“What’s the AQI?”
A constant question this past weekend for us!
Issue #15 is here, and if your current daily routine involves checking the AQI, dodging 90-degree heat, and quietly hyperventilating because there’s only one month left until school starts… welcome to the club. If your air purifier is currently working harder than a toddler trying to avoid bedtime, you’re not alone.
Gif by metahitt on Giphy
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, 7/22
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 9:30-10:30 am
A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime.
Bounce Party
Butterfield Park, Marion, 12-2pm
There will be rides down the giant slide, climbing through the obstacle course, and jumping in the bouncy house.
Thursday, 7/23
Hiawatha Can Play Adapted Soccer
Guthridge Park, 4:30-5:30pm
An adapted soccer program designed for individuals with autism and special healthcare needs, including those with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.
The program emphasizes skill development, coordination, and social interaction through small-sided play, flexible rules, and supportive coaching in a structured setting.
Register here (it’s free!)
Hoppers - Movie & Craft
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 5:30-7:30 pm
A free screening of "Hoppers" and enjoy some idle crafting while you watch the film!
Family Fun Nights
Bever, Cherry Hill, Jones, & Noelridge Pools, 6:30-8:30 pm
Bring a parent/guardian and enjoy family time at the pool.
$3/person admission
Five Seasons Water Ski Show
Ellis Blvd., Ski bleachers, 7 pm
Food truck will be Boulevard Grill
Friday, 7/24
Sarsaparilla Friday
Ushers Ferry, 12-1 pm
Step into the old-time saloon at Usher's Ferry and enjoy a classic treat! Every Friday from June through August, stop by for Sarsaparilla, old-fashioned soda pop, and cold drinks, while the village is open to explore.
Movies on the Move - Freakier Friday
Thomas Park, 7pm
Movie nights are coming to neighborhood parks around Marion this summer! One Friday night a month, a movie, yard games, and other activities are coming to a park near you! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for seating and pack your favorite late-night snacks.
Saturday, 7/25
Christmas in July Family Fun Day
The Salvation Army Corps Community Center, 10am-1pm
Free event for the community including lunch, face painting, carnival games with prizes, a reverse dunk tank, Santa Clause, and learning about what the Salvation Army does in out community!
Hiawatha Can Play Adapted Diamondball (Baseball/Softball)
Guthridge Park, 10:30-11:30am
An adapted baseball and softball program designed for individuals with autism and special healthcare needs, including those with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.
Using modified rules, equipment, and small-group instruction, participants build hitting, throwing, and fielding skills while experiencing teamwork and success at their own pace.
Register here (it’s free!)
The Street Food Festival
Ellis Park, 12 - 4 pm
Join local food trucks & vendors for the second annual The Street Food Festival, with a great day of good eats, music, face painting, raffles & fun for the entire family! 15% of all sales will be donated to our local shelters & food pantries!
FREE admission! A donation is highly encouraged!
Sunday, 7/26
Hiawatha Farmers Market
Guthridge Park, 10am-1pm
Whether you’re shopping for the week or simply enjoying the atmosphere, the market is the perfect place to gather, explore, and support local.
Touch-a-Truck (shout out to the reader who submitted this idea! 🚒 )
Palo Community Center, 10am-1pm
You will see heavy equipment, first responder vehicles, farm machinery, and much more!
It can get a little noisy with all those horns—sensitive ears might want to bring headphones.
Monday, 7/27
Hiawatha Firefighters in the House!
Hiawatha Library, 10 am
Come meet the incredible crew and get an up-close look at their amazing firetruck and ambulance.
Children’s Music w/ Tom Pease
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 10 - 11 am & 1 - 2 pm
Ladd Library, 3:30-4:30 pm
Singer, songwriter, and recording artist Tom Pease entertains with great music and audience participation that will have you rockin' and rollin' like no other performance.
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age
Monday Movies - Monsters, Inc.
