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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Cedar Falls, IA

Home Care Cedar Falls, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historic Round Barn gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Cedar Falls, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Cedar Falls, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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Elderly Care for James T.
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“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care”

Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!
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In-home Care for Michael H.
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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all”

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.
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Senior Care for Melanie S.
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“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable”

Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

James T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Cedar Falls, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Cedar Falls, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Cedar Falls, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Cedar Falls, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Cedar Falls, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Black Hawk Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Cedar Falls, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Montage or visit Cedar Falls Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Cedar Falls, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Cedar Falls, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Cedar Falls, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Cedar Falls, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Cedar Falls, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Cedar Falls, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Cedar Falls, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Cedar Falls, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Bickford of Cedar Falls
  • CedarStone Senior Living
  • Windhaven Assisted Living Center
  • Martin Suites - Western Home Communities
  • Oak Park Estates Assisted Living and Memory Care
  • Cedar Falls Health Care Center
Home Care Cedar Falls, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Cedar Falls, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Cedar Falls, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care Cedar Falls, IA

Latest News in Cedar Falls, IA

Amazon agrees to take over Cedar Falls industrial land for future distribution facility

CEDAR FALLS — Amazon quietly acquired approximately 9 acres in the city’s Viking Road industrial park and is planning to construct a 53,230-square-foot distribution center, The Courier has learned.According to property records, the multinational technology giant based in Seattle, Washington, received the deed in an Oct. 18 transfer of land at the southwest corner of Venture Way and Innovation Drive from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Ryan Companies, a commercial real estate developer.Economic Development Coordinator S...

CEDAR FALLS — Amazon quietly acquired approximately 9 acres in the city’s Viking Road industrial park and is planning to construct a 53,230-square-foot distribution center, The Courier has learned.

According to property records, the multinational technology giant based in Seattle, Washington, received the deed in an Oct. 18 transfer of land at the southwest corner of Venture Way and Innovation Drive from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Ryan Companies, a commercial real estate developer.

Economic Development Coordinator Shane Graham previously told the City Council that the distribution facility would be around 50,000 square feet and noted the site has lots of room for truck delivery and employee parking.

New Cedar Falls Historical Society education center construction underway

Ryan Companies acquired the land from the city at no cost this summer as part of a package of economic development incentives for the project included in a 50-plus page development agreement.

The northern portion of the site, adjacent to the new intersection, is approximately a thousand feet from Ted Electric, Cedar Valley Gymnastics Academy, The Gym and L & N Transportation Services. Google Maps labels 6417 Innovation Drive as a warehouse with the name “Project Panther.”

Andy Moffitt, a vice president of real estate development at Ryan, referred questions to Amazon. A spokesperson for the tech firm, focused on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence, declined comment Wednesday.

Cedar Falls Utilities receives 68 applications for general manager job

The vacant property is located in the freshly minted 200-acre western expansion of the city’s West Viking Road industrial park – meant to attract investment, jobs and increase the city’s tax rolls.

Ryan was the first builder to ink a development agreement with the city in the expanded industrial area made up of 29 total lots south of West Viking Road and east of South Union Road. It was acquired as farmland in 2019, rezoned the following year to light industrial and later prepared for future companies to sprout up.

The council unanimously voted Aug. 7 to provide Ryan Companies with lots 12 and 13 in the industrial park expansion.

Ryan is still the developer and has begun work on the site, now owned by Amazon.com Services LLC. Ryan has a history of doing business in Cedar Falls and also has built facilities for publicly traded Amazon, one of the “big five” American technology firms along with Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

Landlords group, Dahlstrom push for different College Hill visions

Amazon assumed “all of the obligations,” of the Aug. 7 development contract with the city as part of the more recent “assignment and assumption” agreement between the two companies, which obtained the consent of the city outside a public meeting to move forward.

City Administrator Ron Gaines green-lighted the transfer, allowed in the development agreement, acknowledging “that to the best of the developer’s knowledge, Amazon has the qualifications and financial responsibility to fulfill the obligations undertaken by the developer in the development agreement.”

The 53,230-square-foot warehouse will be a fraction of the size of Amazon’s largest facilities, which are far more than double the size of this planned building, according to news articles and the company’s website. The developer agreement required the Cedar Falls facility be at least 40,000 square feet.

That agreement includes a five-year tax abatement of 75% the first year on the increase in valuation, and 60%, 45%, 30% and 15% in the following years before being put back on the tax rolls at full valuation in year six.

Property taxes for just the building are projected to be at least $124,248 annually. The newly constructed facility will have a valuation of at least $4 million and a minimum of $4.75 million overall including the land.

