Garden Lily

A pink, Corrida-Asiatic Lily grows in a Cedar Falls garden on Monday, June 30, 2008.

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Sturgis Falls Days

The Cedar Valley based country band, WildCard, performs at the Hub in Downtown Cedar Falls on Friday, June 27, 2008, as part of the Sturgis Falls Days festivities. The line-up of live music is usually held in Tourist Park, but due to recent flooding, all live performances will be held at the Hub.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Drummers, with the Cedar Falls High School Marching Band, participate in the Sturgis Falls Day parade in Downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday, June 28, 2008.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Brenden Robison, 3, of LaCrosse, Wis, waves as the John Deere tractor portion of the Sturgis Falls Parade, in Downtown Cedar Falls, passes by. Brendon, with his family, are originally from the Cedar Valley, and are back for the Sturgis Falls Days Celebration.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

River Water's Residue

As the Cedar River's waters recede in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the process of accessing its damage has only just begun, on Sunday, June 22, 2008.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

...and always let your humor be your guide.

Most people just have the typical angel/devil on their shoulder. This guy's lucky...he has a clown. ©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Sturgis Falls Begins

Tai Parkhurst, left, with daughter, Alisyn, 2, and mother, Jena Lentfer, wait while other family members place an order at the Queen's Apple, a dessert stand catering to patrons at Overman Park in Cedar Falls. Friday marks the beginning of the weekend festivities for Sturgis Falls Days. ©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Shiny

Ambrose Jontae, 17 months, of Cedar Falls, examines the chrome emblem on his great-aunts new 2008, paprika red, Volkswagon EOS convertible on Thursday, June 26, 2008.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Surreal Feel

Downtown Cedar Rapids basks in the warmth of the setting sun on Sunday, June 22, 2008.

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

This is the same building from the image above, taken a little bit earlier and from the back side.

© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Over the past few weeks, it seems like the sky has had such a surreal feel to it...so much depth. I know the crazy weather may have something to do with it, but I just can't help myself...no matter how many sky shots I have. :-)

Youth Center in Distress

Henry Davison, founder/CEO of the H.D. Youth Center in Cedar Rapids, surveys flood damage to nearby properties that were in the process of being acquired by the center for future expansion, before the flood. Both properties have now been condemned.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Mr. Henry Davison, founder/CEO of the H.D. Youth Center, located at 1006 Third Street South East in Cedar Rapids (in background), shares photographs of the interior flood damage to the youth center. The youth center, who's existence has been dependent on donations and volunteers, suffered extensive damage in the flood. Henry's concern for area youth motivates him to look to the future and rebuild what has been lost.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


The H.D. Youth Center at 1006 Third Street South East in downtown Cedar Rapids stands empty on Sunday, June 22, 2008. After extensive flood damage to the property, founder/CEO, Henry Davison, is unable to offer a safe place with warm meals to area youth. Davison's concern for area young people motivates him to move forward, but the center's dependence upon donations for its day-to-day existence alone proves as a challenge when so much will need to be accomplished to be able to get the center up and running again.

Davison hopes to be able to offer hearty warm breakfasts, safe after school activities, and a positive overall environment to area youth as soon as possible.

If you would like to know more about the H. D. Youth Center, you can check out their website at: http://www.hdyouthcenter.com/. Donations are welcome.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

UPDATE:
The Cedar Rapids Gazette published a small artical about the H.D. Youth Center. Click here to view.

Immovable

A sparrow sits on a chain-link fence in downtown Cedar Rapids on Sunday, June 22, 2008.

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Wine & Chocolate

Brack Even (3), watches intently as the table chef at Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse, in Waterloo, creates an onion volcano.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn

It was a night out with friends at a restaurunt where they cook your food at your table, and I just kept seeing this little boy across the table and how he was reacting to everything.

Dinner


Dessert

Wine and chocolate...my FAVORITES!

The Library Tour

Jack Says No, band members from left to right are Oliver Weilein, (just) Jack, and Mija Bean, open for The High Strung, at the Cedar Falls Library on Saturday, June 21, 2008.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


The High Strung, on their Library Tour across the country, play in Cedar Falls at the Library on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Jack Says No, a local punk band, openned for the show. Band members from left to right are, Chad Stocker, Derek Berk, and Josh Malerman.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Josh Malerman (background), front man for the band The High Strung, performs at the Cedar Falls Library on Saturday, June 21, 2008, as part of the band's Library Tour across the country.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

The Slideshow

Free Lunch

Continually growing garbage piles are punctuated by signs at street corners advertising free community meals for flood victims and workers, in North Cedar and throughout the community. Piles of furniture and other belongings (background) line the curbs of Longview Street, waiting for waste disposal pick up, on Thursday evening.

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

To see updated slide presentation, click on link for, "Cedar Valley Flood 2008", at right.

