Get Out of Cedar Rapids and Don’t Come Back…. for 20 Years

Right before the big flood in 2008, I packed up from Cedar Rapids with my then-girlfriend, who I'm now proud to call my wife. Back then, I was working at KDAT, though it wasn't owned by Townsquare Media at the time. We landed in Illinois, and things went pretty smoothly, at least for the most part, for almost twenty years. It seemed like a solid deal and a place I could retire. As solid as a marshmallow, you know?  

Spoiler Alert if you didn't know there was a job opening at our company, you will soon!

So, you could say life was golden. Then, life threw us a curveball. My wife's company folded, and we found ourselves wondering what to do next. Ever heard of Indeed? Well, indeed I had, and on a whim, I decided to see what opportunities were out there in the radio world. Imagine my surprise when I saw the legendary Bob James was retiring and his job was opening up. What?! Say it isn’t so, Bob. But alas, it was true. 

Back when I lived here some 20 years ago, I resided above the bus station. Apparently, that area was all underwater during the flood. Despite the downtown being a ghost town back then, I saw potential. I loved strolling or biking around everywhere. It was a bummer seeing businesses shuttering left and right. McDonald’s, The Science Center—they were always on the brink. And let me tell you, that police helicopter was a regular feature in the skies. Sometimes, it felt like it was up there so much, you wondered what chaos was unfolding below. Now, I think there's a pavilion where the chopper used to hang out. But seriously, what happened to it? Did it retire upstate? 

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As I drove through the downtown area recently, it was heartening to see it not only alive but thriving. Back in the day, there wasn't much construction happening, but now, there's been a ton of growth. And it suits you well, Cedar Rapids. 

It's good to be back - come full circle, if you will. Sometimes, you don't realize what you've got until it's gone. 

In the off-chance you don't know me from 20 years ago, let me introduce myself. I'm Brian Withrow, the Brand Manager new afternoon host here on Khak. I like to watch John Lithgow movies on repeat. I only eat Cheetos on Sundays, my cheat day, and I have a pet rodent named Lex Luther. Sometimes Lex sits on my belly eating Cheetos on Sunday afternoons and we watch John Lithgow movies. See what I mean about being a sucker for coming full-circle. What can I say, I am who I am. I can't wait to meet all of you - feel free to drop me a line and say hey, or get off my lawn, or go back to Illinois, or let's have a Third Rock marathon sometime. I can't say I'd take you up on that last one but it's nice to be asked when you're new in town, ya know? 

Speaking of traveling, how bout the best places to stay in Iowa?