Cedar Rapids Xavier's Corbin Woods can't come up with the ball on a diving catch during the third inning of their game against Cedar Rapids Jefferson at the 2013 Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball Tournament at Love Park Baseball Complex on Monday, May 20, 2013, in Marion, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Linn-Mar's Blake Comstock (right) heads the ball in front of Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Nick Rocha during the second half of their class 3A substate #4 game at Linn-Mar High School on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in Marion, Iowa. Linn-Mar won, 1-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Tanner Rathjens (left) makes the tag on Cedar Rapids Xavier's Courtney Colston at third base during the sixth inning of their game at Kennedy High School on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in northeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Linn-Mar's Jason Gingrich (left) kicks the ball away from Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Reece Suckow during the second half of their class 3A substate #4 game at Linn-Mar High School on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in Marion, Iowa. Linn-Mar won, 1-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Kernels infielder Candido Pimentel slides safely into home as one of Kane County's catchers gets the ball during the Kernels versus Kane County baseball game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids on May 19, 2013.(Kaitlyn Bernauer/Gazette-KCRG9)

Kane County infielder David Bote gets ready to catch the ball as Kernels infielder Jorge Polanco slides in to safely steal second base during the Kernels versus Kane County baseball game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids on May 19, 2013.(Kaitlyn Bernauer/Gazette-KCRG9)

Marshalltown sophomore Ashley Harris watches her shot at the regional girls' golf tournament at Gardner Golf Course in Marion on May 20, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/Gazette-KCRG9)

Linn-Mar sophomore Tim Paulson returns the ball to Pleasant Valley sophomore Charlie Humes at the Boys' State Tennis Tournament at Veterans Memorial Tennis Complex in Cedar Rapids on May 24, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/Gazette-KCRG9)

Cedar Rapids Washington's Evan Fisher (5) and Boris Licona-Moreno (7) congratulate Kimu Kasha on his goal against Cedar Falls during a Class 3A substate soccer game at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Saturady, May 25, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Andrew Sheeley kicks the ball down field during a Class 3A substate soccer game against Linn-Mar at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, May 25, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Justin Green of Linn-Mar stops the ball during a Class 3A substate soccer game against Cedar Rapids Kennedy at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, May 25, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

The Cedar Rapids Kennedy bench uses umbrellas to shelter from the rain during a Class 3A substate soccer game against Linn-Mar at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, May 25, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Iowa City West's Molly Leveille leads the field during 800-meter run at the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Divisional track meet at Iowa City West High School on Monday, May 6, 2013, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Cedra Rapids Kennedy's Famiek Cook lands in the long jump pit during the class 4A District Track and Field Meet at Linn-Mar High School on Thursday, May 9, 2013, in Marion, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Marisa Estelle clears a hurdle on her way to setting a meet record in the 100-meter hurdles during the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Divisional track meet at Iowa City West High School on Monday, May 6, 2013, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Kennedy's Olivia Weigel can't block a shot by Xavier's Kayla Armstrong during the second half of their game at Xavier High School on Friday, May 10, 2013, in northeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Xavier won, 4-1. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa City High's Luke Mennen (left) tries to block the kick by Iowa City West's Paris Martins during the first half of their boys high school soccer game at the University of Iowa's Soccer Complex on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Xavier's Jenny Dickes (left) celebrates with Marisa Berutti (center) after Berutti made a goal during the second half of their game against Kennedy at Xavier High School on Friday, May 10, 2013, in northeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Xavier won, 4-1. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Linn-Mar's Mike Keiser (left) has a slim lead as he and Cedar Rapids Prairie's Haakon Wilz (right) sprint to the finish line during the boy's 110-meter hurdles at the class 4A District Track and Field Meet at Linn-Mar High School on Thursday, May 9, 2013, in Marion, Iowa. Keiser beat Wilz by .03 of a second. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Meredith Koenigsfeld (left) says "We're going to state" with teammates Morgan Meese (second from left), Sam Kitterman (second from right) and Abbie Ranschau (right) after their girl's distance medley relay team placed second behind Cedar Rapids Washington during the class 4A District Track and Field Meet at Linn-Mar High School on Thursday, May 9, 2013, in Marion, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Martin Schulte works on car 66 in the modified division, raced by Tim Plummer (not pictured), at the season opener of auto racing at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids on May 10, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Fans watch cars zoom by at the season opener of auto racing at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids on May 10, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Luther catcher Kayla Hatting waits for the ball as Callie Morningstar of Coe scores a run during the sixth inning in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament championship game at Clark Field Softball Diamond on the campus of Coe College in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, May 5, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Luther's Kelsey Weindruch heads to home plate after hitting in two other runners during the third inning against Coe at the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament championship game at Clark Field Softball Diamond on the campus of Coe College in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, May 5, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Wartburg's Joe Grote loses control of the ball as Michael Goerdt of Coe reaches third base during second inning of the championship game at the 2013 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, May 11, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Wartburg's baseball team celebrates their victory over Coe in the championship game against Coe at the 2013 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, May 11, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Ruth Ann Mettler (left) and Julie Schumann (right) both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, wait to release balloons in honor of balloon artist Rickie Rowray after a union meeting at the IBEW Local #1362 Union Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in northeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Rowray, who passed away Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, entertained children and adults with his balloon creations and magic for 24 years. Rowray worked for Rockwell Collins for 37 years and retired in December 2002. Rowray was a member of the union for 35 years. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