Amazon Assignment & Assumption / Ryan Companies Development Agreement in Cedar Falls

Most construction will be completed within 24 months as stipulated by the development agreement. New roads and other infrastructure are already in place.

Amazon’s two lots sit immediately to the east of three parcels previously set aside for a potential buyer for a large project.

Graham had told The Courier those lots, designated 8, 9 and 10, had the potential to be merged for an approximately 35-acre site capable of hosting a 300,000- to 500,000-square-foot building. A city spokesperson, however, said Amazon will not expand or take on another project there.

Going green for St. Patrick’s Day events around Cedar Rapids

SaPaDaPaSo Parade returning to traditional March 17 dateDiana Nollen Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, decked out in their greenery from the top o’ the morning to the edge of night.To get an early start on the day’s festivities, The Tycoon will open for one of the few times in the year, at 8 a.m. March 17. The nearly wraparound windows facing Fifth Street and Third Avenue SE offer prime indoor viewing for ...

SaPaDaPaSo Parade returning to traditional March 17 date

Diana Nollen

Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, decked out in their greenery from the top o’ the morning to the edge of night.

To get an early start on the day’s festivities, The Tycoon will open for one of the few times in the year, at 8 a.m. March 17. The nearly wraparound windows facing Fifth Street and Third Avenue SE offer prime indoor viewing for the SaPaDaPaSo Parade, which is returning to its pre-pandemic tradition of snaking through downtown Cedar Rapids on St. Patrick’s Day, regardless of where March 17 falls on the calendar.

“Part of the reason that we changed the date from on the day of St. Patrick's Day to the Saturday before was in hopes that we would be able to get some more people to volunteer if it was on a Saturday morning,” so they wouldn’t have to take a day off work, said Chris Faille of Cedar Rapids, president of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Society, more commonly known as SaPaDaPaSo.

Moving the date “didn’t quite work,” she added, noting attendance was down those years. The chilly days didn’t help the crowd count, either. This year’s forecast is more favorable, with temperatures in the 50s. So even with sunshine predicted, spectators may want to grab a jacket, along with a chair or blanket, and a bag to hold all the goodies handed out along the parade route.

It takes a wee village of 60 to 70 volunteers to staff the parade, from the staging area to the route that begins on Sixth Street SE, turns down Second Avenue, turns again on Second Street and back up Third Avenue, ending at Greene Square.

Start time is 1 p.m., and with 70-plus entries, will take at least an hour.

“We try to keep it moving, so we don’t run too long,” Faille added.

Read more of The Gazette’s interview with Faille in Sunday’s edition in print and online at thegazette.com

EVENTS

Lots of bars and restaurants will be serving up Irish brews and dishes, but here’s a look at some of the activities sure to jig in your step. Look for more activities at hooplanow.com.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Flannigan’s Wake: March 15 to 17, Starlighters II, 200 E. Main St., Anamosa; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. In this comedy, improvisational show, audiences see the folks in the beautiful fictional village of Grapplin, County Sligo, Ireland, as they tell tales, sing songs and mourn the passing of one of their own, Flanagan. Audience members can share tales of their own experiences and misadventures with dear old Flanagan or simply enjoy the stories and songs of the locals as they recall life with “himself.” Once viewers have arrived in Grapplin, they will pay their respects to glowering Mother Flanagan and to poor grieving fiancee, Fiona Finn. Tickets: $16 adults, $15 seniors, $5 students; starlighters.org/ticket-sales

Sham-Rock & Bowl After Dark: 10 p.m. to midnight March 15 and 16, Spare Time, 4601 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Includes two hours of unlimited bowling, $14.99 per person; wear green and get a $10 game card. facebook.com/sparetimecedarrapids

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Big Grove’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Party: 9 a.m. March 16 and 17, Big Grover Brewery, 170 First St. SW, Cedar Rapids. Breakfast buffet 9 to 11 a.m. both days; food specials, corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, Reuben egg rolls, Irish nachos, dog parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, games and more; free all-ages events. facebook.com/biggrovecr/events/

St. Patrick’s Day Mass and Parade: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dyersville. Church celebration 10:30 a.m., St. Francis Xavier Basilica; parade 1:30 p.m. through downtown. Also, 5K run/walk, 12-mile bike ride, Ancient Order of Hibernians’ annual banquet, Knights of Columbus Hall. dyersville.org/events/

Irish Music Jam: 2 to 5 p.m. March 16, Lion Bridge Brewing Co., 59 16th Ave. SW, Czech Village, Cedar Rapids. Live Irish music, traditional bangers and mash, World Beer Cup Winner — Olde 17 Irish Stout. lionbridgebrewing.com/lbevents

Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Bar Crawl: 4 to 11:59 p.m. March 16, downtown Cedar Rapids, for ages 21 and up, costumes welcome. Check in at Pub 217, 217 Third St SE. Crawl sites, 4 to 10 p.m., include Bricks, Cliff’s Dive Bar, El Dorado, Fat Wally’s, Hazzard County, The Keg Bar, Pub 217; mid-party at Rock Bar; after party 10 p.m. to midnight at Hazzard County; $20 each person in a group of 4 or more, $25 single tickets until March 15; $30 day of event, crawlwith.us/cedarrapids/stpattys#tickets

NiBeSaPaDaPaSo: Performances at 7 and 9 p.m. March 16, Mirrorbox Theatre, 1200 Ellis Blvd., Cedar Rapids. In a cheeky nod to the beloved parade, this annual event title, NiBeSaPaDaPaSo, stands for Night Before SaPaDaPaSo. It features Irish storytelling, with Catherine Blades, Matthew James and Bob Mussett performing legends of fairies, changelings and leprechauns, and traditional Irish music on cello by Lucy Conroy. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 show day, mirrorboxtheatre.com/nibe/

Screaming Orphans: 8 p.m. March 16, Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., Coralville. Chart-topping all-sister Celtic folk and pop band from Ireland. Known worldwide for their award-winning sound combining original pop songs with a unique take on traditional Irish music. Tickets: $28; coralvillearts.org/27/See-a-Show

Wylde Nept: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. March 16, Ideal Theater & Bar, 213 16th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; $15 cash cover. Kick up yer heels with one of Iowa’s favorite Celtic bands. theidealtheaterandbar.com/show-calendar/

Sunday, March 17, 2024

The Tycoon: This rarely-open bar is opening at 8 a.m. March 17, 427 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Also grab some prime window seating for watching the SaPaDaPaSo Parade.

Eagles Corned Beef and Cabbage: Noon to 6 p.m., Cedar Rapids Fraternal Order of Eagles, 735 11th St. NW, Cedar Rapids; $14. Open to the public. foe2272.com/future-events

SaPaDaPaSo Parade: 1 p.m. March 17, downtown Cedar Rapids route. (See map for details). Awards ceremony between 4 an 4:30 p.m. at Big Grove Brewery, 170 First St. SW, Cedar Rapids. sapadapaso.org/

St. Patrick’s Day with Bob Black and Banjoy: 2 to 4:30 p.m., Famers Mercantile Hall, 100 W. Main St., Garrison; $12. Irish and bluegrass music, plus refreshments from the Garrison Library. hooplanow.com/things-to-do/164170-st-patrick-s-day-with-bob-black-banjoy-famers-mercantile-hall

Chrome Horse Celebration: March 17, 1201 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Music: 2 to 6 p.m. Well Lit, 7 to 10 p.m. BPM on the inside stage; 4 to 8 p.m. Slap ’n’ Tickle on the patio stage; chromehorsesaloon.com/upcoming-events

Free Irish dance performance and mini lesson: 3:15 p.m. March 17, Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. By Champagne Academy of Irish Dance. facebook.com/ChampagneIrishDance/events

Groove Garden, St. Paddy’s Day Edition: 3 to 6 p.m. March 17, Ideal Theater & Bar, 213 16th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; $5 donation. Jam session open to all ages, skill levels, genres and instrumentation. Musicians and singers get an equal opportunity to perform by signing up for time slots. theidealtheaterandbar.com/show-calendar/

Live Irish Music by Kellen O'Collum: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. March 17, Lion Bridge Brewing Co., 59 16th Ave. SW, Czech Village, Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids native and Celtic music enthusiast performing a selection of Irish folk songs. lionbridgebrewing.com/lbevents

Comments: (319) 368-8508; [email protected]

UNI softball records back-to-back shutouts on opening day

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI softball started its 2024 campaign on a strong note, recording a pair of shutout victories to open the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic. The Panthers beat Western Illinois 6-0 and followed that with a 1-0 victory over Butler.Panther pitching was the story of Friday's action, as UNI's pitching staff limited the Leathernecks and Bulldogs to just six combined hits across both contests. An...

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI softball started its 2024 campaign on a strong note, recording a pair of shutout victories to open the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic. The Panthers beat Western Illinois 6-0 and followed that with a 1-0 victory over Butler.

Panther pitching was the story of Friday's action, as UNI's pitching staff limited the Leathernecks and Bulldogs to just six combined hits across both contests. Anna Wischnowski paved the way with a career-best start against Western Illinois, and Samantha Heyer effectively silenced Butler with a complete game shutout.

