Perhaps the worst part of Christmas is the inevitable clean-up afterwards: the mountain of empty boxes, shredded wrapping paper, string lights with burnt-out bulbs and the tree slowly going from beloved holiday symbol to fire hazard. But before you toss […]
Co-founder and artistic director of Revival Theatre Company Brian Glick is combining nostalgia with the glitz of Chicago and New York City for this year’s holiday decorations in downtown Cedar Rapids. This is Glick’s second year decorating downtown. He described […]
The holidays will look a bit different this year due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean traditions have to end — including the city of Cedar Rapids’ holiday tree lighting. As with many activities this year, the lighting of […]
Reindeer are better than people, and so are cats and dogs. And in the season of giving, they deserve to be rewarded for it. Once again, the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center is inviting the public to meet their residents and shower them with gifts at the Holiday with the Hounds open house, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday. Free snacks […]
The holidays are coming early to Cedar Rapids. Get into the holiday spirit this weekend, and enjoy hot chocolate, shopping, Christmas trees and even a chance to tell Santa Claus all about your wish list (if you’re on the nice list, that is). […]
A thick sheet of slush lines 220th Trail, the road that runs through the Amana Colonies. It’s Dec. 13th, 2017, close enough to Christmas that I’m excited, but not too excited, for the seven inches of snow now filling my […]
There’s one weekend left before it’s time to settle in with family and friends, overeat, open presents and generally bask in yuletide cheer. Whether you’ve not quite gotten into the festive spirit or you’ve been belting carols since Halloween, here are a few weekend activities to kick-start your holiday. […]
No matter our family or personal tradition, we look at the holidays through the lens we choose. We celebrate, we mourn, we do a little of both. I asked four eastern Iowa residents what this holiday season means to them, how they celebrate, what home means. This is what they said. […]
Whether one believes in the literal or religious truth of the Christmas story or not, it remains a powerful and influential tale, obviously for Christians, but even for many non-Christians. Over the years, as the Yuletide celebration commences, I have often discovered new ideas in this simple yet profound tale. This year, the story of the nativity has helped me understand something about what is important for community. […]
Enjoy the convenience of online shopping while supporting local artists and entrepreneurs. These Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area Etsy shops offer everything from personalized art to vintage fashion to nerdy decoratives. […]
When we choose to shop small and local, we keep more of our money in the community, which encourages more business, more artists and more jobs. Small businesses and local artists depend on the holiday season, just like the big boxes do. […]
A West Des Moines resident proposed to his girlfriend amid a flash mob of more than 100 people this New Year’s Eve, and the footage is pretty adorable. Groom-to-be Sean Ratliff incorporated dancers from Becky Nalevanko’s Dance and Tumbling studio […]
