Flood book reprinted for those who missed it

A while ago some of us at this newspaper wondered if we should publish another book about the floods of 2008, like the one we did last year that readers have said they appreciated.

Interest was so high last year that we sold out 22,500 copies of the "Epic Surge: Eastern Iowa's Unstoppable Floods of 2008" book and most of the DVDs produced by KCRG-TV9 that complemented the book.

But we knew some people still wanted the keepsake book and didn't get the opportunity. Because of that, we are printing more copies. It will be a limited amount but more books are available.

Perhaps you've already seen the ads running in The Gazette this past week about this. The hardcover, coffee table book sells for $34.95 and the DVD for $14.95, but you can get both in a package for $39.95.

Every once in a while I hear from readers who say they are sick of reading about the flood. While I understand their interest in a full diet of news and a desire to move on, there likely are more people sick of still having to deal with the flood on a real and personal basis than there are people sick of reading about it.

Last year's flood continues to impact many people in Cedar Rapids. And, I would argue, that impact goes beyond Cedar Rapids. The city is Iowa's second-largest and the center of a metropolitan area with a profound economic and social impact on several communities in Linn, Benton, Iowa, Jones and Johnson counties. Proximity matters.

The flood's lasting impact seems to be at the heart of interest in the "Epic Surge" book. The photographs give readers a chance to reflect on that dramatic moment, when they have time for reflection.

If you are interested in ordering the book you may do so at www.gazetteonline.com/epicsurge

Gazette recognized by national news organization

The Gazette has picked up some awards from the national organization, the Inland Press Association, for work journalists at this place are doing.

The newspaper took first place in the association's national contest for front page presentation, among newspapers with circulations of 25,001 to 75,000. Jim Riley leads our design team.

Inland's judges cited The Gazette for work done on our Nov. 5, 2008, cover the morning after President Obama was elected; the Feb. 18 edition, which included an incredible photo taken 1,000 feet in the air of a radio tower being installed; the June 12 paper featuring flood anniversary coverage; and the June 26 cover that had follow-up reporting on the death of Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas.

Gazette photographers also placed in the Inland contest: second place, Brian Ray for news photo and Jim Slosiarek for sports photo; third place, Slosiarek for feature photo; and honorable mention, Liz Martin for portrait/personality photo.

Election coverage coming

We'll be ready for a long day Tuesday, providing you complete local election coverage. You can follow results at

www.Gazetteonline.com,

www.kcrg.com and KCRG-TV9 Tuesday night. We'll break down that Cedar Rapids election down in Wednesday morning's paper and have reports from the rest of our coverage area, as well.