LUNA Art + Wine

It seems like many of my Facebook friends have been attending those art classes where you get to not only learn how to paint a beautiful masterpiece, but ALSO drink wine while doing it.  Sounds like my kinda thing!!  So, I was curious, does Cedar Falls have such a thing?!

Guess what?! THEY DO!!! Luna Art + Wine, down on Main St. in Cedar Falls has what they call Art in the City. 

Luna actually has its customers vote to decide what kind of painting they would like to create.  This month, in November, there will be TWO different class offerings.

• Tuesday, November 11 6:00-9:00 PM: Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhone
• Tuesday, November 25 6:00-9:00 PM: Neutral Mixed Media Wine Bottles 

Photo by Lu Tianyu

Those interested should either stop in at Luna or call ahead @ 319-277-7956 as space is limited!  Tickets must be purchased in advance.  Ticket prices are $40, your ticket will get you all the supplies and the wine needed to create your masterpiece!

The next Art in the City is just ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!! Be sure to sign up ASAP to get your spot. 

Add the Finishing Touches to Your Halloween Costume - Shop @ Mohair Pear

So.... 4 days until Halloween!!  Guess what?!  I still don't know what I am dressing up as for my Halloween costume party this weekend....AAHH!!!  Who else still needs to put together a costume?!  I'm sure (and hope) I am not the only one!!

This past weekend was beautiful for late October.  With temperatures in the low 70s, my friends and I decided to go for a walk.  There's this store on College Hill called Mohair Pear.  Every time I am on the Hill, this store always catches my eye.  The storefront is LIME GREEN!  Usually, when walking by, I just kinda peek in, but never actually go in.  

On my walk this weekend, upon walking by Mohair Pear, I DECIDED TO GO INSIDE!!  I spent a solid 15-20 minutes making a loop around the store, taking it all in.  Holy cow!! This store has some of the coolest, most unique, random stuff that I have ever seen!! The store is full of vintage inspired apparel and accessories.  

While looking around in Mohair Pear, it dawned on me.....I CAN GET EVERYTHING I NEED FOR MY HALLOWEEN COSTUME here!! Well, that is, when I figure out what I am going to dress up as.  

If you haven't put together your costume yet, or are looking for just one more accessory to complete your costume, you should definitely check out Mohair Pear.  They have a variety of accessories.

If you aren't a slacker like me and already have your costume all figured out and complete, still, be sure to check out Mohair Pear.  It isn't just a place to get your costume accessories.  This store is AWESOME!!  

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month?!?!

October is adopt a shelter dog month.  Did you know that?!

Last week, I decided to scope out the Cedar Bend Humane Society.  The Cedar Bend Humane Society is located out by the Waterloo airport at 1166 W. Airline Hwy in Waterloo, IA.

OMG! SO MANY CUTE, NICE DOGS, CATS, AND KITTENS!!!  I did not want to leave!! Just look at them!!!

Unfortunately, my apartment does not allow pets.  If it did, I may have possibly taken 1....or 2 dogs home with me.  Even though I cannot adopt a pet at this time, I can find other ways to spend time with these cute dogs and cats.  The humane society is ALWAYS looking for volunteers.  At the Cedar Bend Humane Society, they offer the following volunteer opportunities:

• Cat Care
• Dog Exercise
• Foster Care Program
• Reception/Phones/Office
• Community Education
• Showing Pets for Adoption
• Community Outreach

I am thinking I am going to volunteer some of my time exercising the dogs. Heck, they'll probably exercise me more!!!  

If you haven't had the opportunity to yet, check out the Cedar Bend Humane Society.  October is adopt a shelter dog month.  All the more reason to adopt a dog!  

For more information about the humane society, be sure to check out their site.

How many of you have adopted a pet from a local humane society?

There's a Pumpkin Patch in Waterloo, IA!!

A few weeks ago, I found out that there is a pumpkin patch in Waterloo, IA!!  Are you surprised/excited too?!?

Heartland Farms is located at the Southeast edge of Waterloo, 1 mile North of Elk Run Heights on Elk Run Rd.  

