Coralville Courier

Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Urban Dreams, along with the City of Cedar Rapids and area Hy-Vee stores, will distribute approximately 475 Thanksgiving meal packs on Wednesday, November 25, at 10 a.m. to help local families in need. Meal kits will include cans of corn and green beans, stuffing mix, a voucher for a turkey, fresh rolls, and a pumpkin pie picked up in-store. Each kit will make a Thanksgiving meal for a family of four.

“We are delighted to be able to team up with Hy-Vee to help provide several hundred families in our community with a Thanksgiving meal,” says Izaah Knox, Urban Dreams Executive Director. “Especially this year, when COVID-19 has impacted so many, we are proud to assist families as they celebrate the holiday with their loved ones.” 

In total, Hy-Vee will be donating 80,000 Thanksgiving meals this year across its eight-state region.

“Thanksgiving will be a very different celebration for all of us this year,” said Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart.  “Providing a Thanksgiving meal for so many will help families enjoy the holiday safely in their homes. Thank you to Urban Dreams and Hy-Vee for partnering with the City in this important effort.”

Families in need of a Thanksgiving meal can visit the Urban Dreams Cedar Rapids location outside the Ladd Library at 3750 Williams Blvd. SW on Wednesday, November 25 at 10:00 a.m. Food baskets are available while supplies last.

WHEN:                  Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at 10:00 am

WHERE:                Urban Dreams Cedar Rapids
                                3750 Williams Blvd. SW
                                Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 

About Urban Dreams (UD)

Urban Dreams is a Des Moines based inner-city non-profit that provides substance abuse, mental health, job training and placement, inmate reentry services, community engagement, education, and community advocacy for people of color and low-income individuals and families.

The City of Cedar Rapids contracted with Urban Dreams in July 2020 to create and implement a workforce training apprenticeship program for Cedar Rapids. The program focuses on adults and young people from the city’s underserved and low-socioeconomic areas. UD works with individuals who have had barriers to success, including high school dropouts or at-risk youth, individuals lacking career guidance or understanding of career opportunities, those with prior criminal records, and those under or unemployed.

CORALVILLE – City Circle Theatre Company will present A CHRISTMAS CABARET, written and directed by Katie Colletta, as a virtual production available on demand December 18-20. Tickets are $12-$17. For tickets and more information, visit www.CoralvilleArts.org or call the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at 319-248-9370.

Written and directed by Katie Colletta, A CHRISTMAS CABARET features performers from throughout the Corridor who will rescue Santa from the quarantine blues as they sing, dance, and laugh their way to a happy holiday. The performance will be professionally recorded and edited by CoralVision.

According to Colletta, “When Liz Tracey reached out to me about writing and directing A Christmas Cabaret, my heart soared. What better way to end this very trying and difficult year than by spreading some Christmas cheer? To me, the essence of Santa Claus is spreading kindness to one another in big ways and small. He represents a universal idea that transcends all religions and belief systems. Working on this project has been a huge kindness, reminding me daily of what is really important.

“Please know that we are taking the ever-changing situation with COVID extremely seriously. I want nothing more than to share this show with you exactly as I envisioned it. However, safety is and will always be our top concern, and that means we are ready to evolve this script and show to create the safest environment possible.

“Working on this piece has been a great reminder to "enjoy the process." Tomorrow isn't promised, so we are going to soak up every ounce of joy that comes from working on a show we possibly can. I can't wait to start creating Christmas magic with this incredible cast and creative team. Stay safe, wear a mask, and Happy Holidays!”

A CHRISTMAS CABARET

December 18-20

When the quarantine blues cause Santa to consider canceling Christmas, it is up to the elves to restore his holiday spirit! Featuring talented performers from throughout the Corridor, this musical variety show will bring the holidays right to your screen in this internet broadcast. Written and directed by Katie Colletta.

City Circle Theatre Company

City Circle Theatre Company has been Coralville’s community theatre for over 20 years and is a resident theatre company of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. For information about upcoming performances visit www.CoralvilleArts.org of call the CCPA Box Office at 319-248-9370.

A book group that alternates between classic novels and more recent works of fiction and nonfiction. Meets on Zoom.… Read on

A monthly book discussion group that has met at the Coralville Library for over twenty years. Meets on Zoom.… Read on

One of our favorite family programs is back this year with a curbside pick-up/drop-off twist! Reserve a plate to paint together as a family.… Read on

The annual Iowa City Holiday Market, which was scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert Street, has been canceled due to COVID-19.

Staff is currently working on compiling a list of the Holiday Market vendors that were scheduled to be at the event. Once complete, that list will be available at www.icgov.org/farmersmarket.

Customers will still be able to shop from the list of highlighted vendors, where they can choose from many one-of-a-kind, locally handcrafted treasures. The Holiday Market vendors will be retailers of gifts, home goods and décor, apparel and accessories, specialty foods, pet supplies, boutique items, and more.

For more information, visit www.icgov.org/farmersmarket or contact Tammy Neumann, Iowa City Farmers Market Coordinator, at tammy-neumann@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5210.

Join us all week to celebrate waste reduction and countdown to America Recycles Day ® on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. This year, Iowa City’s theme is “Go Beyond Recycling”. Recycling is an important part of waste reduction, but there are a lot of other ways to reduce waste that have even more impact. 

Each day this week, a different waste reduction topic will be covered with resources and information on how to get involved and learn more. Here is the lineup: 

• Monday (Nov. 9): Consumer Choice
• Tuesday (Nov. 10): Reuse
• Wednesday (Nov. 11): Repair
• Thursday (Nov. 12): Upcycling
• Friday (Nov. 13): Recycling Contamination
• Saturday (Nov. 14): Recycling
• Sunday (Nov. 15): Happy America Recycles Day ®!

Stay tuned Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, for a Facebook video with our Recycling Coordinator, Jane Wilch, all about how you can make a difference as a consumer. 

Every day, look forward to resources on each daily topic of focus that will be shared at www.icgov.org/reduce and on the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling’s Facebook Page. 

America Recycles Day ® is a Keep America Beautiful ® program that offers a dedicated time each year to educate about and celebrate waste reduction and recycling efforts. 

For more information, contact the Recycling Coordinator at 319-887-6110 or jane-wilch@iowa-city.org.

One of our favorite family programs is back this year with a curbside pick-up/drop-off twist! Reserve a plate to paint together as a family.… Read on

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control is having a Friday the 13^th Week pet adoption sale this week.  From Monday, November 9 through Saturday, November 14, adoption fees on cats and dogs that are one year of age and older will be reduced to only $13.  Additional fees may apply depending on rabies vaccines and blood work performed. 

The shelter is closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health pandemic.  However, adoption appointments will be scheduled that will allow individuals or families to adopt a pet. Those interested in adopting a cat or dog should:

1. Go to Pet Finder at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IA125.html to view all of the available animals ready to become part of someone’s family.
2. Once you find an animal that you would like to adopt, complete an application at www.cedar-rapids.org/animal. 
3. Once an application is received, Animal Care and Control staff will review the information and contact the applicant, if approved, to set up an appointment to meet the animal they are interested in. 

Appointment times will be limited to 30 minute blocks, so staff will be limiting citizens to viewing only two animals per appointment. 

COVID-19 protocols are in place.  Only members of the applicant’s household will be permitted in the building and all entering over the age of 2 are required to wear face coverings.

Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control is located at 7241 Washington View Parkway SW on the Kirkwood Community College campus.  Office hours are Monday through Saturday from Noon to 5:00 p.m.  Animal Care and Control will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day.

The Library will be closed, and all services suspended, on Veterans Day.… Read on