This was one of the quickest assignments I have ever shot. It was over in a minute. Ninety seconds, tops. Getting names from the women I photographed took longer. Some assignments are like that. Others take more time to connect with a subject to a point where they are more comfortable with the camera. Each assignment is different. That’s an attraction to the job.

Sophomore computer engineering major Lindsey Trotter (left) of Green Bay, Wis., feel her scalp while supporting sophomore cinema major Therese Pechacek (right) of Lakeville, Minn., during the St. Baldrick's head shaving event at the Newman Catholic Student Center at The University of Iowa on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Iowa City, Iowa. Students and others shaved their heads and/or donated their hair to raise money and show solidarity for children cancer patients. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

University of Iowa students and members of the ministry at the Newman Catholic Student Center shaved their heads to show solidarity and raise money to support children with cancer during a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event at the center Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Swimmers dive at the beginning of Heat 4 of the Men's 200 Yard Individual Medley at the district swimming championships at Mercer Aquatic Center in Iowa City on February 2, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette-KCRG9)

Waukon head coach Gene Klinge acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony celebrating his 1,000th win after their girl's basketball game against MFL Mar Mac at Waukon High School on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Waukon, Iowa. Waukon won, 88-60. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

Waukon's Daneshia Snitker (right) tries to steal the ball from MFL Mar-Mac's Hayley Vogt during the second half of their girl's basketball game at Waukon High School on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Waukon, Iowa. Waukon won, 88-60. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

North Linn's Haley Dudley (right) looks to pass around Monticello's Tess Leibold during the second quarter of their Tri-Rivers Conference girl's basketball game at North Linn High School on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in Troy Mills, Iowa. North Linn won, 57-40. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

Benton Community's Quitin Taylor sends Logan Linderbaum to the mat in the 285 pound championship match during a Class 2A sectional tournament at Clear Creek Amana High School in Tiffin on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Taylor pinned Linderbaum at 4:30. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Solon's Louis Gnida controls Keaton Sherwood of Benton Community in the 113 pound championship match during a Class 2A sectional tournament at Clear Creek Amana High School in Tiffin on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Gnida won by decision 9-5. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Johnathon Koelling tries to block a shot by Jimmy Roth of Linn-Mar during the first half of a game at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Linn-Mar's Jon Schlotterback and Johnathon Koelling leap for a rebound during the first half of a game at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery yells at Iowa Hawkeyes guard/forward Roy Devyn Marble (4) during a time out in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa Hawkeyes guard/forward Eric May (25) passes the ball away from Penn State Nittany Lions guard Kevin Montminy (14) as he falls to the floor during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa's Tony Ramos celebrates after pinning Penn State's Jordan Conaway during their 133 pound match in their dual meet Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Official Rick Stahl tries to move Iowa associate head coach Terry Brands out of the way as he yells to Iowa's to Derek St. John to keep Penn State's Dylan Alton on the mat during their 157 pound match in their dual meet Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Swimmers dive at the beginning of Heat 4 of the Men's 200 Yard Individual Medley at the district swimming championships at Mercer Aquatic Center in Iowa City on February 2, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette-KCRG9)

Cedar Rapids Jefferson freshman Ryan Martin swims in the Men's 200 Yard Freestyle at the district swimming championships at Mercer Aquatic Center in Iowa City on February 2, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette-KCRG9)

Linn-Mar senior Matt Lassen attempts to take control of the ball at the Linn-Mar vs Xavier varsity basketball game at Xavier on February 1, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette-KCRG9)

Players watch the ball after Linn-Mar senior Derik Gogg takes a shot at the Linn-Mar vs Xavier varsity basketball game at Xavier on February 1, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette-KCRG9)

Moon dogs appear to the left and right of the moon as seen along Wright Brothers Boulevard on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, in rural Fairfax, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

I’ve been wanting to make a photo of the sun dogs that I saw during the day but the opportunity never presented itself. My wife was even texting me, telling me how cool they were. I was resigned to the hope that the phenomenon would continue the next day.

