Fall Back: Community Center Highlights for September 2024

You can get a copy of the full guide to classes and programs in our Community Center, which includes our Recreation Center, Library, Aquatic Center, Gerdin Conference Center and other spaces, published three times each year, in person at the Community Center, 520 W. Cherry St., or online. These highlights of the coming month are published on the third Thursday of each month. You can sign up to have this emailed to you at northlibertyiowa.org/subscribe.

News & Updates

The Community Center and other city offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, for Labor Day.

In Case You Missed It

The outdoor pool’s final day of operation this season is Sept. 1. The Penn Meadows Splash Pad will remain open as long as weather allows.

City Slate Events

There’s always something free and fun to do in North Liberty. The City Slate offers events all year long, and is made free with the support of A2Z Heating and Plumbing, Centro, Inc, Collins Community Credit Union, The Eastern Iowa Airport – CID, Hills Bank, MidWestOne Bank, South Slope Cooperative, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Urban Acres Real Estate and Veridian Credit Union. More at northlibertyiowa.org/cityslate.

Other Upcoming Events

Costume Closet
During the month of September, the North Liberty Library will host a costume drive to collect gently used Halloween costumes. Staff will organize the donations and hold a free Costume Closet shopping event in the library the weekend of September 28.

Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Doodlebugs with the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Sept. 30, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Alma Thomas loved to use color in her artwork, so in this session we’ll make multicolor mosaics inspired by Alma’s favorite color: All of them! Every Doodlebugs class starts with a story and ends with imagination and creation.

School-Aged Youth

Super Tuesday: Terrific Tractors
Sept. 3, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Come learn about Tractors and Combines and many other fun farm machines with Morgan from the Johnson County Farm Bureau.

Tweendom: Bottle Rockets
Sept. 10, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
What happens when you mix water and Alka-Seltzer and put it in a tight space? Come explore this fun experiment with us and see how high you can get your bottle rockets to lift off!

Teen Thursday: Board Games
Sept. 17, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Bring out your competitive spirit and come play board games. Will you bankrupt your opponents in Monopoly? Or build the longest road in Catan? Come, challenge your friends and librarians.

Wellness Book Club for Kids: Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Sept. 25, 4 p.m., Ranshaw Lawn, Free
Join us for a book discussion about a middle-grade track star running towards hope and glory. A fun run activity will follow. Copies of the novel are available for pickup at the North Liberty Library.

STEM with Dasia
Sept. 25, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Dasia has curated her very own STEM kits and we’re excited to test them out. Join us for STEM with locally renowned scientist Dasia Taylor.
Register

Youth Pickleball Lessons
Sept. 9, 16, 23 & 30, 7 – 7:50 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, $40
This program for ages 8 to 14 will introduce participants to one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. Fun meets fitness as participants learn from our passionate instructors who will tailor sessions to skill level. Paddles and pickleballs are provided.

Adults & Senior

Adult Co-ed Volleyball
Sundays Sept. 8-Dec. 8,  5:30-8:30 p.m., Community Center, $95 per team

Six-player, a self-officiated league with two divisions for anyone 18 years or older at North Liberty Community Center.

Men’s Basketball 
Sundays Sept. 8-Nov. 17,  4-8 p.m., Community Center, $400 per team

Officiated 5-on-5 leagues for men 18 and older.

Good Neighbor Book Club
Thursdays, Sept. 19-Oct 24, 6:30 p.m., Ranshaw House, Free
Join your neighbors, North Liberty Ambassadors and city staff each Thursday, September 19 through October 24 for a community discussion of The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt.
Register

Growth-Blueprint: Turning your Hobbies and Skills into a Business
Sept. 18, 6 p.m., Library, Free
Learn how to turn your hobbies and skills into a business from business coach Shrravonii Paul. Make a little extra on the side or turn your enjoyment into your full-time job.

Bad Art Portraits
Sept. 20, 6:30 p.m., Library, Free
Bring a friend or significant other for a night of painting, snacks, and laughs. Based off the viral portrait painting trend, we’ll be painting pictures of each other with whatever skill level we can muster. It’s the most fun if you bring a painting partner, but if you are on your own, that’s OK, too!

Beginning with Machine Sewing
Thursdays, Sept. 19 – Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m., Library, Free
Learn from the very beginning how to sew with a sewing machine during this is 6-week class. It is best to bring and learn on your own machine if at all possible.
Register

Small Biz in Small Libraries: All About Funding
Sept. 24, 6 p.m. Library, Free
Calling all new entrepreneurs! Join us for a free discussion about the state Small Business Credit Initiative, hosted by Community CPA’s Catherine Tran.
Register

Self-Defense Class
Sept. 10, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Gerdin
Designed to empower individuals with practical skills and knowledge, this class, suitable for ages 16 and up of all fitness and skill levels, teaches techniques and strategies focusing on physical and mental self-defense in a supportive environment. Learn hits, kicks, how to get out of shoulder grabs, wrist grabs and more.

Maintain Modern Cars 101
Sept. 28, 1 – 4 p.m., Community Center, $15
Learn to maintain modern cars, truck and other vehicles for efficiency and longevity at lower cost. We’ll cover the 21 most important service needs — including the when and the why, 24 things to never to do to your vehicle, how to reduce maintenance costs, offer a show-and-tell of actual components and talk about today’s challenges.

Adult Pickleball Lessons
Beginner 2.0 – 2.75
Sept. 9, 16, 23 & 30, 8 – 9 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, $50

For the next step past beginner 1.0 and 2.0 lessons, participants will be matched with a partner of the like ability to practice skills in a fun environment.

Intermediate 3.0 – 3.5

Sept. 9, 16, 23 & 30, 7 – 8 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, $50

Continue your growth in pickleball with our elevated intermediate-plus class. Learn not only how, but also the why, of pickleball skills, covering topics like strategy, shot selection and mechanics.

Families

Movie Night
September 13, 6 p.m., Library, Free
Libraries transform and so does Bumblebee. Join us for a special movie night in the library to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month. Popcorn provided. Feel free to bring along lidded drinks and additional snacks along with lawn chairs or blankets for your viewing comfort.

Family Health & Wellness Fair
Sept. 21, 1 – 5 p.m., Ranshaw House, Free
Join the City of North Liberty and community partners for a fun-filled afternoon with resources and activities for kids and adults. Receive free health screenings, health and wellness education, and community health referrals and visit our pop-up community baby shower booth for maternal and infant health resources, giveaways for new and expecting parents, and cake. Plus, enjoy free samples (and food available for purchase) from local vendors serving international cuisine, kids’ inflatables and more.