Homers & Gomers

HOMERS: WHAT'S GOING RIGHT

MUSIC TO THE EARS: Students in Jane Schlabaugh's digital citizenship class at the Iowa Mennonite School in Kalona are providing music to residents at the Pleasantview Nursing Home in Kalona. As part of a class project, the students are downloading music to digital audio devices. The class looked online for 'old hymns or polkas or any other kind of music a senior citizen might like,” she said.

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SPRING IS IN THE AIR: Put away the gloves and hats. The sun will continue to shine and temperatures will continue to rise as spring officially begins this week. It is time to breathe in the fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun and watch the flowers blossom.

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GIVING SPIRIT: Donations from local philanthropists are helping Matthew 25 achieve success. The neighborhood-building organization has raised $1.51 million in its $1.8-million capital fundraising campaign. The giving spirit will continue as Matthew 25 works to revitalize core neighborhoods through renovating housing, urban farming and youth programs.

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GOMERS: WHAT'S GOING WRONG

EAGLE DIES: A Decorah eagle was electrocuted last week after landing on a utility pole in rural Keokuk County. The female eagle, hatched last year, is the fourth offspring of the Decorah pair to die by electrocution. 'It's Russian roulette when a bird lands on a pole supporting electricity transmission lines,” said Bob Anderson, director of the Raptor Resource Project.

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IOWA STRAW POLL: Iowa State University in Ames will not play host to the Iowa Republican Party's presidential straw poll this year. The poll will be moved westward 20 miles to the town of Boone. Hopefully, the move doesn't discourage participation by Iowa State students and volunteers who have an interest in politics.

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PRIEST: Father Leo Riley, a Naples (Fla.) priest, has been placed on administrative leave after allegations of sexual abuse in his former parish in Dubuque. The alleged incident is said to have taken place in 1985 at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque.

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