That stellar pitching combined with timely offense helped the Panthers secure their first 2-0 start since 2018.

Game 1 | UNI 6 - WIU 0

The Panthers started the 2024 season slow offensively, but Wischnowski's stellar effort in the circle afforded UNI plenty of time to get going. The redshirt sophomore had perhaps the best performance of her collegiate career against the Leathernecks, recording a career-high eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched, which also marked a career high.

Wischnowski effectively carved through the Leatherneck offense, including a brief jam in the top of the fourth inning, before UNI broke the game open with an impressive two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Reigning Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Freshman of the Year Alexis Pupillo kicked things off with a single up the middle, then stole second base before Madison Parks ultimately drew a walk. Addison McElrath then poked a single through the middle that scored Pupillo, which brought Kate Lappe to the plate.

Lappe provided the dagger, smashing an opposite-field home run into the bleachers to give the Panthers a 4-0 lead. The blast marked the first home run of Lappe's collegiate career and provided more-than enough insurance for UNI entering the final few innings.

Wischnowski exited the game with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, and Kara Maiers entered the game from the bullpen to make her UNI debut. Maiers forced a flyout to end a threatening Leatherneck half of the sixth inning, then UNI tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the frame with RBIs from Pupillo and Parks.

Maiers recorded two strikeouts in the top of the seventh inning as the Panthers secured the six-run victory.

Game 2 | UNI 1 - Butler 0

Heyer received the start in the Panthers' second game of the afternoon, which took place 20 minutes after the victory over Western Illinois. After Heyer worked around a leadoff single to open the game, the Panthers broke through for what would be the game's only run in the bottom of the first inning.

Kylee Sanders led off the home half of the inning with a single up the middle, but she was forced out at first base after Pupillo lined into a double play. Parks then walked and McElrath singled, putting two runners on base for Lappe.

The sophomore delivered another two-out hit, lacing a ground rule double that scored Parks. From there, the reigning MVC Pitcher of the Year did enough to keep the Bulldogs at bay.

Butler did have chances as the game went along, though. In the top of the fifth inning, Lappe made a key play at third base to help maintain the Panthers' lead. Butler's Leigh Vande Hei fired a line drive that Lappe snagged from a knee, then fired across the diamond to pick off Kaylee Gross at first base to complete the double play.

In the top of the sixth inning, Butler's leadoff hitter reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. With a runner at second and one out, Ella White hammered an offering from Heyer to deep center field, but Parks was able to run the ball down to preserve UNI's lead.

Heyer worked out of yet another jam in the seventh inning after allowing a single and hitting a batter with one out. She struck out Butler's Teagan O'Rilley before Vande Hei was ruled out on batter's interference to end the game.

The complete game marked the 22nd of Heyer's career.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

UP NEXT

The Panthers return to action on Saturday night to wrap up day two of the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic. UNI faces Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. and closes the day with a game against Omaha immediately after.

Saturday's games will not be broadcast, but live stats will be available. ESPN+ broadcasts will return on Sunday.

Amazon to build distribution facility in Cedar Falls

CEDAR FALLS — Amazon has quietly acquired approximately 9 acres in the Viking Road industrial park in Cedar Falls where it is planning to build a $4 million, 53,230-square-foot distribution center.The multinational technology giant based in Seattle, Wash., received the deed in an Oct. 18 transfer of land from Minneapolis, Minn.-based Ryan Companies, a commercial real estate developer, according to property records.Ryan acquired the land from the city at no cost this summer as part of a package of economic development ince...

CEDAR FALLS — Amazon has quietly acquired approximately 9 acres in the Viking Road industrial park in Cedar Falls where it is planning to build a $4 million, 53,230-square-foot distribution center.

The multinational technology giant based in Seattle, Wash., received the deed in an Oct. 18 transfer of land from Minneapolis, Minn.-based Ryan Companies, a commercial real estate developer, according to property records.

Ryan acquired the land from the city at no cost this summer as part of a package of economic development incentives included in a 50-plus page development agreement.

Andy Moffitt, a vice president of real estate development at Ryan, referred questions to Amazon. A spokesperson for the tech firm, focused on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming and artificial intelligence, declined to comment.

Shane Graham, Cedar Falls’ economic development coordinator, previously told the Cedar Falls City Council that the distribution facility would be around 50,000 square feet and noted the site has lots of room for truck delivery and employee parking.

The property is in the freshly minted 200-acre western expansion of the city’s industrial park — meant to attract investment, jobs and increase the city’s tax rolls.

