“Why do you guys get to stay up so late?”
Asks our 5-year old as she lays down for bed… BECAUSE.
Because we are adults and we have things to clean up and work to do…
Such as writing this newsletter!
Gif by justviralnet 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, 7/29
Crafts for Kids
Hiawatha Library, 10-10:30am
Disco Starfish Ornament Craft
Will Stuck’s M.E.S.S. Show
Marion Library, 1-2pm and 3-4pm
We'll be digging up giggles and fun when Will brings his high energy and hilarious M.E.S.S. (Music, Education, Stories, and Science) to the library!
Thursday, 7/30
Doodlebugs - Joshua Tree National Park
Hiawatha Library, 10:30-11am
There’s only one place on Earth where Joshua trees grow—right here in America! Learn how one woman saved them from disappearing and create some desert greenery to “plant” at home.
Five Seasons Water Ski Show
Ellis Blvd., Ski bleachers, 7 pm
Food truck will be Born to Fry.
Friday, 7/31
Fresh Air Fridays
Wanatee Park - playground near Meadow Lark shelter, 10-11:30am
Catch us on Fridays under the Linn County Conservation tent for exciting hands-on activities based on that week's theme!
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.
End-of-Summer Ice Cream Social
Marion Library, 2:30-4pm
Join us as we dish up tasty ice cream and sherbet desserts to cool off from the summer heat and say THANK YOU for a wonderful Summer Library Program.
Summer Movie Free-For-All
Jones Park, 8:30pm
Enjoy a FREE movie and popcorn in the park! Bring your own snacks, drinks, blankets, and something to sit on. The movie "Lilo and Stitch" starts at 8:30 PM.
Saturday, 8/1
Cedar Rapids Farmers Market
Downtown Cedar Rapids, 7:30 am - 12 pm
Mix and mingle in downtown CR! 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
Kirkwood Community College - North Parking Lot, 10am-1pm
Over 40 different vehicles will be present!
*10:00 – 11:00 - Will be sensory hour. No lights or sirens will be used during this time.
Put on by the Arc of East Central Iowa.
Toadally Awesome Party
Downtown Library, 1-3pm
Toadally Awesome Pets will bring a variety of live frogs, toads, axolotls, and more — each safely displayed in their enclosures.
Enjoy amphibian crafts and games such as a scavenger hunt and button making.
Sunday, 8/2
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.
Strong Families Bootcamp
Klopfenstein Amphitheater, 11am-12pm
A fun, high-energy community workout designed for families to move, play, and get stronger together!
This bootcamp is geared for children ages 3-8+ and their families.
Monday, 8/3
Turtle Tales
Hiawatha Library, 10am
Hear a story starring a shelled friend, meet two live turtles, and decorate your very own turtle to take home.
Monday Movies - Chronicles of Narnia
The Yard, 6pm
Bring your family, a blanket, and a lawn chair to the ImOn Stage and enjoy a FREE showing of Chronicles of Narnia, thanks to Community 1st Credit Union.
Tuesday, 8/4
Picasso in the Park
Green Square Park, 10 am - 1 pm
Join CR Parks & Rec and paint, color, glue, and create at Picasso in the Park! Young artists can explore fun themes, make hands-on projects, and take home their own masterpiece.
Expressive Arts w/Tanager
Hiawatha Public Library, 10-10:45 am
Discover the power of expressive arts —a creative program using books, dance, art, and more to help children and families build confidence, explore emotions, and strengthen inner resilience.
Ages 0-5
Family NERF Night
Green Square Park, 5 pm
Get ready for action at Family NERF Night! Greene Square transforms into a high-energy battle zone filled with games, challenges, and friendly competition. Blasters, goggles, and plenty of fun included!
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
You-Pick Flower Farm
📍 Pam’s Country Floral and Flower Farm, 3203 120th St., Amana, IA 52203
📆 Saturday, August 1 @ 8:30am-12pm
Looking for a date that isn't just shouting over restaurant noise? Escape to this 1.5-acre flower farm just outside the historic Amana Colonies for a relaxing, flower picking experience. Wander through rows of vibrant blooms, pick your favorites, and design a custom arrangement together in their studio (or take them home to arrange over wine).
For just $35, you’ll fill a bucket with roughly 50 fresh stems—plenty for a stunning table centerpiece or a few mini-bouquets. Make a day of it by pairing a morning pick with lunch, wine tastings, or shopping in the Amana Colonies. The prime time is Saturdays from 8:30 AM to Noon (July 4th – Sept 26th), making it the perfect start to a weekend getaway.
More Ways to Pick:
Wednesdays: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM (July 1st – Sept 30th)
Select Sundays: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (August 9th & Sept 13th)
Special Events: Watch for popups in August, September, and October!
Find more info HERE.
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Isabel…. Isabel who?
Isabel working?! I had to knock. 🙃
Why do bees have sticky hair? 🐝
Because they use honeycombs!😅
What do you call a hippo that steals your food? 🦛
A hip-nomnomnom…. ** reaches across the table with a fork **
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Gif by friends on Giphy
Bon appétit! It’s time to eat!
Hawaiian Chicken Rice Bowls
Ingredients
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded (~3-4 cups)
2 packages of microwave jasmine rice (or 4 cups cooked rice)
1 ½ cups pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
1 English cucumber, diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
½ cup teriyaki sauce
1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
lime wedges (optional)
1) Cook the microwave rice according to package directions.
2) Warm the shredded chicken in a skillet or microwave. Stir in about half of the teriyaki sauce so the chicken is coated.
3) Dice the cucumber and slice the green onions.
4) Assemble each bowl:
Rice
Teriyaki sauce
Pineapple
Cucumber
Green onions
5) Drizzle with additional teriyaki sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using. Serve with a squeeze of lime for extra freshness.
6) Enjoy!
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 7/29 | 85℉/67℉ | ⛅ |
Thursday, 7/30 | 86℉/67℉ | ⛅ |
Friday, 7/31 | 78℉/65℉ | ⛈ |
Saturday, 8/1 | 79℉/64℉ | 🌦 ⛈ |
Sunday, 8/2 | 82℉/63℉ | ⛅ |
Monday, 8/3 | 83℉/63℉ | ⛅ |
Tuesday, 8/4 | 85℉/68℉ | ⛅ |
Well, fortunately we will finally escape some the humid, hot, sticky heat we have been having. Unfortunately, it comes with rain on Friday and Saturday! At least the grass will be happy.
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Blank Park Zoo welcomes new Zebra - from KCRG
Iowa prep sports and the NIL question - from Corridor Business Journal
Interim CFO: No fraud, cover up found as Iowa City schools uncovered financial troubles - from Iowa News Now
St. Luke’s completes $25M Heart & Vascular Center expansion - from Corridor Business Journal
Cedar Rapids launches bike program to expand transportation access - from Iowa News Now
That’s it for this week.
Well, you are done reading this week’s edition and welp, we are about done writing it.
Time for bed!
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