Heartland Farms is not just a pumpkin patch.  They have:

• A giant jumping pillow
• Scarecrow's haunted barn
• Haunted Scarytale Cornfield 
• Hayride
• Pumpkin Playland
• Farm animals
• Punkinator: an air powered pumpkin "cannon"
• And of course LOTS and LOTS of pumpkins, squash, and decorative goods 

There is plenty to do for the whole family, and for all ages.

Now is the perfect time to go!!  Their hours for the rest of the season are:

Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM.  Tuesday - Friday costs $8.00.  Saturday and Sunday costs $10.00.  You can stay as long as you'd like!!

   

5 Local Places to Eat @ in the CedarValley

The CedarValley is home to many local and delicious restaurants.  More like A LOT of local restaurants.  I try to support the local community as much as possible.  What better way to support local than to EAT local?!? Here are 5 restaurants that you should definitely check out if you haven't already.  They are in no particular order.  (I could never pick a favorite!)

1. Tony's La Pizzeria

Tony's La Pizzeria started out as a simple pizza shop in 1958.  It is the second oldest pizzeria in the CedarValley.  Their pizza is very tasty!!  Tony's crust and sauces are entirely homemade.  Tony's supports other local businesses and buys local ingredients such as vegetables, cheeses, and meats.  Everything is FRESH.  It is so delicious.  Whenever I go to Tony's, I always get pizza.  (I'm kind of obsessed)  I am a huge fan of their chicken alfredo pizza.  Their sausage pizza is really good too!!  Tony's has other food to eat as well.  They have pizza, salads, subs, pasta, and much more.  Check out their menu.  Tony's is located in downtown Cedar Falls.        









2. J's Homestyle Cooking  


You can get breakfast ALL DAY at J's Homestyle Cooking.  That's not all.  They serve some of the best home-cooked meals that I have ever tasted!  This is one of my favorite restaurants to go to when I am really craving a home-cooked meal. (I am not much of a "Betty Crocker")  The food is good, you get A LOT of it, and it is fairly cheap.  They have homemade desserts too!!!!  Check out their menu and daily specials!  J's is located on Hudson Rd. in Cedar Falls right across from Panther Village @ UNI.     
 J's Daily Specials 

Monday	Broasted Chicken *(Mashed potatoes w/ chicken gravy, dinner roll, and veggies)
Tuesday	J's Choice
Wednesday	Egg Salad/Chicken Salad or Wrap *(On your choice of bread or croissant, served with a cup of soup) Surprise Basket Deal
Thursday	Hot Pork Sandwich *(Mashed potatoes w/ pork gravy and veggies)
Friday	ALL YOU CAN EAT Fish Fry *(Starts at 11am. Comes with your choice of potato, baked beans, dinner roll, and a treat)
Saturday	BBQ Ribs or Steak and Shrimp *(Comes with your choice of a potato, veggies, dinner roll, and a treat)
Sunday	Yankee Pot Roast *(Comes with your choice of a potato, dinner roll, veggies, and a treat)

3. Fiesta Jalisco

Who doesn't LOVE mexican food?!  It took me awhile to discover Fiesta Jalisco. I am so glad I did!!!  Fiesta Jalisco is home to authentic mexican food.  I personally love their fajita quesadilla and guacamole.  If you are looking for authentic mexican food, make sure to check out Fiesta Jalisco.  Fiesta Jalisco is located just past the intersection of Sergeant and Fletcher in Waterloo.      










4. The Brown Bottle

This wonderful family-owned restaurant offers many classical Italian dishes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds.  The Brown Bottle has two locations in the CedarValley with one being in Cedar Falls, and the other in Waterloo.  The Cedar Falls location is just across the river on Center St.  The Waterloo location is located on W. 5th St. just down the street from the Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.  I really like their lasagna and fettucine alfredo.  Check out their menu.  Treat yourself today!!











5. Newton's Paradise Cafe

Newton's offers a wide variety of food for you, your friends, and your family.  Newton's is located in the historic former Newton's Jewelry building in downtown Waterloo.  Newton's serves "familiar food with an unfamiliar twist".  Don't let this scare you though!  It is VERY good!  I recommend their wraps, GIGANTIC tenderloin, fries, and their french toast.  Check out the rest of their menu.  















