Homers: What's Going Right

STUDENTS GIVE: Iowa college students' volunteerism rate climbed to No. 2 in the nation in 2010, says Volunteering in America. Coe College even requires community service hours from its first-year students.

lll

AMPHITHEATER ADVANCES: Nearly all the funding for Cedar Rapids' proposed downtown amphitheater is in place after the city was awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Vision Iowa Board last week.

lll

JUNKERS BE GONE: City staff is proposing a change in the junk-vehicle ordinance that makes sense: Owners of a vehicle must prove it can move under its own power if it's parked in the yard. Currently, no matter how rusty or unsightly a vehicle may be, it's considered “operable” if its basic pieces are in place. The City Council should OK this change. It's more considerate of the neighbors, too.

lll

NO ‘RETARD': Many Prairie High School students recently pledged to ask people to stop using the R-word: “Retard.” Good example to set. And while they're at it, how about including a few more ugly offenders that are all too common in everyday conversations?