The Flood Blog
September 25th, 2008
As you can see from the slogan above, we're moving back HOME. After over 3 months of moving and relocating, we're back at Trinity United Methodist Church. Our first night back is this Sunday.
*Special Note* The building is still in a state of remodel, therefore, there are tools and supplies near where we play. These are NOT to be touched by anyone that has not come to help in the rebuilding process. Those that are helping can only use these tools for their specific tasks. If there is something that needs to be moved, and you are not authorized to touch them, please ask Dan or Shawn for assistance. Also, for your safety, please do not wear open-toed shoes. We do not believe that the building is unsafe but we don't want anyone taking any chances. Until all the tools are put away and the church is back to normal, please do not horse around. Horseplay is obviously not tolerated anyway, but this time, it's truly for your own safety. Those that require the use of a restroom must go upstairs as the toilets and urinals are being replaced as we speak. They will likely be available within the next two weeks. Our events will run just as they normally would. Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic tournaments will happen exactly as they always do but if for some reason, you still have questions, please contact us using the above link or stop by on Sunday.
Last and most importantly, there are still tasks that require our help. This Sunday, we will be painting the preschool playground mural. We could use all the hands we can get. Any artistic ability is appreciated but NOT required. This will be a fun and exciting project and don't feel like you can't help out. Anybody is welcome. See you then!
September 6th, 2008
Thank you to everyone who showed up at the Summer Game Fest last weekend. We really did have a good time. Make sure to thank our proud sponsors, Video Games, Etc! the next time you're there. Very special thank you to Matt, Suppie, Matt's Dad, and Mattie B. for your help at the church on August 31st. We got a huge job done. For those who are interested, we are still working at the church on Sundays from noon to 4 in the afternoon. If you help at the church and plan on attending the events at the Shriner's, you have plenty of time to go home and take a shower. There have been updates made to the Photos page. We have some photos of the church that you may find somewhat mind-blowing. Visit the link at the left of this page to see them.
I know that right now the biggest question on everyone's mind is, "When will we be back at the church?" Right now we are hoping for Sunday, September 21st. Please keep an eye on the site or ask Shawn or Dan the next time you see them to find out if this date is still accurate. We could be in sooner or later. We're simply not absolutely positive that the 21st is a solid date. Thank you to everyone for keeping up with us during these strange times.
July 22nd, 2008
Thank you to everyone who has been keeping up with us. We've only lost track of a very small number of players. To find out who we're still looking for, please email us or visit an event. GREAT NEWS! Word has just come in from church officials that contractors have begun prelimiary work. The weekend of August 23rd and 24th will be our major renovation event. The following weekend will be the Summer Game Fest '08 #2. The following Sunday may be, if all works out, our GRAND RE-OPENING. Keep an eye on this page to find out if these details are still accurate. If you're interested in helping out, please contact us so that we know where to put you. Hope to see you there!
June 23rd, 2008
Thank you to everyone who came out and braved the mess that is Harley Steele Hall and the Sanctuary.The brute strength that we had was what it took to get the job done out there. There's still quite a bit to do but most of the work will now be done by certified contractors. All we have to do now is sit patiently and wait for the opportunity to begin the process of rebuilding and remodeling. There will be plenty of opportunity for things like painting, etc. Keep watching this new flood page of the CCG website for details on our temporary relocation efforts and when we will be making ourselves available to the church for the rebuilding process. Again, thanks go out to Shawn, Charlie, George, Megan, Thomas, Matt B. and the rest of the crew that made yesterday's jobs easier and more fun. Thanks, guys for taking our job so seriously. Downtown is a dangerous place right now and we came out of this alive and well. I believe tht the group is also stronger as a result.
***Temporary relocation***
Beginning this Sunday, June 29th, thanks to Aaron, we will be playing as normal at the Shriner's Hall on the corner of Blairs Ferry Rd. and Council St. If you do not know how to get there, please use the Contact Us link. We can schedule a meeting at the Barnes & Noble parking lot so that you can follow someone there. This will be our regular meeting place on Sunday nights from 6-10. Respect the venue and be extra polite to anyone we may encounter. This is only a temporary location. Once Harley Steele Hall is okay to inhabit again, we will be leaving the Shriner's Hall in peace.
June 20th, 2008
I saw it. It's a mess. If the church were a Magic card, it would be one that taps for LOTS of black mana.
Church officials will be cleaning up today and tomorrow from 9-6. They welcome all the extra help they can get. We ask that you find it in your heart to go on down and lend a hand, too. Afterall, for many of us, it's our home away from home. If you plan to join wear OLD clothes, rubber boots if you have them, and a sturdy pair of work gloves. A face mask may be provided, as long as there are enough to go around. Face masks are in short supply for some reason.
