Homers -- What's going right

BETTER THAN EVER: Cheers to Bill Munsell and Gary Anderson, who led an impressive major renovation/improvement project at the Tree of Five Seasons and adjacent park, now named Five Seasons Plaza. The site was damaged by the 2008 flood and some neglect over the years because of inconsistent maintenance. About $405,000 in donations was raised, including $100,000 set aside for future maintenance. Another $200,000 in labor and in-kind services was contributed.

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VINTON REBOUNDS: A year ago, a vicious storm with winds reaching 130 mph ripped through Vinton, wiping out more than 60 percent of the city's many mature trees and damaging buildings on every block. Today, an extensive replanting effort is under way and virtually all building repairs or replacements have been completed, thanks to the efforts of city officials and community support.

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USS IOWA'S BIG DAY: More than 3,000 people visited the legendary USS Iowa on the July 7 grand opening of the nation's newest battleship museum, located San Pedro, a Los Angeles harbor area community.

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