Hey, It Could Happen

As 2010 closes, here are some headlines to look for in 2011.

 January

Ronald-Donald Hotel Pact Electrifies Cedar Rapids - In a stunning move, Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett announced that Donald Trump will buy the Crowne Plaza Hotel for an undisclosed sum. Trump, who joined Corbett, then surprised city leaders with his plans to drain the Cedar River and turn much of the downtown into a luxury golf resort.

February

City Charter Commission picks New England-style town hall government - A Cedar Rapids commission studying changes in the city's charter shocked observers Monday by endorsing a new system that puts decisions in the hands of a public vote at a massive town hall meeting. The next city council meeting will be at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

March

Medical Mall lineup unveiled - Popular retailers Artery Barn, Gynoboree, Podiatrists R Us and Eddie Bauer, M.D., will locate in Cedar Rapids' new Medical Mall, planners said.

Politicos ponder Palin's tea leaves - The release of Sarah Palin's new book, “Will I win the Iowa Caucuses? You Betcha (Wink)” is seen by political observers as the most tantalizing hint yet of her presidential intentions.

April

Desperate Vander Plaats ups the ante - Persistent public curiosity Bob Vander Plaats eluded Judicial Building security Friday and chained himself to four Iowa Supreme Court justices who were not voted out in November. He vowed to remain locked to the justices until they resign, or declare him governor.

May

Congressional typo dashes C.R. levee hopes - Elation over federal funding for a west bank levee in Cedar Rapids turned to frustration Monday when leaders learned that the funding was accidentally attached to a foreign aid bill. Construction of the levee has now begun near the West Bank city of Ramallah, diplomats confirmed.

August

Straw Poll opens - A surprisingly agile News Corp. Chief Rupert Murdoch sprinted into a jam-packed Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday and lit a giant, blazing effigy of President Obama to open the Fox News Iowa Straw Poll.

September

Riots, chaos and civl disorder greet Second Avenue closure - Just hours after Second Avenue closed to accommodate the new Medical Mall, Cedar Rapids crumbled into lawless chaos. Angry drivers abandoned their stranded vehicles and sacked the city's center. Gov. Branstad called a state of emergency as city leaders fled to Hiawatha to form a provisional government. “They warned us, we didn't listen,” the mayor said by phone from an undisclosed location.