden is located on the old barn site.

Johnson County Master Gardeners prepare and serve. Menus always include a variety of items featuring vegetables that Friendly Lucas might have grown and served in the mid-1800s. This year’s menu includes some favorites from past years including plum dishes – purple plum soup and plum oat bars and a plum topping for the ice cream. Also on the menu will be King Arms Cabbage slaw, Iowa applesauce cake, Dane’s Dairy ice cream and rhubarb punch.

The Old Post Office Brass Band will perform as they have for many years.

In 2022, Johnson County Master Gardeners is celebrating 40 years of service in Johnson County. The local program was organized in 1982. The educational volunteer program, sponsored by Iowa State University Johnson County Extension and Outreach, provides current, research-based, home horticulture information and education to the citizens of Iowa through programs and projects. Master Gardeners 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.

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs, and events. Topics this week include an interactive public art exhibit in the heart of downtown, a reminder that fireworks are illegal to use in Iowa City, and much more. Select the image below to watch Iowa City Update.

Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 

Learn about a new interactive art display in Downtown Iowa City that is not only fun to swing on, but is also raising money to provide affordable housing in our community.

Fireworks Ordinance

With the 4th of July approaching, the City wants to remind folks that it’s illegal to use fireworks in Iowa City. Violators will face a minimum fine of $250.

Rec n' Roll

Parks and Recreation staff will be bringing its trailer of fun to Cardigan Park for the weekly Rec n' Roll series. Learn how you can enjoy fun games, live music, and get to know your neighbors. 

Iowa City Update - Your source for Iowa City news and information.