Ryan was the first builder to sign a development agreement with the city in the expanded industrial area. The city acquired the farmland in 2019 and rezoned it the following year to light industrial.

The council unanimously voted Aug. 7 to provide Ryan Companies with lots 12 and 13 in the industrial park expansion.

Ryan still is the developer and has begun work on the site, now owned by Amazon.com Services. Ryan has a history of building facilities for Amazon, one of the “big five” American technology firms along with Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

The 53,230-square-foot warehouse will be a fraction of the size of Amazon’s largest facilities.

Most construction will be completed within 24 months. New roads and other infrastructure are already in place.

The development agreement includes a five-year tax abatement of 75 percent the first year on the increase in valuation, and 60 percent, 45 percent, 30 percent and 15 percent in the following years before being put back on the tax rolls at full valuation in year six.

Property taxes for just the building are projected to be at least $124,248 annually. The new facility will have a valuation of at least $4 million and $4.75 million including the land.

Will mega-convenience store chains drive out the competition?

Commentary It is a pleasant drive, our journey to work in the morning. We get on North Union Road, a county black top two lane passage, and proceed toward Cedar Falls. For a while, the road runs parallel to the Cedar River, then by a collection of well-maintained residences and finally, as one approaches the intersection of 1st street, cornfields on both sides. You can see how the crops are progressing if you are interested....

Commentary

It is a pleasant drive, our journey to work in the morning. We get on North Union Road, a county black top two lane passage, and proceed toward Cedar Falls. For a while, the road runs parallel to the Cedar River, then by a collection of well-maintained residences and finally, as one approaches the intersection of 1st street, cornfields on both sides. You can see how the crops are progressing if you are interested.

But this writing is not about North Union Road, it is about First Street, which runs from the west to east into the populated areas of the community. Initially, a two-lane road, it quickly turns to four with a turning lane in the middle. The first convenience store you see is called the Big Ten Mart. After the Hudson Road intersection is the Music Station. Then the Metro Mart at the Center Street intersection. All of these are well-established stores, providing a variety of services and products.

If you were an aspiring businessperson, you probably would not think what this stretch of transportation needs is another convenience store, but on the southeast corner of Hudson Road and 1st Street, here comes Casey’s General Stores.

This is not unexpected because that is what Casey’s does. It moves into close proximity with another convenience store and then gradually overtakes them because of the financial resources the large corporation has at its disposal. In this case, it helps that Casey’s has an agreement with Hy-Vee to honor its gas card discount.

Can these other businesses survive Casey’s intrusion? I do not know, but I do not normally bet on the ant when, armed with a fly swatter, it takes on an elephant. Meanwhile, another Iowa convenience store chain, Kum & Go., has been sold to a Utah-based chain called Maverik. More consolidation.

It certainly will not be an economic battle that attracts national attention, but some could argue it should. It reflects a growing nationwide trend, which is the continual accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few.

When U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar ran for president in 2020, I bought her book, but didn’t read it because it was, well, another book by another person running for president and I assumed it promised that the sun would always shine on America. I was wrong.

The book, “Antitrust,” details the history of the battle of taking on monopoly power in the United States. It does trace the long and painful path to the emergence and use of the Sherman Act to fight against the interlocking trusts and the use of monopolies to control the national economy. It details the winning efforts to rein in the power of J. P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, William and John D. Rockefeller and others.

While Casey’s is far from a monopoly, we face the same challenges today in many industries. In their new work, “The Big Myth,” Naomi Greskes and Erik Conway detail how much the concentration of money and power have flowed to the chosen few:

“At the level of the whole society: the three million people who make up the wealthiest one percent of Americans are collectively worth more than two hundred and ninety-one million who make up the bottom ninety percent.”

The whole concentration of control by a few companies has brought us down to only four, soon to be three, pharmaceutical companies, three major telecom companies supply 99% of wireless services. Nationally, we now have five book publishers. Much of this has occurred because the leaders of both political parties thought we should be the best friend of big business not the regulator, and that somehow, helped with generous political contributions to both parties, big was better.

Why this is a threat to the American economy and our future growth is, upon reflection, easy to see. The free enterprise system is successful because of competition. If the large, established business can determine who can start or remain in business, prices to consumers rise while ingenuity falls. Those who control the market will and do not feel the need to research, develop better products, and to innovate. The fundamental pillar of a market-driven economy is being removed. There is no desire to build the better mouse trap.

As for me, I will still drive down North Union Road, turn onto 1st Street and head toward Cedar Falls. But national changes will impact the view.

This column was originally published by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

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