TO EVERYONE: See you at the Summer Game Fest tomorrow at Lindale. LOTS of information will be available there.
June 19th, 2008 8:42 a.m.
Just a few points to pass along. I will keep this brief so that those of you who are anxious to help clean out the church today from 9-6 can do so!
1. If you didn't catch that, I was notified by Pastor Bob this morning that anyone wishing to help in the cleanup effort can do so beginning today during these hours. I am expecting information about helping out this Sunday soon.
2. Thank you to all those that showed up at Lindale Mall last night. It was nice to know that we're still together. It was quite the turnout, everyone was respectful of the venue, and cleaned up promptly. Thanks, guys...and girl.
3. While we were at the mall, Z102.9 was in the parking lot taking donations for the Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation and their flood recovery efforts. I approached them and found out that they might be available Saturday. Since many of this weekend's events are free, I encourage everyone with a few spare dollars to bring what they can and drop it in the bucket. If you don't have the $20 that it takes to receive a T-Shirt, please bring your contribution to Dan and we will pool our resources. I think it would be nice to have a shirt that we can frame and possibly hang in the church as a reminder of our resolve and determination.
That's it! Drop Dan an email if you have any questions and we'll see you on Saturday! dan@ccgamers.org
June 17th, 2008 3:00 p.m.
Obviously we can't begin cleanup until all the water is pumped from the basements so instead of NOT meeting, we are relocating until cleanup can begin. Tomorrow we will meet from 6-9 at the Lindale Mall food court. All that we ask is that you respect mall rules as you would at the church. Also we ask that you do your best to make a small purchase at one of the fine food court establishments or at the cookie stand (since the cookie stand isn't part of the food court). We'll see you there!
June 17th, 2008 1:35 p.m.
Pastor Bob was able to get into the buildings today, and while there is a great deal of damage, it is not as bad as he was afraid it was going to be. He says this guardedly, however, as there is still a lot of water in both basements, so we haven't gotten a look at the foundation yet.
For the time being, he is asking all to stay away so that they can assess the buildings and their needs more thoroughly before asking for help. Patience is extremely important right now, and thank you to all for that.
Buildings are damaged, but but our groups are just as strong as ever.June 17th, 2008 11:00 a.m.
As of 11:00 a.m. this morning, the Corridor Recovery website listed the church's address as safe for re-entry. That is all that is known. Pastor Bob has been contacted about this wonderful news. He will be responsible for coordinating cleanup volunteers so until we hear from him, just have those work gloves and old clothes at the ready. Updates will be here as soon as they're made available to us. For now, keep tuning your decks for the Summer Game Fest. Yeah, it's still happening. Same place, same time.
June 15th, 2008
People are slowly being allowed to assess their personal damages beginning today. As the church is still surrounded by a very small amount of water, nobody is allowed there, yet. I estimate that church officials will be allowed in the building by Tuesday. If that's the case, we may be able to begin our potential cleanup effort as soon as this Wednesday. I say potential because we don't even know if the building is still struturally sound. If so, let's rock and roll, ladies and gents. Start stocking up on bleach, get a good pair of sturdy work gloves and have them ready to go. We'll know more within days. Keep it tuned to this bat-channel. Keep your hopes positive and your passion for Central Corridor Gamers alive. We ain't goin' nowhere...yet.
For those of you who know someone in an affected area, if you know how to contact them, please keep them updated. We need to pull together for them as well.
And don't forget…it's Father's Day. Drop him a line if you haven't already. Goodness knows we all need each other more these days.
June 14th, 2008
Dan will be attending special Sunday services held by members of Trinity United Methodist Church at a nearby, dry location. During this special service discussions about coordinating the cleaning effort will begin. More details will be made available here soon after that special service.
June 12th, 2008
Our venue, Trinity United Methodist Church, has been severely affected by the tragic flooding. As of this morning, the building was completely surrounded with water. It may be days before an assessment can be made. When the Cedar River finally crests and the water recedes, the opportunity to survey the damage may finally present itself. Until that day, Central Corridor Gamers will NOT be meeting on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.
However, please join us on Saturday, June 21st at the Summer Game Fest. To find out more, click the logo above.
After the damage at the church has been assessed, we will join the cleanup effort during our regularly scheduled meeting times. Coordination efforts will be made with church officials and we will do our part to give back to the venue that has so generously provided us a place to become the group that we have become today. This means that until things are completely back to normal, all cards can be left at home. Instead, bring a pair of work gloves, wear your old clothes, put a smile on your face, and be prepared to help make our venue even better than it was before.
TOGETHER, we can prove that we have something to give back to the community. Let's MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
For more details or if you have any questions, please use the Contact Us link at the top of this page or keep checking back to this site as updates will be made as necessary. Thank you for your patience and your consideration.
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