Turn the Page: Community Activity Highlights for January 2025

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 will be closed Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. (The Community Center will also be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31.).

The Library will be closed on Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Recreation Center, including aquatics, will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day.

In Case You Missed It

Registration for spring NYCYBS recreational leagues is now open, offering Tee Ball, Coach-Pitch and developmental leagues for anyone who wants to try the game or further develop their skills. Games and practices primarily take place at Penn Meadows Park but also on fields throughout the area. Register online at nlcbs.org.

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 Centro, Inc., Collins Community Credit Union, Corda 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.

Hello 2025!
Jan. 3, 6 – 7:30 pm, North Liberty Community Center, Free
Join us for an exciting evening filled with fun, games and festive cheer as we welcome the New Year. Enjoy carnival games, bounce houses, treats, a balloon drop at 7 p.m. and more.

Upcoming Events

Fire & Ice presented by GreenState Credit Union
Jan. 25, 2 – 8 p.m., Penn Meadows Park
Winter doesn’t have to be dull. Fire & Ice is North Liberty’s annual celebration of winter. Bundle up to enjoy the 35-foot Snowzilla slide, fire performances, ice skating, fireworks, ice sculptures and more. All programming is free thanks to GreenState Credit Union, UI Health Care, Parlor by Thompson & Co. and Scheels. Learn more at northlibertyiowa.org/FireandIce

Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Doodlebugs with the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Jan. 27, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Louise Bourgeois loved spiders because they are strong, protective and excellent weavers — just like her mother. This session will focus on Louise’s artwork, including her 30-foot giant spider sculpture Maman (French for “mom”), and then we’ll weave our own arachnid-y art.

Painting 101
Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 6 p.m., Community Center, $25
A painting class for kids ages 3 to 5.

School-Aged Youth

UAY Teen Hangout
Mondays, 4 – 7 p.m., Ranshaw House, Free
United Action for Youth hosts free art and music workshops. Make art, record music or hangout with friends. Open to all junior high and high school students. Reach out to Kylie at UAY with questions at [email protected].

Super Tuesday
Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m., Library, Free
Kindergarten to third graders are invited to come craft your own home aquarium.

Tweendom
Jan. 14, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Fourth through sixth graders can come embrace the winter and make you own snow people or pets out clay.

Teen Tuesday
Jan. 21, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Sixth through 12th graders can come make macrame keychains that make a perfect accessory.

Winter Break Lifeguarding Class
Jan. 2 – 4, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Aquatics, $175 or free

Even though it’s cold, winter break is exactly the right is a great time to get ready for a hot job this summer. Become a certified lifeguard and be ready for summer pool season. Take the class and be certified or apply to lifeguard this summer at northlibertyiowa.org/jobs and have your summer employment secured when you pass the class (which you can take a no cost).

Adults & Senior

55+ Tuesday Gathering
Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Join us for a weekly social gathering that will feature rotating activities and friendly conversation – board games, puzzles, art, book discussions, and more!

Vinyasa Yoga
Wednedays and Thrusday, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Community Center, $80

This class includes grounding, flow, balance, strength and breathing techniques and is taught be Mariah Santellan. This practice explores body and mind by connecting breath and movement. Please bring a mat and water bottle. All levels welcome and open to ages 16 and older.

Page Wreckers
Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m., Library, Free
Junk Journals are a popular way to store memories, ideas, and can be used for writing, art journaling, and more. Collect found and recycled materials then join us to share ideas, combine your materials with library provided resources for your one-of-a-kind junk journal at this monthly gathering.

What’s Good for Your Heart is Good for Your Brain: Discussing Outlive by Peter Attia
Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30, 6:30 p.m., Ranshaw House, Free
Dive into Peter Attia’s book Outlive with Michelle Voss and her team from the UI Health, Brain & Cognition lab. This engaging four-week series will explore how heart health and metabolic health influence your risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s. Learn why physical activity and good sleep habits are crucial for brain wellness.  The book’s focus is not on how to live longer, but how to live well and active longer.
Register

Writer’s Group
Jan. 13, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Library, Free
Are you a writer who wants to connect with other writers? Novelists, poets, nonfiction writers, fanfiction writers, and any other kind of writer you can think of—come on down! We’ll talk about current writing projects, do writing exercises, and eat snacks!

Small Biz in Small Libraries: All About Resources
January 22, 6 – 7 p.m., Library, Free
Join us for a sneak peek at the UI Resource Centers, a variety of services available to professionals and business owners. Willow Fuchs, a Business Librarian at the University’s Tippie School of Business, will introduce the audience to the Small Business Development Resource Center and the Patent and Trademark Resource Center. We will also showcase ways they can support your business goals and aspirations.
Register

Families

No-School Open Swim
Jan. 2, 3, 20 and 29, 1 – 4 p.m., Aquatics Center, $3 children and $4 adults
Join us for extended holiday swims when school is out!