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THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 2018 | IN THIS ISSUE
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The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids has been designated a Smithsonian Affiliate, joining a national network of more than 200 museums, educational institutions and cultural organizations in sharing the resources of the Smithsonian Institution, according to a news release.
"This affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution is a significant recognition for our museum and library. It recognizes our excellence in programs, exhibits, educational activities and in cultural and historic preservation," said NCSML President and CEO Cecilia Rokusek in a statement. "I am so incredibly proud of our museum and library staff, our Board of Trustees and our greater Cedar Rapids community. They all have played key roles in helping this institution achieve a high point in both national and international recognition.
The relationship will enable the NCSML to work closely with the Smithsonian in securing additional programs and exhibits and will allow collaboration with professionals from its staff, Ms. Rokusek added. In addition, there will be benefits for our members, who will have the opportunity to have joint memberships in the NCSML and the Smithsonian.
"We are proud to partner with the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, an organization dedicated to telling an important part of our nation's history," said Myriam Springuel, director of Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations, in a statement. "With a mission that so thoroughly matches the work of the Smithsonian, we are honored to welcome the NCSML into the Smithsonian Affiliate family, and we look forward to working together to share the inspiring stories of its community and our nation."
The NCSML will celebrate its Affiliate designation Feb. 9, in conjunction with the public opening of its new original exhibition, Revolution 1989. After a 9:30 a.m. reception with coffee and refreshments, a representative from the Smithsonian will talk about the benefits of the program to member organizations, the communities they serve and the Smithsonian itself.
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Ted Townsend, who will soon retire as president and CEO of UnityPoint Health-Cedar Rapids after a 16-year tenure, views his departure with a mix of relief "that I haven't broken anything too big" and sadness "because I have loved what I do."
But one thing Mr. Townsend has no mixed feelings about is the ability of his successor, Michelle Niermann, to fill his shoes. Ms. Niermann, who began her 24-year career at the hospital as an administrative fellow - "basically, a glorified intern," she joked - will become the first-ever woman president at the 134-year-old institution, overseeing St. Luke's Hospital, 33 clinics and more than 4,000 employees.
"I tell everybody, she's smarter than me, she's tougher than me and she actually knows how this place works," said Mr. Townsend, who officially turns over the reins Dec. 31. "She's been here longer than I have and is just one of those talented young people who have grown up in their professional career all in one organization, which I think is extraordinary."
Ms. Niermann joined St. Luke's fresh out of the University of Iowa's Hospital and Health Administration graduate program, rising quickly up the ranks from director of planning to senior vice president and COO, a title she's held since 2013. She has also served as the hospital's executive director, vice president of operations and vice president of operational effectiveness, tasked with building a culture the organization still takes pride in.
Read the full members-first story in this week's print or digital edition of the CBJ.
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Patti Kuntz named interim director of CV Habitat for Humanity
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Patti Kunz, left, h
as been named interim executive director of Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity as Jeff Capps moves to assume the executive director's role at The Iowa Children's Museum. CREDIT: CVHFH
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Patti Kunz will assume the role of interim executive director of Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH) on Jan. 1, as outgoing Executive Director Jeff Capps takes the same title at The Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville. CVBHFH announced the changes in a news release Wednesday.
Ms. Kunz has served CVHFH as development director since August 2010, following a successful career in international sales and marketing.
"In 14 years with Habitat, I've met very few people who rival Patti's passion and commitment to this important work, She will do an excellent job, and I'm so glad to have her assuming this role," said Mr. Capps in a statement.
Planning for a search for a permanent director is now underway, and CVHFH will release more details as they become available.
The organization is finishing its 30th anniversary year, which was highlighted by the "three homes in five days" Home Builders Blitz with the Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association in June and the construction of the first new home in Cedar Rapids' Second and Third Avenue Historic District in more than 60 years.
"We have some really neat opportunities before us in 2019 and beyond, so stay tuned," Ms. Kunz said. "With the continued support of this great community, we are well-positioned to build strength, stability and self-reliance with families for another three decades."
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The 2018 International Building Code and the 2018 International Residential Code will be effective in Johnson County beginning Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.
These codes are widely accepted and used as the standard for how buildings should be constructed and inspected, according to a county news release.
For more information, contact Neil Bombei, lead building inspector for Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability, at (319) 356-6085 or nbombei@co.johnson.ia.us.
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RUN CRANDIC for 2019 will feature 5Kish and 10Kish options on Saturday before the Sunday, April 28 half and full marathons. CREDIT RUN CRANDIC
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New and different for the 2019 version of RUN CRANDIC will be the addition of the "5Kish" and "10Kish" fun runs on April 27 in Iowa City. The fun runs precede longer runs the next day: A marathon starting in Iowa City and ending in Cedar Rapids, and a half marathon covering a loop course that starts and ends in Czech Village in Cedar Rapids.
