Volunteer

Volunteers Brittney Franck, left, and Christina Mangrich, stand along University Avenue, in Waterloo, Iowa, in the rain on Thursday, May 29, 2008, collecting donations from passers by on behalf of the Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross, for the relief of area victims of Sunday's F-5 tornado.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

If you are interested in ways that you can help or would like to donate, click here. The Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross can give you more information.

Memorial Day Tribute

Mary Fratzke assists, Commander David Williams, of the LaPorte City American Legion Honor Guard, U.S.S. San Diego Post #207, as he speaks at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanical Gardens on Sunday, May 25, 2008. The Tribute and Memorial Program offered a flag folding demonstration, followed by memorial tributes by Orange Elementry Students in memory of lost loved ones.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Members of the LaPorte City American Legion Honor Guard, Post #207, demonstrate official flag folding during a Tribute and Memorial Program at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens on Sunday, May 25, 2008, in Waterloo, Iowa.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Members of the LaPorte City American Legion Honor Guard, Post #207, demonstrate official flag folding during a Tribute and Memorial Program at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens on Sunday, May 25, 2008, in Waterloo, Iowa.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


I stopped by the Rose Garden on my way out. :-)
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Tornado

Efforts began early Monday morning, May 26, 2008, to begin the clean-up in areas affected by Sunday's tornado that has been rated an F-5, in intensity, by the National Weather Service. In the above slide show you will see images from both New Hartford and Parkersburg, Iowa.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

I would like to thank those of you who allowed me the access required to make it possible for me to document the scenes following this tragedy, and for the kindness I too was shown. The sense of community was overwhelming.

4th Street Cruise 2008

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

It was a warm, breezy, beautiful day, so I decided to make the most of it! This is my first attempt at creating a slide show for my blog...it wasn't too difficult to figure out. :-)

Classic Car

This classic car adorns a lawn on one of my break-time walk routes. The extent of my knowledge on classic cars is that it's old, blue, shiny, and a Ford. :-)

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

More Beautious Blooms

Redbud


Bleeding Hearts




Fuschia

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Lovin' the Color

The colors of spring are bold and bright today, Wednesday, May 21, 2008.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

House Fire

A firefighter from the Waterloo Fire Department works to keep flames from a vacant house that caught fire on Monday night, May 19, 2008, from spreading to area trees. The cause of the fire, on Greenwood Avenue, is unknown at this time.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Area firefighters work to keep flames from a vacant house under control on Monday, May 19, 2008, in Waterloo, Iowa. A police officer at the scene said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


A vacant house on Greenwood Avenue, along the Cedar River, lies in smoldering ruins after firefighters work to keep flames from spreading into surrounding wooded area on Monday, May 19, 2008. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Flying from 3rd to Home

Nolan Keane (1), of Missouri State University, makes his way from 3rd base to home plate on Friday, May 16, 2008, at River Front Stadium in Waterloo, Iowa. Missouri State took the game against University of Northern Iowa 3-2.

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

He totally looks like he's running on air (except for a little dust) until he comes down on home plate-had to share. :-)

Baseball-Game 1

University of Northern Iowa's Brett Douglas (11), tries to slides toward first base as Missouri State's Josh Mazzola (9) tags him out, on Friday, May 16, 2008, at River Front Stadium in Waterloo, Iowa.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


UNI Panther, Brett Featherston (25), is high-fived by teammates after scoring the first point in the game against Missouri State on Friday, May 16, 2008, at River Front Stadium in Waterloo, Iowa.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Missouri State's Nolan Keane (1), runs both first and second base at the top of the seventh inning in Friday's game against the University of Northern Iowa's Panthers. UNI's Brett Featherston's (25), efforts to out Keane at first base are unsuccessful due to a low throw from second. Missouri State took the game at River Front Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2008, leading 3-2.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


UNI's Brett Featherston (25), waits for the ball on first to out Missouri State's Cody Aycock (14), at the bottom of the 7th inning at River Front Stadium in Waterloo, Iowa. Missouri State took the game with a 1 point lead and a final score of 3-2.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

This was my first live baseball game EVER! I'm trying to work on the sports portion of my portfolio, which is a challenge considering that, until recently, athletics were not of much interest to me. I am trying to learn the games, while capturing the verbs and understanding what's going on. I'm gaining a new appreciation for the games and the players, and would love any advice or pointers (on images or cutlines) that anyone may like to offer.

Apple Blossoms

Apple Blossoms display their soft pastel colors on a sunny afternoon in Waterloo, Iowa.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

The End of an Era

Melodies Inc. performs the "Star Spangled Banner", openning the last choral concert for Peet Junior High instructor, J.R.H. (Jo) Capoccioni, after 31 years of teaching.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn



J.R.H. (Jo) Capoccioni takes center stage to express her appreciation for being able to live out her musical passion in her 31 years as the Peet Junior High chorus instructor, on Thursday evening, May 15, 2008, in the Cedar Falls High School auditorium. She was responsible for the creation of Melodies, Inc., which showcases the talent of students through music and choreography. Thursday night marks the group's last public performance due to Jo Capoccioni's retirement.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn



