This week's homers

H1N1 PREVENTION: If the H1N1 flu epidemic flares up around here this fall, vaccine testing that will begin soon at the University of Iowa could prove useful. UI is one of eight sites nationwide chosen for testing by the National Institutes of Health. They're looking for volunteers ages 6 months and older, so if you're interested, call (319) 356-4848 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

EMERGENCY SKILLS: Ron Miller got a surprise test of his emergency piloting skills Wednesday and passed with flying colors. The Florida man's small biplane lost power while flying over Iowa City and he had to make an emergency landing. Miller managed to set his plane down on North First Avenue, swerving to miss a van just before landing. The only casualties were two road signs.

PET ASSISTANCE: Cedar Rapids AniMeals, a non-profit organization, provides food and spay/neuter assistance for pets whose owners are elderly, disabled or low-income. The nine-year-old group was born in 2000 and has grown to serve more than 350 clients with 638 pets. It depends on volunteers, grants and donations from residents and businesses. For more information, contact Kandi Herb at Kandi@cranimeals.org or (319) 365-6201.