The Yard, 6pm
Bring your family, a blanket, and a lawn chair to the ImOn Stage and enjoy a FREE showing of Monsters, Inc., thanks to International Paper.
Tuesday, 7/28
Storytime @ Stillwater
Stillwater Coffee Co., 9:30am
Perfect for little ones and their grown-ups, this free event features engaging books, lively songs, and joyful movement activities to get everyone giggling and grooving.
LEGO & KEVA Plank Club
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 4:30-5:30 pm
Builders are invited to construct and create with LEGO and KEVA blocks. Activities will include both challenges and free play. Geared to K-5th graders.
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Lavender Sunset Soundbath @ Calyx Creek
Looking for a way to reset and recharge before another busy week? Join fellow parents for a relaxing evening at the Lavender Sunset Soundbath on Sunday, July 26, 2026, hosted at Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging. Tucked away in the middle of blooming lavender fields, this peaceful getaway is designed to help you completely unwind inside the farm’s serene lavender labyrinth. Internationally trained sound healer and composer Natalie Brown will guide the session using soothing singing bowls, violins, and gongs to help clear your mind and release stress.
The fun starts at 6:30 PM, but you’ll definitely want to head over early to grab a complimentary cup of warm lavender tea, stroll through the gorgeous fields, or grab a treat from the farm café. Whether you prefer to sit back or lie down, just bring along a yoga mat, lawn chair, or blanket to make yourself comfy. Tickets are $49 per person (plus fees), and spots fill up fast—so be sure to grab yours ahead of time for a well-deserved evening of pure calm!
📍 Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging, 1722 255th Street NW, Oxford, IA 52322
📆 July 26, 2026 @ 6:30pm
🎟 Purchase tickets here
(This was another reader submitted event!!)
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
Why did the lemon go to the doctor? 🍋 🧑⚕
It needed some lemon-aid! 😆
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Owls…. Owls who? 🦉
Owls who? Yes they do! 🤣
What do you call a computer that sings? 💻
A Dell! 🙃
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Gif by Goosify on Giphy
Bon appétit! It’s time to eat!
Doritos Taco Salad
Ingredients
1lb ground beef
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite sized pieces
1 large tomato, diced
4oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (measure with your heart, honestly)
1 cup French or Catalina dressing
1 bag of nacho cheese Doritos, crush up a bit
Optional: jalapeños, drained & rinsed black beans, cilantro, black olives or other traditional taco fixings
1) Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into pieces with a wooden spoon. Add the packet of taco seasoning and stir until well coated. Set aside.
2) In a large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, ground beef, and any other toppings. When ready to serve, add the Doritos and dressing and toss to coat.
CRFW Pro-tip: To keep the Doritos from getting soggy (in case you have leftovers) put them on your plate/bowl first and add the mixings on top. We always add extra dressing as well!
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 7/22 | 74℉/54℉ | ⛅ |
Thursday, 7/23 | 77℉/60℉ | ⛅ |
Friday, 7/24 | 76℉/62℉ | ⛅ |
Saturday, 7/25 | 85℉/70℉ | ⛅ |
Sunday, 7/26 | 93℉/72℉ | ⛅ |
Monday, 7/27 | 91℉/68℉ | 🌦 |
Tuesday, 7/28 | 86℉/67℉ | ⛅ |
Expect cooler weather during the middle of the week, with a gradual warmup into the weekend. It’s gonna be another hot weekend, so plan accordingly!
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Palo finalizes data center regulations - from Cedar Rapids Gazette
Iowa unemployment rate holds at 3.2% in June - from Corridor Business Journal
Hawkeyes to play Kansas at Field of Dreams in Dyersville this fall - from Iowa News Now
Cedar Rapids shop struck by lightning - from KCRG
That’s it for this week.
But seriously, school starts pretty much in a month… Get your back-to-school shopping date circled on the calendar so you kids can show up lookin’ fresh with a snazzy new fit and sharp pencils. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Tax Free Weekend on August 7-8.
Thanks for reading!!