The opportunity did present itself. Instead of sun dogs I shot moon dogs. Sportswriter Jeff Linder pointed them out to me as we and KCRG’s John Campbell drove back from covering the Waukon girl’s basketball team’s win over MFL Mar-Mac in Waukon. The win gave Waukon coach Gene Klinge his 1,000th career win. Check you Jeff’s report here. My photo gallery of the game is at the top of the link. Check out John’s report here.

The weather and driving conditions weren’t safe for pulling over on the side of Highway 150 on our drive south. I was almost home when I made the decision to shoot something. It was 12:45am and the shoulder was wide and cleared of snow so I felt pretty safe.

It’s just a quick, happy snap-type of picture. I like the red glow from my taillights. It also showcases the capabilities of the Canon EOS-1Dx. I shot this at ISO 8000 at 1/4 sec. and F 2.8.

Instructors with the American Canoe Association worked with participants for a winter pool paddling skills session at Peet Pool in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Instructors were Piper Wall and Greg Vitale of Ames, Iowa, Max Wellhouse and Al Donaldson of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Glenn Harman of Des Moines, Iowa,

This is the fourth or fifth year for the sessions. Organizer and Cedar Falls resident Al Donaldson says participants each have their own needs to accomplish during the pool sessions. Some want to learn how to roll their whitewater kayak, while others want to improve their individual paddling stroke and coordinate tandem canoe operations.

“I am committed to any actions that I can take to increase paddler skill and safety: providing the winter practice time and the presence of the greatly skilled instructors seems to be a simple way to accomplish this task,” said Donaldson on his motivation in organizing the pool sessions.

Teammates, including Sophia Malcolm (left), Devin Glenski (second from right) and Aleena Hobbs (right), congratulate Cedar Rapids Washington's Danielle Franklin (center) after Franklin hit the game winning shot at the buzzer during the second half of their girl's basketball game against Cedar Rapids Prairie at Prairie High School on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Washington won. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

Grinnell's Cristal Coleman (right) fouls Cornell's Taylor Dicus (center) as Grinnell's Michelle Briggs goes for the rebound during the second half of their women's basketball game at Cornell College on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Cornell won. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

Cedar Rapids Prairie's Olivia Usher (center) passes away from Cedar Rapids Washington's Danielle Franklin (right) and Colby Bjornsen (left) during the first half of their girl's basketball game at Prairie High School on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

Cedar Rapids Prairie's Jace Hanna (left) celebrates his game winning shot with Tyler Butz as the Prairie Hawks won their boy's basketball game against Cedar Rapids Washington at Prairie High School on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Prairie won in overtime, 61-59. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Zach McCabe (15) looks for a goal tending call after a foul on teammate Anthony Clemmons (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Michigan State Spartans Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery shows his displeasure with a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa's Bobby Telford works to turn Purdue's Alex White during their heavyweight match in their dual meet Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jaime Printy (24) draws a foul on Michigan Wolverines guard Nicole Elmblad (14) as they battle for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Three sets of quadruplets were born in eastern Iowa this past year. The familys gathered recently in the Gazette photo studio for each set’s portrait. The four babies at left are (from left to right,) Alyssa, Kara, Lindsey and Ashley Grady, the eight and a half month old quadruplets of Dan and Kim Grady of Cedar Rapids. The center four babies are Andrew, Allen, Aaran and Kassidy McCalmant, the two and a half month old quads of Debbie and Jerry McCalmant of Cedar Rapids. The grouping of four babies at right (from left to right) are Chad, Amanda, Katie and Emily Eastridge, the eight and a half month old quads born to Mike and Jody Eastridge of High Amana.

I came across a framed copy of this photograph depicting 12 infants wearing Santa hats while cleaning out the photo studio a few weeks ago. Even though I knew nothing about the children, I wondered what had become of them.