Melodies, Inc. members both past and present , close the chorus performance on Thursday, May 15, 2008, with "The Irish Blessing". Tradition has it that this number is always performed by Melodies, Inc. to close the Peet Junior High chorus concerts, and any attending members of Melodies, Inc. past are welcomed to the stage to perform as well. J.R.H. (Jo) Capoccioni is the founder of Melodies, Inc., and has worked very hard so that her students would have an appreciation for, and excel in the arts. After 31 years of teaching at Peet Junior High, Melodies, Inc., directed by Jo, gave its final public performance at the Cedar Falls High School, followed by a reception in celebration of Jo Capoccioni's retirement.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Post-Postville Immigration Raid - Night 3

Protesters, displaying colorful flags in support of various ethnic backgrounds, line up in front of the National Cattle Congress grounds on Wednesday, May 14, 2008The peaceful protest is being held nightly to show support for the families of those who were arrested in Monday's immigration raid in Postville, Iowa.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Protesters look on as a bus marked "Homeland Security" exits the gate of the National Cattle Congress grounds on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. More than 300 men and women were arrested on Monday at a Postville, Iowa meat packing plant on immigration violation charges. The NCC grounds are being used to temporarily house the men who await deportation.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Flags wave wildly at passing cars as protesters of the recent immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, stand outside the National Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa. Government officials have been sub-leasing the property in order to make preparations for the raids, and to house the men before deportation. The women are being temporarily housed in area jails.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Protesters show their disapproval of the government's recent immigration raids in Iowa. Government divisions, such as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), have taken over the National Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa, and are making efforts to deport illegal immigrants in mass quantities. There were between 65-70 participants present on Wednesday night, May 14, 2008.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Protesters of a recent immigration raid line the sidewalk in front of the National Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa, on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, as security and government officials look on. Between 60 and 70 supporters, of the families affected, were in attendance.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Family Torn Apart

Katrina Guzman Sanchez is one of many whose protests have been heard outside the National Cattle Congress Grounds in Waterloo, Iowa. Katrina's husband, Eugenio, was deported back to Mexico in March. After 7 years of working in the United States, Eugenio was forced to leave his wife, Katrina, and their 1 year old child, Francisco, behind. Katrina and Francisco plan to move to Mexico in September to reunite their family.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Immigration Raid

The American flag flies high Saturday night, May 10, 2008, inside the National Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa. Government officials have sub-leased the property for what they are calling training operations. One of the key groups participating in the training ops are the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, division.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Quiet falls over the grounds of the National Cattle Congress on Saturday night, May 10, 2008. Government officials have sub-leased the property for what they are calling training operations. One of the key participants in the operation is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, division.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Gates are locked and the property is secured on Saturday night, May 10, 2008, at the National Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa. Government officials, some from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, division are said to be conducting training operations on the property.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Update: On Monday, May 12, 2008, suspicians were confirmed about the purpose of the U.S. Government's sub-leasing of the National Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa. An immigration raid was conducted by officials from the U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, early Monday morning at Agriprocessors, Inc., meat-packing plant in Postville, Iowa. Of those taken into custody, the male immigrants are temporarily being housed at the Cattle Congress grounds, while the females are being held in area jails.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Ride Your Bike to Work Week

Employees line up their wheels outside of a Waterloo business today, Monday, May 12, 2008, to show their support for the nationally recognized, "Ride Your Bike to Work Week". People are encouraged to ride their bikes to work, May 12-16, in an effort to promote both better physical and financial health, and a cleaner environment. Many employers are participating by offering prize drawings and incentives to encourage their employees.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Red-Wing

A Red-Winged Black Bird rests briefly near a pond in Dubuque, Iowa on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Prom Night

Rain fall adds glamour and glow to the neon lights reflected in the wet pavement, as the Cedar Falls High School Prom begins at the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, May 10, 2008. The prom theme was Casino Royale.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Students from the Cedar Falls High School arrive in style Saturday, May 10, 2008, at the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo, Iowa, for Prom. The theme of the event: Casino Royale.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


This single blurry image almost got me in trouble. After making some prom images, I decided to wander around outside the building. On the other side of the chain link fence is an area that is being sub-leased by the government for some "secret training ops", and the prom is supposedly the last public event they are allowing to take place until their ops are complete. I saw this building, and I loved how it was backlit. I saw security across the lot, but did not conceal myself. I raised my camera and fired the shot and was immediately greeted by the security personel who had hastily made their way across the lot. After requesting to view the image I just made (and the two before), they were satisfied, and warned me that I was not allowed to take pictures anywhere near that property. Curious.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Replenish

Yellow Magnolia


Lilac


Tulip

Scattered showers continue throughout the Cedar Valley on Saturday, May 10, 2008. The rain continues to replenish plant life creating brightly saturated colors.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Magnolia Stellata

This Magnolia Stellata, more commonly known as the star magnolia, is in full bloom today, Monday, May 5, 2008, near the corner of University Avenue and Ansborough Avenue in Waterloo.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

I love spring. Its renewal of life is refreshing...and relentless. That was my word today. No matter how long or cold the winter may seem, spring and its new life (seen in blossoms like these), bursts with new beginnings.

Season's End

University of Northern Iowa Panthers Women's Softball plays the Illinois State Redbirds in game 3 of the series on Sunday, May 4, 2008, in Cedar Falls. Above, Illinois State's Abby Olson (16), scored 2 homeruns contributing to the Redbird's 15-2 win over the Panthers. Illinois took 2 of the 3 games, ending Northern Iowa's 2008 season.