I am so pleased to see the University of Iowa putting less emphasis on football, leaving more time for academics. Maybe this is the beginning of a new era. A time when arts, culture and education are more important than millionaire coaches and 70,000 well-meaning Iowans who have been misdirected by the sports-cultured media, who [...]

  For years, I always thought the best live entertainment value in Cedar Rapids was 10 live, various performances, all for $35. Visit www.CRCommunityConcerts.org or call (319) 540-2301. But recently I went to The Longbranch on a Friday night for The Eddie Piccard Quartet and on a Saturday to The Lighthouse for the Dick Watson [...]

  Not again! Remember the downtown train station? Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa and St. Luke’s Hospital plan to demolish the historic First Christian Church any day now to make room for — are you ready? — 40 parking spaces. Few communities have been blessed with Louis Sullivan-influenced buildings and Louis Millet stained glass windows. We [...]

  Why is the whole city wringing their hands over saving the A&W (on Ellis Boulevard)? The City Council and John Frew (project manager for city’s convention complex) could take on a real tourist attraction that actually has made money and paid taxes for years. Let’s see. The ballpark, ice arena, hotel/arena/event center and Paramount [...]

  If you missed Jazz Under the Stars at Noelridge Park, there’s always next year. But you missed four glorious nights of some of the best jazz Cedar Rapids has to offer, and it was free. Congratulations to Kirkwood’s KCCK, Dennis Green and all of the really great entertainment they sponsored for our entertainment. Tony [...]

If the plasma arc folks (planning a plasma arc plant in Marion) want to get 100 tons of trash a day, all they have to do is make the tipping fees lower than the landfill people. I’m looking forward to the competition. Tony Staab Cedar Rapids

Whoa! I see the Cedar Rapids Community Concert Association has done it again, bringing a great live performance to downtown and the U.S. Cellular Center on Saturday. “Riders In The Sky” a real biggie for you classic country and western music lovers. Tony Staab Cedar Rapids