Community

Members of the commission shall be residents of Johnson County and demonstrate a positive interest in historic preservation, possessing interest or expertise in architecture history, historic preservation, planning, building rehabilitation, conservation in general or real estate.

The Buy Nothing Project, described as the world’s largest gift economy, allows neighbors in communities around the world to share things they no longer need or have in surplus. Items are given freely with no money, no bartering and no strings attached.

Jim Miller will lead CSPS effective immediately after Taylor Bergen stepped down from the role at the helm of the iconic group to focus on his own business. Miller takes over as the group awaits the reinstatement of its 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status.

Matching funds of up to $3,000 for public arts projects will be available to Iowa City artists for projects that will be publicly accessible and viewable within Iowa City city limits.

Following the 2020 derecho, Iowa City resident Joe Hennegar spent 14 months turning a 16-foot pine tree stump into the Iowa City Reading Tree, a free little library that hopes to inspire area children to read.

Together We Achieve’s next drive through food box giveaway event is Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hawkeye Downs, 4400 Sixth St. SW. This is a first-come, first-served event and no registration is required.

The History Center in Cedar Rapids presents Grown-Up Show-n-Tell on Tuesday. Bring an item and memory to share, or sit back and enjoy the stories.

The 30th annual Cedar Rapids Heart Ball will take place on Feb. 26 at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. The American Heart Association event aims to raise dollars for the fight against heart disease and stroke, the number one killer in Iowa.

Back by popular demand, the State Historical Society of Iowa’s book club returns this year with a new lineup of entertaining and thought-provoking books and authors.

Last month, the city launched a yearlong effort — “Connected to Tomorrow” — to gather public input and build a vision for the city in 2040. Residents can get involved by taking a survey or participating in the first in-person opportunity on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Scouts BSA Troop 250 of Iowa City is collecting gently used scout uniforms and monetary donations for its Uniform Library, which allows scouts to take and use its contents as needed, much like the little free libraries.

Today, historically redlined neighborhoods are connected to a variety of poor health conditions, lower life expectancy, police brutality, less access to healthy food, retail depression and gentrification. About 30 percent of Black people in Iowa own their homes compared to 75 percent of white people.