Aurora, IA Lifestyle and More

‘Some Kind of Haunted’ authors to be in Marion this week

Just in time for Halloween comes “Some Kind of Haunted,” a cozy horror romance novel set in Iowa, complete with blood, demons and, of course, a fated love story. The book is by Hazel Beck , the pen name of authors Megan Crane and Nicole Helm. Between them, they’ve written almost 300 romance titles, including the four-book Witchlore series by Hazel Beck, starting in 2022, in the same cozy horror romance genre. They followed that collaboration with the new “Haunted” book, the first in a two-book series. Crane, of southern Oregon, and Helm, from the St. Louis area, will be in Marion for a reading and discussion of “Haunted” at the Granger House — which has its own ghost stories — on Saturday, Oct. 24. The event , sponsored by HEA Book Boutique and Swamp Fox Bookstore, is sold out. The plot quickens “Haunted” is set in the fictional Mississippi River town of Midas, Iowa, whose founders made a deal long ago with some nasty demons. In exchange for ensured prosperity, the founders agreed that the demons could “feed” on the Midas populace once every generation. Most of the townspeople have forgotten about that agreement and attribute their neighbors’ untimely

Marion, IA · 22d

KCRG.com

publisher · 25.5K followers

Frontier pauses Cedar Rapids flights with no return date, disrupting holiday trips home

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Frontier Airlines has paused service between Cedar Rapids and Denver without setting a return date, leaving some travelers looking for other ways to visit family during the holidays. Travis Bockenstedt, an Iowa native who moved to Denver 10 years ago, said he typically flies back...

Cedar Rapids, IA · 25d

KCRG

Fareway dietitian shares easy crockpot formula for fall

Cedar Rapids, IA · 23d

Quad Cities Sports Network

partner publisher · 22.3K followers

This Marion Restaurant's Closing Announcement Came as a Shock

West End Diner brought something different to Marion when it opened in 2019. Soon the restaurant will close for good.

Marion, IA · 26d

K92.3

partner publisher · 10.0K followers

New Soul Food Restaurant 'Soul & Vibez' Has Opened in Cedar Rapids

Catfish, baked mac & cheese, sweet potato pie... those are just a few of the things you can order at Soul & Vibez, Cedar Rapids' newest soul food restaurant!

cbs2iowa.com

partner publisher · 13.0K followers

Hometown Eats: Grumpy's Roadhouse in Waverly

Grumpy's Roadhouse in Waverly is more than a restaurant... it's a gathering spot for the community. Grumpy's has all of the typical American fare, serving up wings, burgers. pizza, and Philly cheesesteaks. Homemade fried pickles are a staple on the menu with raspberry sauce on the side (they say don't...

Waverly, IA · 10-09

AM 1490 WDBQ

This Marion Restaurant's Closing Announcement Came as a Shock

West End Diner brought something different to Marion when it opened in 2019. Soon the restaurant will close for good.

Marion, IA · 26d

northerniowan.com

‘I like to make weird music so people feel fine with being weird’

Cyrus Almity Guizar is a music student at the University of Northern Iowa studying music technology and music composition, originally from Waterloo, Iowa. “[Music composition is] a lot of studying the classic dudes, which isn’t really up my alley, but when it comes to my production and stuff like that, I like to incorporate as much composition into it, because I do a lot of electronic stuff,” Almity explained.

Cedar Falls, IA · 27d

cbs2iowa.com

A bittersweet goodbye for Marion’s West End Diner

MARION, Iowa — The West End Diner will serve its last meal Sunday, Nov. 8, after seven years in business. The restaurant announced the closure in a Facebook post, thanking the West End community for celebrating milestones and sharing everyday meals with the team. “When we opened, we simply...

Marion, IA · 26d

Cedar Rapids Gazette

Fork With It closes downtown Cedar Rapids restaurant after rebranding attempt

CEDAR RAPIDS — A downtown Cedar Rapids restaurant is closing several months after an attempt to rebrand. Fork With It owner Desiree DeMaria announced the closure of the restaurant at 415 Third St. SE, effective immediately, on Oct. 7. The restaurant opened as a rebranding after The District CR closed in May . The District, first opened in July 2024 , renovated the former Hawk’s Nest Sports Bar and Taboo Nightclub Lounge into a triplex concept offering a speakeasy, sports bar and Cajun-Creole fusion restaurant. Fork With It transformed the upscale fusion into a more casual concept with a “come as you are approach,” and more affordable menu. The Chunky Potato , a loaded baked potato ghost kitchen concept, was opened by DeMaria and business partner Steve Wing under Fork With It’s kitchen in September. That menu, available for pickup and delivery via third-party services, will remain open. DeMaria said Fork With It’s closure comes after rising food costs, inflation and operating expenses made it infeasible to continue without taking on additional debt. “I want to make one thing very clear: changing from The District CR to Fork With It was not a bad decision, nor is it the reason

partner publisher · 19.3K followers

104.5 KDAT

New Soul Food Restaurant 'Soul & Vibez' Has Opened in Cedar Rapids

Catfish, baked mac & cheese, sweet potato pie... those are just a few of the things you can order at Soul & Vibez, Cedar Rapids' newest soul food restaurant!