Now I am really hungry!!  Are you hungry too?! Check out one of these delicious restaurants today!

The BEST Ice Cream EVER!!

So, I know it isn't "ideal weather" for eating ice cream but...

who doesn't LOVE ice cream?!  ESPECIALLY ice cream from Moo Roo.  It took me WAY too long to discover this CedarValley treasure.  I am such a sucker for hand-scooped ice cream.  You MUST check out Moo Roo if you have no idea what I am even talking about.  Look at this ice cream!!!

  

YUM!! I got a waffle cone with two scoops of ice cream - 1 scoop Cookie Dough & 1 scoop Smores.  As you can see, this is plenty.  It only costs $3.09!  Why is Moo Roo the best?! 

• The ice cream is hand-scooped.  Enough said.
• The ice cream is made by a local farm- Hansen's Dairy Farm
• They are constantly updating their flavors to satisfy your taste buds
• The milk used in their ice cream is non-homogenized

Moo Roo also makes HOMEMADE cakes, sundaes, smoothies, shakes, and root beer floats.  At Moo Roo, you can also purchase Hansen Dairy Farm's delicious and fresh milk!!  Moo Roo supports local and sells other local products such as cheese, bread, Sidecar coffee, honey, local beef products, and many other products!

Hansen's Dairy Farm is located just down the road in Hudson, IA.  If you are interested in learning more about their farm and operations, you should pay the farm a visit and go on a tour.  Their tours INCLUDE ice cream!  The farm has wallabies and kangaroos too!!!!

Photo by Tambako the Jaguar

 Hansen's Dairy Farm has 2 stores: Moo Roo & Hansen's Outlet.  Moo Roo is located in Waterloo on Kimball Ave. next to SubCity.  Hansen's Outlet is located in Cedar Falls next to Mulligan's. The Outlet store has soft served ice cream, tubs of ice cream to take home, and other local products similar to Moo Roo.

I discovered this farm and their products way later than I wish!  Please do yourself a favor and treat yourself to some ice cream today!!  Let me know how you like it and what flavor(s) of ice cream you got!!

Burn Calories, Not Cash

Do you need a getaway, but don't actually want to leave town?   Hartman Reserve Nature Center is the place for you!!!

Photo by RMHL2012

Hartman Reserve Nature Center is a 300 acre wooded "wonderland".  It is located right between Waterloo and Cedar Falls in the middle of town.  Yes, that's right, in the middle of town!!  Weird, right?!  You certainly no longer feel like you are in town once you enter this wooded "wonderland".

I have been to Hartman Reserve Nature Center many times since moving to the area.  New discoveries make each visit better and better.  I never get sick of this place.  It is so peaceful.  My hike today was near perfect.  It was a beautiful Fall day with temperatures in the lower 60s. With the 1st of October being tomorrow, the leaves are just starting to change colors.  This place is going to become even more beautiful in the upcoming weeks with leaves changing and making their way beneath hikers' feet.

I personally enjoy hiking on the walking trails that Hartman has to offer.  Here are a few other things you can do at Hartman's:

• Snowshoeing
• Geo-caching 
• Mountain Biking
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Bird Watching
• Fishing

The nature center also has an Interpretive Center where you can learn more about what the center has to offer.


Hartman's offers both public programs and school programs.  I am excited to check out the Halloween Hikes next week!  (October 8-10)

Words cannot even describe how beautiful Hartman Reserve Nature Center is.  I promise it is worth your time to check out!  I'd love to hear about your experience!

Not Your Average Cup of Joe

Looking for a morning pick-me-up?  A study spot?  A place to relax?  The CedarValley is home to many coffee shops- Starbucks, Cabin Creek, Caribou, Sidecar, Cottonwood Canyon.  Each shop offers a variety of products, some more uncommon than others.  However, none of these coffee shops offer such charm and character as Cup of Joe.

