Sunday, April 26, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Spring shake-up in dining: Lu's Deli will change hands May 1 to Nara Thai owners, a new downtown library cafe is coming soon, Deja Brew expanded, and K.C. Cakes & Cajun is closing downtown -- get all the details.

Paper trail behind the project: New documents show Google met with Palo officials in late January, before city leaders stopped working with Linn County. The company now seeks to annex the data center site -- read what the documents reveal.

Cedar Rapids roadway upgrades: Expect detours on 42nd Street NE near Kennedy High School as a stretch is closed for pavement, bike lanes, and a new water main. Work expected to last until November -- see what's planned and when.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Fresh beer, cozy vibes: Clock House Brewing is a downtown staple brewing and packaging right here in Cedar Rapids, with a dog-friendly two-level patio and a small but tasty menu from the Black Sheep kitchen to keep you fueled. Swing by when you want a laid-back pint without the fuss.

Level up date night: CITYWALK EATERY brings chef-driven American plates, premium steaks, and legit cocktails to downtown Cedar Rapids, with monthly specials that keep things interesting. Locally owned, polished but not stuffy, it’s the spot when you want to impress without driving across half the Corridor.

Weeknight upgrade alert: Black Sheep Social Club turns a former warehouse into your go-to for New American plates with personality and cocktails that actually taste like someone cared. If your group text needs a low-drama, high-flavor plan this week, this spot quietly overdelivers without trying too hard.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

🎨 Painting with Pat - Flower Field @ Eastern Iowa Arts Academy | Tuesday (4/28) at 1:30 PM – Finally, a flower field with no pollen, no weeding, and no judgment. Paint along with Pat in a relaxed acrylics class, get clear guidance, add your own flair, and take home a canvas that will actually cooperate. Register here: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/eastern-iowa-arts-academy/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=kX6ZRNE

🥂 Spirits of Spring @ Radisson Hotel Cedar Rapids | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Sip local wines, beers, and spirits, because we love a party with purpose. Graze Hy-Vee’s showpiece charcuterie, then try to outbid your neighbor in live and silent auctions, with mobility presentations that help kids. Funds stay in Eastern Iowa, door is $50 solo, $90 duo.

🧜 The Little Mermaid @ Theatre Cedar Rapids | Thursday (4/30) at 7:30 PM – Saturday night at TCR means one thing, we are going under the sea. The Little Mermaid splashes onstage with big vocals, lush costumes, and all the nostalgia, as Ariel, Ursula, and Sebastian prove bargains need fine print, so bring the kids, or the grandkids.

🎷 Big Band Boogie Bash @ ImOn Stage at Kingston Yard | Friday (5/1) at 1:00 PM – KCCK and Kirkwood are throwing a first annual big band bash at Kingston Yard, with college jazz bands, Go Benesh Quartet, and CR Jazz Big Band. Bring a lawn chair, graze the Yard’s eateries, and let your toes do the heavy lifting.

🎃 Kernels vs Whitecaps 5/1 @ Veterans Memorial Stadium | Friday (5/1) at 6:05 PM – Halfway to Halloween at Veterans Memorial Stadium means baseball with a side of candy as the Kernels face the Whitecaps. Dust off a costume that fits over a hoodie, then enjoy trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and the rare chance to boo on purpose.

🌷 Spring Plant and Art Sale @ Indian Creek Nature Center | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Yard looking a little 'before' photo? Swing by the Friends of the Nature Center’s Spring Plant and Art Sale for wildflowers, hostas, veggie starters, geraniums, perennials, prairie plants, and art. Real plants, real people, zero big-box regret.

🥒 Serve Together, Thrive Together Pickleball Tournament @ Helen G. Nassif YMCA | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Pickleball is calling, and this time your dink game does good. Join Thrive Together for an inclusive morning on court with Deaf and hearing neighbors, volunteer ASL interpreters, cheering counts, benefiting Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Register: https://forms.gle/UxKW3vfizaYEZEtv8

This 4-bed, 3.5-bath 1.5-story on 1.34 acres delivers 5,400 square feet and a flexible layout. A custom kitchen with granite, tile, and walk-in pantry flows to a four seasons room. The main-floor 17x20 suite adds a jetted tub, double vanity, and large closet. The walkout level brings a full bar, gym, and game space, plus a waterfall koi pond outside.