Seeing as I didn’t come onto The Gazette photo staff until August 2000, I didn’t really make a connection that they were, in fact, three sets of quadruplets that were born in 1998. KCRG Manager of News Operations Mike Wagner filled in the gaps for me. I thought he was just going to thank me for presenting him with a genuine Tabasco necktie that I saved from the dumpster after cleaning out the studio dressing room. A few minutes later, an email with a link to a Dec. 25, 1998 article about the three sets of quadruplets.

After that meeting, the wheels were swiftly set into motion. News research analyst John McGlothlen did some digging and was able to get contact information for all three families. Features writer Meredith Hines-Dochterman had the difficult task of making contact with the families and convincing them to be a part of the 14-year update story. Read Meredith’s story here.

The Grady quadruplets from left: Alyssa, Kara, Lindsey and Ashley at The Gazette on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/Gazette-KCRG)

The schedules of the families didn’t mesh for an all-in-one-shot reunion photo so I photographed each set individually. I assembled the three photos into one using Photoshop.

I missed sitting in on the interview with the McCalmant quadruplets since I was still setting up my makeshift photo studio but watching how Andrew, Allen, Aaran and Kassidy interacted with each other on the photo shoot was fun to see.

I made it a point to attend the interviews for the Eastridge and Grady quadruplets. It’s interesting that the Eastridges and the McCalmants have kept in contact through Facebook even though the Eastridges are located in the Peoria, Ill., area. After the Eastridge’s photo shoot, the teens wanted to stay a little while until the Grady quadruplets showed up for their photo shoot. They haven’t been in contact with any of the Grady quads.

Williamsburg's Braidon Reysack scores the Raiders' only touchdown during the second half of their class 3A semifinal game against Decorah at the UNI-Dome on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Decorah won, 48-7. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

It was a tough loss the the Williamsburg Raiders in their class 3A semifinal game to Decorah. Check out Jeff Johnson’s story of the game, including a photo gallery, here.

The final was 48-7. Williamsburg head coach Curt Ritchie put the underclassmen into the game for the final series. Williamsburg’s Braidon Reysack drove up the middle for the Raiders’ final touchdown of the 2012 season.

A while back, I thought it would be interesting to look back in our photo archive and revisit the subjects of some of the memorable photographs.

The first in this semi, irregular series has its genesis in 1999.

Tom Howsare kisses his 18-month-old son, Jalen, as he rests on his mother Kristi's lap, in rural Solon, Iowa, Monday, Dec. 6, 1999, after Jalen's eye surgery Friday, Dec. 3. With cancer ravaging Jalen, his parents did the only thing they could to try to stop the spread of the tumors. They let doctors remove his eyes. The family learned Monday that doctors found no other signs of cancer after Friday's operation. Jalen had an illness known as bilateral retinoblastoma. He had about 100 small tumors in his right eye and 50 in the left. (FILE PHOTO/The Gazette, Dan Luedert)

Photographers with The Gazette have periodically photographed Jalen Howsare of Solon, Iowa, since shortly after having both of his eyes surgically removed in late 1999. Jalen had a form of cancer known as bilateral retinoblastoma. Tumors were in his left and right eyes. His parents did the only thing they could to try to stop the spread of the tumors. They had both eyes surgically removed.

Now 14 and a freshman at Solon High School, Jalen plays trumpet and marches in the school’s marching band.

Solon High School junior Taylor Walkner (right) helps freshman Jalen Howsare stay in formation during morning marching band practice at the school Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in Solon, Iowa. Jalen has marching band practice Monday to Thursday before school. Jalen had his eyes surgically removed at 18 months to stop the spread of cancerous tumors after being diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma. (Jim Slosiarek,/The Gazette-KCRG)

Solon High School freshman Jalen Howsare (right) talks with fellow freshman Caitlyn Frederick as they study for a band test after morning marching band practice at the school Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in Solon, Iowa. Jalen has marching band practice Monday to Thursday before school. (Jim Slosiarek,/The Gazette-KCRG)

Jalen Howsare (left) jokes with his father Tom as they relax in their home before Jalen's trumpet lesson Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in Solon, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

The worn tip of one of Solon High School freshman Jalen Howsare's walking canes is seen in the band room before morning practice at the school Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in Solon, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek,/The Gazette-KCRG)

Solon High School freshman Jalen Howsare (left) jokes with junior Mikaela Lighty before morning marching band practice at the school Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in Solon, Iowa. Jalen has marching band practice Monday to Thursday before school. (Jim Slosiarek,/The Gazette-KCRG)

Firefighters spray water in a barn as they keep a controlled burn of a corn crib from spreading to other structures at the property of Russ Walters, 3308 Johnson-Iowa Rd., on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in rural Iowa County. Fire departments from Fairfax and Norway assisted the Amana Fire Department with water. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and former Iowa Hawkeye Ricky Stanzi (left) shakes hands with Arizona Cardinals' A.J. Jefferson during a scrimmage at Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in St. Joseph, MO. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Sports writer Scott Dochterman and I travelled to St. Joseph, Missouri, for the annual Kansas City training camp at Missouri Western State University. Former Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Ricky Stanzi, tight end Tony Moeaki and center Rob Bruggeman are on the training camp roster.