A June Moon

A full moon silhouettes withered buds on a tree on Wednesday night.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

The Boat House

The North Shore Boat Club's Island Park Beach House, better known as the boat house, in Cedar Falls, sits in ruin after the destruction it suffered as a result of last weeks flood.

© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn

New Beginnings

A fawn meanders around yards on Sans Souci Island, and shows little apprehension toward humans, on Tuesday night, June 17, 2008. Affected by the Floods of 2008, much wildlife has been pushed out of its plush screen of safety.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


A fresh roll of paper towels sets streetside by a pile of destroyed and discarded household items awaiting disposal on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Flood waters have receded in the Sans Souci area, and clean-up efforts have only just begun.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

(The 2 images above, and a couple more have been added to the,"Cedar Valley Flood 2008" slideshow)

Late Night Light Show

Lightning illuminates the sky behind the UNI-Dome on the University of Northern Iowa campus late Saturday night, June 14, 2008, as dark storm clouds roll in bringing high winds and heavy rain.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Safe for Travel

A guardrail, from the south-bound lane of Highway 218 in Cedar Falls, lies mangled in a still-flooded ditch on Friday evening, June 13, 2008. The highway was declared once again safe for travel following record breaking flood levels of the Cedar River throughout the week.

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

I've added more images to the slide show. (see the link to the right)

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th!!

Waters Recede in Waterloo

Three children pass by a downtown building in Waterloo on Thursday evening, as flood waters recede and puddles slowly diminish. As of Thursday evening, Mayor Tim Hurley partially lifted the evacuation ban for downtown businesses. They will be allowed to open as of Friday morning at 6am, and consumers will have limited access.

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

I added a few more images to the slide show in the post below.

Cedar Valley Flood 2008-part 2

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Above, is the slide show that I promised to post. The images were compiled over a span of days, and include images from the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. The story is far from complete. The history-making flood, and the devastating tornado that tore through our area all of two weeks ago, are only the beginning. The real story is in the community working together to recover, replace, and rebuild. That will take time. If you would like to volunteer, or are seeking information about how you can help, click here.

Cedar Valley Flood 2008

Flood waters overflow from the Cedar River, and flood Highway 218, coming into the Northern side of downtown Cedar Falls, on Tuesday, June 10, 2008.

©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

The Fourth Street Bridge in downtown Waterloo, remains open to crossing traffic as the flood waters rise beneath it, on Tuesday, June 10, 2008.

© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn

SO much water. I'll have more to add to this post later....possibly a slide show. It's late, so that's all I have for now.

Record Flooding Hits Cedar Valley

The train bridge in downtown Cedar Falls, is weighted with train cars in hopes of keeping the bridge anchored. Record breaking flooding has overwhelmed the area, forcing neighborhoods to be evacuated and limiting travel in the area.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Sand bags wait for distribution on the lawn of the Fire Station, in North Cedar, on Monday evening, after area firefighters and volunteers filled them. Area flooding is at record levels has closed a majority of main roads, and has forced the evacuation of many neighborhoods.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Bright pastels splash the sky throughout the evening as the Cedar Valley tries desperately to fortify their homes and businesses with sandbags, against the record high flooding of the Cedar River. Above, is the Sans Souci Bridge at dusk, on Monday, June 9, 2008. The Cedar River is estimated to crest at a record 26 feet by Wednesday morning.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Residents and volunteers work to build a sandbag barrier between the Cedar River and their homes in the Sans Souci area in Waterloo, Iowa on Monday, June 9, 2008. The record flooding is supposed to crest at 26 feet by Wednesday morning.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

More later...

Olympic Qualifier

Adam Hairston, running for Iowa, warms up before the 400 meter run at the Olympic Qualifier at UNI on Saturday, June 7, 2008.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Ray Varner (Iowa), completes the final hurdle in the 400 Hurdles portion of the Olympic Qualifier at the UNI track on Saturday, June 6, 2008.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Zach Splan (Iowa), completes the final hurdle in the 400 Hurdles portion of the Olympic Qualifier at the UNI track on Saturday, June 7, 2008.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Mike Craddick (UNI), and Adam Hairston (Iowa), take their marks on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at the Olympic Qualifier at UNI.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Simple Appeal

© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Sun sets behind a downtown Waterloo building on Friday, June 6, 2008.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Two unidentified fishermen take some time on Friday evening to make a few casts along the Cedar River bank in downtown Waterloo.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Pink

Peonys are in full bloom in Waterloo, Iowa.
© Dawn J. Sagert/Photography by Dawn


Another colorful blossom from one of my walks. I'm not sure what this one is...I'll have to find out.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

Still Rockin'

Bret Michaels, of the Bret Michaels Band, plays at Young Arena in Waterloo, Iowa, on Saturday, May 31, 2008, as part of the My Waterloo Days celebration.
© Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn


The Bret Michaels Band rocks out at Young Arena in Waterloo, Iowa, on Saturday, May 31, 2008, as part of the My Waterloo Days festivities.
©Dawn Sagert/Photography by Dawn

To see more images from the concert, click here!