Homers -- What's going right

GONE BUT APPRECIATED: The University of Iowa School of Music and many students benefitted from the contributions of Himie Voxman, who died Tuesday. Voxman, who directed the UI School of Music from 1954 to 1980, was an Iowa City High School music teacher before joining the UI staff. He was highly regarded among the nation's music educators, and wrote hundreds of instruction books.

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RECYCLING BOON: Earlier this month, the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency launched a shingle-recycling operation at its landfill north of Marion. It's working with a Marion roofing company, Eastern Iowa Construction, whose owner, Jeremy Bleeker, has been a pioneer in the process. The shingles are turned into asphalt instead of adding to the landfill debris. Looks like a good partnership for business and the environment.

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY: A year ago, 2,800 Iowa National Guard soldiers marked Thanksgiving while serving dangerous duty in Afghanistan. This weekend, virtually all of them were home to celebrate with loved ones. Four fellow soldiers didn't make it back and no doubt were remembered in many prayers.