Former Iowa Hawkeye and Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Moeaki (right) talks with fellow tight end Kevin Boss during a break of a scrimmage with the Arizona Cardinals during Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in St. Joseph, MO. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Former Iowa Hawkeye and Kansas City Chiefs' Rob Bruggeman (left) tangles with Arizona Cardinals' Ricky Lumpkin during Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in St. Joseph, MO. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and former Iowa Hawkeye Ricky Stanzi passes during a scrimmage with the Arizona Cardinals at Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in St. Joseph, MO. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Here is the photo taken with the remote camera:

Don Bosco's Kaitlyn McGarvey (top) tags Earlham's Abbey Murphy at second base during the first inning of their class 1A semifinal game at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex on Thursday, July 19, 2012, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Earlham won, 4-0. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)

Here is the photo I took with the camera in my hand:

Don Bosco's Kaitlyn McGarvey (top) tags Earlham's Abbey Murphy at second base during the first inning of their class 1A semifinal game at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex on Thursday, July 19, 2012, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Earlham won, 4-0. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)

Lisbon High School's Melissa Alger photographed in the high school's old gymnasium Thursday, June 7, 2012, in Lisbon, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

An annual event at The Gazette is our athlete of the year story. Ten finalists, five males and five females, are chosen from athletes throughout our coverage area. Sometimes the athletes bring their jerseys, medals, racquets, shoes, and various balls to The Gazette’s studio for the portrait session. Other times, I’ve traveled to Decorah, Tipton, Manchester, Troy Mills, Williamsburg, and even Madison to a catch up with athletes.

It’s a race against time to schedule the shoots with the finalists. Most have summer jobs,  or are leaving for college or have already left to tend summer classes and/or training camps in their respective sports. I appreciate them making time in their schedules.

2011 Athlete of the Year finalist Cedar Rapids Washington Alex Carr.

Last year I pitched an idea to use my Iphone and an app called Hipstamatic to produce stylized portraits. I also pitched the idea of producing a short video interview with the athletes.

The videos were nothing special. Just them, looking into my Iphone, responding to questions about their most memorable sports moment, disappointments, role models. Everyone liked the video idea so well that when I brought it up for inclusion with this year’s group of finalists, it was met with positive responses.

This year, I wanted to  take it to the next level. Continuing on the theme of where the athletes got their starts, I asked them to provide some photographs that I could incorporate in the video. I also pulled photos from The Gazette’s archives to tie the old photos to the more current ones. I zoomed in or out on the photos as well as panned across them to give them a sense of motion. This is often referred to as the “Ken Burns Effect”. Named for documentarian Ken Burns who uses the effect regularly in his historical documentaries. Some video editing software have an actual “Ken Burns Effect” option. My version of Final Cut Pro lets you do it old school. I had more control over where and when the effect started as well as where and when it stopped.

I’ve never done anything like this before so it was a learning experience. The first one I put together was of Lisbon’s Ben Knake.

Lisbon High School's Ben Knake photographed in the high school's old gymnasium Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Lisbon, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

I think his and the one of Marcus Paige were the best. The editing is a little cleaner with Paige’s video. It was one of the last videos I put together so my workflow was streamlined somewhat. Plus, it’s tough not to like filming Paige shooting hoops on his backyard basketball court.

Knake’s, however, is my favorite, primarily because of his interview. He was just a relaxed, engaged speaker.

Check out the videos from the other finalists and profiles written by ace writers Jeff Linder and Jeff Johnson.

FEMALE

Melissa Alger, Lisbon

Mackenzie Bigbee, Williamsburg

Annie Dale, Cedar Rapids Xavier

Allie Hutcheson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Shelly Stumpff, Iowa City West

MALE

Mark Atwater, Linn-Mar

Jordan Hay, North Cedar

Ben Knake, Lisbon

Marcus Paige, Linn-Mar

Charles Rogers, Iowa City West

Cedar Rapids Washington's winning distance medley relay team (From left: Jasmyne Jones, Shannon Gorman, Brooke Foreman, and Taylor Vogel) celebrates their school record setting time during the 2012 Prairie Girls Relays on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The time was 4:15:26. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Sometimes the best sports pictures happen after the whistle blows or the runners cross the finish line. I am looking forward to covering the state track and field meet at the blue oval in Des Moines later this month.

