Homers -- What's going right

100 PERCENT: Cedar Rapids' costliest public facility repair job in the aftermath of the June 2008 flood has been the city's wastewater treatment plant. While not all of the work has been completed, the facility and its operators nonetheless have just earned a Gold Peak (top) Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. The local plant met 100 percent of 3,500 compliance requirements or discharge limits over the past year.

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POOP PLEDGE: The city recently held a “pick up the poo” event to educate residents about stormwater runoff and pollution potential. Attendees were asked to sign a pledge to pick up after their dogs and other pets when walking them on public or private property. More than 100 signed up. Good. Keep spreading the message: “Scoop the poop”! This is every pet owner's obligation to their neighbors.

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HALF CENTURY OF JUDGING: Judge Edward McManus, 92 years young, is marking 50 years of service on the federal bench, all of it for the Northern District in Iowa. He is the second-longest serving active district judge in the nation.