friday takeout

August 21, 2020

CUPPA JOE | straight up news.

  • Dr. Wee welcomes faculty, staff and students back to a new Fall semester ... video


  • 2020 high school graduate, Ashley Costello, starts different college plan in response to pandemic ... feature


  • TRIO-Student Support Services program at the College receives five-year renewal! ... news


  • Northeast Iowa Community College announces COVID-19 Dubuque Minority Small Business Relief Grant ... news

WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.

Construction Updates

Town Clock Business Center construction is nearing completion and looking wonderful! At the Main Building in Peosta, the upper floor is being framed for walls for learning and office areas. Contractors are doing concrete work for water lines on the lower level. The footings are completed for the North and South stair towers. Footing work is underway for the connecting corridor between the Main Building and the Industrial Technologies Building. Visitors will note that temporary walls are in abundance on campus.

Photos: The silo at the back of the Main Building is gone (left) and framing work for the North entrance continues.


WELLNESS 360 | be well.

Self-Care Tips and Inspiration

by Flannery Cerbin-Bohach, Wellness and Life Stage Program Manager

Self-Care Tip of the Week:

Headache? Consider trying acupressure, which is similar to acupuncture except without needles. The benefits of acupressure are numerous and include reducing pain, stress and treating headaches. Check out these techniques!

Inspiration of the Week:

Some of you might have been directly impacted by the derecho last week and/or had family who are still experiencing the aftershocks. If you want to help financially assist, here are some places to donate:

  • Horizons coordinates Meals on Wheels for Linn County and is struggling to get meals to residents. You can donate here.

  • The City of Coralville’s food pantry. Located in Johnson County, where thousands of residents are still without power, the food pantry is coordinating meals for people affected by COVID-19 and the storm. You can donate here.

  • The United Way of East Central Iowa is coordinating disaster aid. You can donate to them here.

  • The United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties are also coordinating disaster response there. You can donate here.

Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette

Upcoming Wellness Activities:

  • Employee Blood Draws & Flu Shots: Save-the-dates and details are forthcoming, but plans are in the works for in-person events with extra safety precautions. You’re going to hear this a LOT from me; if there was ever a year to get your flu shot … This. Is. It!

  • Wellness Challenge: Next activity challenge begins Sept 14. Sign up is forthcoming!

  • Online Yoga: There will be an opportunity to plug into online yoga this Fall!

  • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Calmar campus CSA pick ups will run Wednesdays, Sept 9 to Oct. 28 and the Dubuque/Peosta campus CSA pick ups will run Wednesdays, Sept. 2 - Oct. 7.

  • Additional one-time events!

BIG FISH | be amazed.

Bruce Bearinger

Dean of Agriculture, Animal Science, and Business Internet Technology | Calmar

When you were growing up, what game or activity did you absolutely dread playing, and why?

We played a game called Motion. I hated it because if you were "it", it was almost impossible to ever get out of it.


When you retire, and assuming you have enough money to do so, what is one cause you would give to because you are passionate about its mission and purpose?

Alzheimer’s. My dad and all of his siblings died with it, and it is the most awful thing to watch.


If you could start all over again, what would be your career choice?

Full-time performing musician. I am a part-time professional musician, but I would love to have started very young and became more dedicated.


Who is your favorite comedian?

George Carlin. He is the most brilliant comedian I ever listed to or watched. Plus he is very difficult to imitate.


Name one country or region in the world you have never visited that you someday want to visit, serve or spend a vacation?

Germany. My heritage is mostly German. Also, people tell me that it is beautiful.

If you have input on a upcoming feature, Big Fish, something to celebrate or a suggestion, email us at news@nicc.edu!