Cedar Rapids Xavier's Molly Breitbach raises her arms in victory after crossing the finish line as she anchors the winning 4 x 200 meter relay team during the 2012 Prairie Girls Relays on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Linn-Mar's Maddie Saville (left) gets a hug from Rachel Perry after they ran the 400 meter dash during the 2012 Prairie Girls Relays on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Perry finished first, Saville second. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Jeanette Love of Mount Vernon, Iowa, a seasonal worker at the Noelridge Greenhouse places Easter decorations into a display as she and volunteer Keith Novak (background, left) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, prepare for the Easter Sunday Showcase at Noelridge Park Greenhouse, 4900 Council St. NE, on Friday, April 6, 2012, in northeast Cedar Rapids. The showcase is Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will see exhibits by the Eastern Iowa Aquarium Association, the Harshbarger Hosta Society, and the Honey Producers of Iowa as well as tour the greenhouse. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Linn-Mar's Brandon Ophoff (right) clears a hurdle as he competes with teammate Mike Keiser (left) during their heat of the 100 meter hurdles at the 2012 John Ask Relays at Kingston Stadium on Saturday, March 31, 2012, in southwest Cedar Rapids. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

The Walker Fire Department was supervising a controlled burn of about five to six acres of a 40-acre parcel of Conservation Reserve Program land near the intersection of Mills Rd. and Blue Creek Rd. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, in Walker, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

Pushing deadline, I was heading to Cedar Rapids after covering the girls Mississippi Valley Conference indoor track and field championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. I got to the Urbana exit, about 26 miles from the office. I was planning on filling up the company car at the gas station but a giant orange/yellow glow off the the eastern distance caught my eye. This is the time of year for brush fires around here. Some callers said they could see the glow from as far as Brandon, about 10 miles away.

I decided the gasoline fill-up could wait and turned in the direction of the glowing sky. The map feature on my phone was invaluable in helping me navigate the gravel roads. It turned out the fire was a controlled burn supervised by the Walker Fire Department. I got some information from the fire chief on the scene. I shot some video with my phone and emailed it back to the office. I also shot frames with my Canon cameras. The video made the 10pm news on KCRG and page editors were able to find a color spot for the photo.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Ky Kramer reaches for a rebound between Ankeny defenders during their 4A quarter final game at Wells Fargo Arena on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Ankeny won, 58-26. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG

I’ve seen these awesome basketball photos in Sports Illustrated taken from over the basket showing players crashing the boards. What a unique perspective. I decided this is the year I would try my own overhead remote camera for the girls and boys state basketball tournaments in Des Moines.

I gathered all the items I would need. Super clamps, Safety cables, firewire cords, ethernet cords, power cords, cords for cords, zip ties, more safety cables, radio remote triggers, two laptops, a wifi router.

Stuff for the overhead remote during the girls state basketball tournament in the catwalk at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March. 2, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Lots of safety cables and other redundant cords and pieces. Flattened boxes and burlap sacks keep items from dropping to the floor. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

Laptop?

Router?

Safety. Safety. Safety. Stuff for the overhead remote during the girls state basketball tournament in the catwalk at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March. 2, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Lots of safety cables and other redundant cords and pieces. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

I had to have some way of retrieving my photos remotely. Since retrieving the memory card from the overhead camera while games were going on was inconvenient. Not to mention the potential danger to players and fans if something were to fall.

After doing some research. I found an old wireless router that I would use to wirelessly connect the two laptops. A Powerbook G4, with the remote camera tethered to it, would be in the catwalk. My Macbook Pro would be my main laptop. With it, I could access the G4 and retrieve my photos.

A G4 Powerbook connected to a camera, aimed at the basket, for my overhead remote at the girls state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March. 2, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

My G4 was running some older software, Canon Viewer Utility, that made it a little more difficult to get my pictures down to the floor. The cool thing about the software was I could tweak settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) on the camera from MBP.

How could I do that?

Enter Apple Remote Desktop.

With Remote Desktop, I could control the G4 from the floor as if I was moving the trackpad and typing on the keyboard myself.