"We listened to runners' feedback after the 2018 race," Monica Nieves, Vice President of Special Events and Sales at Think Iowa City, one of the race organizers, said in a release. "This will create a little less runner congestion at the finish area and add to the festivities of our race packet pick-up and expo on Saturday."
The new shorter runs are "definitely something different," with a "rolling start," she noted. Participants are chip-timed, so they can start their race any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., as long as they finish by 4 p.m." We will announce results on Sunday, but these runs are really meant for fun and for some as a warm up for Sunday," added Ms. Nieves.
In order to close the loop cleanly, both the 5K and 10K courses ended up just a bit longer in distance than exactly 5 kilometers and 10 kilometers. So organizers had fun with it and refer to them as "5Kish" and "10Kish" runs. Registration proceeds will go to schools.
Registration for all races is open through Wednesday, April 24. There is no day-of registration for any of the runs.
Participants can pick up their bib numbers and race packets for the following day at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Iowa City, where a running expo and pre-run festivities will also be held. The fun runs will also start and end nearby, as they will follow the trail south to the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area and back.
Also new this year will be the opportunity to run as a four-person marathon relay team. Registration is open. For more details and registration visit
RUNCRANDIC.com. Volunteer and sponsor opportunities are available.
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Jan. 3
Ribbon Cutting: Kwik Star, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 11 a.m., 1700 Banner Drive, Marion. Help celebrate the opening of Kwik Star's new location at Squaw Creek Crossing. Free.
Jan. 7
Coralville Roundtable,
by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Wig & Pen Pizza Pub, 1220 Highway 6 W., Iowa City.
Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network, keep up-to-date with chamber and community events and frequent a member restaurant or business. Free. Questions can be directed to Emily at (319) 337-9637 or
info@iowacityarea.com.
Jan. 8
TechBrew AM, by Technology Association of Iowa, 8-9 a.m., Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance,
501 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids. TechBrew AM is an informal networking event for entrepreneurs, technologists, businesspeople and funders. Free. For more information visit
bit.ly/2Udt34l
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Monthly Roundtable
, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, noon-1 p.m., Granite City Food & Brewery, 4755 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. A business topic will be discussed, along with networking among participants. Entrepreneurs and those thinking about starting a business are invited. Free. For more information or to pre-register, visit
scorecr.org.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
Jerry Burns, 64, of Manchester has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Michelle Martinko. Ms. Martinko, who was a senior at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids. was stabbed to death in her car when she took a trip to Westdale Mall on Dec. 19, 1979, after leaving a school banquet. Her parents reported her missing around 2 a.m. Dec. 20 after she did not return home. She was found dead in the parking lot just after 4 a.m. that same day. Mr. Burns was arrested at his place of work and denied being involved in the murder, but could not offer a plausible explanation why his DNA would be found at the crime scene.Online court records indicate Mr. Burns had only traffic citations on his record. In 2006, cold case investigators were able to lift the suspect's DNA off evidence and uploaded it to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a national database that houses DNA profiles developed from crime scenes. However, a match never came through CODIS. In 2017, the Cedar Rapids Police Department unveiled new composites of what the suspect could have looked like at a young and an old age using DNA technology.
It's a Christmas miracle for a Corridor teen with spina bifida, who is finally getting a chance to ride a bike. Madison Miller, 17, is now the owner of a new, motorized bike that fits her needs. Northtowne Cycling and Fitness made the bike that was gifted to Ms. Miller on Tuesday by Variety-Children's Charity and Coca-Cola at Witwer Children's Therapy Center. The bike is made specifically to help her pedal. "I don't have the leg strength to pedal uphill, so having a bike like this means a lot to me. I have to use some strength, but this helps me with it," said Ms. Miller. "My dad is a big fan of riding the trails. He does it all the time. I've always wanted to, but I haven't been able to because I haven't had a bike and I finally do and I'm able to do that," said Miller. Her new gift gives her the confidence to go out riding and make her feel more included, she added.
T
hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
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CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
We're in for a bit of a reality check as colder air moves in for the rest of the week. A few showers will linger this morning as a cold front pushes to the east of the area. If cold air moves in before the rain moves out, some wet snowflakes may mix in. Otherwise it will be cloudy, cooler, and windy. Skies will clear some tonight and temperatures will drop into the 20s by morning. With strong winds, wind chills will be near 10 degrees Friday morning. The weather will be cool and calm through the weekend, with a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures in the low to mid 30s in the afternoons. Nights will be cold with temperatures near 20.
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