Print this email out and frame it!
You are officially part of history, you are part of a select group of people who subscribed and received the very inaugural edition of CR Family Weekly! woot! woot! 🥳
We really do appreciate the support, even if we strong armed you into giving us your email address. We are not quite sure where this newsletter will go, but we at least hope that it is helpful to you and your family.
Have fun this week.
Adventures Ahead📅📅
Check out some below happenings in the CR area!
Have an event suggestion? Just click here and let us know what it is.
Wednesday, 4/15
Tween & Teen Crafternoons w/the Makerspace
Marion Public Library, 3-4 pm
Tweens & teens can join the library for exploration and creativity.
Thursday, 4/16
Sensory Story Time
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 10 am
Children and caregivers are invited to a sensory-friendly story time featuring low lights, reduced sounds, and opportunities for play.
Teen STEAM
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 4-5 pm
Every other Thursday, various STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, & math) projects.
Friday, 4/17
Open Swim w/Inflatables
Bender Pool, 3:30-7:30 pm
Inflatables will be provided
$3/person admission fee
Saturday, 4/18
Fleet Fest
Fleet Farm (4650 Cross Pointe Blvd, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411), 7am-Noon
Free Build Your Own Birdhouse Craft from 9AM until Noon
Free Vendor Goodie Bag Giveaway Beginning at 7AM (First 100 Customers while supplies last)
Plus, free brats from 11AM until 1PM!
Paws to Read
Hiawatha Public Library, 10:30 am
Who let the dogs in? A popular reading program that pairs emerging readers with certified therapy dogs.
Sunday, 4/19
Sleep in Day!
Good luck convincing your kids of that…
Cedar Rapids Kernels Home Game vs. QC Bandits
Veterans Memorial Stadium,1:05 pm
Kids eat free!
Autographs and catch on field after the game
Monday, 4/20
Mini Explorers Hiking Club
Indian Creek Nature Center, 10:30-11:30 am
Parents and their children from birth to school age are invited to join the Mini Explorer Hiking Club (formerly Hike It Baby) for a family-friendly hike at the Nature Center!
Dress appropriately for the weather. Baby carriers and all-terrain strollers are welcome, but strollers are not suitable for all trails. Feel free to pack a lunch to enjoy with the group on the Patio afterwards!
$5/non-member adult, $3/member adult. All children are free.
Prom Wear Time
Hiawatha Public Library, all day
Help local teens celebrate prom without financial stress. Donate dresses, suits, shoes, or accessories so every student can walk in feeling their best.
Donations accepted: March 16 – April 30
Student pick-up: April 1 – April 30
Tuesday, 4/21
Early Learning Story Time
Hiawatha Public Library, 10-10:30 am
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Mansion Mixer: Ladies Behind the Scenes
Friday, 4/17 @ Brucemore Mansion, 6:30-8:30 pm -2160 Linden Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
You can find us at Brucemore this Friday night! How fun does this sound?? Very. Check out this fun date night in Brucemore’s own words:
There’s no business like show business, and there’s no show business quite like 1920s Broadway. At this Mansion Mixer, we’re digging into theatre by exploring the lives of four women whose work behind the scenes made headlines. Want to learn how Anne Nichols became a multi-millionaire by writing a play critics hated? Curious about how Renee Harris became a Broadway producer after surviving the Titanic? Join us in the Tahitian Room to discover these stories and more over a drink. We invite you to join in the drama of the evening by wearing your best 1920s or Broadway inspired costume!
$25/ticket - register directly on Brucemore here
Giphy
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
Why did the volcano ask for the day off? 🌋
He was lava-ing life! 😆
What do you call a pile of cats? 😺 🐱
A meow-ntain! 😹 😅
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Anita…. Anita who?
Anita borrow a pencil! ✏
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
A simple, satisfying weeknight dinner ready in under 20 minutes. Creamy, garlicky, and endlessly customizable.
Garlic Butter Pasta 🍽
Ingredients (serves 4):
16 oz spaghetti or any pasta (1 box)
4 tablespoons butter
4 pieces garlic cloves, minced
½ cup grated parmesan
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
1) Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti or any pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup pasta water — this is key for the sauce!
2) Make the garlic butter sauce: While pasta cooks, melt 4 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 pieces garlic cloves, minced and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. (CRFW Pro Tip: Throw in some fresh basil or parsley at this time as well if you have it.)
3) Combine everything: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
4) Finish and serve: Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup grated parmesan until melted and creamy. Top with 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional) if using. Serve immediately.
CRFW Pro Tip: Grind some fresh cracked black pepper over top to take this dish to the next level!! 🧑🍳 👩🍳
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 4/15 | 75℉/54℉ | ⛈ |
Thursday, 4/16 | 77℉/57℉ | ⛅ |
Friday, 4/17 | 80℉/45℉ | ⛅ ⛈ |
Saturday, 4/18 | 51℉/30℉ | 🌧 |
Sunday, 4/19 | 53℉/35℉ | ⛅ |
Monday, 4/20 | 61℉/46℉ | ⛅ |
Tuesday, 4/21 | 70℉/52℉ | ⛅ |
Expect a wet end of the week heading into the weekend, chance of rain on Saturday, then clearing up to be perfect spring weather Sunday-Tuesday.
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
4 interesting local stories from the past week:
Casey’s General Stores joins S&P 500 - from Corridor Business Journal
NRC panel meets with public on Duane Arnold restart review - from KGAN/IowaNewsNow
Cedar Rapids, Iowa City Named Top 100 Best Places to Live from Corridor Business Journal
That’s it for this week.
Thanks for tuning in. We hope you and your family enjoy some of the things we highlighted this week! If you haven’t already, please give us a follow on Facebook, IG, and TikTok.
See you later! 👋
P.S.
Do you have a friend who needs to be in the loop? A friend always feeling bored and stuck at home, pulling their hair out as the kids once again spill juice on the floor?