We don’t need a groundhog to know we’re getting better every day

No one wants to rely on a rodent for happiness, but that's what we do on Groundhog Day.

Even if he sees his shadow and winter looms forever, there is reason to celebrate. The Hawkeye State recently made O - The Oprah Magazine's list of “100 Things That Are Getting Better.”

Yeah, we are!

Taking a page from Oprah, here are 10 things that are getting better in Eastern Iowa:

• The weather: Some of the snow melted over the weekend, and we saw the sun.

• The replacements: It looks like a new Cedar Rapids Public Library and a new Hancher Auditorium might actually be built.

• Spring fever: March Madness is only a month away.

• Disc us: Iowa is at the forefront of the disc golf movement with more courses than any other state, except Texas.

• Cool education: Schools are in their second week without a snow day.

• TXT U L8R: It's easier than ever to keep in touch with friends, thanks to social networking, unlimited texting, e-mail and Skype.
• Small fry: It used to be the only food worth eating in small-town Iowa was fried, a casserole or a fried casserole. The Lincoln Cafe in Mount Vernon, which got a shout out of its own in “O” The Oprah Magazine in 2004 for its “world-class cooking,” is an example of the premier dining options in Eastern Iowa.

• Comeback kid: Theatre Cedar Rapids is on the verge of moving back to its downtown location.

• Who's counting?: Spring break is only six weeks away.

• Market share: We have farmers markets in winter. Mount Vernon, Feb. 13 and. 27; Springville, Feb. 20; Dubuque, Saturdays through April 24.