Good morning, Waterloo.

Cedar Valley residents gathered Thursday evening at the Cedar Valley Sportsplex for free meals + live cooking demos, dancing, arts and crafts, and haircuts provided by Friends of the Family and Waterloo-Cedar Falls Salvation Army.

Cedar Bend Humane Society has opened a new education and outreach center that lets pet owners support homeless animals indirectly.

The center will offer programs and resources to help local residents learn and care for shelter animals.

Waterloo businesses face daily road closures on East 4th Street from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews repair a bridge and curbs between Sycamore and Cedar Streets, and Newton's Paradise Cafe reports only minor detours with customer access still available.

Local music fans attended a free concert at RiverLoop Amphitheatre last Friday night in downtown Waterloo that kicked off the summer series, as the Jake Nelson Band played country, rock (and R&B) with Waterloo native Ash St. John joining the set.

Moody’s affirmed Waterloo’s Aa2 rating, showing strong financial health that supports lower-cost borrowing for the city; the rating reflects steady revenue growth and ample liquidity.

This financial stability reassures community investors and local leaders.

A daily train stoppage at the Donald and Longfellow intersection causes heavy traffic at 3 p.m., and local Andrew Glasrud says Broadway construction worsens the problem; he will bring his petition to city council soon to enforce the state law that limits train blocks to 10 minutes.

KWWL anchor Elizabeth Klinge in Waterloo highlighted Vascular Birthmark Awareness Month by sharing her daughter's pulsed dye laser treatments for a port-wine stain.

Dermatologist Dr. Jill Waibel explained that early treatment works best and that an IV photodynamic therapy is in trials for deeper birthmarks.

Public Skate at Young Arena

1-2:30 p.m. — Young Arena — Admission $7 — Glide on ice while enjoying a chill day of public skating.

Mother Goose Storytime

10:30-11:00 a.m. — Waterloo Public Library — Free entry — A delightful storytime session for newborns to age two and their caregivers.

Bilingual Preschool Storytime

10:30-11:00 a.m. — Waterloo Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy an engaging storytime presented in English and ASL for preschoolers and their caregivers.

Storytime at the Children's Garden

10:30 a.m. — Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens — Free entry — Enjoy delightful summer story sessions in a beautiful garden setting.

Community Energy Education with Green Iowa AmeriCorps

5:30-6:30 p.m. — Waterloo Public Library — Free entry — Discover how your energy choices can promote sustainability in the Cedar Valley.

Live To 9 Music Series

6-9 p.m. — River Place Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy live music and local vibes in downtown Cedar Falls this summer.

Cedar Falls Farmers Market

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Overman Park — Free entry — Discover locally grown produce, baked goods, and crafts in a vibrant community setting.

Anastasia Musical Performance

2-5 p.m. — Cedar Falls Community Theatre — Tickets required — Experience the enchanting story of a young woman's journey to uncover her past against the backdrop of the Russian Empire and Paris in the 1920s.

Mother Goose Storytime

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. — Waterloo Public Library — Free — Engage your little ones with classic nursery rhymes and stories every Monday morning.

Summer at the Museum

10-11 a.m. — FFA Historical & Ag Museum — $5 admission — Engage in classic children's games for a fun-filled hour of nostalgic entertainment.