I tested my setup in The Gazette building several months ago. It worked like a charm.

Fast forward a few months to March Madness at Wells Fargo Arena. I woke up early Friday morning. I wanted to get to the arena early so I had the place to myself, so to speak.

Setting up the remote camera rig, computer and router was pretty easy. I had my MBP with me in the catwalk. I fired it up and to my relief I saw the G4 appear under the shared volumes. I clicked “share screen” and in a few seconds the desktop of the G4 appeared on the desktop of my MBP.

Now, for the real test. I made my way down to the floor. Standing under the basket. Holding my MBP. I pressed the trigger button on the radio transmitter that fired the remote camera. Eight strobes fired. Good sign. I pressed the trigger button a few more times. I connected to the G4 again. Just as before, I could see the G4 desktop on my MBP. Outstanding! I fired off a few more frames. With a second or two delay, the images I just took appeared in the contact sheet of the Canon Viewer Utility. I selected several photos and copied them to my MBP. A five megabyte photo made the wifi leap from the catwalk to my MBP in about eight seconds. I was in business!

John Davis with the Iowa Events Center was pretty impressed at the technical feat. So was I, to tell the truth. He was more impressed that I would put this amount of time and effort into getting just  “one photo.”

I’m happy with the photographs I got. It just adds to the coverage as a whole by providing an angle readers don’t normally get to see. I did have a concern about what would happen during game time. All the RF interference in the arena really slowed transfer times to a point where I just had to wait until between sessions to download photos.

Thanks to IT guru Tim Nemc and Mac guru Jim Scharosch for providing technical assistance or just answering my emails from the catwalk). I see other applications for this kind of rig. Home plate remotes for baseball and softball come to mind. I also see several ways to streamline the process by using Eye-Fi SD cards and maybe doing away with having a camera tethered to a laptop.

Iowa City West player including Kelley Fliehler (left) Lauren Larson and Griffin Reed react to a Women of Troy basket during the second half of their class 4A semi final game against Waukee at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March. 2, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa City West won, 64-50. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

I started my stint of March Madness with the last part of the high school girls state basketball tournament All, except one, of the teams that The Gazette and KCRG-TV9 cover were knocked out before my arrival in Des Moines. Girls state basketball is one of my favorite assignments. It’s in the top three -joined by volleyball and softball. The players at this level of competition are just so much more expressive than their male counterparts. I think they’re more apt to scramble for a loose ball too.

Iowa City West's Ally Disterhoft (center) and Shahana Williams (right) reach for a loose ball against Waukee's Megan Shryack during the second half of their class 4A semi final game at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March. 2, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa City West won, 64-50. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

As Cliff Jette mentioned in a previous post. I try to look for action and reaction beyond the usual “armpit” shots.

Iowa City West head coach B.J. Mayer gives instructions to players during the second half of their class 4A semi final game against Waukee at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March. 2, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa City West won, 64-50. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

An expressive coach like Iowa City West’s B.J. Mayer is great to photograph. As a photographer, you have to sometimes forego the action on the court to get coaches, fans or players reacting on the bench.

Iowa City West's Ally Disterhoft (center) gets the ball knocked away by Waukee's Meg Goodson (right) as she is doubled teamed by Goodson and Ellie Cavanaugh during the second half of their class 4A semi final game at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March. 2, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa City West won, 64-50. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

Iowa City West's Ally Disterhoft (center) puts up a shot between Waukee's Amy Nestlingen (left) and Taylor Wingert during the second half of their class 4A semi final game at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, March. 2, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa City West won, 64-50. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

Check out Jeff Linder’s story of the Women of Troy defeating Waukee in a Class 4A semi-final game to advance to the championship game against Ankeny here.

Larry McKinnon (left) gives Arnie Juhl of Cedar Rapids a haircut at McKinnon's business, McKinnon's Squire Barber Shop, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. McKinnon rebuilt the business, located several blocks from the Cedar River, after the 2008 flood. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

I have a confession. I am terrible at remembering names. I remember faces really well. I just don’t put the correct name with the face.  Consider it an occupational hazard with the number of interactions I have on a daily basis.

There are some people I meet that leave a strong impression. Shared interests. A strong personality. A unique name. There’s just something that makes a connection in my mind.

Larry McKinnon is one of those people. I’m not sure of when I first met Larry. It was either on the sidelines of a high school football game or the infield of Hawkeye Downs on a Friday night. We share a love of photography. His barber shop in northwest Cedar Rapids has many of his photos that he’s taken of customers and/or their children displayed on the wall. He even has a few newspaper clippings of photos with my byline on them. What an ego boost to see those displayed on the wall when ever I go in there.

