Zins Restaurant re-opens at exact anniversary of closure 

When Zins Restaurant was forced by rising floodwaters to close at 4:15 p.m. on June 11, 2008, owners Amy Wyss and Lee Belfield had no idea when they would reopen.

It turns out the answer is exactly one year later – to the minute.

A tablecloth from Zins in downtown Cedar Rapids shows evidence of the place setting that remained on the table as floodwaters overtook the restaurant last week. Photographed by Liz Martin of The Gazette on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

At 4:15 PM today (June 11) the Zins Restaurant flag will fly above the entrance again, symbolizing the reopening of the restaurant to the public, with a new full menu and wine selection. Zins is known for its small plate menu; their wine storage system (Oz Winebar) that allows for more wines to be purchased by the glass or flights; and for a philosophy of hospitality and service unparalleled in the area.

“When we closed, we had no idea what the damages would amount to or how we would surmount the challenges the flood brought,” says Belfield. “And while we never imagined the extent of the damage, we also could not have imaged the extent of the help we have gotten from our friends and supporters in this remarkable community.”

The restaurant will be open for dinner this evening, Friday and Saturday evenings and for brunch on Sunday. Full, regular hours, including lunch, will begin Tuesday June 16. Reservations are available at 319-363-ZINS (9467).

Unusual artwork unveiled this evening

Shortly after the re-opening at 4:15, artifact-turned-artwork will be unveiled that symbolizes the sudden devastation the restaurant experienced. The public is invited to attend the unveiling of this piece.

RIVERenaissance

Thursday, June 11 to Saturday, June 13 @ various times

What a better way to remember last year’s historic flooding than by enjoying a series of flood anniversary events organized by the Cedar Rapids Downtown District. Be one of the first to see “Resilience: The Spirit of Humanity,” a flood documentary done by MVP Studios, on Thursday night at the U.S. Cellular Center. A community time capsule containing memories of the flood also will be sealed that evening. Then on Friday stop by Greene Square Park over the lunch hour for the Sweet Reunion (including free dessert!) to celebrate all the businesses that have reopened since the flood. Floodstock kicks off at noon on Saturday and includes nine live musical acts, including Hairbangers Ball-a big hair 80s cover band from Chicago-and a professional sand sculptor who will turn 50 tons of sand into a rock band tribute to Floodstock. These are just the headlining event. Check out page 14 for the full RIVERenaissance schedule.

RIVERennaisance
various times, Thursday (06/11) to Saturday (06/13), Cedar Rapids, www.downtowncr.org

Run the Flood

Saturday, June 13 @ 9 a.m.

 Ready, set, run…the flood that is. Follow the seven mile course that traces the floods path in and around downtown Cedar Rapids. If you’re not feeling up to all seven miles than the 2.5 mile route is for you. They’ll be flood photos, facts, statistics and high water marks (sometimes as high as 12 feet) so participants can visualize how high the water got where they are running and learn more about how the businesses and neighborhoods were affected. All proceeds from the event go to flood relief through the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Plus as part of your registration you get a free ticket to Floodstock. Nearly 2,00 runners (and walkers) are signed up already. So lace up your trainers and get a move on it. (Learn more about event organizer Kari Lammer in this week’s “People You Should Meet” on page 12.)

Run the Flood

9 a.m., Saturday (06/13), race starts on 2nd Avenue in downtown Cedar Rapids, $35, www.crruntheflood.com

Remember, Reimagine, Rebuild

Monday, June 15 @ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The University of Iowa has plans to commemorate the anniversary of last year’s flooding on their campus, too. Stop by the Old Capitol Museum between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a variety of special events. A formal program will be held at 12:15 on the west steps of the museum (perhaps not ironically overlooking the Iowa River) during which UI President Sally Mason and other guests will make remarks. There also will be displays of flood-related photographs, posters illustrating cutting-edge, flood-related research being conducted by UI faculty, and audio excerpts from the StoryCorps Oral History Project from the Iowa Digital Library Flood Collection.

Remember, Reimagine, Rebuild-11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday (06/15), Old Capitol Museum at the University of Iowa, Free, (319) 335-0548 or www.uiowa.edu

THREE OTHER THINGS

Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre presents Cosi Fan Tutte
8 p.m., Friday and 2 p.m., Sunday
Cornell College’s Kimmel Theatre, Mount Vernon, $20 adults/$10 students, www.cr-opera.org

Crest Festwith American Idol Finalist Amanda Overmyer and Well Lit
6:30 p.m., Saturday
Chrome Horse Saloon, 1202 Third Street SE, Cedar Rapids, $10, www.chromehorsesaloon.net

Cedar Rapids Rollergirls vs. Old Capitol City Rollergirls: Pirates of the Corridor at Flood’s End
7:00 p.m., Saturday
U.S. Cellular Center, 370 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, $13 in advance/$16 at the door, www.uscellularcenter.com

The master calendar of events for RIVERenaissance: A Flood Anniversary is now available. 

RIVERenaissance is a series of flood anniversary events that will be held from June 11-14, 2009. The Cedar Rapids Downtown District will host three headline events in addition to affiliated events hosted by businesses and organizations throughout the community.

Headline events include:

Flood Documentary and Time Capsule Presentation
7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1
US Cellular Center
Free
This evening will be the kick-off to the flood anniversary, with an in-depth look at the flood experience via documentary from MVP studios. Following the documentary there will be a brief ceremony and time capsule dedicated and sealed for the community. 

Rebuild Reunion
1 p.m. Friday, June 12
Greene Square Park
Businesses that have returned since the flood, alongside those volunteers that helped make their return possible are invited to an afternoon of socializing while enjoying live music in Greene Square Park. Brownbag lunches will be available for purchase.

Floodstock
Noon Saturday, June 13
Greene Square Park
The return of this musical event and fundraiser will highlight flood impacted pieces of our community along with businesses, organizations, and individuals who wish to make a contribution to flood recovery. The event will include family activities during the day and evening musical acts for a 21 and over audience into the night.