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Coming Events
June 19
This event was listed with the incorrect date in yesterday morning's e-mail update. The event is on June 19, not June 18. The Corridor Business Journal regrets the error.
Professional Development Academy: How You Present Yourself, how you present yourself in your everyday interactions sends a message about who you are and what you are about. The event is 8-9:30 a.m. at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance office, 424 First Ave. NE. Angie Bennett, program instructor and business relations contact with Dardis Communications will speak on presentation skills, professional image and presence for the June Professional Development Academy. For more questions, contact DeMaris McKee at (319) 730-1417.
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SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE: Reach the Corridor's business leaders by e-mail with a sponsorship of the Daily News Update. For more information, contact Andrea Rhoades at andrea@corridorbusiness.comor (319) 887-2251, ext. 304.
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Friday, June 15, 2012
The day's headlines in your inbox by 11 a.m. daily |
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CR to host open house for new city hall on June 26
The city of Cedar Rapids will host a public open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new city hall on June 26, between 2-6 p.m., at 101 First Street SE. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. in the first floor lobby.
Citizens are invited to this come-and-go event to take a self-guided tour and learn about the historical aspects of the building. From the original terrazzo floors and marble wall features to the historic vaults and limestone facade, the former federal courthouse and former post office has been preserved to honor the building's history and renovated to support city government functions for decades to come.
"The new city hall is the epitome of sustainability," City Manager Jeff Pomeranz stated in a press release. "We've taken a 1928 federal government building, preserved its rich history and renovated it into a valuable landmark to serve the next generation and beyond."
The new city hall houses about 130 staff members from the offices of the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and city council; finance department, including the treasury, purchasing and general accounting divisions; community development department, including land development and housing services divisions; and the human resources department.
In the first floor lobby, residents will find walk-up service windows and meeting spaces. The lower level of the facility features several conference rooms for public meetings. Free 30-minute parking spaces are available on First Street SE in front of city hall. Two-hour metered parking is available surrounding the building for those conducting longer business with the city.
Bloomsbury Farm continues major expansions, including zip line
Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins is continuing to expand its entertainment, educational and team-building activities. The latest additions later this summer will be "The Zip," a 1,200-foot round-trip zipline ride, 50 feet off the ground and the Dry Creek Paintball Course.
According to figures from www.ziplinerider.com, the Zip at Bloomsbury Farm will be one of the longest and highest ziplines in Iowa and the first in the Cedar Rapids area. The zipline towers and course are under construction at Bloomsbury Farm and are expected to be completed and open to the public by August 2012.
Ziplines are quickly becoming a favorite with thrill-seekers and as a team-building activity. Participants are secured to a steel cable which "zips" them across Dry Creek in a safety harness with the help of a fully-trained flight captain. The total round-trip is equal to the length of four football fields.
The Zip will require a reservation, other than in October, when it will be in operation each weekend without reservations.
The Dry Creek Paintball Course is now available to groups of four or more, June through August, by reservation only.
Bloomsbury Farm currently features two full corn mazes, Barnyard Buddies, Barrel Train, Corn Box, Corn Cannon, Corn Maze, Grandma's Playhouse, Haunted Barn, Hayrack Rides, Jumping Pillow, Kid's Maze, Learning Barn, Pedal Carts, Pig Races, Pumpkin Cannon, Pumpkin Grill & Café, Pumpkin Patch, Straw Jump, Tire Maze, and Western Town.
Bloomsbury Farm is open to the public every day in September and October and by appointment for special events in spring and summer. For more information, visit BloomsburyFarm.com.
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J&P Cycles prepares for more than 25,000 motorcyclists
The 33rd Annual J&P Cycles Open House, now known as the J&P Cycles Open House Rally, is scheduled for June 23-24 at its headquarters outside Anamosa. The 2012 event is going to be the biggest event, yet, with more than 100 motorcycle vendors onsite and more than 25,000 motorcyclists in attendance.
