Homers: What's going right

NUMBERS GAME: We're glad to see that the Big 12, sans Colorado and Nebraska, will go forward otherwise intact, which ensures that Iowa State University teams will remain in a BCS-eligible conference. Oddly, unless the Big Ten winds up adding a school in addition to Nebraska, it will have 12 members in 2011. The Big 12, with no other changes, will be at 10 schools. Uh, should they swap names?

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VOLUNTEER EXCELLENCE: Iowans volunteer at a higher rate than residents of any other state except Utah, according to the government-run Corporation for National and Community Service. During 2009, nearly 40 percent of Iowa residents engaged in some kind of volunteer activity to help their neighbor and community. Among cities, Iowa City ranked No. 2 in the nation for midsize communities with its volunteer rate of 50 percent.

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BIG PITCH: OK, it's not exactly the Summer Olympic Games but news that the World Horseshoe Pitching Championships is coming to Cedar Rapids this summer is still a big deal. The event is scheduled for July 26 through Aug. 7 at the Ice Arena; 1,200-plus competitors are expected. It brings prestige and an economic boost.