Archives for May 2009

Cedar Rapids receives top ranking in Next Cities list
Cedar Rapids is ranked fourth in a list of "Next Cities" with a population of 100,000-200,000 released by Madison, WI based Next Generation Consulting. "Next Cities" are considered to be the best places to live and work for young professionals. The metrics used for ranking are categorized into seven indexes that the next generation uses to evaluate where they'll live: Vitality, Earning, Learning, After Hours, Cost of Lifestyle, Around Town and Social Capital. The rankings are based on a city's total score in all seven indexes.
32nd Annual Houby Days Festival marks return of the Czech Village!
Czech Village is busy. With flood recovery well underway, businesses and property owners are planning a party, the annual Houby Days Festival. The festival will take place May 15-17, 2009 in Czech Village. Events and activities include: Taste of Czech and Slovak, the Egg and Houby Breakfast, a car show, a tractor expo, National Bohemian, Moravian, and Slovak Folk Dance Festival, parade, the crowning of the 2009 Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Queen, carnival, and much more. Both sides of the river, Czech Village and New Bohemia, are committed to making this a memorable event, and the Houby Days committee hopes you join us as the neighborhoods rebuild.
Launch of National Media Campaign Drives Message of Need
On May 13, the Cedar Rapids Public Relations (CRPR) group, a team of local marketing, communication and media professionals, launched a national media campaign called the Cedar Rapids Flood Story. The Cedar Rapids Flood Story media kits, carrying the universal community message that "Cedar Rapids has suffered a disaster in the billions and only received funding in the millions", were mailed out to targeted media sources on Friday, May 8. The kits are packaged in donated Quaker Oats oatmeal tubes and feature a paper copy of the media kit, a flash drive containing all necessary information and milk and cookies for the "story".
Re-opening Ceremonies to be held May 22 for Jones Park Golf Course and Tait Cummins Sports Complex
The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department invites the public to celebrate the re-opening of Jones Park Golf Course, Tait Cummins Sports Complex and the Ellis Park softball diamonds which were all damaged in the June 2008 historic flood. The Ribbon Cutting and Course Re-Opening Ceremony for Jones Park Golf Course will be held Friday, May 22, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the golf course.
Cedar Rapids area young professional groups join forces to "ImpactCR"
Two Cedar Rapids based YP groups officially merged at last night's Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce's PM Exchange to create a new group under the Chamber, "ImpactCR". ImpactCR will combine the energy and coordinate the strategic visions of both Access Iowa and the Next Generation Commission by "connecting, engaging and empowering young talent in the Cedar Rapids area to ensure the long term advancement of the community."
Czech Village/New Bohemia to participate in new Urban Neighborhood District Program
State officials announced Monday they had selected Cedar Rapids' Czech Village/New Bohemia area to participate in Main Street Iowa's new Urban Neighborhood District Program. Neighborhood organizations that join the state's Main Street program must demonstrate a shared goal of preserving Iowa's historic buildings and business districts and improving the local economy. Besides its Czech restaurants and businesses, the neighborhood also has attracted artists. Leaders are looking not only at developing businesses in the area, but housing and overall revitalization.
2009 Downtown Farmers' Market Season kicks off Saturday June 6th
The Cedar Rapids Downtown District is proud to announce the 2009 Downtown Farmers' Market Season will kick off Saturday June 6th from 7:30a.m.-Noon in Downtown Cedar Rapids. This year's markets include a record breaking one hundred and sixty Iowa market vendors, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and fun activities for everyone to enjoy!
City turns Fifth Season into "Season of Progress"
To honor the citizens who survived the Flood of 2008 and the thousands of volunteers who have helped rebuild our community, the City of Cedar Rapids is temporarily changing its "five seasons" slogan to "The Fifth Season of Progress." The City created this new designation to also recognize the flood recovery progress our community has made over the last 12 months.
Bravo's TOP CHEF to visit Cedar Rapids!
Bravo and Mediacom bring "TOP CHEF: THE TOUR 2" to Cedar Rapids, IA on Thursday, June 4 in Greene Square Park. "Top Chef" Season Five Chef'testant Jamie Lauren and Season Four's Richard Blais Serve Up Cedar Rapids Farmer's Market with three live interactive shows: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.; and 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau's 9th Annual Celebration of Sports Banquet
You are invited to the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau's 9th Annual Celebration of Sports Banquet: Wednesday, June 3rd 5:30 pm Social, 6:30 pm Dinner Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel, 350 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids Featuring: Tom Brands, University of Iowa, Head Wrestling Coach

Older Posts