Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Iowa festivals will celebrate local arts and cuisine from March through May, with events including Houby Days in Cedar Rapids and Tulip Time in Pella—an opportunity for families to enjoy parades, food, and community spirit.

World Ballet Company will perform Swan Lake at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, Oct.

4 with 50 international dancers + a live orchestra, and tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 13 online and at the box office.

Gas prices across Iowa have risen by 6.5 cents per gallon this past week, averaging $2.57 at over 2,000 stations per GasBuddy.

Prices are 11.2 cents higher than last month + 39.2 cents lower than last year.

Alliant Energy plans a new natural gas station on the southwest side next to the Prairie Creek Generating Station; construction will begin early 2026 with operations starting in 2027 (supporting a shift away from coal to meet customer demand).

After hours of debate, the Cedar Rapids Community School District board narrowed its consolidation proposals to Option 2 of the intermediate model and the 5-8 model after 22 community speakers voiced concerns — the board will make its final vote in April.

Cornell College announced President Jonathan Brand will leave in June 2027 after a 16-year tenure in which he raised over $200 million.

The board said it will form a search committee and hire a firm to choose his successor by the end of fall 2026.

Cedar Rapids farmer Jim O’Connell was honored with the Wings2Water (Water Warrior) award for using no-till farming, wetlands, bioreactors, and cover crops to keep water clean, and he also talks with local high school players about the importance of protecting water sources.

Mercy Medical Center announced Monday that Joe Malas will become its new Executive VP and CFO effective March 30 in Cedar Rapids — he brings 30 years of healthcare finance experience from Mercyhealth and other institutions.

Iowa senior guard Bennett Stirtz set a career high of 36 points in the Hawkeyes' 76-70 win over Northwestern at Carver Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, extending the team's six-game win streak.

Tavion Banks added 13 points as Iowa improved to an 18-5 record.

The Olympic spotlight on curling is drawing local interest in Cedar Rapids as the Cedar Rapids Curling group plans public events in the coming weeks — hundreds have already signed up to try the sport which is easy to learn but hard to master.

Community Writers Circle

1-2 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Gather with fellow writers to share and develop creative ideas.

Doug Thompson - Stand-Up Comedy Show

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Pickle Palace — Ticket purchase required — Heartfelt humor from Doug Thompson, a comedian sharing life lessons after surviving heart surgery.

Free Volunteer Tax Assistance

12-8 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free service — Get help with tax preparation and filing from caring VITA volunteers in a community-focused setting.

Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) Program

1-2:30 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Celebrate life and explore wellness topics in a supportive community setting.

Community Writers Circle

1-2 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Connect with fellow writers and enhance your skills in a supportive environment.

Pet Rock Live Performance

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Paramount Theatre — Ticketed event — Relive the smooth sounds of the 1970s with PetRock's captivating performance of soft rock classics.

Murder Mystery Club

6-7:30 p.m. — Cedar Rapids Public Library - Ladd Library — Free entry — Dive into a thrilling mystery and collaborate with fellow detectives to uncover the truth at the library.

For the Love of Plants - Hiawatha Public Library Plant Club for Teens

4-5 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Engage in a supportive atmosphere for teens to learn and grow their plant knowledge.

Tai Chi for Older Adults

10-11 a.m. — Cedar Rapids Public Library — Free entry — Experience a 12-week journey into the gentle art of Tai Chi, building skills week by week.

Composting for Beginners

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — Discover the essentials of composting and how to get started at home.