Piano Lounge

The Piano Lounge in Cedar Rapids has been a staple for many college students. The underground bar received heavy damages during the flood of 2008.

Anya Gersib, a senior and Flunk Day Committee member at Coe College, rejoiced at the return of the "P-Lounge" in October. Gersib commented that the Piano Lounge is one of the only true nightlife spots that Cedar Rapids offers students.

"It's a really smart move, because it can cater to a larger audience," Gersib comments on the new changes to the Piano Lounge. The Piano Lounge remodel the bar, adding more bar space and created a game room; a separate room that houses a few couches, a separate bar, darts, pool tables, a TV and even a Wii.

While the Piano Lounge was under construction most students went to Home Port. Slowly students have been returning to the Piano Lounge. Gersib and her friends highly recommend visiting the Piano Lounge during specials and especially on Tuesday nights.

News Peg Idea: How Floods Affect Coe Students

It was pure inspiration.

Originally I was planning to interview Gazette staff to write a news peg about newspapers embracing online content and changing their paper in accordance to the current financial & advertising crisis.

Then I remembered all the times I've discussed the flood of '08 and it's impact on the city and its residents. And almost every time I could only be surprised at how little college students knew about the national disaster that hit their college hometown.

As I tweeted earlier, I want to educate the students on how the flood affects them.


One of my goals will be to not only educate the students, but to bring about awareness and encourage active community awareness or assistance via volunteer work, donations and a becoming a voice in city planning.

I might also bring up the issue of city planning and the proposals to make Cedar Rapids more like the college town it should be (read: downtown living, late night activities, non alcoholic activities/ activities for persons under 21, etc).