KCRG.com

partner publisher · 10.0K followers

Iowa State Patrol warns drivers about increased deer presence

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) - Deer breeding season is creating increased risk for motorists. Deer activity increases at dawn and dusk, something Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla says drivers should be aware of. “We as motorists always have to make sure that we are paying attention every time that...

Clayton County, IA · 27d

K92.3

Support Local Rescue Dogs While Tasting 15 Different Chilis This Weekend in Cedar Rapids

This Saturday, you can help support rescue pups by attending the 6th Annual Dogs Forever Chili Cook-Off!

Cedar Rapids Gazette

Registration still open for Cedar Rapids Halloween Parade

CEDAR RAPIDS — You still have time to sign up for Cedar Rapids’ eighth annual Halloween Parade — dubbed the Howl-o-ween parade in honor of the full moon that will appear on Saturday, Oct. 24, the night of the parade. Registration for parade floats is open until 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. A cash prize of $250 is available for three categories: most scary float, most creative float and most creative walking unit. FYI: The full moon actually doesn’t arrive until Sunday night, but it’s close enough Saturday night for everyone except werewolves. The parade is organized by local electrical and telecommunications supply company Terry-Durin. Proceeds will go toward improvements at Old MacDonald’s Farm in Bever Park. “I would like all the families to come dressed,” said Pete Durin, a parade organizer. “We encourage all parade attendees to come fully dressed … it really adds to the atmosphere” People riding on parade floats can hand out candy but are not allowed to throw it. Floats are also responsible for cleaning up any trash or animal waste they generate. The parade route follows a loop that starts at the Third Street and Ninth Avenue SE, behind the Bills Bros. furniture stores.

Cedar Rapids, IA · 25d

Cedar Rapids Gazette

Lincoln Supper Club brings tavern favorites, Wisconsin influence to Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — These days, it seems that the definition of the trending supper club lies in the eyes of the beholder. At Lincoln Lounge & Supper Club, the experience can be dressed up, dressed down, or on the side — depending on diner preference. Feeling fancy? Dress up and come in with your date for a steak and old-fashioned. Want something with less muss and fuss? Arrive in a T-shirt and jeans to test their claim for the best burger in town. “The environment feels agreeable under any circumstance, that’s more or less what the supper club concept is,” Chef Jesse Hacker said. “It’s meant to be slightly pretentious — almost fine dining, but not quite.” The restaurant, opened Aug. 12 by Cedar Rapids property mogul Kory Nanke and silent business partners, brings new life to the former Whiskey Jo’s Pub and Grub space a bit off the beaten path at 4627 J St. SW. On the menu With Eastern Iowa tavern inspiration, a fresh twist of Wisconsin, and a standout all-day salad bar, any meal can be a hearty “supper” in spirit at this Lincoln lounge, named after a former bar that lived there around the 1980s and

Cedar Rapids, IA · 27d

cbs2iowa.com

Essential steps to prepare your home for winter

Cedar Rapids, Iowa — As temperatures continue to fall, homeowners can take several steps now to prepare their homes for the first freeze and the winter weather that follows. Getting ahead of cold weather can help prevent frozen pipes, water damage, drafts and other winter-related problems. Some steps homeowners...

radioonthego.com

West Fork wildlife areas offer opportunities as pheasant season approaches

With Iowa’s statewide pheasant hunting season set to begin Oct. 31, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is highlighting two public hunting areas near the Franklin-Butler county line. West Fork Prairie, a roughly 40-acre public wildlife area acquired in 2013, is a popular destination during pheasant season. DNR wildlife...

Franklin County, IA · 26d

KIMT

partner publisher · 22.7K followers

‘Spirit of America’: Father-son duo transforms Mason City home into patriotic landmark

MASON CITY, Iowa. (KIMT) — In a town where longtime residents say they've watched businesses close and homes fall into disrepair, David Anderson is hoping one colorful house can give people a reason to smile. With help from his son, Eric Anderson, David has spent hundreds of hours repairing...

Mason City, IA · 28d

98.1 KHAK

Support Local Rescue Dogs While Tasting 15 Different Chilis This Weekend in Cedar Rapids

This Saturday, you can help support rescue pups by attending the 6th Annual Dogs Forever Chili Cook-Off!