Good morning, Iowa City.

Two Illinois teens raised over $3,500 and crafted 281 Higgy Bears (teddy bears with back braces) for scoliosis patients at University of Iowa Health Care’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City before today as they tripled their funding goal to remind patients they are not alone.

Livability.com ranked Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines among the top 100 best places to live with positions 31, 33, and 93, respectively.

The list — released April 6 — focused on housing affordability, local incomes, and community amenities that support strong local economies.

A University of Iowa professor (Daniel Newton) has worked with NASA for 10 years to develop focus strategies by advising crew members to finish one task before starting another; his research shows this method boosts productivity for both space missions and everyday work.

Cooking Around the World for Kids

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM — Ashton House — Inquire for costs — A fun, hands-on cooking class where kids explore different cultures through food.

Thursday Group Class - Cello Book 1

5:30-6:15 p.m. — Preucil School of Music — Check with organizer for pricing — Participate in a structured group class focused on foundational cello techniques.

Stay for the Arts

6-8:30 p.m. — Elray's Live & Dive — Free entry — Celebrate the arts with live performances, great vibes, and free food in the heart of Iowa City.

Second Saturday All Ages Art: Pop Tab People

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Public Space One — Free to participate — Create fun pop tab keychains or pendants in this informal workshop for all ages.

Heated Rivalry Trivia (Round 2)

12-2:30 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — Tickets required — Dive into an exciting afternoon of trivia with completely new questions and fierce competition.

Tune Out Weekly Music Trivia

7-10 p.m. — Big Grove Brewery & Taproom — Free entry — Get loud with friends while testing your music knowledge at this weekly trivia night.

Washington Girls JV Soccer Match

5-6:45 p.m. — West High School, Iowa City — Free entry — Cheer on the Iowa City West JV soccer team as they face Washington in a non-conference showdown.

West Coast Swing Foundations Class

6:15-9 p.m. — Public Space One — $10 or $5 for first-timers — Learn the basics of West Coast Swing dance, from footwork to social dancing.

Thursday Group Class - Violin Foundation

5:30-6:15 p.m. — Preucil School of Music — Check with organizer for costs — A foundation group class focused on developing basic violin skills.

Friday Crafternoons

1-3:30 p.m. — Stanley Museum of Art — Free entry — Enjoy a relaxed environment to work on low-mess crafts and projects.