Cedar Rapids firefighters work to overhaul a flood-damaged house in the 400 block of E Avenue NW on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS – Firefighters contained an attic fire within 10 minutes at a flood-damaged house Friday afternoon.

According to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, construction workers installing a door at a nearby house noticed smoke coming from the roof of 421 C Ave. NW and called 911 at 1:41 p.m.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the second floor window on the back of the vacant house, the release said.

They were able to contain the fire to the attic area of the home within 10 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but CRFD Public Information Officer Greg Buelow said it’s possible that someone was in the home. The home was not secured in any way, there are no utilities connected to the structure, several windows were broken, and doors were missing.

The owner of the house is listed as Roy Jewett of Cedar Rapids, but the house appears to have been vacant since 2008.

Today’s fire is the 28th known fire to occur within the flood zone, and Buelow said it’s important for neighbors to alert authorities of any suspicious activity or persons around the vacant flood-damaged houses.

Not only are fires a hazard in these vacant homes, Buelow said, but faulty foundations are also highly dangerous. Neighbors of the house today said the structure’s foundation and porch are in danger of collapsing.

People looking for protection from the cold should instead seek out local shelters, he said.

Marion firefighters extinguished a fire at a house at 3053 Stone Creek Court on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Marion, Iowa. The fire apparently started in the garage. An SUV was destroyed in the fire. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Firefighters worked quickly to put out a garage fire in Marion late Monday.

The fire started just before 9 p.m. at the garage at 3053 Stone Creek Court.

Firefighters brought the fire under control in 20 minutes. The fire destroyed a sport-utility vehicle inside the garage.

No one was injured in the fire, but responders took one person to a local hospital with a medical condition.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Not Really.

But, it is interesting and frustrating what can happen in front of your lens once that mirror flips up, blacking out the viewfinder. Even at 1/640th of a second and 10 frames per second , the action was too close to the sideline where players were moving on and off the field.

Here are some photos that I transmitted back to The Gazette. I’m excited to shoot arena football. It’s a sport I haven’t shot before. New set of challenges. I hear it’s a high scoring game so there should be plenty of good reaction photos after touchdowns.

Cedar Rapids Titans receiver Nick Campbell (left) hauls in a pass during practice at Sport Zone on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Hiawatha, Iowa. The Titans have a pre-season game against the Omaha Beef on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

That’s Marion native and former Iowa State Cyclones Nick Campbell hauling in that pass. Cedar Rapids Washington prep and former Northern Iowa Panther Adam Pinckney is also vying to make the team as is former Iowa wide receiver Paul Chaney Jr.

Cedar Rapids Titans' Christopher Headd (right) gets a pass broken up by defensive back TJ Simmons during practice at Sport Zone on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Hiawatha, Iowa. The Titans have a pre-season game against the Omaha Beef on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

Coaches have just two weeks to trim the roster from 40 players to 25. Check out the article, written by Mike Condon, and more photos here.

Cedar Rapids Titans' offensive lineman and former Northern Iowa Panther Adam Pinckney (right) faces off against defensive lineman Korey Hollinshed during practice at Sport Zone on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Hiawatha, Iowa. The Titans have a pre-season game against the Omaha Beef on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

Cedar Rapids Titans receiver and former Iowa Hawkeye Paul Chaney Jr. during practice at Sport Zone on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Hiawatha, Iowa. The Titans have a pre-season game against the Omaha Beef on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

Tim Hautt swings on a rope swing with his daughter Emily, 2, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, in northeast Cedar Rapids. Hautt took advantage of the warm temperatures and an afternoon off work to play with his children. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)

I usually get a tight feeling in my gut when I see the text, “Need warm weather photo” appear on my phone’s screen. The image of my odometer spinning around, like a Bugs Bunny cartoon, as I put miles on my car in search of any activity enters my mind.

Not today!

It was a sunny, blue sky kind of day with temperatures was in the mid 40′s and I was feeling lucky.

After driving to some of my usual feature hunting grounds, I headed in the direction of Mount Mercy University. I was hoping some crazy students would be using the volleyball court or maybe throwing a Frisbee around. That was when I spied Tim Hautt spending time with his two children, Kyle, 4, and Emily, 2, in the front yard of his home.

A spent around eight minutes with Hautt and his children. Waiting until he was swinging in the direction and angle to make the picture I had envisioned.