There will be performers and representatives from national motorcycling magazines at the event.
The J&P Cycles Open House Rally started out as a small customer appreciation day held by co-founders John and Jill Parham to thank their customers for their business throughout the year. Now, as the world's largest aftermarket retailer of parts and accessories for Harley-Davidson, Cruiser, Gold Wing and Sport Bike motorcycles, this event has turned into a two-day rally and, outside of Sturgis, is one of the only places in the Midwest to see this many motorcycle manufacturers in one area.
More information can be found on the J&P Cycles website, www.jpcycles.com/openhouse.
Jarhead author to read at Prairie Lights
Iowa Writers' Workshop alumnus and former faculty member Anthony Swofford, author of the war memoir Jarhead, will return to Iowa City to read from his new book, Hotels, Hospitals and Jails, at 7 p.m. June 21 at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City.
Mr. Swofford is also the author of the novel Exit A, and his fiction and nonfiction have appeared in the New York Times, Harper's, Men's Journal, the Iowa Review, and other publications. For accommodations at the live event, contact jan@prairielights.com.
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Consumer spending slows in May
After a surprisingly strong first quarter, consumers in May took a more practical approach to their spending.
According to the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade association, May retail sales (excluding automobile, gas stations and restaurants) decreased 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted from April, but increased 4.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year, marking 23 consecutive months of retail sales growth.
"As the first industry to feel any backlash from consumers' attitudes about the revival of the economy, retailers are far from discouraged by May's sales report, it's evident that consumers are simply taking a breath," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in a press release. "Going forward, retailers will make sure to keep a steady eye on key economic indicators, being cautious with inventory and promotions as back to school - the second biggest time of the year - approaches."
May retail sales, released this week by the U.S. Department of Commerce, showed total retail and food services sales (which includes non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants) decreased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month but increased 7.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Other findings from the May retail sales figures include:
- Clothing and clothing accessories stores' sales increased 0.9 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 7.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Electronics and appliance stores' sales increased 0.8 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 1.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Furniture and home furnishing stores' sales increased 0.4 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 11.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Health and personal care stores' sales decreased 0.1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month but increased 3.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores' sales decreased 0.1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month but increased 9.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
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KGAN / KFXA HEADLINES  News items provided by KGAN/KFXA
It's still unknown won the big $241 million Powerball jackpot during Wednesday's drawing. The unconfirmed report, based on calls to local media but still not verified by the Iowa Lottery, is that the winning ticket is held by a group of 20 Quaker Oats employees who work in the freight room. There have been seven winning Powerball tickets sold in Iowa since the game was first introduced 20 years ago. It's also the first winning ticket sold in the state in nearly six years.
The battle over Coralville's use of the controversial TIF program to lure Von Maur to the city is headed to court. A trial will be held in 15 months over a lawsuit that was filed to keep Coralville from luring a Von Maur store to the city's Iowa River Landing development. The lawsuit says the transaction conveying land, a building and other incentives to Von Maur was structured illegally and constituted an illegal gift under Iowa law.
A Coralville police officer found a woman unconscious off the side of Highway 6 near Lowes Wednesday night. Upon initial examination, the woman appeared breathless and without pulse. CPR was initiated and the woman was revived. She was then taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics by ambulance. Police say the woman had no identification on her, but she was able to tell them a name, but it has not been verified if this is her name. She also indicated that she had been assaulted and dumped on the side of the road by her assailant. Officers do not know where the initial attack took place, and are asking for the public's help.
KGAN WEATHER CBS 2 FirstWarning Weather -- Temperatures continue to warm with added humidity today and into the weekend. The forecast today will bring an isolated chance for storms to our viewing area, mainly in the evening. Saturday will have a better chance for rain with temperatures remaining in the mid to upper 80s. Father's Day will stay warm with highs in the mid 80s and a slight chance for storms in the morning.
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