Homers: What's going right

By The Gazette Editorial Board

VOLUNTEERS RAMP UP: Cheers to the Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program. WRAP volunteers, who include many retired Rockwell Collins engineers, help design and install customized ramps for people who need wheelchairs to get around and can't afford to pay someone for constructing an access ramp to their homes. Call (319) 369-7377 for information or to volunteer.

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SINGING, GIVING: Native son Simon Estes is bringing his immense vocal talent to entertain Iowans in small towns all over the state and also to raise money for college scholarships and inspire young musicians. The internationally renowned opera singer is on a three-year concert tour of Iowa's 99 counties. Concert proceeds go toward the Simon Estes Iowa Educational Foundation. Thank you, Simon, for giving back to your home state. More information at www.seief.org

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WATERSHED HELP: Iowa's critical need for better watershed management to reduce flooding got a boost when state officials committed $10 million from a federal disaster recovery grant to several pilot projects that will establish local watershed authority groups, as well as provide education. It's still a drop in the bucket relative to the overall need, but all progress is welcome.