Micah Mogle, 29, Palo
Software Technician @ Rockwell Collins

I like to think of myself as your typical 20-something young professional here in Cedar Rapids grinding it away to earn a living. Just like most everyone else who works hard all week, the weekend is your time to take a breather and relax right? It may seem simple, but my basement is my favorite place to be in Cedar Rapids.

You see, I worked in emergency management in Texas. I watched as the devastation of Katrina and Rita destroyed the Gulf Coast. I was there in a bunker working hard to move people about the county as they evacuated their homes, many of them never to return. Then I left that bunker and went to work with some of the evacuees at distribution centers. The look in their eyes was one of defeat, sorrow, anger, frustration, and hear break. They had for the most part truly and utterly given up. It was perhaps one of the hardest times of my life.

My wife and I moved to Iowa shortly after all that mess. I hate to say but some have blamed us indirectly for bringing water with us. Sure enough six months after purchasing our first home and moving into it in December 2007 the floods came to Iowa. Even better June should have been a great month for us. The day we were forced from our home was June 10, our wedding anniversary. June 13, the first day we got to make a run into our house, was my birthday. June 18, the day the waters began to truly recede, was my wife’s birthday. Talk about a bang up month.

We were among the lucky and fortunate though. The water came to about six inches shy of impacting our floor joists. So the house was saved. Half our living space was gone though, including the basement.

Sounds grim. But the truth is that despite this horrible thing that has happened too many of us, these have been some of the most inspiring and happiest times of my life. You see, unlike in Texas people came together to help one another. People I did not even know very well stopped working to help me and other sand bag for hours. Not just my house but my community as well. I was touched and left in awe.

Then when the flood water receded there was a terrible mess. The one thing I expected to see after the destruction never happened; the looks of sorrow and defeat could not be found in many eyes at all. Instead they were full of grit and determination to dig out, rebuild and move on. Again people came out of the woodworks to help. I have never seen or been apart of such a wonderful thing in all my life.

So what do I do currently on an average weekend here in Cedar Rapids? The honest answer is that my friends and I gather together in a basement with a little bit of beer and make some great memories piecing not just my life back together but the lives of other people too.

Even though it has been over 6 months since the flood, join in and get your piece of this wonderful thing. There are still plenty of people out there that need help or could use it. The odds are you even know someone that was impacted. Just the offer of help makes the world of difference.

Michelle Berndt, 27, Coralville
Administrative Representative @ Kaplan University, Davenport

I recently accepted a job as Administrative Representative at Kaplan University in Davenport. We discussed moving but decided we’d rather commute than leave this area.

After holding the title of Miss Johnson County in 2005, I realized this was the place that I wanted to live and raise a family. I had never met such supporting and encouraging people.

When we moved into Coral Court Condominiums, our neighbors were friendly and helpful. It was easy to feel at home and develop new friendships. I started working at RR Donnelley and my husband Stephen drove to Davenport everyday to Palmer Chiropractic.

Zion Lutheran became our church and immediately wrapped their arms around us as though we had been members for years. We then crossed the street to Mercy Iowa City and gave birth to our first child Grayce. Afterward I joined Ladies Workout Express and to no surprise met more inviting people.

Every weekend there was something to do: Iowa football games, the Iowa Children’s Museum, farmers markets and more. Often I found myself trying to convince friends to move here or come for a weekend and experience the atmosphere and diverse culture.

My platform is literacy and Johnson County has shared the same passion. In 2005 I started First Book Johnson County and since then we have raised over $18,000. Our mission is to provide brand new books to low income families and implement the importance of daily reading.

Now, as Mrs. Johnson County, my goal is to become Mrs. Iowa in June. It’s one thing when your loved ones believe in you but to have an entire community behind you is priceless.

PHOTO BY: Cliffe Jette

Winter Packingham, 29 Cedar Rapids, WinterStar Promotions and CR Music Scene

You know that saying “Music is my boyfriend?” I use to laugh whenever I heard it, until one day I realized — I am that girl. I am head-over-heels in love with the local music scene.