Photo by MookieLuv

Cup of Joe is a one-of-a-kind espresso bar with a 1950's flair, located  in Cedar Falls at the corner of 1st and Main.

What makes Cup of Joe so charming?

• 1950's flair
• Vintage furniture
• Board games
• Direct trade, fair trade, organic and shade grown beans      
• Proud supporter of local food sourcing-Hansen's Dairy products are used in drinks
• Local musicians provide entertainment every Thursday and Saturday evening
• Support of charitable organizations
• A green certified business
• Remarkable customer service

What's even better than the Cup's charm?  THE DRINKS and THE FOOD!

Each time I go to Cup of Joe, it takes me about 5 minutes (at least!) to decide what I want.  There are SO MANY yummy options to choose from.  Yesterday, I opted for the Pumpkin Spice Latte and a Carmel Apple Cinnamon bar.  YUM! It was the perfect  combination!  Cup of Joe never has the same selection of food day-to-day.  In the mornings, they have a selection of quiche, muffins, cinnamon rolls, biscottis, etc.  Then, as the day goes on, they swap out for some sweet treats.  They have a variety of cookies, bars, cake, cheesecake, etc.  Some of my favorites are: Oreo cheesecake, Ho-Ho bars, and the bar pictured above.  All of their food is made in house from scratch!  They even have vegan options!  As for the drinks,  Cup of Joe has over 15 years worth of experimental recipes!! You are sure to leave with your taste buds more than satisfied!!  I usually choose a drink off of the chalkboard.  The chalkboard contains their current "spotlight" drinks.  Their current spotlight drinks feature Pumpkin Spice Latte, Carmel Apple Cider, Sugar-Shack Mocha, and Cable-Knit Chai.  I love the creative names they come up with for their drinks!  I have had 3 of the 4 on the current board.....they were all delicious!       

Are you hungry yet?  If you haven't already, check out Cup of Joe.  You certainly won't regret it!!  

Do you have any favorites from Cup of Joe?  I would love to hear about them!! 

Eliptigo GO!

Check out this funky looking.....bike?!?  What is this you ask??  It is called an Eliptigo.  Runner's Flat, on Main St. in Cedar Falls allows you to rent an Eliptigo for a whole day!!  For a low price of just $20 (plus tax), you can take this baby out on a stroll around town!  You of course do not have to go on a whole day excursion to rent these!!  Runner's Flat has 4 different Eliptigos to rent.  You can call ahead and reserve them to ensure your rental at your specific time/date.  Otherwise, rentals are based on a first come first serve basis.  

My friend and I rented 2 Eliptigos last week.  We had SO MUCH FUN!! Runner's Flat is at a convenient location in which you can hop right on the bike trails out behind the shop.  We ended up riding for 3 hours!! Time flew by!  You definitely have to get used to riding the Eliptigo.  Once you get used to it, it is quite comparable to riding a bike.  It's all about balancing your center of gravity.  You do have to take turns a little bit wider.  Also, make sure to keep both hands on the handlebars at all times while in motion.  After a little bit of practice, you get going so fast that you kind of forget that you are even standing!  I absolutely recommend giving the Eliptigo a try! 

EXPLORE ON!

Welcome CedarValley Dwellers!

Hello!!

Welcome!! Are you new to the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area? Are you a college student?  Maybe you have lived here for years, but are just looking for something new to do on a Friday night?  Well then, you are in the right place!!

Photo by David Wilson

I LOVE the Cedar Valley (That's Cedar Falls/Waterloo in case you didn't know. :)) area!! I have now lived here for 5 years and counting.  I don't know about you, but I LOVE exploring.  Over the past 5 years, I have discovered many "hidden treasures" that the Cedar Valley has to offer.  

Each of my blog posts will highlight a location/place in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area that I consider to be a "hidden treasure".  I hope to provide at least one, maybe even a couple posts each week.  The objective of each post is to hopefully expose you to a new place that you have never been to.  I will post A LOT of photos and videos to provide a very visual representation of my adventures.  After reading my posts, I hope that you too will check out the many"hidden treasures" that the Cedar Valley has to offer.    

EXPLORE ON!