Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Fireside Tavern in downtown has reopened under new ownership with a new menu of Pan-African and American soul food that began serving customers Jan.

31. The restaurant at 411 First St. SE offers a lively sports bar atmosphere with Caribbean rhythms and Afrobeat energy.

Iowa Brass and the Band of Blue from Thomas Jefferson High School will perform a free concert on Tuesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. at Jefferson High School — a program designed to lift winter spirits and celebrate local heritage.

Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week will run from Feb.

20 through March 1, featuring 22 local restaurants offering exclusive tasting menus; the event’s signature dinner is replaced by a new Relish the Region tasting event planned for April, with menus revealed later this month.

Washington Community Schools signed on to a resolution Wednesday calling for a 5% per pupil funding boost and the end of Education Savings Accounts, joining nine other districts.

The resolution follows a state funding law that increased support by only 1.75% per pupil.

Kirkwood Community College is offering spring break camps for kids and teens during the week of March 16 on its Cedar Rapids campus.

The program features Alternative Energy for students 12 to 16, Crime Scene Investigators for ages 8 to 12, plus LEGO Robotics for ages 8 to 13 led by experienced instructors.

Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency was named Large-Scale Compost Facility of the Year by the US Composting Council at the COMPOST conference.

The facility earns praise for managing organic waste and reducing emissions + it underscores local dedication to sustainability.

About 250 Iowa National Guard members returned home yesterday from a nine‐month deployment in the Middle East.

Sioux City hosted a ceremony at Ascension FBO Network at 1:45 p.m., and Des Moines received two flights at 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the international airport.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and local experts warn that abuse may begin with controlling behavior like constant texting and extreme jealousy.

The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence advises open conversations to help teens identify and avoid unhealthy relationships.

Caitlin Clark has been named to the US women’s basketball World Cup qualifying roster set for next month in Puerto Rico.

The 12-player team, featuring Olympic medalists and senior debuts, will compete for a fifth consecutive title.

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.