Most of my weekend nights are spent checking out my favorite area bands at my favorite local bars and live music venues like Chuck and Dale’s (myspace.com/chuckndales) in NW Cedar Rapids (fun staff, friendly regulars and killer mini tacos), Volume (myspace.com/volumecr) in downtown Cedar Rapids (it’s split into two sides and offers a deejay on one side and a live band on the other) and Fifth Gear on the SW side (outdoor shows in the summer as well as great bands inside the bar).

My week nights are often spent doing what I can to help out or spread the word about those bands I absolutely can’t get enough of.

Here’s a few bands that I never miss:

Pretend Rockstar (myspace.com/pretendrockstar1) is a punk rock cover band that takes songs by artists like the Dixie Chicks, Rod Stewart and Paula Abdul and punks them out. It’s a sound unique to the area, but it really works. They will have you wanting to dance in mere seconds. You will also hear things like Sublime, Jimmy Eat World, Vanilla Ice and much much more.

Super Size Seven (supersizeseven.com) is another Cedar Rapids–based cover band. Between their crazy antics and the high energy that exudes from them, there is never a boring moment at a Super Size show. You will hear anything ranging from Buck Cherry to Fuel to Bowling For Soup. Keep an ear out for their 60’s medley.

Black the Sun (myspace.com/blackthesunlive) is a harder rocking band that made a believer out of this non-hard-rocker in a very short period of time. Metallica, Ozzy, Pantera, AC/DC and the Foo Fighters are just a handful of the covers you will hear Black the Sun play. There are always a few dance tunes (Joan Jett, Blondie, etc.) thrown in too.

From your very first time seeing Iowa City-based original group the Brian Troester Band (myspace.com/briantroester), you will be counting down the days until you see them again. Pay special attention to “Parade,” “Emily,” “The Last Song” and “The Greatest Mistake.” They have a way of injecting themselves into your soul. They give me goosebumps.

Every time I see original rock band All But Screaming (myspace.com/allbutscreaming), I feel as if I have entered a magical world that can’t possibly be understood unless it’s experienced firsthand. Between their guitar-driven rock and perhaps the most dedicated and excited fan base I’ve ever seen, ABS shows are nothing short of amazing.

Mindye Pickerell, 29, Cedar Rapids
Banker/Director of Marketing @ Family Merchants Bank
Bartender @ Volume Live Music & Dance

Saturday morning starts off at 7 a.m. at Aspen Athletic Club for spin class and strength training to get my heart rate up and burn some calories. Then shower up to go to work and open the bank.

9 a.m. to noon: I work at Family Merchants Bank on certain Saturdays.     

Off to Pancheros for a burrito bowl or a steak burrito for a lunch time snack with the girls to catch up on our Friday night activities.   

To work off lunch I take my 97-pound Weimaraner, Denver, out to the Sac and Fox Trail for a three-mile jog. I love the serenity of the trail and Denver loves dragging me for three miles!

I like to stop in at Nurtri Sport to grab a smoothie for the drive home to cool down.

3 p.m.: Back home to take a power nap and shower up for the “pregame” before working at the bar. Pregame is the word that the Volume staff uses when we get together for great food, drinks and fun before we entertain the city of Cedar Rapids all night.

5 p.m.: Kaji Japanese Grill is our first pick on the weekends. Their sushi is to die for; the Philadelphia roll is my favorite as well as the sheared white tuna. The bartenders always have a great recommendation of which wine to try with your meal. 

7 p.m.: The staff is off to Volume. Volume is the new hot spot in downtown Cedar Rapids. You get the best of both worlds, live music on one side and the hottest hits played by our house DJ on the other. 

I love bartending on my weekends. It’s a great chance to meet new people in our area, network, have a blast creating new shots (try a Mindye sometime) and the opportunity to make some great additional money.

3 a. m: Time to unwind with Denver and crash for the night. Sunday is my day to sleep in since it is officially my one day off.

What a great weekend, working out, great friends, great food and enjoying the Cedar Rapids’ night life.